the gym as a microcosm of today: a research proposal by moi

I'd like to propose to my community that gyms are fast becoming a complete microcosm of today's society. It's a good reflection of what people have become and continue to aspire these days. Though it may not be representative enough of the whole socio-economic class here in the country, it's a good reference to how human society have evolved. In this age and time where wellness has become a pivotal part of day to day existence, the whole lifestyle of going to the gym has also become a sub-culture. More important, going to the gym is fast becoming the night life that used to belong to bars and discos. Now, gyms have replaced other social venues and continues to evolve. For these very reasons, it has become a breeding ground of new species and the like. Please allow me to break the subculture down. I will try to get as comprehensive as possible. 1. Ang mga karerista They are not jocks, neither are they fast runners, but certainly these are people who make a career out of going to the gym. I do not blame them after they pay a hefty sum for the membership. What's interesting is the kind of "karir" they make inside the gym. if you see them lift weights, you'd think they hold no mercy to those weights and plates. All they see are black round objects they need to conquer and lift. They show no fatigue, just veins oozing with blood and adrenaline ready to squirt should a muscle fail. What's scary is their pawis and the way they drop their weights. Pawis because those sweat, man, come from the very bottom of their dermis. Those toxins and stuff, they might be lethal. And having said lethal, if they accidentally drop the plates on you, you might as well be dead than paralyzed. And did I mention, they like hoarding dumbells and weights. And they never return them. I just wish that they start cleaning after themselves especially after using machines. It gets really sweaty and icky most of the time. In life, they are the serious ones. They are those who make it in life because of their hardcore discipline and passion in what they do. They never let anything get them down. They have an agenda and they know how to achieve it. They are no nonsense. We need more of them in our society of mediocrity and haphazardness. 2. Ang mga fashionista I certainly am no fashionista (as my style is rather plain than boring) especially at the gym. I have never made an effort to come up with a full fashion gym attire. And for what? I am going to sweat on those anyway? But here they are girls and boys who give the adidas and Nike's of this world their payroll. They come in in matching outfit from top to bottom. They come in wearing the latest designs, strutting like Maria Sharapova or Daniela Hantuchova (yes, tennis skorts at the gym, wala namang tennis rackets and net?) in full battle regalia. And to top it all off, make up. Yes, full make up (foundation, eye shadow, powder and teased hair -for the lolas). At the gym. They seem the type who go to the gym to be seen by other people. They do little exercises here and there. They do some chatting here and there. But they put on lots of time thinking what to wear today to the gym. They're the fashionistas, the stylistas. I certainly hope that they offer more substance than form. In this age where we can easily change or alter some facts in our lives, there are really people who get ahead by doing nothing and just looking good - to the eyes of boss, officemates and everyone around. They are the type who can get away with being present at the right time and place, and just by doing little where it matters the most, they still reap results. But there will come a time when those substance (or the lack of it) will reek and deny you those perks. But until caught, expect them to sit pretty and be on cue. 3. Ang mga chisms I've noticed a lot of them in the gym. These are the people who go to the gym to get updated with the gym chismis. Who got caught in the steam, who's doing whom, who the instructor is screwing these days or worse, who didn't pay? They are the lowlife forms who wait for their amigas to arrive and get the chismis. They hardly break into a sweat. But they certainly won't sweat it to get the latest. I call them the typical Rural (and urban poor) Housewife. They are the types who wake up in the morning then listen to their neighbors argue. Those who lean on fences and chat with other housewives while washing clothes. Those who go to church and prayers meetings often with nothing but chismis as homily. Or those who are just stereotypical going around houses with mouth covered and standard opening "don't-tell-anyone-I-told-you". Yeah, it's part of the Filipino system and largely a national past time. We're all guilty. 