Gym bugs

From The NST

By : KARINA FOO

Use the treadmill up to the time limit, then move on, for variety.

There’s one in every gym, a Mr (or Miss) Inconsiderate. KARINA FOO lists out the profiles.

Have a fun sweating it out, but with consideration for others.

YOU’RE about to use the shoulder press machine but just as you’re adjusting your weights, you spot ‘it’ on the seat: a wet puddle, stain, sweat or some other liquid that didn’t come from you. Gross.

You move to another machine, but there’s a guy curling his biceps and sounding like he’s in labour.

How about migrating to the the free weights area. Oh, the bench is occupied by someone who’s taken up permanent residence, performing never-ending reps.

The cardio machines? The same few people have been at it for what seems like hours (at some gyms, you must queue just to use one).

There are signs imploring users to be considerate, but people seem too busy working out to read them.

Etiquette in the gym is just as important as anywhere else. Have basic consideration for others and for the equipment. Most people, though, seem too caught up in their own exercise world to realise that there are others there too.

You may recognise these familiar characteristics, not just at the gym, but at work, too. Here are a few; take these as gentle reminders to create a better and more comfortable environment for you and everybody else.

THE WWF CONTESTANT

Spotted at: Weights machines or free weights area

Traits: As described above, someone who sounds like he’s going through immense pain. There are also other traits like dropping or throwing the barbell on the floor or swearing loudly when he’s had enough.

These people are usually really nice (and gentle), they just use all their strength on weights and express their “pain” when they’ve reached the maximum limit of what their bodies can take. It’s OK to grunt and swear a little (just as long you don’t share that with the entire gym).

Next time you encounter this, wait for the guy to finish and approach him when he looks relaxed or is taking a long break.

Tell him nicely: “Hi, you’re doing great but I would really appreciate it if you could lower your tone of voice because it is distracting my workout too, thanks.” Don’t accuse him of being a loud-mouthed freak because that might start an unnecessary argument.

THE HUMAN HOSE

Spotted at: Everywhere, but most commonly the cardio sections or during group exercise classes.

Traits: This person either is working out very hard or has lots of sweat glands. It’s a really icky feeling to think you won’t be drenched in only your own perspiration.

They could also be the culprits who leave sweat puddles on the machines. An add-on feature: sometimes they have body odour and (most of the time) don’t have a clue!

Gym towels are provided to wipe sweat off yourself and the equipment. If you’re caught in a “sticky situation”, pick another machine (or move to another one) or go to the other side of the studio.

Or take extreme measures: Be really daring to offer him some deodorant, then tell a white lie by saying you use it too because it’s really good!

THE AMNESIC HERCULES

Spotted at: The free weights area.

Traits: Now this person is strong, his legs can push 150kg effortlessly, but when it comes to putting back the weights, he conveniently forgets!

No, he’s neither amnesic or is suddenly too weak, he’s just being inconsiderate. It is annoying for the next person to see weights still stacked on the machine, without knowing who was responsible. Ask an instructor for help to remove them. And remember, yourself, to put the weights back. It sets a good example and hopefully others will remember and follow suit when they use the weights.

MR/MRS UNIVERSE

Spotted at: Anywhere with mirrors

Traits: These people can be good looking and they want to believe it. They strut their stuff and usually spend eons in front of the mirrors, flexing, comparing muscle size or running their fingers through their cheese-grater abs.

Sure they can be inspiration for a fitter-new-you, but don’t follow in their footsteps thinking that the gym is a runway.

Yes, mirrors are there for you to look at yourself, but when you block other people (those who are really checking their form), then you’re not going to score many favourable points.

Use the changing room mirrors if you want to indulge in self-admiration, and leave the gym mirrors for proper gym work.

THE DURACELL BUNNY

Spotted at: Every machine

Traits: If you could earn a dollar for each rep or each minute this person is at the machine, you’ll make Donald Trump look like a pauper!

This is a hog who tries to forget that others who need to use the machine, too. Most gyms have time limits on the cardio machines (usually 20-25 minutes at a time), but some people think they’re being smart by covering the time monitor with their towel!

