Semi-gay Gym
Apr. 12th, 2004 11:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
drscottI spend about ten hours a week in a gym. I don't think this really makes me a gym rat -- that stereotype requires socializing at the gym and looking down your nose at men who don't. I rarely talk to anyone there since I'm usually in a hurry.
It has been very interesting to visit two of the gayest gyms in the world, the Golds on Brannan Street in SF and the Golds in Palm Springs. The level of cruising is a bit distracting and it would take me awhile to get used to that environment; I need to concentrate on what I'm doing to do it well, and the feeling of being watched wrecks it. Several times in Palm Springs I was lifting a few feet away from Blake Harper, the porn star, who looked better in person with clothes on; his being nearby didn't bother me because he practiced the polite convention of pretending no one else is around. And aside from some sly glances when he wasn't looking, I did the same. :)
My usual gym is Mountain View is only about 25% gay, though certain times it seems much higher, like this afternoon. I ran into "East Bay George" (we have cute nicknames for all the Georges since there are so many) and talked with him for a bit. I met him first on ICUii a few years ago, then spotted him at the gym the next day... another nice single bear who can't find the right guy. Then there was a parade of younger guys with "the look," some with double earrings and other obvious signifiers. Sometimes the hours between 6 and 8 are derisively referred to as "cocktail hour" since there's a lot more socializing then.
Another PB (Personal Best) at the leg press today -- peaked out at #770 with 18 reps. A big #10 more than in January, but progress is slow when you're old.
It has been very interesting to visit two of the gayest gyms in the world, the Golds on Brannan Street in SF and the Golds in Palm Springs. The level of cruising is a bit distracting and it would take me awhile to get used to that environment; I need to concentrate on what I'm doing to do it well, and the feeling of being watched wrecks it. Several times in Palm Springs I was lifting a few feet away from Blake Harper, the porn star, who looked better in person with clothes on; his being nearby didn't bother me because he practiced the polite convention of pretending no one else is around. And aside from some sly glances when he wasn't looking, I did the same. :)
My usual gym is Mountain View is only about 25% gay, though certain times it seems much higher, like this afternoon. I ran into "East Bay George" (we have cute nicknames for all the Georges since there are so many) and talked with him for a bit. I met him first on ICUii a few years ago, then spotted him at the gym the next day... another nice single bear who can't find the right guy. Then there was a parade of younger guys with "the look," some with double earrings and other obvious signifiers. Sometimes the hours between 6 and 8 are derisively referred to as "cocktail hour" since there's a lot more socializing then.
Another PB (Personal Best) at the leg press today -- peaked out at #770 with 18 reps. A big #10 more than in January, but progress is slow when you're old.
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Date: 2004-04-13 05:41 am (UTC)Alas, I belong to the largest chain of gyms here in Vegas, The Las Vegas Athletic Club. Of their several locations, only one of them isn't thoroughly co-ed; and that one happens to be closest gym to my apt, right across from UNLV. The men have their own pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. There are plenty of old perverts that hang out "looking"; but that's as close as I've seen to anything gay about the gym *G*.
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Date: 2004-04-13 08:27 am (UTC)Ok, I'm inspired again.
The cruising levels at those gyms are just as intimidating as the machines and weights themselves. For someone who's “old,” you sure do get noticed a lot. :-)
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Date: 2004-04-13 10:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-13 12:21 pm (UTC)I suppose we should cherish those old perverts as remnants of our cultural heritage who won't be with us much longer.... but ":-p" anyway. And I'm hoping to visit LV soon - maybe I could bend your ear for some orientation when I'm there?
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Date: 2004-04-13 12:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-13 12:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-13 04:05 pm (UTC)Do I know any of them?
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Date: 2004-04-13 04:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-13 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-13 11:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-14 12:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-14 03:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-19 01:05 am (UTC)