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Semi-gay Gym
Apr. 12th, 2004 11:32 pmI 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.
