ManVsGym trekked out to Scottsdale this week on my maiden voyage to take on the local lifting scene. I quickly learned this is going to be a learning experience.
I knew there were a few local gyms that might be a little more to my liking. But, my research really didn’t turn up too much on where to go and if anyone would be interested. So, like most bullheaded people, I decided to just go and ask around when I was in town.
The most popular suggested gym where people take physical fitness serious, was Scottsdale’s own, LA Fitness. Based on their suggestion, I decided to give them a call and let them know my plan. As much as I am excited about visiting local gyms, identifying regional strongmen, and having them put me through their workouts, I was unprepared for the lackluster response on the other side. I had to explain myself several times, before an exhausted “Activities Director,” told me I was more than welcome to come down and work out for the day for $20. I thanked her for her understanding and motivating attitude and was on my way.
I met with the gym’s manager when I walked in and decided to try, again. Blank stares and long pauses encouraged me to pay the $20 and make my own friends in the club. I decided to walk around and survey the local talent and was immediately impressed by some very large guys, and one particularly intimidating woman! It didn’t take long for me to identify the resident “loud” guy who clanked weights in an attempt to have everyone take notice that he was working on dusting off some dumbbells and, perhaps, making some mating calls. I watched him survey himself in the mirror and then his eyes as they swept the background to see who was watching him, before he fell back and pushed some dumbbells for a flat bench.
When I was sure he was finished, I walked up and struck up a conversation. I complimented him on his weight manipulation and asked if the 120 lb dumbbells on the end of the rack were indeed the gym’s largest dumbbells and if he would be on a mission to lift them. He didn’t seem pleased to be spending too much time with me, but I was successful in learning his name was Wes, and only a handful of people had graduated to those weights for a flat chest, and he was among that class. I took note of his clean, pressed outfit and gelled hair, and ascertained he was more concerned about his aesthetics, than the actual poundage he was capable of. Not to be deterred, I was sure I found my boy!
A few compliments on his prestige and power, and I successful engaged him in a challenge to see how many reps we could squeeze out in an attempt to one up the other. He assured me his target of 8 would be reached, while I encouraged I would get him to 9 or 10. After a few rounds of, “no no, you firsts,” I took the weights in hand to bat lead off. I eyed the weights with confidence and felt that inner demon urge me to take this to a place he had never seen before. I gracefully rocked backwards with my weight in my chest and immediately pushed toward the heavens when my shoulders made contact with the bench. I glanced up and looked at a doubtful Wes, who seemed to be more interested in the ladies doing shoulder presses on the next bench, then a shit disturbing Californian intent on taking him out of his comfort zone. Finding a nice steady pace, I felt the blood flow into the chest, and through my triceps. Focusing on each rep and barely taking notice of the number of reps, I quickly found myself pushing up 25 reps, when I saw Wes walk away out of my peripheral. I wondered if the ladies on the next bench had left, too. Surely, Wes wasn’t quitting on me before he started.
I pushed another five, to get me to an even 30, before re-racking my weights. I backed away and noticed a small group of young guys watching intently. I smiled broadly and gave them a nod.
“Do you guys know Wes?” I inquired.
“Not really. He’s kind of a dick.”
I decided if they’ve given up on Wes, it was okay for me to give up on him, too. Wes is not going to be a guy who will ever be concerned with how much he can put up, as much as he probably wonders if he can get a guest spot on Jersey Shore II.
I talk with the group of young guys and they let me know it’s a great gym, with really good people, for the most part. They enjoy working out there and they are really good at pushing themselves. They may never be huge guys, but they have big hearts and they love to challenge themselves. I spend the remainder of my time with them giving them tips and encouragement on setting and obtaining their goals.
On a side note, one of the guys, Kelly, has a roommate who is quite the lifter and loves to challenge himself with the weights. In fact, he has done a few strongmen and maybe I’d heard of him. It turns out, his roommate is Kevin Nee. For those of you who don’t know, Kevin Nee has competed in the World’s Strongest Man five times and one of the few Americans who have made it to the finals. Kelly asks when I’m town next, would I like to meet with Kevin and go to his power lifting gym to work out with him.
What an honor! Hopefully, he’ll let me bring Wes.
The Continual Conquest to Challenge Myself... This is a site dedicated to finding new ways to make me, and ultimately you, uncomfortable. This is a place where we can share in each other's successes and failures. I welcome all that are willing to learn and to teach. I'm always interested in new ways to push yourself beyond your comfort levels, and great foods that will keep us healthy, happy, and satisfied.
