Gold's Gym - Harajuku

I told myself going into this trip that I wouldn't be able to work out. It was going to be a 4-month layoff (the longest in the past 7 years), but I figured that between my tight budget, a full calendar of events, and the lack of A) someone to work out with, and B) a language barrier that could potentially keep me from using any facility...if I could even find one...it just wouldn't be possible.

That was until I visited Harajuku for the first time. You'll remember from an earlier blog that it's where all the "unique" people congregate. That's true. But since the opening of Omotesando Mall, it's also where all the rich, fashion-conscious people are. Not coincidentally, Gold's Gym built one of it's top 3 flagship gyms in the world in this very spot. It snugly fit between a Volcom store (where hipsters can buy a hooded sweatshirt for $185.00), a Zara (the French department store) and a right down the street from LV, D&G, and a host of other initials.




Originally, my plan was to get some photos, say "that's pretty sweet", and keep on walking. Then I met Matt Wendler in my program, who was dying for someone to workout with. Now this kid, like me, is one of the few that bothers to work out and be a law student at the same time. He's a good guy, and he also HUGE. So I figured since I had some free time during the weekdays, and some wiggle room with my budget, that working out at a Tokyo gym might be a cool and beneficial experience....

....It has been.

Not only do I get all of the plush treatment (a full day-spa, sauna, hot tubs - plural - full locker room, and 4 floors of weights and machines and cardio), but I also get to look out over Tokyo while I do it (thanks to the glass facade). What's even better is watching Japanese work out.

I don't know if I've commented on Japanese as a people, but, to keep it brief, the biggest difference between them and Americans is not the facial features: it's the weight. I've yet to see a "fat" Japanese. Seriously. 37 days in, and not one. I've already gone down 2 belt sizes, just from the lifestyle.

At the same time, not every Japanese works out. So imagine the ones that do....then keep in mind that they are Japanese (think of a Japanese game show).

So what we have are 2 types of people at the gym: Your first is what I like to call a "normal" person. They wear normal gym clothes, do normal excercises, and look great because of it (because I have female readers, I won't go into detail about the girls I work out next to...use your imagination). Then there is the "abnormal person. They wear spandex, and lots of it. And it's usually brightly colored. They do exercises I've never imagined, in ways that make me think they are either going to toss a dumbbell out the window, or end up being escorted out the gym via stretcher. Sometimes it's hard to keep a straight face. Unless you are them. Then you always have your game face on.

...Now this isn't to say they aren't nice. They are. Too nice, in fact. If you ask someone using a machine how many more sets they have, they just get up and give it to you. You actually have to push them back on the machine to get them to finish their workout. I don't know if it's a combination of politeness, nervousness, annoyance, and/or fear, but it is definitely a different reaction than you would expect from the "rude American".

And then sometimes you run into a professional wrestler.

Yeah, so the WWE came to Tokyo this past week for an event. Turns out these guys occassionally work out. And when they do, and they happen to be in Tokyo, they come to my gym. And when they come to my gym at the same time I'm at my gym, I run into them. And when I run into them, I whip out my camera like a tourist and ask for a photograph. And when tourists ask for pictures of them as they're getting into an elevator to leave, they smile and pose for one.

Thanks Rick Flair and Shawn Michaels...