Smokin' break

I joined the gym at work. While I used to have access to the gym when I worked at a rec center, this is the first time I've done anything other than eat or check personal email at a place of business that wasn't directly related to the business of the place. It's a great little facility (not so little, really -- several cardio machines, full weight room and studio) on the ground floor of the Gates Building in LoDo. I enjoyed my workout and very much enjoyed the level of attention that the manager, Dave, gives to the place. By dint of comparison, I now know why people complain about the cleanliness and enthusiasm levels at the JCC.

I was amused by what I saw out the plate-glass windows. Yesterday, of course, being Opening Day, what we mainly saw was streams of people heading to Coors Field. But also, the gym happens to be separated only by those windows from where the building's smokers congregate. I guess using the gym is my smoke break, except instead of smoking cigarettes, I'm smokin' hot!

Getting over the sense that I'm shirking work while exercising is something I'll probably never quite get the hang of. But my employer didn't just let us know the gym existed and drop the subject; they solicited our membership over and over, signaling that participation is not just tolerated but encouraged. I think four of us have joined. I wonder if we'll bond like the smokers do. One thing is sure: we'll have access to fluffier towels.