[Jeff Higgins]

It's been about six months now since I finally returned to the gym after about a five year absence. It's been an interesting experience.

I think the biggest difference I've noticed since returning is the change in the "social" atmosphere that I used to enjoy. It used to be pretty loud in there, between the clanking weights and just the general banter among patrons. The clanking is still there but, boy, almost no one talks to one another anymore outside of their workout partner (assuming they have one).

The cell phone appears to have taken over. My one frustration has proven to be those infernal little devices, actually. Not just what they have done to the socializing, but what they have done to the availability of the equipment.

People camp on the equipment while absorbed in their cell phones. I swear, they don't seem to realize just how distracted they get, and how much time they spend sitting on the equipment and not using it. I see folks going what seems to be five minutes between sets.

This morning was a great example. It was leg day for me. I now work my way through my routine in a way that many would consider "backwards" - I like to pre-exhaust my quads, hamstrings, and calves before hitting the squat rack.

When I arrived, I began with seated leg extensions, noticing that there was a young lady using the only squat rack in the place. I figured no problem, she'll be long since done before I need it. Except, well, I did six sets (including warm ups) of leg extensions, then six sets of leg curls, then six sets of seated calf raises. And she was still in the squat rack... I had yet to see her actually do a set...

So I went to the 45 degree inclined leg press right next to the squat rack. Did six sets there, and she still had not moved. So, finally, I very politely asked her how much longer she thought she would be. She turned out to be very friendly, bubbly, and quite willing to move - "oh, I'm done, you can have it". I think she may have actually done two sets the entire time...

That's an extreme example, of course, and most folks are there to work. Every day, though, I'll see someone on a piece of equipment, nose buried in their phone, and I'll manage to get two or three different exercises in before they finish one. And I'm an old man (62 years old) who doesn't exactly burn up the course.

Thank God I go early (7:00 am) and it's not crowded. I couldn't imagine trying to get in a workout with the after work crowd in that kind of atmosphere. I dunno, maybe when it's crowded, they don't dilly-dally like that.

That minor annoyance aside, it's been great getting back into the gym.