I went to Walmart last night.  I was running errands.  I needed to buy a handful of household cleaners, a new toilet brush, baby-wipes for my bulldog’s bottom and face folds, and a handful of other miscellaneous household stuff.

I don’t like going to Walmart.  I don’t like having to spend time and money procuring the crap I just listed.  I don’t enjoy squeezing by unmannered dregs in muumuus and sweats as they root through bargain bins.   All around, it’s a task that given my druthers, I really would prefer to forgo.

And for that matter, I don’t like having to attend to putting the aforelisted items to use.

Call me highbrowed and clean-nailed.

That complaint registered, I do, however, like having a clean abode, a non-mephitic reading pot, a feculence-free four-legged friend and all the other benefits of all the other crap I picked-up.  And, despite the fact that I loathe the task that is the Walmart experience, I do like that it satisfies my needs.

So, realizing that quite often in life we’re forced to put up with things we don’t like in-order to get to the things we want, I went to Walmart; I scrubbed my floors; I dusted my shelves; I washed my clothes; I brushed my teeth; I polished my faucets; I gave the throne a good scrubbing; I cleaned my dog’s crevices; and I performed a bunch of other menial chores.

All unfavourable tasks done to reach favourable ends.

Last week I travelled to a beach / cottage town to hang out with a few close buddies.  We walked around with our shirts off, sans sunscreen in UV-chart busting sun.  We each lost count after 15 drinks.  We hit on girls we shouldn’t of (for more reasons than one) in ways we really shouldn’t have.  We ate crap food.  We slept for less than 3 hours.  We can’t remember what happened after 2am.  We probably took a couple years off of our lives.

We had a blast.

But I won’t do that again for months – likely not even again this year.

Why? Because I know well enough that as pleasurable as those inputs are, the outputs, as felt the next morning, would be deleterious and directly counter to my hierarchy of wants, priorities and goals, if continued with any regularity.

They were very favourable actions with very unfavourable consequences.

Funny that.  How like and want aren’t synonymous.  How they can be in complete conflict.  How quite often in life you have to do things you don’t like in order to get the things you want.  And conversely, how it’s pretty clear that just because you enjoy doing something, that doesn’t mean that the ultimate result will be enjoyable.

The fact is, that to look better naked, perform better, feel better, live longer, or achieve whatever your particular want is, some of the things you have to do you won’t enjoy and you’ll have to say goodbye to some of the things that you do.

Hardly a revelation but certainly a needed reality check.

Taking a page out of Bill Maher’s notebook, new rule: if a website or other ballyhooing vehicle uses the word secret in any way, shape or form, as in but not limited to “secrets to health” or “weight loss secrets revealed,” to describe the book, program, diet, service, etc. they’re peddling, you have the right to punch them in the face. Or, short of the justifiable but potentially legally cumbersome application of violence, do yourself a huge solid by navigating your oculo-auditory resources, and along with them your pocketbook, Paypal account and credit card digits, elsewhere.

These promise the world but sell you nothing more than an expensive empty shell hucksters are today’s equivalent of the slick snake oil street-wagon pedlars of 100+ years ago.  At its best, this broad industry of body comp, wellness, and/or performance professionals truly helps people change and improve their lives physically, mentally and/or emotionally but the dark, seedy and frankly sinister hucksterism employed by a range of moronic fraudulent harpies to, corruptive greed aside, otherwise arguably legitimate experts, hangs a dark, gassy, acrid cloud over the entire field.

That’s the secret.  Or, more correctly, that’s the obvious, but sadly nonetheless compelling due to desperation, reality lurking below the dolled-up pig with lipstick epithet that the use of secret is in this context.

The cold shower truth is that to change your body you have to change the habits that led you to your current state.  Most often, this means eating real food and exercising, everyday over a significant period of time and having realistic goals.  Which, arguably, is no small task and one that you likely could use a good deal of help with but nonetheless is a really freaking elementary, secret-less, process.  Simple but not easy.

