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The People of Cynergy- By the intern, Eric
By Eric Morris | June 12, 2008
Gyms always have a certain feel to them. I can’t put my finger on it just yet, but I am sure you have all felt the same way when entering a new gym for the first time. Maybe it was the first conversation that you had with a respective employee, or maybe you were lucky enough to steal a glance at a few patrons working out. What ever the case may be, you can get a pretty accurate feel for what the standards are by that first impression. I can remember the first conversation I had with a Gold’s Gym employee when I joined up as a new member last summer and remember thinking this guy was straight out of a bodybuilding magazine complete with an excessively tight t-shirt and arm band tattoos that “accentuated the guns”. Needless to say the machismo atmosphere was mostly show and hardly any work as I watched the same big guys stand around doing a few reps of arm curls then complaining about their jobs to each other for 30 minutes between sets.
Gyms also seem to have a certain work cadence that is undeniable as well. It seems like there is an unspoken rule of what the members are supposed to do and how hard or intense they should do it. If you have ever been in a gym and tried to go against the grain, or seen someone try this, everyone else does the whole “what is he or she doing? Don’t they know we don’t do that in here? They must be new!”
My point here is to compare and contrast my experience so far at Cynergy, (which is closing in on a hefty two weeks!) and other experiences I have had in the past with gyms. At the delicate age of 22, I have been fortunate to own member cards from all types of fitness establishments. From local YMCA gyms, to large corporate gyms like Gold’s and Planet Fitness to my bizarre experiences in Australia where I was a member of a power lifting gym and a fitness center that was co-sponsored by a local bar, (yeah I couldn’t understand how that works either!) So far, I have never encountered an atmosphere quite like Cynergy’s.
I am sure many of you faithful members feel the same way. I began pondering this phenomenon recently and decided to devote the topic of my next article to describing my hypothesis as to why Cynergy is so different. I was able to come up with two variables, the staff, and the members.
We all know how great Cindy, Keith, all the trainers, and the super awesome new intern (ha ha total shameless self promotion right there!) are at motivating everyone, keeping the workouts fun and interesting and generally providing an environment where your best personal effort is not only encouraged, but expected every time you step into the gym or engage in a boot camp class. I also wanted to mention how great it is to see all the trainers at some point during the week taking a class and working just as hard as everyone else. It’s great to see a trainer totally exhausted at the end of their workout and then get right into teaching a class, with more energy than a 5 year old with one of those pixie sticks that are the size of a yard stick.
Yes, the staff is a huge part of the Cynergy atmosphere equation; however I want to talk about you. Yes, you faithful members are the reason Cynergy has a heart beat. You are the ones that break down the door and train until you are sprawled out on the floor, gasping for breath, cursing the gods for your fragile mortality and then you come back the next day to do it all again! Either you are all absolutely nuts, or your motivation is just unparalleled to anything I have witnessed so far in a group setting in my short lifespan.
I have heard more grunting, yelling and just general noise coming from the inside of that facility in the last two weeks than I care to remember. I have seen so much sweat dripping off peoples faces and soaking their t-shirts that I am beginning to think that this whole workout thing is just a contest to see who can become the sweatiest person at Cynergy! The point is that people from all walks of life are coming in to get a workout in and training harder than some professional athletes would! and the best part is most of you people are holding down a full time job and probably have other commitments such as kids or businesses of your own to run.
While all of you at some point or another have noticed the massive improvement in physical and mental health from training at Cynergy and not to mention the enhanced mental drive, what many of you might not realize is the example you are setting for everyone around you. Whether it be co- workers, family, friends or just an unfortunate employee at the local grocery store who has to deal with you and your sweatiness as you try to purchase groceries after a workout (I am sure you have all been guilty of this at some point!) These people may not fully understand the work you put in during the workout (see my last article for my thoughts on that subject) however they see the changes mentally and physically that build up over time. They notice the increase in energy, the gravitation to a healthier life style and the general increase in well being. Maybe they won’t come out and say it, and maybe a few select individuals might come out and be down right jealous of your progress, but they all notice and they all secretly wish they had your mental drive.
I know that I can safely speak for all of the other trainers at Cynergy when I say that you member’s inspire us with your tenacity during a particularly challenging routine or your commitment to wake up at ungodly hours to get in a ferocious exercise session at 5 or 6 in the morning. So as your newest intern, I would like to say I am honored to work, sweat and suffer next to you and am inspired by the hard work you accomplish. Thank you, and let’s get to work!
Topics: Articles, Cynergy Central |
June 12th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Great stuff Eric….Can’t wait to see you get Fran under your belt! Super Job!
June 13th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Wow, Keith… took the words right out of my mouth!
June 13th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Great article Eric. It truly is an honor to work out with the dedicated trainers and members at Cynergy. I hope you can join us “inside” for a 6am class. Remember — there is no “I” in 6am (well, maybe if you spell it out)…..
June 13th, 2008 at 10:51 am
What a great post Eric! You have totally summed up the place. Such a unique and fantastic environment. There is no place else like it around. I am thankful every day that I go there (at least when we have finished the workout and I am able to breath again and form coherent thoughts . . . )that such a great place exists!
June 13th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Outstanding article Eric! You gave me goosebumps and I don’t even know your last name!!!
Thank you for honoring Cynergy’s founders and members so eloquently!
June 13th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Eric:
Great great article. How true everything you said. I especially love the sweat dripping part!!!
June 15th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Well said Eric! You have truly captured what is sometimes difficult to express to others, thank you!
It’s been such a pleasure having you here and I appreciate everything you bring to the table. Thank you for acknowledging the heart of our business….our clients!
June 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Eric,
It is comments like these and the coaching from fellow campers/trainees (and trainers, of course!) that keep us motivated to work our hardest and soak our clothing with sweat! Thanks for the encouragement!
June 27th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Eric you have missed you calling, you are some writer.And i agree with chief John about being apart of the 6am class(its the best).