Fit Tips for Boys at the Gym

You know those kind of annoying humblebrags on social media? 
This is not one of them. 
This is an all the way full tilt annoying braggety brag. 
And just to make it more insufferable, there's a little 3-point dharma lesson at the end.

A weight room full of men. And me. I'm waiting for a smith machine (a barbell on a track). A cute and genuinely friendly guy in his early 20s finishes up on one. I say, "Can I get on that?" He says "It's all yours." The bar is loaded with some pretty big plates (No, I'm not going to say how much weight - that would be so annoying) and the guy goes to unload it and rack his weights. I say, "Oh, you can just leave that." He smiles and says, "Nah, I got it" and winks at me. I smile back and say, "No really, you can leave it. I'm going to use those." He continues like he's going to slide the plates off the bar and says, "You're going to use THESE?" I nod... and smile. He smirks and shrugs and leaves the plates in place but begins to adjust the height of the bar to a position he thinks will suit me. I say, "Uh, thanks, but actually, I need it right where it is." He steps away and kind of shakes his head like I must not have a clue what I'm talking about. He watches me add weight to the bar. He says, "Whoa. Are you stronger than me?" I smile and reply (rather magnanimously, I think we can agree, under the circumstances), "We're probably doing different exercises." (Which, in fairness, we were - he was squatting and I was doing a lying leg press. Details.)

Here are three things (even really cute young) guys should know when working out around women:

1) Do not assume a woman in the weight room needs your assistance. (I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you were just being friendly and helpful, but on the off chance you were being condescending and chauvinistic - don't)

2) Winking belongs at the bar... not the barbell.

This is the big one, and may it be a lesson to us all...

3) Never, ever underestimate a woman the age of your mother.

‪#‎strong‬ ‪#‎bettereverydaybitches‬