So whether it’s the use of secret or some other pitchman ad copy buzzword, I plead you, caveat emptor, if not a full fist to face encounter.

Back in June 2007, Alwyn Cosgrove penned a great piece for T-mag, aka T-nation aka T-muscle (forgive, me, I don’t recall which hat they were sporting at the time), championing the merits of Complexes for Fat Loss.  Although not the first, fifth or five hundredth coach to support the approach, in typical Cosgrovian fashion, he did a smashing job of succinctly detailing when, why and how to implement these belly-devouring beasts.

Specifically, he provided 4 main reasons why one would implement these fat-feasting forays.  The first of which, and the one I’d like to draw attention to, being a limited amount of time, space and/or equipment.  Read that again.  The number one reason why it’s advantageous to load up and stick with a single bar or make use of a single select training implement is because of limited available resources.  You do it because that’s all you have; out of necessity you make the most out of scarce resources and you manage to do a commendable job working with what you have, countering the condition imposed compromise by emphasizing volume by variety.

Pretty straightforward that.

However, for some reason, the trend du jour is to overlook the scarcity requirement and self-impose the single-implement condition even when entire gyms are available.  It seems a bit silly to me – not unlike using a hammer to drive in a screw when you have a fully equipped tool box at your disposal.  In fact, more than that it seems short-sighted and, quite often, the result is a short-changed training effect – irrespective of how hard you or your client may be panting.

Fact: hyperventilating is the bastard stepchild of the inbred married-in uncle of the training-effect family.

Why is this a big deal?  Because, more often than not, it means that an intensity disparity is created, rendering otherwise useful movements as workout filler.

Take a look at this common complex, for example –

Deadlift x 6

Bent-over row x 6

Power clean from hang x 6

Front squat x 6

Push press x 6

These are arguably 5 of the top 10–15 exercises one can perform but because load is determined by the weakest movement(s), at least 2 of them – the deadlift and front squat – are demoted to gap fillers.  Two of the finest, and arguably most effective, exercises of the bunch, relegated to mediocrity.  Why?  Because deadlifting or front squatting for 6 what you can clean or push press for 6, barely registers as warm-up weight.  The drive to self-impose a single load and/or a single resistance training implement takes what would otherwise be 5 super effective exercises and creates a bland soup of compromised effort.

Now I can’t say for sure why this self-imposed handcuffing takes place.  Maybe it’s because of that same innate condition that leaves us mesmerized by the late-night infomercial spots where Item X can do 30 things poorly for just $9.95.  Maybe it’s that.  Or maybe, in many cases, it’s because of the arbitrary mandate that the bar, dumbbell or whatever instrument of choice being used, should never be put down.

Why not? Are we playing a video game?  Is the reset button hit as soon as the bar touches the ground?  Is it some form of metabolic hacky-sack?  Do you return to being in a lazy sedentary state as soon as the weight hits the ground?

Sorry I must’ve missed the memo.

Look, I appreciate the spirit for the rule: keep training density and focus high by limiting transition time.  But to what extreme and at what cost?  Is it more advantageous to achieve Über smoothness at the expense of properly calibrated efforts or might it be more beneficial to open up the training toolbox while maintaining as much flow as possible?

Never a fan of rules – a wee bit of a rebellious streak in me, I must confess – I vote for the latter.  Feel liberated by putting the bloody bar down, spitting on it and grabbing the right tool for the next phase of the job instead of making do with compromise.

—————————

Thus concludes part 1 of this 3 part examination.  In the next installment we’ll take a look at the importance of exercise order and rep allocation in complexes – another area many trainees and trainers fail to get quite right.

What do most people know or at least think they know about green tea?  For the sake of this missive, two things.  First that it’s apparently beneficial in a whole host of ways for one reason or another.  And second that it tastes like piss.  Or it at least reminds them of piss because of its urine tinge, warmness and less than palate-moistening effect.

