Dude, Dude.....dude

Okay what's with the nicknames and name calling so many men do in the weight rooms today? As if the over-grown, iron pumping, in front of mirrors in undersized shirts wasn't egotistical enough.... now this! No wonder everyone has ipods jammed in their ears everywhere you look!
First I totally understand and respect the importance of a spotter while lifting. Especially if your putting up big weight, safety first. But when your buddy is there counting your reps and calling you "big dawg" or "killer" it's gone way to far! And yet you see it all the time. Men in weight rooms have forgotten they are men and not 12 year old boys. The shouting, the grunting, the nicknames, even rehearsed high-five handshakes, it's all for attention. As if to say look at me, your not cool enough to be in our club.
But really, nobody wants to be in that club anyway. So if you're one of the 'dudes' who is involved in this distortion of manliness cut it out; or if you know someone who is tell them how ridiculous they sound. "Do it DAWG!"

Warning: Blogging may be hazardouss to health

Yesterday CNN.com reported that "Blogging may pose health risks." In a video interview, comedian/ celebrity Perez Hilton expressed his unhealthy encounters as a full time blogger including symptoms such as lack of sleep, poor diet, and deficient amounts of exercise or movement. Just look at the guy and it makes sense.

And even as I write this I realize the irony of it. Me, a personal trainer, blogging about how blogging is bad for your health. Sitting here doing the thing that I am telling you NOT to do. But we all do it, everyday of our lives is filled with little shortcomings that void us of our health. Sitting at a computer screen, watching TV, driving, even cooking has become mundane with the help of the microwave!!!

But there is hope! There are tons of little adjustments we can make daily to add some existence of exercise in our lives. Keeping a set of dumbbells with you at the office, stretching while you cook, I even have a group of friends who do push ups for every time they are killed while playing their favorite video game! So the question is: what do you do for that little extra every day? Any suggestions? Lets hear your ideas....

First Entry

Ever go to a gym and feel like you didn't "fit in", as if you didn't belong there? your not alone. Infact, most refuse to even walk into a gym or rec center. You can't even get yourself to the parking lot let alone inside the front doors and braving an attempt to appear as if you know how to use the equipment. Terrifying. Why?....Because it makes us face the reality of our incompetence to take care of ourselves, of our health. Spare me the embarrassment and give me another doughnut!

This is where a place like "Average Joes" (from the 2004 film DodgeBall) would be great in reality. A place where expectations of "GloboGyms" are torn down, where health is not judged or dictated by physical standards.

What we want is a place of truth, honesty, shamelessness, and variety. What we need is a sanctuary where health shouldn't be avoided in order to protect our pride. What we feel, believe, and wonder should be able to be openly shared with others....
Welcome to Vaudeville Gym.