male only Used as an example (NSV)

[Manatee 4]

So I'm at the gym for lunch, doing my 'light day' workout. As usual at the gym, I'm just into myself, but I do notice that there's an obviously new lady there with one of the trainers. I'm happy to see this, as more clients mean they need less of -my- money,

Anyway, part of my routine is a weighted back extension, 4 sets @ 15 reps carrying a 45 lb plate in my arms. It's really no big deal, and I like the stretch it produces in the back of the legs.

So I'm running through my routine, already past those, when the newbie gets introduced to the machine. It's a little frightening at first, as you're levered out into space. She freaked a bit, and then did several unweighted reps. When she got off she said "oh, those are tough, I can never do those." The trainer pointed over at me and said "He's doing 45 lbs reps and doing great, and he was the same as you when he started here. You'll do great."

So I've got a little swell-head going on at the moment. Faint praise matters when it's unexpected, and comes from a respected source :-)