7-reasons-to-stop-using-your-phone-at-the-gymToday at the gym my bench press partner was not there but one bench was free so I pressed on solo.  I did less bench sets than if he was there and used the extra time to do some other chest work.

While I was doing my reps I found myself in close vicinity to one of the gym creatures that I absolutely can not stand, the hardcore texting addict.  This full bearded guy who I would guess was in his early 30’s would do a few unimpressive reps and then occupy various pieces of equipments for ridiculous amounts of time tapping away on his phone.  It was one of the most egregious examples of this stupid habit I have seen to date and almost made me wish that this was one of the rules the Planet Fitness staff actually enforced. (it’s posted)  I mean really, if futzing with your phone is THAT important to you go sit in your car instead of on equipment at the gym people may wish to use for its intended purpose.

I had one more pretty odd interaction at the gym today which will certainly be interpreted by some as tooting my own horn.  However I share most aspects of my life here so this story is worth telling.

A petite older woman came up to me while I was in between sets on the pec dec.  If I were to guess she was maybe around 60 years old.  She smiled and said “This is embarrassing..”  I immediately assumed she was going to ask me to help her adjust something or lift something heavy.  Instead she pauses, smiles some more and says “I have seen you around the gym for awhile…” My mind then flips gears and I am wondering if this woman is now going to ask me out on a date.  She continues “I told my 30 year old daughter about you and was wondering if you were currently single”

I was the one that paused for a second as I tried to wrap my head around what was going on.  Now it was my turn to smile as I said “First I am very flattered you would consider me for your 30 year old daughter since I am 47”  She was surprised by my age revelation, she told her daughter she guessed I was around 38 or so.  “Second, I have been living with my girlfriend for over a year and am very happy”.

We talked for a bit, I asked her name and told her mine.  At the end of the brief chat I told her again I appreciated and was flattered by her asking me.  Not many mom’s would go up to a complete stranger and ask them if they were single on their daughter’s behalf. There is no denying that her thinking I was a viable suitor for her daughter that is 17 years my junior was a nice little feather in the cap.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

Barbell bench press – 135lbs x 10, 185lbs x 5, 225lbs x 1, 235lbs x 1, 225lbs x 1, 205lbs x 6, 185lbs x 10, 135lbs x 15

Pec dec – 100lbs x 10, 120lbs x 10, 130lbs x 10

Incline dumbbell chest press – 50lbs x 10, 65lbs x 10