When the gym is crowded and you’re nearing the time limit on the treadmill, move to another cardio machine, maybe the elliptical trainer or even an exercise class — it’s also an added bonus because it gives variety to your workout!

THE BOOKWORM

Spotted at: Any place or any other area that obstructs other members.

Traits: He brings a book or magazine, sits on a bench or machine and reads for what seems like the duration of your entire workout.

He could be taking a break between sets, but a ‘break’ isn’t one when it’s more than 10 minutes long and he’s absorbed in features like “How To Satisfy Her” or other articles unrelated to gym time.

It’s OK to have a read between sets but if you’re going to veg out in front of the pages, do it outside, like at the gym reception room or in the changing rooms.

JOHHNY BRAVO/ JESSICA RABBIT

Spotted at: Any place where there are people.

Traits: A man or a woman (but it’s more noticeably the guys) who goes around trying all sorts of ways to chat up the opposite sex.

They could pose as someone trying to ‘correct’ your already correct form (and invades your comfort zone), compliments you endlessly, and just flirts shamelessly. But there are just so many ways they do it and you’ll soon know what they’re trying to do.

While the gym is a great place to socialise, it’s not cool when you’re totally dying during your workout, and someone tries to hit on you.

They also think you’re free to talk or listen to the story of their lives. Just tell them: “Sorry, I can’t talk now, am trying to finish a workout. I’ll see you later.”

It is hard to brush people off, but you do want to get on with your workout. You can always wear an in-your-face shirt which says: “Come this close and you won’t look straight again!”. But no, just be cordial and they’ll understand (hopefully).

BUT IT’S STILL A BOTHER!

IF these people don’t budge when you’ve already told them (nicely), let the gym staff know, by word or a letter. If the gym cares for its members, they’ll take action but if not, maybe it’s time for a change.

But note that in every gym, there will be some people who work you up the wrong way. The deal is to learn how to work out alongside them, agree to something and comply with it.

If everyone co-operates with each other, the gym should be a pleasant place to go to.

Secrets to a youthful look

From The NST

STAYING FIT AND FABULOUS: Secrets to a youthful look

By : KARINA FOO

Tom always works out no matter where and when!

Businessman Tom Curtis tells KARINA FOO that regular exercises are not only therapeutic but can also delay significantly the ageing process.

Name: Tom Curtis
Occupation: CEO of Golds Gym Kuala Lumpur (GGKL) and businessman
Age: 52 (No way!!)

HAVE you ever felt that you are bursting with energy?
That feeling is probably rather rare for quite a few over 50 but with regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle, most can experience it too.
Tom Curtis, CEO of Golds Gym Kuala Lumpur (GGKL) is the epitome of one who defies his age and is fitter than many younger to him. When he talks, his eyes light up; he speaks with vibrancy and his actions are sprightly.
“Nah, age doesn’t matter, I’m geared for anything,” says the Englishman who has been living in Malaysia for over 20 years and has travelled extensively. He recently scaled Mount Everest and will probably do it again. He tells us what keeps him on his feet and how you, too, can be fit and fabulous.

How do you maintain your physique and fitness?
I work out in Gold’s Gym every day when I’m in Kuala Lumpur, which is about three-four days a week, and I try to take a few minutes to exercise in the evenings when I’m travelling.
What’s your exercise regime like and how do you squeeze it into your hectic schedule?
I tend to focus on strength training, though more recently while preparing for an expedition to Mt Everest, I added some stepping and treadmill exercises a couple of times a week. I tend to limit my workouts to three or four muscle groups per day, working each major muscle group twice a week at least.
Throw in some use of functional training equipment such as the BOSU and TRX system, popularised by the US Navy Seals, and that just about completes my training regimen.
I’m fortunate that I’m able to work out of an office I’ve set up in GGKL. I handle all my business interests from there, so when things go quiet, which will generally be around 6.30 to 7pm, I just duck into the gym. No fighting with traffic, no time-wasting journey to antagonise me and no excuses to miss my daily workout!

Many people hate the idea of exercising, so tell them what’s the best thing about it?
Breaking out! Unless you’re truly and seriously stretched in your daily life, you wouldn’t understand that, but after a mentally challenging day, there’s nothing like some serious physical action.
The best thing about working out is the direct contrast it provides to the rest of the day. Throwing pieces of iron around is hugely therapeutic after the minutiae of contracts and calculators for the working day!

