Lots of Grinnellians go to the gym just to workout. Whether they mean to or not, though, people can sometimes be found sporting some eye-catching clothes or accessories. The S&B sent reporter Quan Tran and photographer Mai-Vu Phuong to the Bear Athletic Center to ask people about their gym style. Find out about the gloves, old school Chucks and Kindles that can be found in the gym.
[I often] bring my gloves. When I don’t wear gloves, my hands usually become really bad. Especially after going to the gym, the skin [on my hand] gets really hard.
Do you make a point to come to the gym in style?
No, just to get some workout. It doesn’t really have anything to do with style.
– Khoi Luu ’19
These are custom Chuck Taylor All-Stars. I don’t like normal sport shoes because they have a rubbery sole and set your foot forward, so when I’m doing squats I’m kind of leaning forward. Chuck Taylor [on the other hand] has a flat, hard sole so it’s easier to stay level.
Why are your shoelaces tied that way?
I just want to it to be a little more special so I decided to [make it] unconventional and fun.
– Mark Loftus ’21
I like to multitask, so I don’t focus on my number so much as I get lost in my book. Usually when I’m reading, nobody bothers me. I work a fairly stressful job, and so [through the Kindle] I get to escape into somebody else’s life. For the most part, it helps distract me from being on the machine.
Do you make a point to come to the gym in style?
I have to tell you this: If you’re over the age of 22 in this gym, you’re basically invisible. Unless you’re a professor.
– Caroline Saxton, Program Associate