What it’s like

Rubber souls on asphalt echoing through the air.

Headlights cutting through the darkness. A deep blackness of a moonless sky waiting patiently for to be lit up with hues of orange, yellow and pink when the sun peeks out from its nap.

Artificial sweetness from a “mostly organic” pre workout rinsed away by filtered water that’s been chilled to perfection.

Enormous prints of “perfect” bodies and laminated letters spelling out HR motivation don the walls.

The weirdly blissful feeling of that drop of sweat rolling down your spine.

Courteous nods and genuine smiles at the regulars while avoiding contact with the creepy older man who’s hair and clothes seem to still be from the mid 1900’s, and not in a cool way.

Fast paced music specifically chosen to motivate coming from headphones designed to drown everything and everyone else out.

A cycle of thoughts:

“Damn this is hard”…

“That’s what she said”…

“One more… five more minutes”

“That wasn’t so bad”

A sense of surprise realizing that the scary machine is now a regular part of your routine.

TV screens filled with news reports. Anchors talking about weather that is the same 90% of the year and traffic that is always there. An ugly orange tyrant trying to sound smart and like he’s making good decisions. People dressed in military type gear hiding behind masks pretending they aren’t racist.

A clip of conversation between songs.. of a former athlete reliving glory days, or a former coach trying to still coach… his wife.

The scent of overused sanitizer spray, sweat and too much cologne mixed with stacked metal, broken down foam and plastic.

Hiding in a corner to complete that awkward free weight exercise that makes your booty bigger.

Finally endorphin induced confidence and pride with sweat glistening off exposed skin as rubber shoes meet asphalt once again.