Chapter Text
I opened the main door, immediately spotting the reception desk. I approached it cautiously and waited for the brunette behind the counter to lift her gaze.
“Hi I have an appointment for 7pm”
“Sure can I have your name please?”
“Yes it’s Jude….Jude Jacob”
“Ah yes Jude would you like to take a seat? Kasia will be with you in a few moments.”
I turned around an spotted a rather comfortable looking chair. I sat down, trying to take in my surroundings. I’ve never been much for gyms. Always felt rather self conscious about my body but hey I guess that’s why I’m here now. The reception are was nice, bright and comfortable the big cushy chairs were definitely a plus. I spent a few minutes observing the various people coming and going. Some of them seemed to be more muscle than human. Maybe this was a mistake. This type of place wasn’t for me.
Just as I was contemplating making a run for the exit I noticed a woman approach me. She introduced herself as Kasia. From her accent I guessed Eastern European. She sat beside me with her clipboard and we began to discuss what my “objectives” are and what I would like to “get out” of joining a gym. I thought that was pretty obvious I basically have zero muscle mass so anything would be an improvement.
Then she invited me to accompany her on a tour. She seemed very pleasant….attractive even, if you like that sort of thing. I don’t….but still I can appreciate her aesthetic beauty.
We started off in the main cardio area filled with treadmills and cross trainers and a few other machines. To be honest it seemed like hell on earth. Filled with a bunch of sweaty people putting themselves through all sorts of torture to prostrate themselves on the alter of vanity. Still I shouldn’t judge, I mean I am basically doing the same thing.
We continued our tour into the weights area. If I thought I was out of my depth before? Fuck! There were so many machines and all of them looked terrifying. Kasia just smiled no doubt picking up on my apprehension. She assured me that an a trainer would instruct me in how to use any machine. Still terrifying though.
Then we headed downstairs where Kasia showed me a rather small but pleasant swimming pool. The was also a sauna and jacuzzi. ‘That’s more like it’ I thought. Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.
“The mens changing rooms are right in there. Feel free to take a look I’ll be waiting outside for you”
I hesitantly rounded the corner into the changing rooms and Fuck Me! it was like some sort of homoerotic wonderland. It was a large spacious room with lockers all around. There were mirrors everywhere. The showers were down the back and…. is that glitter on the walls? Jesus could this place be any gayer! Just then two completely naked men walked past neither of them bothering to cover their admittedly impressive dicks. I decided to leave before I started having heart palpitations.
Sure enough Kasia was waiting outside for me.
“What do you think?”
“Eh very pleasant”
We went back up to the reception area and Kasia asked me if I would like to join.
Just say no Jude save your money you don’t need a gym anyway.
“Sure” I said. Coward!
As I was completing the various membership forms Kasia turned to me.
“So I can arrange an induction and assessment with one of our trainers. When would you like me to pencil you in?”
“Eh well I’ve no classes tomorrow morning” Might as well get this torture done sooner rather than later.
“Great” Kasia confirmed “I’ve a free spot at 10am. Here’s your appointment card and you’re all set.”
I walked outside into the cold air feeling….hungry. Starving actually. Watching all those people workout must have given me quite the appetite. Plus I hadn’t eaten since lunch. Thankfully my boyfriend is a reasonably good cook so rather than grab something on the way I head back to our apartment.
Sure enough as soon as I enter the apartment I can smell the food being prepared. Spaghetti meatballs if i had to guess.
“Finally you’re home” Owen says
“Yeah I stopped off in the gym remember”
“Oh right yeah how did it go?”
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We ate our admittedly tasty dinner while we filled each other in on our respective days. I got an hour of study in followed by a few hours of TV. All in all a pretty standard night.
A few hours later, we were getting ready for bed.
“ I dunno….I’m not sure it’s really for me.”
“But you already paid that money, and you’ve always been a bit self conscious about your body….It’ll be good for you.”
“You think?”
“Seriously what’s the worst that can happen?……Hey you dropped this.”
Owen handed me a card…my appointment card.
Induction Time: ‘10am Tuesday January 15th’
Instructor: ‘Connor’
Well I guess it’s worth a try. I thought to myself.