Better Than the Rest

GYMNOS – Fitness Scenarios for Self-Examination

Gymnos is the Greek origin of our modern-day word Gym. It means “naked.” GYMNOS is a regular feature in Faith & Fitness Magazine to challenge you. In the literal sense, when you are naked in the locker room there is nothing to hide. That makes most people uncomfortable. Use this scenario to get naked spiritually—be honest, transparent, undisguised and willing to be totally open with yourself and others.

I think for most people going to the gym and participating in league sports is a “get in and get out” thing. I do it for some physical activity. Someone please tell the club and team busybodies that.

I don’t know which one I met first. Well really I wouldn’t say I met them. They practically pushed themselves on me. Edward, or “Big Ed” as he insists I call him is actually a rather personable guy I guess. I think he’s proud of his physical accomplishments and charming looks though. Whatever the case he knows his stuff – he should since he has practically grown up in gyms. Sometimes I think he should be the club owner. I doubt there is a single person at the gym who doesn’t know him. He connects with practically everyone at one time or another showing them ways to use the equipment and pointing to his own muscles. Or he’ll talk about better nutrition and share his own stories. I’m sure he thinks that he’s a fascinating person that I should get to know. But “Big-shot Ed” needs to figure out that I pick my own friends. Our club has great equipment that we share – I wish he’d just leave it at that.

Then there’s Vanessa the self-appointed expert and unofficial team counselor on our local co-ed community ball league. She can swing a mean bat, through a very fast ball and make the sport look way to easy. Van kids around with the women on the team all the time. It is as if she demands to be in the center of attention. If any of them have a problem she is there to try and solve it. On more than one occasion she has stepped in to show a guy or two “proper technique” or a “special trick” to get a little bit more spin or speed. She volunteers advice I think so that others will recognize her skill and knowledge. Hey, I’m pretty decent myself. I get out on the field and score a few runs for the team every game. But – I don’t wear it on my sleeve. Last week the entire team joined Vanessa and cheered like crazy when I stole home. It was too much and I let ‘em know it. I mean come on… it’s no big deal. It’s not like I’m trying to be better than the rest.

*All characters in this scenario are fictional. Any similarity to an actual person is coincidental.