World Fist Bump Day ™

I like this story and I know what Matt is talking abut. I’ve been in this industry for many years and the chain gyms are all business and have forgotten abut the well being of their members. T.S.

By Matt Davis

I’m going to the YWCA now. I went in there on Wednesday with Suey for a trial session and the personal trainer was in there. His name is Von Ray Johnson and he said he’d give me a couple of free sessions, so I went back this morning and he worked me harder than I’ve worked in the gym for 15 years. We only did four exercises, but he actually went to go get me some Gatorade at one point—I was slumped over this bench and could barely move. “Just stay there,” he said, looking like he maybe hadn’t anticipated this reaction. “You start from where you are,” he said.

Afterwards I went to Safeway to get a pizza for this picnic we’re having at work, and my hands were shaking on the box. I’m expecting some pretty amusing soreness over the weekend: Sue took one look at me when I walked in the door and said “take two advil.”

But I’ve been evangelizing the YWCA for the last few days. Everyone in there seems happy and friendly, whereas when I go to 24-hour fitness, it’s all glum faces. I don’t think the trainers are allowed to talk to any of the customers because they’re supposed to charge. And smiling seems out of the question, even then. Whereas Johnson just greets every single gym user with a fist bump and is like, “what are you doing today?” A fist bump! I feel 30% more African American already!

Sorry, 24-hour fitness. I gave you three years. You gave me no fist bump. Not one time. Never. Goodbye.