But are there any obstacles that deter you from working out?
None. I will not be kept from the gym. Once regular exercise becomes an integral part of your daily life, it remains so. That is the key to the successful adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Aren’t there times when you can’t follow schedule?
Travel can keep me from the gym for three to five days at a time. After three days of not working out, your muscles start to lose their strength. I solve that problem by getting back into the gym as fast as possible after trips, at least for a short workout.

Is there any pressure to keep up or maintain your image in front of others?
Frankly, no. I’m not really an image-conscious person, though obviously, as the public face of the Malaysian franchise of one of the global fitness colossuses, it is important that I make some effort at keeping up a healthy lifestyle and work out regularly.
I do try to make a point of maintaining a strong body and avoid all-night beer binges.

I see you love your food though?
Oh yes, here’s the entire list — nasi lemak... and beef or chicken rendang, nasi dagang, laksa of all varieties, nasi lemak, endless kuih, sotong, goreng pisang, murtabak pisang, fried kuey teow, nasi kandar, nasi campur, nasi padang, nasi kerabu, ayam percik, banana leaf curry, sambal... frankly anything from Malaysia and Thailand. And, oh, did I mention nasi lemak? (Yes, you did, Tom)

How very healthy indeed! But have you always maintained the healthy part of your lifestyle?
Assuming you still want to associate me with a healthy lifestyle after my repetitive references to nasi lemak, I think my healthy lifestyle goes all the way back to my public school days in England.
During those formative years, one was rarely 30 minutes away from some form of exercise. Sports and competition, we were taught relentlessly, was a ‘good thing’, to be maintained throughout one’s life and it has been a cornerstone of my lifestyle since then.
Today, if I’m not working or exercising, I’m watching sports on TV at any and every opportunity.

What is your motivation to working out?
Advancing years and the inability to maintain the same fast and furious pace of yesteryear. It’s heartening that something as simple as regular exercise can help roll back the years and delay significantly the onset of the ageing process.
I want to retain as much freedom and functionality as possible well into my mature years

How do you de-stress?
I don’t suffer from stress. Stress is the result of exposing oneself to various pressures that are beyond your capability and capacity to handle, resulting in under-performance and consequent mental stress.
I like to ensure that I approach life in a light-hearted and relaxed, yet professional manner so as to avoid inducing stress. If I am stressed, I’d relieve it by knocking a speed ball or combination bags around a while and maxing out on some weights.

What would you suggest to someone who wants to get in shape?
Don’t waste another day. Start now and make fitness a part of your lifestyle. If I have a dollar for everyone who told me that they’re too busy to go to a gym three times a week for an hour a time, I’d be a multi-millionaire.
That’s just excuses. Absolutely no-one is too busy to make regular exercise part of their life and the simplest way of making sure you do that is to carve out three dedicated sessions of 90 minutes each at a gym.
Next, don’t give up when it becomes routine or hard! That’s just weakness. Stay with it and make it as much a part of your life routine as Sunday lunch with the family or visits to the supermarket.
It’s a mental hurdle you have to get over, but once you understand just how vital it is to exercise three times a week, then you have a chance of keeping the commitment going.
Fitness doesn’t come in three-month spells, you have to start now and keep going till late into your life. So, if you value your health, life, long-term functionality and love your family, get into the gym.

Then, should we use the media’s portrayal of ‘beautiful bodies’ for inspiration?
I think that the focus on the body beautiful is generally being overdone somewhat, though I’m firmly of the belief that the media focus on a shapely, toned or buffed body is both good for the public and for the fitness industry.
The world is fast-paced, abounding in pollutants, free radicals and pressures of all forms and varieties. Our wellbeing is being attacked from every angle and the most effective single preventive, antidote or solution to those negatives is regular exercise and a healthy, fit and well-prepared body.
The visual element is perhaps somewhat superfluous, but the message conveyed by the media image of the well-kept body serves to influence the public on the need to engage in regular physical exercise for long-term wellbeing.