25 Secrets From a Girl Who Works in a Gym

Over the years, and thanks to having family in so many different locations, I have been to my fair share of gyms during my lifetime, each of them drastically different. Prior to working for the gym I do now, I used to work for Starbucks. Starbucks baristas make various social media accounts filled with inside jokes and things learned that only baristas would understand. Barista humor, so to speak. While I was a barista, I greatly enjoyed these kinds of social media accounts and articles written by baristas such as, "What Working at Starbucks Has Taught Me". After a few months I looked for something similar for those who work in gyms but I couldn't find anything. So today, I would like to give you the inside scoop of secrets I have discovered while working in a gym.

About our members:

1. People have very heavy keys!

Part of my job is checking people into the gym. When I first began getting handed sets of keys to scan their barcode, I was amazed by the amount of trinkets people kept on their key rings.

2. People aren't afraid to ask to use the gym for free... at all.

One of the least favorite things about my job is having to be the bad guy. We have very strict policies on who may enter the gym which I have to enforce. Apparently gyms are supposed to be free... yeah right.

3. Math is hard for most...

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people re-rack their weights incorrectly with a 5lb set of dumbbells in the spot labeled 20. Once one person does it, it starts a chain-reaction that drives us all crazy.

4.They aren't crazy, their pre-work out just kicked in!

What's his deal? Is he ok? Oh the hilarious moments of pre-workout. Truly, it affects everyone differently. I love it when people come in to sign up for a membership during rush hour and they decided to take their pre-workout with the hopes of working out immediately... oopsie.

5.Body Builders exist!

Well at least at our gyms they do. It is absolutely incredible to see these beasts in the gym. It is even more a privilege to be able to witness their journey through a prep or even someone just starting out make major gains in a matter of months.

6.People actually get up on a Saturday morning!

The first time I opened the gym on a Saturday morning I thought we were going to be dead slow but man was I wrong! Even in a college town there are dedicated people.

7.You meet A LOT of characters.

In all the industries I have worked in, I have never seen such a vast culture of people in one location. You've got guys who work-out "shirts" look like a lawn mower got a hold of it.

The guy who works out in jeans.

The guy who does kickboxing in the mirror to himself in shorts from the 80s.

The guy who grunts like he's giving birth and slams weight obnoxiously.

The girl who works out in literally nothing.

I could go on...

From behind the scenes:

8. There is no shame in taking progress pictures!

Often times, when I do a locker room check, I will walk-in on girls taking progress pictures in the mirror. I always smile at them and they quickly turn red or grow embarrassed. But I wish they wouldn't! I have been caught taking progress pictures countless times and yes, it is kind of embarrassing but its the best way to visually see your gains! Work it girl.

9. You may think we live there...

And you are probably right. I have never seen such a dedicated team that puts in work like they do. Its true, we work there, eat there, shower there, workout there, hang out there, study there, and even watch TV there. And with an HEB across the street we would never have to leave ha ha!

10. YOU inspire US

Yes, you heard me. Constantly, I get the blessing of watching training sessions. Time and time again we see that look in the clients face where they want to give up and they are so close to giving in. But, they push through and overcome themselves. Nothing is more inspiring then seeing someone fighting their own bodies to the point they can't physically fight anymore.

11. We live for the success stories

One of the highlights of my job is when our members come up to me with a progress picture, so excited to show me what they have accomplished. There is such joy that radiates from their hearts, like a child on Christmas morning. And it is gorgeous.

12. You are surrounded by people who work hard!

Working in a gym is the most wonderful thing ever when you are a Type A personality. It may seem strange but you assume a lot about someone's character once you know they lift. The same amount of hard work and dedication put in during a workout is applied to their everyday lives.

13. Who have goals!

And just like we all have goals or PRs we want to reach in the gym, your team is filled with ambitious people who never stop bettering themselves.

14. Are positive!

Its no lie, exercise does wonders for stress relief. With that being said because your team works out all the time everyone is happy.

15. You are always held accountable

Which also means that if everyone on your team is working out everyday it motivates you to do the same. But someone WILL call you out if they haven't seen you lift in awhile.

16. Someone will always have your back

We are family. We do almost everything together considering we all live there. My team has a very unique bond because we all opened the gym together. Because we are family we look out for one another even in the most little of ways like covering someone to go eat real quick, covering a shift at last minute, coaching one another, or cheering someone up when they are down.

17. You can always get a form check

Because many of us train together or at least at the same time, there is always someone you can ask to check your form or spot you and that's a pretty awesome thing.

18. For once eating clean is "normal"

Our break room constantly smells like chicken and broccoli. I can't tell you how incredible it feels to eat like everyone else because lets be honest those who don't live this lifestyle think we are crazy.

19. Someone is always down to eat at every hour.

I will never forget the day I was listening to one of my buddies tell me a story. He goes, "And it had been almost three hours since the last time I ate anything so you know I was starving." I can't express to you the amount of joy that filled my heart hearing him say that. LOL.

20. You can always find someone to share a cheat meal with.

Pancakes at IHOP in ten? Heck yeah! ​Yes, we like our clean meals but we are human too. We like to indulge every once in awhile.

21. Fitting into normal clothes becomes difficult over time.

Yeah... skinny jeans don't like leg gains... enough said.

22. Your laundry looks like this...

​​and you will use "I work at a gym" as an excuse to wear nothing but gym clothes

23. Weight lifting is an expensive sport! ​

Dear Lord! From supplements to protein to pre-workout to membership costs to gym clothes to lifting gear and even being able to consume enough protein a day, it all adds up... quickly.​

24. But every day tasks become easier.

Need to move a desk? No biggie. Need to lift a bag of fertilizer for your mum? Cake walk. Want to carry 20 bags of groceries in at one time without breaking a sweat? Nailed it. ​

25. Everyone has a story... that is beautiful.

There are moments in the break room. Moments that make you look at someone in a totally different way. Being able to listen to each member of my team's fitness journey story is absolutely moving. Their successes motivate you to do better, to be better every single day. To NEVER give up.

I hope this gave you all a good laugh. It was a blast writing this article. To my team, I love you all dearly. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me beyond my limits.

-xxoo Britt