Gyms are one of the few places in the world where everyone is focused on a variation of personal improvement. They are a hub for the promotion of health.

The gym has evolved from a hub for bodybuilders, to being mainstream.

There are gyms in hotels and resorts, at the workplace, on boats and in office buildings, in schools, colleges and universities. We can find gyms in condominium and municipal buildings and at the YMCA. We have gyms open 24 hours, some big and some small. We have gyms for athletes, for women, for seniors and kids. There are gyms in correctional centers and military bases, in police stations and fire halls. There are now portable gyms that move around and outdoor gyms, and of course there is the home gym.

The gym is a haven for many, a torture chamber for some, the best part of the day for certain types and part of the routine for others.   

The benefits of going to the gym lie not only in the physical, but also the mental. The self-esteem, the reduced depression, the improved capacity to think and focus.  There is the social part and being part of something bigger than oneself, a community.  Then there is the healing power of regular workouts at the gym, how it keeps the brain young and reduces chance of dementia, helps with addiction, sleep and pain.

While many look at the gym as serving a fringe few and for those focused on appearance, the benefits run deep and can impact everyone.  Fortunately. there are multiple settings in which we can find a place where we can work to improve and better ourselves.

It would serve us well to make it easier for more people to get to a gym, we would all stand to benefit.