WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Control, Finish… and Not Dropping it

Everything counts. That is a rule I learned long ago – back when I cajoled my mother into driving out to Flushing and the only Modells in the city at the time and bringing home a 110-pound barbell set. Some sort of cement’ish material coated in gold plastic – these weights and dumbbells traveled around with me for a decade or so until I realized an actual gym was an actual idea. Hey, you are what you lift.

Both Shira and I are still gym rats of sorts - and most weekdays, when we are home, you will find us at R &T’s Gym each morning… training for Mister and Miss We’re Still Here!

There is an etiquette of sorts in every gym.

Most of it is really common sense and politeness, but sometimes that does not really come into play. 

I watch the different men and women in our gym. Some you can tell have been at it for years, or maybe coming back just to stay on the positive side of life’s ledger. Some are absolutely clueless about what they are doing.

Many have taken to wearing headsets and earbuds while training. I get that - music can keep you pumping; but it also can keep you unaware of the others around you. There are a few younger guys, early 20s, who routinely powerlift more than they should, and while doing so… lack finesse, control and finish off each set with a dropping of the weights onto safety bars or the lightly padded floor – LOUDLY!

Shira is particularly vulnerable to these sudden, unexpected, and high-decibel crashes, and I have seen her walk away from her routine, rather than endure this lack of control.

Others I see go through exercises with wildly body-swinging motions and then letting the weight pull itself down.

They are wasting half their time here. We all know what comes up must come down – but done in a controlled and deliberate manner you can get twice the benefit and more.

So, like I said – everything counts – in life for sure, but let’s stick with working out and riding motorcycles.

You knew I would find some obscure sorcery to run this into riding, right?

When approaching an exercise machine – let us say a Pulldown - it is habit for me to think about what I am about to do. The position of the machine and seat are set, the width of the bar, depending on what was done last time on the same machine, and then the right weight I’ll be using, or starting at. But the most important thought running through my mind is how exactly will these next reps go. Each pull back on the bar, bringing it to the chest, and the slight pause, before slowly reversing the motion and the fight with gravity on the way back up. No quick, herky-jerky pull-down followed by letting the bar bring itself back to the start, which I see time and again. 

Control. Finish. And, certainly never dropping it.

We should try to do the same thing when riding.

Many times, when riding with a group, I end up at Point. That’s okay, although I am aware that some behind me wish I’d dial it up a bit. Others feel the opposite.

I prefer being up front, or in the back. Either or, I am setting my own pace, even if I see a group of Go-Fasters dwindling away in the distance.

That is okay, as I have a plan, and it does not involve getting caught up, or finding myself suddenly not going through the motions of every road, each turn, and the general situation.

Like exercise, being methodical and running a plan through, or even a close scenario, will give you twice the result and pleasure. From the moment you roll out of your garage to the second you roll back in.

Everything counts. Yes… it does. 

Control. Finish. And, certainly never dropping it.