Sweatin' with the Oldies
If I could read the WSJ every day, I would. Every time I get 10 minutes to check out an article, I find 10 more that I want to read. Our house is covered with folded-over sections -- on the radiators, book shelves, beds, and couch. But I never get to them.
Somehow, yesterday afforded me a few spare moments, and I saw this article about working out with co-workers. I found it very amusing.
I imagined all my past jobs and co-workers and thought of how things might have been different, better, or worse if I got to see my bosses and rivals in sweaty T-shirts and smelly socks. The article mentions people grunting. My boss. Grunting. No, thanks.
At ad agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky's Boulder, Colo., office, "no one really wants to see their boss naked," says Chief Executive Andrew Keller. (Mr. Keller dresses inside a closed shower stall.)
Whew. That's for sure.
But you know what? I thought of all those priss-pots in heels, dry-clean-only clothes, and make-up whom I used to work with. Treadmill challenge. Heck, yeah. Bring it on. Post the results over the water cooler. Maybe I can't use nonsensical professional-speak to dazzle clients or feel comfortable taking another's work as my own during staff meetings, but I can run the heck out of a treadmill. Maybe I would have gotten a raise or two. Better yet, maybe I would have been freed from a series of resentments that soured me. (Can you tell?)
Finally, I began thinking about a Ricochet staff gym. We all know Claire would be duking it out with a member, making us all look bad. But could I do sit-ups alongside Rob? Leg-lifts beside Pat? The elliptical next to Dave? I think I'd feel foolish. Hard to shout out my thoughts on traffic patterns on I-81 when I'm panting like a dog.
But, in all seriousness, my working life would have been a lot better if my job provided an easy and encouraging way to work out each day. I don't doubt I would have stayed at jobs longer, my stress levels decreased and energy level revived daily.
Do you work out with co-workers? Would you like to?
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Comments :
Oct '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Would only work for me if I used it at the end of the day - it takes me too long to cool down. When I used to row on the water in the mornings, I gave up showering at the boathouse and headed home instead.
My wife, though, doesn't sweat, so she uses her company gym a few times a week, including to teach a class over the noon hour.
Lately, I have become a great fan of listening to Ricochet podcasts while rowing on a Concept2 ergometer - the usual :45 length is the perfect distraction during my workouts. (Have to replace the talk with music when I'm counting reps when lifting weights, though.) I guess I'm too much of a loner to want to socialize while working out.
Feb '11
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Great post. The military has been doing this for years! My husband runs or lifts weights with fellow Marine officers on base each day during lunch as part of their mandatory physical training. It's got to be great for clearing his head during a long day of desk work.
Now at home with our toddler, I find my days are bettered by a walk to the park with her, or at least a few trips hauling laundry up and down two flights of stairs.
May '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Define "work out with"? Selectively, yes.
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Working out with The Logo? No thanks! (j/k Logo).
I'm pretty anti-social when I work out. I like to do my own thing and I hate when I see people I know at the gym. I do sometimes go with my roommate, but that's more because we don't like walking through the few blocks of ghetto to get there at night alone...
Sep '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
One of the benefits of working at a college is access to the gym. The indoor track we have is a great help to staying in shape during the frigid Midwest winter. But I don't see too many colleagues out there.
Jun '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Seeing your boss naked in a locker room is, as they say, nuthin'. How about seeing you boss getting it on with a hooker for a rude awakening?
May '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Glenn Reynolds suggests this treadmill desk. Myself, though, I do work out with Ricochet people. I listen to the main podcast every Saturday while doing my 5 miles.
But they never have to put up with me in the process. Modern technology is wunnerful, to quote Mr. Welk.
Edited on Mar 24, 2011 at 12:23pmJun '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
What a coincidence! I listen to the main podcast every Saturday while you run five miles too.
Jun '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
One of the biggest reasons I like to swim laps is that I don't have to know if anyone else is even in the pool. The lifeguard takes care of that. The other reason? The water is so soothing at 6 am. I don't even have to wake up until the third or fourth lap.
I will say that the Y has a new treadmill theater. The Mask of Zorro was far better than I remembered today. Working out with weights and buddies... nah, I think I will pass.
Mar '11
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Duane Oyen: Glenn Reynolds suggests this treadmill desk. Myself, though, I do work out with Ricochet people. I listen to the main podcast every Saturday while doing my 5 miles.
But they never have to put up with me in the process. Modern technology is wunnerful, to quote Mr. Welk. · Mar 24 at 12:21pm
Edited on Mar 24 at 12:23 pm
You beat me to it, Duane.
How about making use of the stairs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw
Feb '11
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
I was a Personal Trainer at a large gym for two years before I headed back to school. Working out with co-workers was a very good thing, in my opinion. You saw sides of people you would probably never see any other way, generally of a positive nature. For instance, the quiet guy or gal who seemed a little on the dweeby side in the break room would often display an inner strength and determination that you would never know was there otherwise. The cool "Joe Jock" types who always seemed so suave often had a weakness which was exposed in the gym, making them more human.
With the right attitude, it had a lot of benefits to it.
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Duane Oyen: Glenn Reynolds suggests this treadmill desk. Myself, though, I do work out with Ricochet people. I listen to the main podcast every Saturday while doing my 5 miles.
But they never have to put up with me in the process. Modern technology is wunnerful, to quote Mr. Welk. · Mar 24 at 12:21pm
Edited on Mar 24 at 12:23 pm
Okay, Duane, I give. What's the new avatar?
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
Keeping up with Pat on the treadmill? Or with Dave on the elliptical trainer? That could prove trying, I'll grant you. But going sit-up for sit-up with Rob? Ursula, something tells me you could handle it.
Edited on Mar 24, 2011 at 10:19pmMay '10
Re: Sweatin' with the Oldies
The last time I worked out with my co-workers was in the fitness center at United Healthcare. It might have been quite enjoyable but for the fact that I humiliated myself jumping off the treadmill and making a mad dash to the trash can on the other side of the room...and using it in front of everyone. So much for keeping my pregnancy a secret.