4. Ang mga social climbers Instead of climbing the stairmaster, some people delight climbing the apex of society gatherings. Those who just want to mingle with the rich and be their angel. In any group you know who the queen bees are, and then you would also figure out who the climbers are. Overheard from three ladies talking at the lounge last weekend in Robinson's Place: Mom 1: Mare, do I look too dark? Mom 2: Huh? (Oblivious to the pronouncements) parang no naman. why? Mom 1: Well, I was just in Boracay last week. And guess where I stayed? Mom 3: Saan (very patronizingly)??? Mom 1: Discovery Shores!!!! Mahal duon! Mom2: Talaga? Sa Station One ba yan? Mom 3: Ay oo. Mahal duon. Naka stay nako dyan at grabe ang ganda-ganda. Mom 2: Ah. Di pako nakakapunta duon eh. Mom 1: Ah. Punta ka sayang naman. Ang ganda-ganda. Mom 3: Nakakatuwa naman. Dapat pala nagsabay-sabay tayo. O halika next weekend! Mom 1: Ay di nako pwede. Nilibre lang ako ng anak ko eh. Mom 2: Ako rin. Nasa US ako ulit. Mom 3: Ay ang saya naman! Sa US. Ako rin pupunta ng US. Mom 1: Ah talaga? Ako rin! Dadalawin ko anak ko dun. Mom 2: O eh di magkita kita tayo duon. Nasa new york lang ako. Mom 1: Lagi nako nandun. Kakapagod na. Hay baka wag nalang this year. Mom 3: O bakit naman? Mom 1: Wala naman, bibili nalang ako ng Gutchi. Mom 2: Marami nako nun. O sya. Work out nako. Mom 3: Gutchi? Ako rin meron nun. One of them is an aggressive social climber. One of them is likely to be genuine. And one of them is plain yes man. Terrible. 5. Ang mga magkakarne at nagpapakarne Strange how the gym has become the new pick up place, especially at the male locker room. The intentions are quite obvious. There are those who show their assets like they are retail items (kalakal) and there are those who prey for victims. Either way it has become a meat section where people could naturally hook up or pick up. Will not go into further details but I'm certain you know what I mean. There's this guy in ABS who goes in to the gym early and goes to the steam room straight. I happen to arrive the same time as he did once. I finished two classes, a break in between, free weights and another hour for cardio (on a good saturday). I return to the locker room steam area and guess who I saw? The same guy. His eyes blood shot red, looking very dishpan already and obviously had been exposed to steam too long. He never left the steam. He carries a supot with him. What's inside I really don't care. But that guy is some serous nutcase. He's looking for hada. And trust me, he hardly gets any. There are real life preys and predators. But what's interesting is that people have become more consenting to sex trade. Load for sex? Sex as matriculation fee? Sex for pure sex. Sex for fun. Sex for experience. Sex as one night stand. And Sex just for the thrill of it. There are those who look for it. Intentionally whetting people imagination and desire by scantily prancing about the wet area, or being too exhibitionistic inside. It's an ego-boost. It's a trip for many. And to some, it's just their way to get back to an ex. 6. Ang mga bully I got into a verbal tousle with mom the other day when I was telling a story of a lola from the gym. Inside the group x room, she almost always occupied this spot. Then one day she was late for class and the room was getting packed. So this unwitting lad took her "place" and positioned his mat there. When the lola arrived, she told the him (very condescendingly and assuringly) "PWESTO KO YA. DYAN AKO LAGI NAKAPWESTO. LUMIPAT KA!" Thinking that this old lady was ready to wage a fistfight, he moved out. But he reasoned out with her saying "If you were really here how come I didn't see you?" I guess he moved out of courtesy. Matanda na daw sya at dapat pagbigyan. SInce when was age ever an entitlement? Oh yeah, in this society, it's has always been a badge. In life there are those who will always assert themselves on you and throw their weight around on you. Those are unavoidable facts of life But what's important to remember is that we just need to be reasonable and be able to reason with. 7. Ang mga gangster There are singular bullies and there are plural and collective bullies, those who can bully because they are a lot. Almost always, they are the ones who dominate group x. They are the ones who always meet up after the work out to dine out. They are the type who'd make work out funny, annoying, intimidating or whatever. They are the cliques who you either want to avoid or join. They are just out there and better be careful. Like HS mentality, ang kaaway ng isa, kaaway ng lahat. They can easily gang up on you. Ang chismis sa kanila are facts of life. They mill around and make tambay like frat boys and soro sisters. 8. Ang mga panatico Expect them to be there, same time, same place, same-same basta same. They make the gym their sanctuary. A place to meet their friends, meet other friends, make kwento, make ligo, make ligaw, make display. etc. etc. They only have good words for the gym no mater how stinky it has become. They are those who live and swear by the essences of the gym. Just like those who are very into it kind of people. 9. Ang mga loner Quite the opposite of those mentioned above. Those who just pop in and pop out. Those who never make any difference, or worse yet they existed. In this microcosm, who would you rather be? I guess we are all defined really by our actions. And these actions become our character. For whatever it's worth, we should see gyms now as an ever evolving social institution too that has helped evolve and devolve the many aspects in our lives. Whether we the gym as a means to an end, or an end (lang), we need to know that we have to responsible. Respect other people and the life they choose to keep. Ang conclusion: This is not an in-depth study or comprehensive research, and therefore should not be taken seriously. Hehe. Goodnight. Antok na from my workout earlier. -__-