I have a walk around West End a couple of times a week. It's a pleasant enough stroll and gets my steps up for the day. It also clears my head before work and lets me catch up on whatever audiobook or podcast I'm listening to at the moment.
This morning, however, I had a mission.
A Facebook favour, indeed.
Somebody in one of the only two groups I follow said she was moving to Australia and getting an apartment in West End. Did anybody know of any good strength training gyms there?
Well, West End is full of gyms.
I reckon I’d pass a dozen of them every time I walk there. I had noticed them without ever really noting them if you get the difference. So, this morning I set out for my walk with task and purpose.
I was looking for a strength training gym for somebody on the Internet!
It needed to have lots of racks and free weights and not be too crowded at peak hours. I took that second ask as wish casting, but in fact, it was the first requirement – lots of racks and barbells and dummies – that nearly deep-sixed the whole thing.
I went looking for an old-school iron factory, and man, that was hard to find. There are plenty of bespoke, independent gyms scattered like confetti throughout West End, but like most of the big box chains, they’re really just warehouses full of treadmills and bikes for spin class. Cardio is king.
After walking around for an hour, though, I did find a place in the back streets.
West End Strength.
It had plenty of racks and lots of heavy things to pick up and put down again.
I put my head in and said hello to Jess, the instructor on duty at the time. She was running a small group class. That was the other thing I noticed. Young people these days just do not like training by themselves. Unless exercise comes with a built-in friendship network, they don't seem to be interested. Me, I hate people. My favourite thing is to go to the gym, put my headphones on, and ignore everyone. I have no idea whether my Facebook buddy is the same way, but I suspect she is. Anyway, I'll send her some links, and she can make that call for herself.
I have no wish to chat while I wheeze through my 30 min or cardio or lifting......that’s what bars are for .... but we aren’t 20 something anymore .... that world is as foreign and frightening as it gets.... I don’t know how the youngsters even meet anymore with the minefield of PC
My gym set up is a combo of a repurposed garage and a nearby gym. My garage is only large enough for a bar, weights, DBs, kettle bell, TRX straps and a bench . I would love to get one of those Verve foldaway racks, but I don't have the height clearance. Those 24-hour Fitness Plus joints just did my head in. Usually overcrowded with young guys and girls who workout for 10 minutes, followed by 15 minutes sitting on a bench gawping at their phones. Not to mention those overhead screens showing either soapie of the week or music videos. Once a week I have a session with a trainer at a gym that just does one-on-one training. Nice guy who is also an assistant trainer the Balmain under 21s on the side. My only requirement is that there is nothing left in the tank after 45 minutes. He has not failed me yet.
You're a fitness angel Mr B. I'm sure your FB buddy will be grateful for your efforts.
Also, I can't think of anything worse than having to exercise with a group of strangers, what in the seven hells is this new fad of fitness classes for young people? Why must they destroy anti social solo exercising for the rest of us? (get off my lawn etc etc).
Who wants to sweat and grunt with a bevy of onlookers? Not I. Sounds like you found a good one, sir.
I have no wish to chat while I wheeze through my 30 min or cardio or lifting......that’s what bars are for .... but we aren’t 20 something anymore .... that world is as foreign and frightening as it gets.... I don’t know how the youngsters even meet anymore with the minefield of PC
My gym set up is a combo of a repurposed garage and a nearby gym. My garage is only large enough for a bar, weights, DBs, kettle bell, TRX straps and a bench . I would love to get one of those Verve foldaway racks, but I don't have the height clearance. Those 24-hour Fitness Plus joints just did my head in. Usually overcrowded with young guys and girls who workout for 10 minutes, followed by 15 minutes sitting on a bench gawping at their phones. Not to mention those overhead screens showing either soapie of the week or music videos. Once a week I have a session with a trainer at a gym that just does one-on-one training. Nice guy who is also an assistant trainer the Balmain under 21s on the side. My only requirement is that there is nothing left in the tank after 45 minutes. He has not failed me yet.
You're a fitness angel Mr B. I'm sure your FB buddy will be grateful for your efforts.
Also, I can't think of anything worse than having to exercise with a group of strangers, what in the seven hells is this new fad of fitness classes for young people? Why must they destroy anti social solo exercising for the rest of us? (get off my lawn etc etc).