The New Generation (Also Ninja Unicorns)

The #1 cause of gymtimidation backed by no study whatsoever is the perceived adherence to gym culture required to be successful.

In order to feel like you belong at the gym, you must do the following things if you're a guy:

1. Call people "bro".
2. Wear either a skintight Under Armour compression shirt (regardless of belly size) or cut the sleeves off a regular shirt (regardless of arm size).
3. Grunt like it's your second language when picking up anything heavier than the gallon jug of water you are currently drinking from.
4. Do two sets of bicep curls for every set of any exercise that's not the bench press.

If you're a girl, you must:

1. Wear shorts a size too short or those skintight yoga leggings. Over-sized tank tops are your go-to top.
2. Avoid any weight not coated in neoprene.
3. Do every ab and butt machine in the gym at least twice.
4. Perform no less than twenty variations of crunches.

There is a new generation currently invading the clique that used to be the gym.

We're among this new generation.

 We grew up watching Digimon and playing Yu-Gi-Oh! and marching in the marching band. 

We geek out over Game of Thrones and laugh at Grumpy Cat memes on the internet. 

We were the ones who got picked on by people who are supposed to go to the gym. 

And we're more awesome than you. Just check out these guys: 

If "To be a Rainbow Ninja riding a Unicorn" isn't enough of a reason to get you working out, then I just don't think I am able to help you. 

We also have iron guru Ben Bruno rocking a Batman shirt while finding ways to make deadlifts harder:

And here is a girl half your size lifting heavier weights with better form than you:

These guys and girls didn't exist a few years ago. In order to be a fan of the weight room, you had to have a certain personality, you had to like the right things outside the gym, and you definitely could not be a Rainbow Ninja riding a Unicorn.

They were dark times. 

We're not done though. Let's get some more geeks and nerds and tiny girls and shy guys picking up heavy things like the jocks of old think only they can. The gym has done well thus far in accepting us, but until we're embraced like we should be there is still work to do.

Now join me, no matter who you are, and find something heavy to lift.