What does a fifteen-year-old
girl do with two hours to kill in Washington DC after school? I would have
never imagined this three years ago, but I found that going to the gym is one
of the most satisfying activities to do in my free time.
How many teenagers do you know
who go to the gym every weekday? Probably not many. Most likely, there’s a
reason for that. Many gyms come across as intimidating and working out isn’t
exactly synonymous with fun. Even if they do want to go, most high-schoolers
are too busy with homework and extracurriculars.
I belong to that small group
that carves time out of the day to go to the gym. Right after school, I head
over to the gym and exercise for about two hours. I’ve been going for so long
that it’s become a routine. Now, it’s unusual for me to skip a workout. I look
forward to having two hours to myself.
This pastime started after
volleyball season ended and I was looking for a way to stay in shape. None of
the winter sports offered at my school sounded fun to me. My mother suggested
that we look at a neighborhood gym. I was really reluctant to go there at
first, but I decided to give it a try. A teenager was such a rarity at the gym
that everyone was especially welcoming. That made it something to look forward
to.
Soon after, I learned that I
would need surgery and the doctor recommended that I do more exercise as
preparation. As soon as I had recovered from the operation, I went back to the
gym because I missed going. Truthfully, it’s not that hard to get to the gym if
you enjoy going.
First, it’s easy to get to. The
gym is only three blocks from my school. Also, it’s right next to the metro
station, making it simple to go home on the days when my mom can’t pick me up.
Second, the atmosphere is
really pleasant. The gym I go to is small enough that everyone knows each
other. When I get to the entrance, the staff member at the front desk greets me
by name. When stopped going during volleyball season this year, one of the
owners called my parents to ask about me.
For me, this friendly, personal
environment is important because as a shy person I feel infinitely more at ease
in a place where I everyone is a friend. For example, like many people, I like
to read magazines while on the cardio equipment. However, all the magazines
available were for adults, which aren’t always appropriate for my age group.
So, I asked one of the owners if the gym could get a subscription to a teen
magazine. To my delight, a couple of weeks later the magazine subscription
appeared.
When a school friend of mine
asks where I’m going, as we walk down the street, their eyes typically widen at
my answer. Usually, they say something like, “Wow, I couldn’t imagine working
out every day!” I just shrug; I go to the gym because vigorous exercise always
feels good.
On those rare days when I don’t
spend two hours at the gym, I’m amazed at how much free time I suddenly have
after school. Then I wonder what I ever did with all this extra time before I
got in the habit of going to the gym.
Gabriella is
in the tenth grade at the Washington International School. Her favorite gym is
City Fitness on Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park.
