da gym

There aren't any good yoga studios around my neighborhood (or in the city overall, I think), so I broke down and bought a month's membership at a fancy overpriced gym around the corner from my apartment. The fact that it's expensive means that its members include a very particular segment of the local population (read: nose jobs galore). Some observations:

-The main reason for going to the gym is socializing. Getting a workout is a pleasant side effect.

-People's appearances reflect this. Skimpy tank tops, gelled and styled hair...yesterday a Lebanese dude got on the treadmill next to me and I think I got a little high off of his cologne.

-If you're as pale as me, you get stared at. A LOT.

-No one runs. There are plenty of treadmills, and people use them, but they only walk. They'll walk a little briskly, maybe with an incline, but no running. This kind of makes sense when one considers the fact the EVERYONE smokes (thankfully not in the gym, but seriously, I went to brunch the other day and everyone who wasn't foreign brought two packs of cigarettes along and plopped them on the table next to their plates). The fact that I actually run means that I actually break a sweat, which in turn means that I get stared at some more.

-The locker room is really nice, and has a sauna and showers and the whole nine. But there's also a sign that says "please remain modestly dressed at all times when in the locker room". I still do not understand what that means exactly. I can see people's nipples when I'm in the cardio room, but at the same time when I'm showering I'm supposed to remain modestly dressed? I've decided to interpret it as don't hang out totally nude.

-Overall, I like the gym.