...or "Vanity at the Gym"...
Funny thing... once I blogged about not being very good about going to the gym... I have returned to working out on a pretty consistent basis! [Mental note to self: keep this in mind... and now don't blow it in a fit of reverse psychology]
When I was at the gym yesterday afternoon, I saw a couple of pieces of gym attire that I have been meaning to blog about for some time now.
The first: women wearing shorts with wording splashed across their backside. It could be a word like "STAR" or more often the name of a college mascot (i.e. Huskies...or more likely at my gym either Sun Devils or Wildcats). I am transfixed by these shorts...often times staring... before a mental self-smackdown wondering what the hell I, a gay man, am doing staring at a woman's ass.
At that point, I wonder if that is the point. In spite of my sexuality, have I been lured into some female version of quicksand? Is that the point of these shorts to have one's ass purposely gazed upon? I am thinking that answer may be "yes." The large majority of the time it is a very nice ass. The logo/wording and its placement really does not serve any purpose... other to be read, correct? What bugs me more is when those shorts are worn by pre-pubescent (or heck even teenage) girls -- now that just seems wrong. But I guess that is my hidden parent side creeping out...
Guys don't seem to wear these shorts (though I think they do exist)... guys know that that ass advertising is impossible to ignore... and in the testosterone-fueled gym environment I think most guys are not looking to have their ass stared at...
Guys who want (dare I say...NEED) the attention wear lycra muscle shirts. There is no doubt in my mind that this piece of apparel is ALL about vanity. Look at my chest, look at my chiseled upper body! Yes, I see! I see! Why not just wear regular muscle shirt? It shows off the goods well enough. Heck, I wouldn't even mind if the shirt is one size to small... with every pec and ab muscle just about to burst through the fabric and stitching. Lycra is just overkill.
So the women win on this one. A lot more subtle and subversive in getting people to look. I rarely think negative thoughts about the ass advertisers. They seem like nice gals and okay I admit it, the shorts are usually kinda cute. But the lycra wearing guys...words like - arrogant, cocky, self-centered, jerk - jump to mind. Or maybe I'm just jealous?! Well yeah...but I will take a tad more modesty any day...
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