A run away from the gym

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In the last 10 days that I’ve been home, all I’ve been doing is eating and lazing around. And hogging and more hogging for fillers. In all probability, I’ve put on some 5-6 kgs already. And I am in desperate need of some toning down. But unlike most young people my age, who rush to the gym for solace, I run away from it. What I previously thought was a lack of initiation to gym has revealed itself differently. Over all these years of being in gym-crazy-company and the knowledge of having fully-equipped-high-tech gyms in our own apartment complex has not pushed me to do the grinds on the treadmill; rather I’ve become increasingly sure that I’m averse to concept of gymming. I’m no less of a fitness freak, but I just prefer to stay away from the gym. Why? The reasons are many:

1. The body benefits more from sports and activities that involve physical exertion than working on machines that serve to help only certain muscles. Swimming or running, badminton or baskie – count me in anytime.

2. An hour’s work out in the park also helps us stay closer to nature. Oh, the myriad colours that the trees were dressed in during the onset of autumn and the melodious tunes the birds sang love songs in in spring - they were such a treat to the senses. And perhaps an apt solution to William Henry Davies' long open question - What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare!

3. Physical activity helps in breathing and regulating blood circulation far more than does working on sophisticated equipment. Apparently, that’s because natural movements require more contribution from more muscles enabling better circulation and moderating breathing.

4. Burning out outdoors than doing the same within the enclosures of a gym has the added advantage of helping the body burn more – when we’re outdoors, the body has to burn more fuel to keep itself warm. I remember enjoying (which means my body felt healthier) running in Cassiobury Park more than I did burning out in the elite Centreway Gym.

5. I prefer working out with company than with a lonely iPod or a solitary television blaring out. Dancing with friends or wall climbing with buddies is so much more fun.

6. Lastly, but not least-ly, we can do our bit to conserve fossil fuels by not driving down to the gym and conserve electrical energy by not spending it on the gym equipment.

So, what say, gym-nahii-sium?