From men getting as big as possible to women building shape and losing weight, there is a host of reasons why people go to the gym.
Instagram and TikTok is flooded with this idea of using the gym to recover from heartbreak and women catching men staring.
Whatever the reason, enter any gym and you see the stereotypes.
From my experience, I wouldn’t say getting healthier is even the primary goal anymore. It’s a battle of the mind, a distraction. We have placed heavy things in a big room now because everything in life has been made comfy and easy, and go there to unwind.
Mental discipline
It’s an easy discipline. turn up to a place full of heavy weights, stress the nervous system and build your body up. Its turning up and not seeing any results that stop many.
We found doing 150 minutes each week of various types of physical activity (such as brisk walking, lifting weights and yoga) significantly reduces depression, anxiety and psychological distress, compared to usual care (such as medications).
The Guardian
Think playing video games, drinking. these are equally means to escape, a distraction. You are focusing on lifting a weight, to create a mind-muscle connection and perform (usually) an eccentric and concentric movement.
Of course, of all things to distract yourself, there are health benefits with this one
Health
More muscle mass. lose fat.
Increased cognitive function, you age slower. The growth of capillaries for ease of blood flow and heart function. better bone density. An increase in BMR…
The affect of going to a gym regularly has an insane amount of health benefits. The combination of cardiovascular exercises and muscle building is the best bang for buck if you want to be healthy.
Location
Location is everything
You could gain comparable muscle gains with calisthenics (push-ups, pullups, variations of) without a gym or equipment.
By making regular visits to the same location it creates routine, self accountability.
When you aren’t surrounded by people doing the same thing, some find it hard to find accountability. The social aspect can be great too, although that is under contention recently especially between genders.
Gym types
Lifting weights has been broken down based on interests;
- Calisthenic gyms
- Old school bodybuilding/powerlifting gyms
- Women only gyms
- social media focused gyms
Calisthenic Gyms
Type of equipment around enabling you to use gravity to increase body strength. Think lots of bars.
Bodybuilding/Powerlifting Gyms
The most stacked lifters in these categories. Most likely on the juice and duck eggs. The type of gyms when a weight hits the floor the building shakes.
Usually the friendliest bunch of people you will ever meet (probably emotionally damaged)
Women only gyms
It is a shame in my opinion that in 2024 Women only gyms are needed. The gym environment can be toxic, or at least intimidating. When you have a weight section full of men that would probably glance over you it makes sense why often most would stick to the treadmill. I think this is changing though, especially with the shame culture of men getting caught looking on TikTok etc.
I see it as heavy handed, but I hope it has given women some confidence to join men in the weight section.
Social Media focused gyms
More mirrors then gym equipment, white lighting and black paint on the walls.
My personal take…
If you read about me, the reason I started exercising was because I was beaten up a lot and very shy. When you weigh just under 50kg turns out you are an easy target. get thrown around like a shot put! I had to change.
Make no mistake, a bit of size on you people perceive you differently. You perceive yourself differently. I think man or woman, you go to the gym for confidence. the muscle mass is a side effect, plus any health benefits.
The question of “why do people go to the gym” is ever changing and manipulated.
At this point, for me it’s fun.