I enter the fitness center, checking in with the front desk. The receptionist cleared me to go through. I head to the locker room, changing into shorts and a grey tank top. After putting my personal belongings in a locker except my keys, I grab a towel and head upstairs, entering the weight room. There weren't many people in the room, just young college kids. I go to one side of the room, making sure I'm not distracted. I set my towel on the weight bench while putting weights on the barbell. I thought I could start with 70 lbs. I thought starting somewhere a little light might be good. I lay under the barbell, putting on work out gloves.
I lift the barbell slowly, lowering towards my neck. I move the barbell up and down, slowly. While moving the barbell, I start to feel the burn. Immediately, I place the barbell back in its place, sitting up slowly. Whoa, not bad for a warm on the first set. I look around and see that a few college kids left. Is this place closing soon? After doing three more sets of bench press, I put the weights back in a rack, used cleaning spray to wipe the barbell and bench, getting rid of the sweat. I moved further down to the room, locating the chest press machine. Instead of going 70 lbs., I thought I could go 80 lbs. I get the machine set up, sitting down.
I start moving my hands, back and forth slowly, as if I'm rowing a boat. I try to row as much as I can. After feeling the burn, I pull back gently, resting the arms. Feels like I'm getting close to being sore on the chest. As I'm on my third set, I try to push as hard as I can. But I start to feel like I'm about to lose control. I hear sound of shoes running towards me, and I see soft hands holding the bars. I let go and those hands pull the bars towards me. I breathe heavy and I start to hear a voice.
"Are you ok?" I turn to my right and see a toned blonde wearing dark shorts and dark tank top. I could tell that her tanned skin is fresh. "I'm ok, thanks." I reply.
She extends a hand, and I extended mine, getting up. I used my towel to wipe the sweat, feeling relived and safe.
"What were you trying to do, fulfilling a death wish?" She asked.
I reply, "Trying to see how much I can do. But I guess it's best to start small and work your way up."
She helps me putting the weights back in the rack.
"You should bring someone with you as a spotter, you don't want to pull a muscle."
I clean up the chest press machine, making sure there's no sweat.
"I'll keep that in mind. I haven't seen you before, are you new here miss?" I ask. She heads towards the dumbbell rack, using a pair.
"Sharon. No, I come here at nights, gives me more access to this room." I nod and point to myself.
"Tyler. I wouldn't blame you. I usually come in the daytime, but it got crowded a few months ago. I don't do well with crowds."
I grab a pair of dumbbells and I sit on a bench across from Sharon. She works on her bicep curls as I'm doing the same.
"So, what's your goal Sharon?" I ask. She smiles as she's working on her biceps.
"Trying to get back into shape. After having my second child, I had to wait a while till they were both young adults. I did work out a bit, but kids can be a handful."
I put the dumbbells down and look at her figure.
"Well, you seemed to have accomplish that. My goal is to lose a few pounds. I'm not trying to be a bodybuilder or some macho guy. I just want to do my best and live in a stress-free environment."
Sharon puts down the dumbbells, resting her biceps. She had a confused look. "Lose a few pounds? You look great just the way you are. I agree that you should be yourself. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone."
I spray some cleaners on the dumbbells, wiping them off the handles. I place them on the rack and turn to Sharon.
"Thanks." I speak. "You sound like a positive lady." Sharon smiles and cleans the dumbbells before placing them back in the rack.
