These young boys at the YMCA are about to start their junior year in high school and they're asking me for fitness, exercise and muscle building advice. Either someone told them I was a personal trainer, or they recognize the success I've had and gains I've made., or they dig the workout. It's kind of cool. I also like that after a year and a half they have finally matured, or maybe built their confidence enough to actually talk to me. That connect it cool also.
After twenty years of training - which followed ten years of gaining 60 pounds of mostly fat - I think my ego is under control enough to be a more effective role model to this generation born at the turn of the century. I've had my share of injuries and I've come back from them strong and I believe strong-er. They were frustrating, as anyone who's suffered any knows. But sustaining and surviving injuries and learning how to heal them and developing the patience needed to bring them back to 100% (which "experts" deem impossible) is part of the exercise game. It's humbling and humility builds both character and determination.
The gym dynamic is nothing short of fascinating. You may have seen videos poking fun at the different gym stereotypes. Missing in the clips I've seen were the clueless teenagers who do more talking than lifting. They have the energy and the enthusiasm of youth, but lack the experience or basic knowledge of how to use the equipment. Being young and all-knowing, or more accurately timid and self conscious, they don't want to ask the ol'heads for help and honestly, some of the elders see these kids as pests; spending too much time on the equipment and talking a lot of nonsense.
Often, being young men experiencing puberty, the workouts become strength contests - or strong man shows which could be dangerous. I've actually had to help a few cats out of dangerously dumb situations, which usually leads to an introduction and a protege. (I don't charge these kids for strength training advice. I probably became a trainer more for the knowledge than the income. I may make a few bucks on it some day.)
Anyway. This went on a bit further than I originally intended.
Mathematically, in the context of a Northeastern City, I'm old enough to be these kids' grandfather. (I'm not sure they realize that.) Or at the least, their dad. An added value to interaction with these kids on a level that has no authority attached to it, is that they get used to talking to adults on this level and I get connected to a new generation coming into adulthood.
I call that a win-win.
Cheers.