If you go to the gym then I bet you notice the presence of gym culture. Whether you think it’s good or bad, it’s definitely there and here to stay.

I think the gym culture comes from a mix of stereotypes and so many different lifestyles and personalities in one room, however all that diversity in one room brings people there for the same reason – to workout – however the reasons they are working out may vary from person to person. 

Whether your goal is to run a half marathon, lose weight, gain muscle, enter a bodybuilding competition, or just improve your overall mental and physical health everyone is going to be using the space for the same reason and I think that’s so cool. There’s really not too many places I can name where a huge variety of people can go to for the same purpose and connect over and I think that’s one of my favourite parts of gym culture. 

It’s amazing to be able to spark a conversation to just about anyone and have a common topic to talk about in the gym. A couple days ago I talked to a man in 70s about the importance of getting all your steps in a day. When else would I have had that conversation if not in the gym??

I know some people stay away from the gym because they are scared of some of the stereotypes that they hear about, and I know some people choose to go to private gyms or workout classes because they feel like it’s a safer community of people. The way I see it is whatever works for you, works for you, as long as you’re feeling like your best self nothing really matters.

I definitely get and see how the gym can be intimidating, especially for people just getting into working out in a gym but honestly I think people are too focussed on what they are doing to care about anything. When I walk into the gym I’m not looking around and nitpicking at what everyone else is doing, I’m thinking about what I’m going to do that day.

I also see the gym as being a supportive environment. I think I lucked out in this department because everyone I talk to at the gym is always in such a positive and encouraging environment it really makes going a lot easier. 

At the end of the day, whatever the reason you may be in there for, we’re all there to better ourselves and I think that’s the best part of gym culture.