Green Tea?

Okay, not all green tea has a urine tinge. Don’t overanalyze, just go with it. The point is, if you crave or enjoy green tea, you’re in the minority.

So keeping score, chalk that up to 1 checkmark for the good guys and 1 big X in the not so much column.  Which for all you non-human behaviourists, computes out to — “green tea, you say?  Nah, I think I’ll go for a cup of great tasting, diabetic lardass instead.”

This is a problem and it is indicative of an even bigger crisis — literally.  People aren’t compelled by what is or isn’t healthy for them.  They’re compelled by what’s convenient and immediately gratifying — “give me what feels and/or tastes good and do it now!” And this, my friends, is why Asia needs 4 Billion people – to collectively counter the weight of the 500 million North Americans that would otherwise weigh our planet out of orbit.

But I digress.  Back to the topic, putting the above into current context, the translation is: STFU about green tea and how mighty it is until you can make it mouth watering.

Can this self-gratifying / self-destructive mindset be shaped into a more health aware, self-bettering one?   Yes but it can’t be done with a single blog so, showing my own human nature, I’d rather provide a hack that will get you drinking and enjoying green tea in no time flat, saving me from the long hours of trying to help you see that your health is more important than primitive reward centre stimulation.

Enter the best damn tasting healthy beverage concoction you’ll likely come across today.  For those of you that don’t enjoy green tea as well for those that do and similarly, for those of you that are proactive with your health and those that aren’t, this little combo is a dandy.

In a large tea pot (~1.5L) combine one bag or loose leaf serving of the following 3 teas -

• A quality plain green or white tea to serve as the base.  (I like Matcha for this).
• A chai or chai-green blend
• A mint or mint-green blend

Now add to these a medium to large cinnamon stick and a couple slices, or heck, a chunk of fresh ginger.

Fill and throw on the kettle until the sound of the water deepens or let boil and then sit for a minute or two.  In other words, you want it just short of boiling.

Yeah I know, what kind of vague instruction is that — heat until it makes a deeper sound — but it’s a helluva lot more practical than heat to  81.7° or whatever the heck made up number that’s bantered around by tea-shop hipsters these days.

Okay back on point.  We’ve got the 3 teas, a cinnamon stick and some fresh ginger in a big ol’ pot – or a new one – and we’ve got some hot but not so freaking hot water.  Now all we have to do is steep this bad boy.  For how long?  For as long as there’s fluid in the pot.  You can make up a pot in the morning, afternoon or evening and sip away at it or make it up the night before, put it in the fridge and have it on hand for the next day.

I personally will go through 2–3 pots per day, adding a bag or serving of tea to the mix with each brew.

Why these teas and why cinnamon and ginger?  Because, as you’ll find, the combo tastes really good.  And not only are you benefitting from the green (or white) tea, you’re also getting a big boost from the super foods that cinnamon and ginger are, not to mention the mint and chai-spice combo.

Give it a try.  I bet it just may make a green tea drinker out of you.

These days I spend a good chunk of my non BT and PN time focusing on the stock market and investing in general.  Buy signals, sell signals; bullish indicators, bearish indicators; going long, going short; calls, puts; fundamental analysis, technical analysis; value investing, growth investing, etc, etc all the way down the list of economic and market assessments and investment styles.

But while I find all of these characteristics of wealth at work incredibly fascinating and insightful, if you’re an investor, the golden path of historical success is paved with one very simple concept: compound interest/growth over a long time.

While some of your eyes may be glossing over with the use of the terminology in the opening paragraph, most of you have likely heard something along the lines of “invest x small amount each week, month or year starting when you’re young and it’ll be X large amount by the time you’re 50.”  In other words, little by little, you can grow a significant fortune if you’re patient, consistent and have the ability to look beyond the day to day.

