Lone Men Spread Across Expansive Room
In an unexpected turn of events, a Thursday in 2025 saw a sea of men filling the gym, with not a woman in sight. This was the first time in the gym's ten-year history that such a scene unfolded.
The usual humdrum of the gym was replaced with the rhythmic beat of music, as Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan filled the air during a spontaneous Zumba class held upstairs. The tattooed men, usually found weightlifting or running on the treadmills, joined in the dance, jumping rope in sync and moving with an infectious energy.
In the midst of it all, one particularly brave soul was seen on the stepper, while another was flexing his body through the cat-cow pose, a stretch that's more commonly associated with yoga.
The absence of women seemed to have loosened the men up. They moved around the aisles with ease, avoiding collisions like a group of meerkats cautiously peering over their surroundings. The pre-"Fwump" era of men with sucked-in stomachs was fading from memory as they trained manfully, pulling their stomachs back in.
The "Fwump" sound, heard twice, was a testament to the newfound confidence. The first one was uncertain, the second more assured, marking the first time two young athletes were navigating adductor and abductor presses for outer and inner thigh muscles.
However, the return of a woman signalled a slight adjustment. The men, who had been training shirtless, quickly pulled their shirts back on. The presence of a woman had always made them adjust their postures in the past.
Despite this, the gym continued to buzz with activity. No pistol squats or jump squats were observed, but simple squats were being attempted in the middle of the aisle with a newfound sense of camaraderie.
As the day came to an end, it was clear that this unusual day had left a lasting impact. The gym, usually a testosterone-filled space, had shown a softer, more united side. Whether this will become a regular occurrence remains to be seen, but for now, the men of the gym continue to train, their spirits high and their energy infectious.
