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.
"Thanks, I try to be there for my kids and show that I'm not weak and won't let them down. But they're grown up and in college."
I look around and realize that everyone is gone, only Sharon and myself. "I hope we didn't get locked in Sharon." I speak.
She goes downstairs, checking to see the front desk. It's unoccupied. Sharon heads back up.
"There's no one downstairs, even the front desk is empty." I stare at her in shock.
"You mean we're locked in for the night?" She nods. I sit back on the bench.
"What are we going to do then?" Sharon leans on the dumbbell rack.
"Continue with our workout and we can call for someone to help open the front door. Don't panic." I nod. She looks calm and positive, as if she knows something.
Sharon and I sit in these cardio bicycles, setting up the timers and weight of the pedals. We started getting to know each other for an hour. Sharon is 42, divorced, works in a steel mill, full time. She's also a part-time personal trainer, making extra cash. After finishing using the bicycle, Sharon and I clean up the sweat from the seats.
"So, what's next Sharon?" I speak. Sharon looks at me, smiling.
"More cardio, but different type." I stand, looking confused.
"What do you mean?" Sharon let's a small yawn.