Does this sound like anything else in life?  A lot of things, likely, but knowing the context of this missive, does it remind you of anything else that’s best pursued, perceived and evaluated in the long run by starting small, keeping things simple and working toward with patience and consistency?

Your wellness, body comp, and mental & physical performance, of course.

People lose fortunes when they try to time the market just like they lose themselves when they crash diet and dive head first into the cardio theatre.  Sure, a few people out of a great many strike it rich with big short term gambles, just as a handful can parlay short term “boot camp” bullshit (calm down, it’s in the dictionary) into sustained change but most people — you likely included — at best, will yo-yo up and down, eroding progress with each oscillation.

So remember, just as one should take a long term investment approach to their financial security, so too is it key to approach how you look, feel and function with less focus on the unlikely short-term jackpot and more focus on reliable long term returns on investment.

Naked man in the change room, I applaud you for your unabashed body comfort. I support and encourage your dedication to hygiene. I tip my hat to your daily routine of staying informed by newsprint. And I appreciate your efforts to preserve the custom you grew up with of being kind and courteous to your fellow man.

But naked man in the change room, I’m not comfortable with your body. I don’t appreciate you using the hair dryer for anything but your head. I’m not for you using the leg up on the counter toweling technique. I don’t agree with lounging naked in the locker room while perusing stock quotes and world events. And by god my good man, the kindest courtesy you could afford me is to put some pants on before any pleasantries are exchanged.

Naked man, get clean, get dressed and get on your way.

Originally posted at precisionnutrition.com

There are a number of things that drive me crazy about commercial gyms, not the least of which is that after that dotted line is signed, members are left on their own.  And amongst many others problems that this lack of start-up direction fosters, a good many new sign-ups ultimately end up developing some very bad habits.

In effort to remedy this, I wholeheartedly believe that gyms should come with a start-up manual.

So without further ado, Chapter 1: Gym Etiquette -

Wipe your sweat off: This one should go without saying. Leaving a trail of bodily fluids is not cool. No one should fault you for sweating but you are culpable if you fail to wipe your sweat off benches, mats and other equipment you use.

Wear clean shoes: If,  you haven’t opted for gym-specific shoes, at the very least ensure that your work boots, Mr. YMCA, are not tracking filth around the place. No matter how “hardcore” your gym may be, no one likes to squat in mud.

Remove weight from bars: This is a matter of courtesy on a number of levels. Going all the way back to daycare, a given in proper decorum is that if you take something out, be sure to return it when you’re done with it. It’s a universal act that doesn’t stop at the gym doors. Cleaning up after yourself aside, there are a couple other important reasons for ensuring that you take your weights off and return them to their appropriate rack(s).

1. Not everyone can safely handle the heavier weight plates.
2. Not removing weights is a universal signal that someone is using that particular bar, rack, piece of equipment or machine. If you leave your weight on the bar out of laziness, misguided bravado or sheer ignorance and not because you’re coming right back to it, you’re negatively impacting others. They won’t know whether the particular item is spoken for and thus their workouts will be impeded.

And please note that stripping a bar or machine down to a single plate is not the same thing as removing all of your weight. This should seem logical without chiding but, for whatever reason, a common habit is for trainees to stop removing weights once they get down to a single plate per side. Spend the extra moment and clear the bar entirely.

Return dumbbells (DB) to their appropriate location: Another seemingly obvious act of courtesy, returning DBs to their specific place on the DB rack, should be a given. Unfortunately, it isn’t. In an empty gym with clearly marked DBs this might not be such an important act but it’s crucial in a busy gym or one with poorly marked poundage.

When you’re at home looking for a tea mug, where do you look? The cupboard or shelf designated for tea mugs, of course. Now let’s say someone comes over and instead of putting your mugs on that shelf, they stow them under the sink, behind the bleach. Not exactly the first place you’re going to look and it’ll take your time, effort and a great degree of your patience to find them. It’s the same thing with dumbbells at the gym.  And it’s really simple -

First Step: Return DBs from the bench or area where you’re using them to the rack.
Second Step: Place DBs in their designated slot, if applicable.

