Prior to leaving the UK, I started to become one of those people gym chine that I had previously disliked (for jealousy reasons) – a regular gym-goer. In part this was training for a run but also to keep me sane – my honest advice is never move countries if you’re on your own gym chine. Always have a boyfriend/ partner/ company, who are paying for everything, on hand to do the packing/ organization of shipping, storage, visa, flights, renting out of your flat, tax enquiries as you’ll be non-resident…blah blah blah. gym chine Mix in with that a tin of paint getting thrown on your car (whilst you’re trying to sell it), Christmas shopping and a few too many complicated transactions at work to finish before you go and you either have to consume a bottle of wine a night or go for a run (the latter is cheaper) to stay sane.
Once in China, I joined a gym within weeks and was back running. gym chine However, used to a somewhat luxurious gym in Edinburgh, my China gym leaves a lot to be desired….
The locker rooms:- upon entering the gym you are handed a thin white towel and your locker key. Inevitably, your locker will be immediately next to one already in use (whilst the rest of the changing rooms are deserted).gym chine This, I am used to but the sheer nakedness of other people that close to me, I’m not. In China, gym chine it is common for ladies not to shave or wax anywhere, even their armpits. This can be somewhat disconcerting, especially as they all appear to be very comfortable walking around gym in china naked and striking up conversations with you. My genius other half has shared stories of similar experiences in the gent’s changing rooms of his gym (the Marriott Hotel) gym chine .
The shower rooms:- gym chine the roof leaks, so the floor is always wet. To help, you are offered some plastic shoes (like Crocks). These are available at the locker room door and once you’ve finished gym in china with them, you put them in a bucket of water gym chine . I have no idea whether this is the extent of the “washing” of them, gym in china but needless to say, I take my own.
The heat:- a common complaint is the heat in gyms. Whilst the air con is on, the windows are open. In the peak of summer with temperatures gym chine reaching 45 degrees, the last thing you want is the window open. You start sweating as you walk towards the treadmill.
Actual running:- gym in china I rarely see Chinese people running. Their preferred method of exercise appears to be walking uphill for an hour or walking backwards. This latter method is very common and can be witnessed everywhere – gym chine in the parks, on the treadmill and in the complex and by all ages.
Groaning men:- there is an excessive gym chine amount of groaning. Rather small men seem to lift what look to be rather small weights and the whole gym hears about it – it tends to interrupt the dulcet tones of Lady Gaga and can be a little off-putting.
The dress-code: forget Lycra, the women wear jeans or even dresses gym chine (see my blog on Fashion) on the treadmills and the men wear incredibly short shorts.
The mirrors: the walls of my gym are mirrored in places and almost every time I am there, someone, be it male or female, is standing in front of the mirror, in plain sight of everyone, squeezing their spots!
Gym chine After a little research, I have opted to change gyms and have paid my new membership – here’s hoping my old gym was a one-off but sadly I’m not too hopeful!
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