October 15, 2008

Take the Fight to the Gym

My physical therapist says I need more time off from karate. My knee says so too. I just didn’t want to listen to it.

Almost a week after class, I still have pain, swelling and bruising. Imagine taking purple and blue markers and leaving little dots all around my largest incision scar area. That’s pretty much what I look like. I’m also super sensitive on the top of my tibia.

Along with warning me to listen to my knee and take a break, my PT encouraged me to get back to the gym. I went in search of a gym membership and I think I’m joining one tomorrow. Despite the fact that it feels sort of like a night club and less like a gym, I’m joining for the pool and because a dear friend of mine also belongs there. I won’t feel nearly as stupid, walking laps in the pool if I’m walking along with her.

I went in today for an initial tour. The sales guy was this beefcake of a dude who sized me up before saying, "So where have you been working out? Because you obviously work out." I laughed out loud. "Yeah, it’s called carrying around a three-year old." He then introduced me to a trainer who will set me up with a work out plan. He had surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus, so we instantly bonded and compared scars. His may be bigger, but mine is way uglier.

Then he started asking me questions about my height and weight. He guessed higher on my weight than what I actually am, but lower on my age by a good seven years so I forgave him. Then, he hands me the little machine which happens to be a body fat calculator. I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with my body fat percentage so I cringed and told him if it was bad, I was tossing it in the pool before he got a look at it.

It came back at 21.6%. That is so not at all bad. So, as far as that goes, I’m inbetween the good and excellent. I have 1.6% to go to be completely in "excellent." I was expecting to be about 50% fat so I was elated.

Then I got the tour. He showed me the "trainer area" where there were a bunch of young ripped guys standing around looking bored. He showed me the equipment. While getting the tour, I took careful inventory and besides the trainer, there wasn’t anyone there that looked too intimidating. The pool was really sweet, and I imagine I’ll be spending most of my gym time there in the beginning. The low impact water aerobics and the weights that you can use while walking or swimming laps will definitely come in handy.

Unlike previous gyms I’ve toured which sound like headbanger concerts, today’s gym was playing Nelly and other hip hop and rap music. I asked the sales guy if the old people complain and he nodded that they do. Personally, I’m psyched about the music choices.

And, when I’m feeling up to it, there’s a work-out room with five heavy bags hanging in the room. I need to fight my way back to karate and the fight now goes to the gym.