Don’t see the importance of the second step? Well, let’s say I’ve just finished using the 150lb DBs and in the process of attempting to return them to their proper spot, I find that someone has instead placed 10lb DBs there. I now either have to return ignorant favour by carrying the 150 pounders down to the open 10lb slots at the other end of the rack, getting in the way of others as I do so,  and contribute to woes of others. Or I need to set the 150lb DBs down, take the 10lb DBs from the 150lb slots, return them to their proper place and go back to hoist the 150lb DBs into their slots. All of that because the person before me was too lazy to put their DBs back to where they got them.

That was tiring enough to write let alone execute. So put your DBs back to where they belong.

Let others work in: Whenever possible, as a conscientious member of your gym, it’s proper to let others work in. If unfamiliar with the phrase, it means allowing others to use the piece of equipment you’re using during your rest periods. In some cases this might not be ideal but so long as the impediment on your workout isn’t severe, it’s a nice thing to do. Moreover, you’ll likely need the act reciprocated some time in the future.

The key to letting others work in is dialogue. Go beyond the head nod and grunt combination and use the more developed regions of your brain. Explain how many sets you have, your rest periods and any other applicable info. It’ll take less than a minute and the other person will know how to best conduct themselves so as not to be an impediment.

You might not be able to stick precisely to your rest periods but this slight inconvenience is more than offset by the act of courtesy.

Don’t curl in the squat rack: A pet peeve of many a seasoned lifter, curling in the squat rack, is a weightlifting taboo that has fallen through the cracks as fitness centres have taken over. It’s a matter of courtesy because you simply don’t need the rack in order to curl. You can just as effectively take the bar to a corner and curl there. By opting to stay in the rack, you’re preventing others from performing exercises that actually require it (squats, for example)

If the gym isn’t busy or if there are a number of available squat racks, it isn’t as big of a deal (supply will meet demand). If, however, the gym is busy or there are a limited number of squat racks, gym etiquette dictates that you move the bar out of the rack and curl elsewhere.

Note: This act of courtesy doesn’t just apply to barbell curls – they’re just the most common offender. It expands to cover all exercises that don’t require a rack.

Lend a spot when comfortable: There are two parts to that statement. The first is providing a spot to a trainee in need. The second is the condition that you should only do so if comfortable. That is, you should only provide a spot if you know what you’re doing and feel as though you’re adding to the safety of the trainee in need.

Spotting is an art that requires practice. Sounds a bit silly to state but it’s not nearly as straightforward as taking on some of the load if a trainee gets into trouble. An experienced spotter can judge when a lifter will need help and will be able to provide just enough assistance to keep the bar moving through its correct range of motion. Additionally, a well rehearsed spotter is like a golfer’s caddy in that they help with judgment (how much weight to use, critique of form, encourage additional reps, etc).

In some cases, you may be a very experienced spotter and yet it’s still not appropriate to accept a spot request. Specifically, if a trainee is lifting recklessly (far too much weight on the bar, for example), it’s generally not a good idea to help facilitate their foolish act – they can get hurt and so can you. Similarly, even if their execution is perfect and the load is within their ability, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the load is within your spotting ability. If you accept the spot request and the trainee gets into trouble, you better be able to help them.

Once again, communication reigns supreme. If recklessness is the case, explain that you’re uncomfortable lending a hand because it doesn’t appear to be the safe thing to do. Some people will listen to your concerns while others will carry on imprudently. It’s not your place to convince them but explaining why you think it’s unsafe may end up preventing an injury or worse. Similarly, if a trainee is lifting a load beyond your personal spotting comfort level, explain this to them.

Finally, it’s important to keep your wits about you while on the gym floor. Very much like defensive driving, your safety and the safety of those around you will be greatly benefited by a constant and keen level of awareness.

