I am a huge advocate of going to the gym. Not to toot my own horn, but I typically go about 4 times a week which means I do around 700 crunches alone on an average week.  

It’s not easy, but that’s why I get so much enjoyment out of it. To have that high and the slight burn that feels so good from pushing or pulling as much weight as I possibly can. I’m also a huge fan of music, so I have my headphones on, blasting everything from POORSTACY to the Tragically Hip and everything in between. Anything to get me that little more pumped up. 

As a side note, I really get a kick out of or find myself giggling to someone doing ten sets of, I don’t know what that is. Or the guy on the leg extension machine who’s been playing Clash Royale for the last 7 minutes straight.  

As I spend so much time working out, it’s important to have a good gym culture.  

For many, especially in that 18–34 demographic, going to the gym isn’t just about health anymore; it’s about self-improvement in a visible way. This is one of the good things about social media, it’s made gym culture more mainstream. For some, it’s used as motivation. It builds community, accountability, and even inspiration. You see someone else’s progress, and it pushes you harder. 

That’s why it connects so well with athletes, too. For anyone involved in local sports, whether it’s junior hockey, soccer, or even rec leagues, the gym is where the improvement actually happens. 

However, it’s not without its cons. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have turned fitness into content. Some people walk into the gym with cameras and tripods. The gym isn’t a personal space, it’s a public one.  

There’s also the issue of physique inflation. Look at Tobey Maguire’s body in the first Spider-Man movie. That was a superhero physique in the 2000’s. Now? It’s now seen as below average. It can be really hard to think you’re progressing when you see all these influencers who are bigger, broader, and definitely on more steroids than you. Comparing yourself to these people can lead to image issues and body dysmorphia. Coming from a guy who grew up really skinny, those issues can be really difficult to (protein) shake. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about the gym is that you need to be highly trained, on supplements, and never miss a day. When its really just about showing up and being consistent. If you do it enough, it’ll feel like second nature to you. 

Besides, even if you don’t want to go in the moment, you’ll always feel better after getting some physical activity in. Its scientifically proven.