Weightlifting is a lifestyle for me. I find the gym to be a sacred place; an escape from reality, a place where I can concentrate on pushing myself physically. Nothing feels better than to walk outside of the Rec Center with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, but this feeling doesn’t come easy. I drag myself out of bed around 7 a.m. on weekdays and make the short
walk from Edgewood to the Rec Center. As soon as I get in, I waste no time getting to work. What day is it? Chest? Straight to the bench press then. Back? Let me put on my deadlifting belt. The gym isn’t busy at this time, so I can usually get things done without waiting; the same can’t be said for later times. I used to go during the evening, but the gym is so popular at that time, it’s impossible for someone of my caliber to get a decent workout in. Fortunately, Rowan noticed this spike in attendance, and commenced construction on a new recreation center slated to be finished by Fall 2017. I wait with baited breath. Until then, the current Rec Center will continue being my go-to gym at Rowan.
In all honesty, I can’t imagine my life without going to the gym. If I miss even one day I feel like I let myself, or rather, my body, down. Ever since I started going, I feel much more energetic, revitalized, and healthy. Looking in the mirror at all the hard work I toiled away at is a massive boost to my morale. It’s this idea that I made for myself that keeps me going. There are many things I don’t know for certain in m
y life. I don’t know if I’ll get that dream job, or if I’ll get that expensive car, but I know one thing is true: If I keep working out and stick to my regime, I will get stronger. This is what gets me up those mornings, even if I was up all night working on a project. This is what gets me to eat healthy, even if my roommates all decide to go out to eat. This ideology is what gets me to devote a portion of my life to the gym, ensuring myself that I will continue to spend countless hours in my iron paradise.
Story by: Tim Stanford, Ewing, NJ (Mercer County)
Sophomore advertising major