Steroids and Treadmills

A week after I arrived in Spain my house mother, Isabel, asked me if I would like to join a gym with her. Of course when confronted with this question, I instantly imagined a ripped version of myself running along the beaches of Spain. So obviously, I screamed yes, and the next day we started our gym hunt. Luckily, we were able to find a really cheap, really friendly gym very close to our house called Gym 21.

For approximately 3 days, Isabel and I woke up early and hit the gym! But on day four, our routine ended when Isabel got bored and told me "I can't go to the gym anymore. Something is wrong with their machines...they are uncomfortable." 

At this point, I was forced to venture out on my own, which has been great for several reasons. I became comfortable exploring on my own, I developed a gym vocabulary, and I was able to observe first hand, the similarities and differences between American and Spanish gyms.

Similarities:

1) All of the music is the same.

In my spanish gym, american music is played 100% of the time. I find this to be fascinating because 95% of the people who belong to my gym do not speak any english. Instead, they learn the lyrics phonetically and sing along, which can be hilarious if the song is, for example, Rihanna's S&M.

2) Men generally stay in the weights area and women in the cardio area.

Just like in the states, my spanish gym tends to be gender segregated. 

3) After a heavy-eating-holiday the gym is packed!

Differences:

1) It is not normal for women to wear shorts.

This took me a few weeks to notice. Spanish women only wear pants to exercise! If you wear shorts to the gym (which I do everyday) you will be stared at.

2) Gossiping is a must.

At least in my experience, American gym patrons tend to be serious and pretty focused while working out. I Spain, on the other hand, going to the gym is like going to a party. Everybody giggles and gossips while they crunch and squat. Sometimes, in the weight room at Gym 21 a group of men will actually pull all of the bench press-benches together so that they can sit and chat.

3) Men teach the classes stereotypically thought to be feminine in the U.S.

This is perhaps my favorite thing about my gym in Spain. Men teach the spin and aerobics classes.

The first time I attended a women's only spin class, a huge jacked-up man in very tight pants led the class whilst sitting upon a tiny bicycle from which he would yell "dance!" Along with, in english mind you, "Shake it!"

This is in Lisbon, the subject of my next post!

Market in Granada