If you’ve ever known anyone who’s gone to the University of Virginia, then you know they have a particular way about things. While you probably referred to your school campus as, well, a campus, they refer to it as the Grounds. And while you probably referred to first-year students as freshmen, they refer to them as first-years. It’s all very distinguished and obnoxious, but hey, it’s tradition, so let’s not make waves, OK? Otherwise you might hear from the likes of columnist Abbi Sigler of The Daily Cavalier, who has an opinion or two on the proper way to do things. For instance, when it comes to exercising, a guy should refrain from walking on the treadmill—because it makes you look like a girl:
There’s hardly anything more disappointing than spotting a hot guy at the gym, only to realize he’s doing some girly workout. I’m far from a fitness expert, but as a casual gym-goer, here are my observations on where guys belong.
Running on the treadmill is gender-neutral—for all you freaks who actually enjoy running. Walking on the treadmill is for girls. The only time it’s acceptable for men to walk on the treadmill is to warm up or cool down after or before a run. That’s it. I don’t care if you’re power-walking uphill; it’s not OK if you’re a dude.
What’s a better alternative, Abbi?
Guys, … man up and run around Grounds.
Rrrrh! Men at UVA don’t walk on treadmills. And they don’t run on campus. They run on the freaking Grounds, with a capital G!
Abbi also shares her insights on how guys should tackle other fitness options, including the elliptical (“Men should not be on the elliptical … If you’re using an injury as an excuse, you better have on a brace of some sort. Otherwise, I, along with all the other girls on ellipticals, am judging you—harshly”); the stair stepper (“It’s the only cardio equipment more feminine than the elliptical … If I do see a guy on the stair stepper, I’m simultaneously judging him and checking out his glutes. My judgment will be lessened if it’s paying off. Even so, guys on the stair stepper are never OK”); and the hip-abduction and -reduction machines (“Why is it so necessary that you tone your thighs? It’s because you wanted to look great in your swimsuit at Beach Week, right? Or because your favorite sundress was feeling a little too tight there? I didn’t think so. You don’t belong on those machines. Stay off them”).
Got all that, fellas? If you’re able to abide by all these parameters, maybe Abbi will go with you to Foxfield. Provided, of course, you’re not some lowly first-year. In that case she will judge you—harshly.
Oh, and what happens when a girl starts doing “manly” workouts? “I give her props,” Abbi says.
—Photo Kyle241258/Photobucket
I was told not to run because I have pretty bad scoliosis and the repettive impacts would be bad for my back. So I walk, usually outside because I don’t like treadmills. Not sure where that puts me on the manly work out scale, haha. I wasn’t aware there even was one, haha. Don’t rightly care either. At this point, it doesn’t matter what people are doing as long as theyr’e moving.
I use the elliptical all the time. I have seen results faster with it combined with strength training and the ladies there dont look at me funny. So booyah
Skipping ropes are good for little girls and 300 lb boxers. STFU.
Oh this is ridiculous. I’ve never in my life looked at a man on a stepper or eliptical and said he shouldn’t be there. I’ve seen very athletic men on them. And I’ve seen many regulars who mix up their work outs between the eliptical, running or weight lift training. Hogwash that men can’t use certain equipment without not maintaining their masculinity.
abi is a good female supremacist (feminist), whether she self identifies as one or not.
She believes, ‘we women are free to do whatever men can do. However you men, dont you even dare think of doing anything considered female’. Put another way, ”equality for me, and none for thee’.
She basically asserts throughout that doing anything women do is embarrassing and degrading.
Female chauvanist pigs. Gotta watch out for them.
“Female Chauvinist Pigs”
MRAs really seem to love Ariel Levy’s book. Too bad none of them have ever read as far as the subtitle, let alone cracked the cover.
Irony aside, I think the link with that work is pretty apt considering the apparent implication that the only reason someone might want to perform lower body exercises (the “feminine” ones) is to make their body more sexually appealing.