Don’t drop weights: This has very little to do with making noise and very much to do with not breaking/bending equipment. If you drop a DB and it isn’t perfectly flush when it strikes the ground, it’ll bend, or at the very least, loosen. DBs are expensive and gyms are slow to replace them, so even though they’re not exactly delicate, it’s important not to throw them around – the heavier they get, the more important this is. The same is true of barbells. If you drop a barbell and it doesn’t hit the ground flush, the bar will bend and in some cases, snap. This is dangerous and, like with the DBs, a problem if you plan on working out there for awhile.

Clearly there are times when you have to bail on a movement to prevent injury. This is very different from tossing the weight around out of bravado, lack of effort or ignorance. If, you need to drop a weight to prevent injury or because you “missed” during an Olympic lifting effort, save your body and bail on the bar or DBs.

Note: Sometimes it is about noise. Specifically, if you train at a fitness centre and not a weight room or “hardcore” gym, if you make too much noise performing an exercise (deadlifting, for example), the gym management will not only threaten your membership, there’s a good chance they’ll ban the particular movement. So don’t ruin it for everyone by dropping weights.

Don’t interrupt during a set: No one likes to be interrupted while they’re performing a task and when heavy weights are inserted into the scenario, it can go beyond dislike to danger. If you require access to a particular piece of equipment, have a question to ask or have some other need of the trainee or their training space, wait until they’re finished with their set.

Talking to the trainee, getting too close, standing in their direct sight-line, taking weight off their bench or rack, crossing in front or behind and all other invasions of space, can dramatically impact concentration and, in turn, coordination. So remember that the safe and correct actions are to bide your time well away from the lifter, grab the equipment from elsewhere or take an alternate route.

Be Respectful: I submit that it’s well within your right to form personal appraisals of others. Right or wrong, correct or ignorant, everyone is adorned with the freedom of thought. What isn’t cool is openly making disparaging comments about others. You’re going to see all degrees of oddity at the gym and you’re going to find yourself routinely thinking “Wow!” What’s crucial is that you remember to be considerate. Don’t gawk, point, laugh or ridicule. (I know these sound like givens but, from my experience, they’re worth reinforcing)

For many individuals, the gym is an uncomfortable place to begin with. They feel out of place and it takes all their nerve just to show up. A single instance of belittlement because they appear out of sorts can crush all of their gym-going confidence. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t doing something foolish, and neither does it negate the fact that they may very well be just plain strange. What it does mean is that it’s proper manner to keep these appraisals to yourself and respect the fact that so long as they’ve paid their dues and aren’t offending others, they have as much right to be there as you do.

Relatedly, read this post as it relates to the comfort of the opposite sex.

Originally posted at precisionnutrition.com

Deciding what to eat can be a very complex, confusing, onerous task that leaves most people, well, out to lunch.  No pun intended — honestly. It often leaves people going out for lunch, breakfast and dinner because they say screw it, this is convenient and I like the taste of it.

Unfortunately, with those words and process of selection comes a bigger waistline and a host of internal issues.

Thankfully, there’s a much simpler way to go about choosing what you put into your mouth: View foods as nutrient sources first, energy (calorie) sources second, and sources of pleasure third.

Applying that 3-step progression, each time mental checklist, asking yourself -

Step 1: Does this food qualify as a healthy source of nutrition?

So one or more of -

• healthy fat
• quality/complete protein source
• quality carbohydrate (nutrient timing, fibre, “pre-biotic”)
• Phytonutrient
• Antioxidant
• PRAL (alkaline to balance acidity)

If so, move on to asking the following question. If not, don’t eat it.

Step 2: How many kcals does this food provide?

When considering the answer and, in turn, your serving sizes, reflect back on the nutrient question and factor in how much you need for nutrients first. This establishes the baseline amount you need. The kcal consideration, as based on your daily energy needs, establishes the upper limit amount.

