The Elliptical
One elliptical stood unused at my gym last night.
The gym was extra full, and people were actually waiting on machines. My gym is small, so this rarely happens.
I was doing a round robin kind of thing, and I was counting on an elliptical being open when I needed it.
But that lone machine stood available when my time came.
One by one people got on and then right back off. Some left, not even trying another machine.
But I noticed something; there was no out of order sign.
So when it was elliptical time, I walked over to the machine.
…and I plugged the cord back in…
…and I used it.
You see, that’s all that was wrong. There was no power. And I know y’all think I’m about to talk about where your inner power comes from, but I’m not.
Because all I could see was how easily everyone gave up.
No one asked, “Is this broken?”
I would have been happy to say, “Have you checked the cords?”
No one would man-up to the powerless machine. It doesn’t have a belt. It would have been a little rough, but it was doable. Only the timing mechanism required a plug, and there are clocks everywhere.
Some actually walked out the door, not even attempting any other machine.
But when I quietly walked over to the machine and started using it, ten people asked me how I fixed it!
And there’s no way to soften the blow, so I simply said, “I plugged it in. No big deal.”
Collectively, they groaned.
This thing we do is challenging, but it doesn’t require perfection.
I can be dead-set on doing the Arc for my cardio all day long, but have no problem doing the step if there is not one available.
I can want to do rope hammer curls, but switch to dumbbells when I realize I would have to wait for three people to work in with me.
And if all else fails, I can walk, jog, or do push-ups anywhere.
But what I can’t do is give up without a fight.
Especially when I am fighting a little bitty ol’ cord that just needs to be pushed in a little farther.
And I lied…one thing about that power cord.
My power to get a good workout in doesn’t come from a cord. It comes from the ability to adapt to my circumstances and make changes as I go.
January 22, 2009 at 5:44 am
now that is funny. I would’ve looked first to see if it was plugged in then if it was I would’ve asked someone who worked at the gym if it was broke. Sometimes people just look for a reason to give up it seems.
January 22, 2009 at 5:55 am
ok, next step. find all the men who didn’t figure it out and take away their man cards. they are now not men..lol
January 22, 2009 at 7:43 am
Adina…. yes mam… you’re so on my street it’s not even funny! Thanks for the head-fake! Lov your blogs…
January 22, 2009 at 8:43 am
That is so funny and you are soooo right. That just goes to show how easily someone is swayed from exercising!