As I sit here reflecting the different atmospheres of what its like in a public gym versus
a Private gym, I want to try and understand the Pros and Cons of each.
Day 2.
I went for my second and third visits to a globo gym this week and last. I wanted to really
wanted to “be that guy this time”….
So…during my workout, I used some Dumbells for push presses and front squats Right
in front of the mirror….Heres the kicker. I faced the other way NOT looking in as I executed reps of my workout 
Just to confuse people more, instead of doing my pull-ups , I Did Lat Pulldowns on a
cable machine. Simple Amrap of 18 minutes with moderate rep scheme.
I didn’t pay attention if anyone was looking and wondering WHY IS THIS GUY NOT
LOOKING IN THE MIRROR….
What is it about the mirror. I caught myself when I was on vacation few weeks doing
a EMOM in the Hotel gym Starring at myself in-between the rest and rotations….
When your in a box, there are no mirrors so its foreign to me for the most part now,
but I still did it.
Does your reflection make you squeak out few more reps. Does it increase performance?
I get the whole vanity thing, you like the way your arms/delts/traps/abs look. But what
is it that makes it such a staple in Public gyms?
HOWEVER… in the freight weight section I DID use to help me gage the Precise depth
I was hitting when I was doing Back Squats (which I tend to bottom out on and slows cycle
times in met cons). So that was a plus when I was lifting. I did enjoy that with out having to take out my phone, get it set up, video, go back and watch…which we have to do in boxes obviously if we want to critique ourselves. Pros and Cons.
Day 3.
I rolled out and mobilized with a PVC roller for about 10 minutes (was super sore and tight). These tools are probably underutilized here if at all. Ive never seen anyone really
mobilize or warm up other than on cardio machine for workouts. The one thing I wanted to do was to experience when I was doing this experiment was to Actually workout like “them” and see what happens.
So my workout that day was Bike for 10 minutes on a spin cycle, stretch, Heavy back Squats and then hit some machines.
I know that my Hamstrings are weaker than my hips so I wanted to Isolate them on a
leg curl machine. I did a standard 4 sets of 12 with really light weight so that I can focus
on engage them (hamstrings) instead of moving “as much weight as possible”.
And to finish out I did 10 mins on a Stair Master (never been on one for workout EVER).
I have been asked in the past many times…”What burns more calories? Running, Rowing,
Stairmaster…how do I burn the most calories?…” What I’ve seen and experienced, is that
with the SAME perceived effort all cardio machines will burn approximately the same amount. Air dynes, recumbent bikes, treadmills/running, rowers, Ski Erg, Burpees. About 10 min
on any of these activities at the SAME intensity will out about the same of calories (not going to split hairs here) benefits of one over the other….Injuries and limitations. If some one has preexisting conditions which can be effected by range of motion or Impact by slowing them down, then
one activity (over the other) can be more beneficial than the other. Furthermore, the activity that allows you
to have MORE movement over time eliciting a higher work output hence providing more intensity in workouts thus rendering faster results would be more beneficial than one
that doesn’t. So, theres my 2 cents on Cardio machines.
On a side note, a Pro in public gyms. If I want to Rock out and listen to some Mudvayne or Slipknot..something angry and aggressive, or Some Hip Hop or Rap that some might be considered “offensive”, I don’t have to worry about what others think because its in MY
headphones.
Sometimes you DO just want to go in and Not be bothered, put on your favorite Lil John or Old School Limp Bizkit song, throw your hoody up over your head
and just move weight, zone out, and not be bothered….but on the other hand…you can also
do that in a box to as well. Just in a box thats the weird thing to do whereas in a gym its totally normal.
