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How to survive the gym

By Ragan Robinson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: April 30, 2009

Hickory - Butch Stewart owns Hickory's Spa Athletic Club and has been in the business for 30 years. He has lots of great reasons to join a gym — you're less likely to ignore that needed workout if you paid for it and you're free of the distractions you have when trying to work out at home. And he has plenty of advice on how to act when you get there.

1. You know that five-second rule you had as a kid when you dropped food on the floor? Grown-ups have their own version. Don't stay naked in the locker room for more than five seconds. It makes everybody else uncomfortable.

2. It's important to have strong muscles, but strong jaw muscles aren't crucial. If someone has a Walkman on but keeps nodding his or her head while you're talking, that person probably isn't listening and probably doesn't want to. Talking is fine, but don't bug people just because they got stuck at the treadmill next to you.

3. Those loud, primeval sounds are for cave man movies. They're really not appropriate for a fitness club atmosphere. And you don't really want to be known as the guy or girl who sounds like he or she is giving birth in the weight room.

4. Don't laugh at the uncoordinated. Those people are working twice as hard as the abs of steel woman who never misses a step. The big thing is that person is in the gym and that, in itself, demands some admiration.

5. Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are people at the gym who want to help. They want you to keep coming back not only for your health, but so they'll keep their jobs. Look for a place like Spa Athletic Club that assigns a trainer when you join and a trainer who takes you through your routine several times.

Need some advice on how to survive your next sticky situation? E-mail buzz@hickoryrecord.com or call 322-4510, x5403 to make sure we add you to the list.