Wuss of the First Order

Well, there seem to be NUMEROUS reasons we couldn't spin the teacups.  Discovered another one when I went to the gym today.

My gym routine (and, when I use the word "routine," that may give you the false impression that I actually hit the gym on a regular basis these days) generally involves a big pile of cardio (on the Elliptical machine) and maybe, if I'm feeling up to it, some short sets on some of the machines.  If I want to do the Whole Complete Workout, I'll drop by the weight room for a moment.

So, today, I do the Elliptical thing, and I do some of the machines.  I've recently started going to a gym that has those machines that figure out how much resistance to use all by themselves.  I like those machines, because I can never remember how much weight I use on each machine. 

So, I do my little circuit.  I do some of the leg machines.  And then I sit down at the "arm curl" machine.  I ask the machine to set the weights for me.  It says (I paraphrase), "OK, do a test rep."  

I can't.

I pull that sucker with all my might, and it doesn't move.

I decide, instead, to set the weights myself.  I tell the machine that's my plan.

The machine says, "All righty.  How much would you like?"

I say, "How's about one pound?"

It says, "The minimum for the machine is five pounds."

I say, "OK, fine.  Five pounds it is."

It says, "Great.  Do a rep."

I pull the weight.  It pulls.  I push it back down.  It pushes back down.

It says, "OK, eleven more.  Just like that."

I pull on the weight.  It doesn't move.  I grunt.  I groan.  I pull.  It remains.

The machine is still looking at me with, "C'mon.  Eleven more reps. Pull the weight.  I'm waiting."

I keep trying.  Nothing happens.  The machine ultimately says (and this bit I do not paraphrase), "CONGRATULATIONS!"

(Really?  What did I win?)

"Total weight lifted:  Five pounds.  Would you like to do another set?"

I walk away from the machine, somewhat dejected. 

I'm about to leave the gym when a good song comes on my ipod (yes, I know -- it's MY ipod -- you'd think it would ONLY play songs I consider to be good ones.  But some are better than others) -- so I think, well, I'll go into the weight room and try some arm curls with free weights.  I take three whole pounds in each arm and do curls.

The first set is easy.  The second, not so much.

Yes.  I did 24 arm curls with 3 whole pounds in each hand, and my arms are KILLING ME.  I question whether I'll be able to lift a freakin' pen at work tomorrow.

No wonder I couldn't spin the teacup.