Once you have your answer, move on and ask yourself

Step 3: Do I enjoy eating this food?

If the answer is yes, and you’ve answered yes to the food providing beneficial nutrience, go ahead and consume it in the amount established via question 2.

If the answer is no, but it’s a source of required nutrience, ask yourself whether there’s a suitable substitute that you do like. If there is, establish the amount required as per question 2. If there isn’t but you require that nutrient, it’s time to dig in and get the job done irrespective of taste. Alternatively, and preferably, search around for ways to improve the taste (there almost always is a way).

The take home message is that viewing and eating foods for nutrition first, calories second (if at all), and taste third, is the most important breakthrough you can make on your journey to establishing your “new normal.” With a little bit of imagination, effort and perseverance, you can almost always find ways to make the foods that pass question 1, fit for 2 and 3.

(There are, of course, exceptions — often called “cheats.” When you consume these, the order is often reversed. So you say to yourself, I love this food, I want to eat this much of it and I read somewhere that it contains this antioxidant. This is fine and I sure as heck do it but it has to be the exception — 10% or less of the time)

Originally posted at precisionnutrition.com. For more information on how to best take each of the above 3 steps, be sure to check out Precision Nutrition V3.0.

Why am I paying full price for a club that I can only use half of?

Isn’t having a womens section akin to reverse sexism? No, never mind the reverse part, it is segregative gender-based discrimination! Someone call a lawyer, my rights are being violated!

If women have their own side and the panty-waist men have taken over the main area, where can I lift real weights?

You want to know of a sure way to tell whether a girl is easy? She’s easy if she works out in the main area. Think about it, if she performs her workout in the main area and not the women’s area it’s because she wants attention and definitely gets down.

The above collection of claims, observations, protestations and politically incorrect suppositions are but just a few quips I’ve overheard (and a couple I’ve even thought) in my time attending facilities with women’s only areas.

It’s no wonder she isn’t making any real body comp changes, all she does is cardio.

You don’t lift weights, sweetie. You play with pink trinkets.

Why are women afraid to lift real weight?

Why are women afraid of performing real exercises? They spend all their time standing on a bosu ball performing 30 rep dumbbell biceps curls.

Have you seen what they have in the women’s area? They seriously have pink dumbbells, a couple yoga mats, a smith machine and 300 cardio contraptions.

These, like the first set of remarks are the tip of the iceberg of similarly themed commentary coming out of the mouths of male gym goers and internet keyboard jockeys. And like the first set, I find myself in partial agreement. After all, while the genders certainly have special needs, hard work and effective exercises are commonalities. Commonalities that theoretically would lead one to posit that one large well equipped space should accommodate both genders without the need for special treatment.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Why? Because there are sharks in the water. And I’m not talking about any old shark, I’m talking about Great Whites. Friggin’ predators.

Fellas, seriously, by and large women go to the gym to workout. They might go to socialize or to feel better about themselves, but they don’t go to get picked up — main area or otherwise. It’s hard to grasp, I know, but lululemon pants aren’t the international sign for stare at her ass and opine on the merits of feeling the pump. And as hard as it is to believe, the squat isn’t an in — you lame, unoriginal Carcharodon carcharias.

So, now after being told this, is it any surprise that women avoid exercises that risk exposure to your suggestions? Or a shock that they aim to avoid you whenever possible?

I know, I know you’re just trying to be the nice guy and offer advice, right? Well, my man, the last time I checked, women do stop and ask for directions. If she needs help, she’ll ask. But be aware that she probably won’t ask you. Why? Because you’re wearing a smeedium sized ‘beater and grunting like a fool while staring at her ass, that’s why!

So please fellas, resist your carnal delusions and let the women of this world workout in peace.  Maybe then they won’t feel so overwhelmed that a separate section is required.  Maybe then they’ll be able to workout confidently & comfortably with proper equipment and effective exercises.