Life is a Gym

Yes. The same morning walk. It has this innate ability to make you feel good and…not-so-good at the same time. Good, because you are one of the few who is up and going out for a walk (because your pet had not allowed you to sleep). Not-so-good, when you see the real go-getters, with their tote bags and bulging muscles and toned bodies walking tall to the community gym. And then you look down at the not-so-tiny belly bulge and wonder - when should I sign up for the gym.? And as usual, that set me thinking. There’s something about gyms that forces us to contemplate on the quiet, persistent effort life demands from us. Gym-ming according to me is a lonely sport - like life. You enter alone. No one can lift the weights for you. And yet, everything changes if you show up, stay honest, and do your reps—day after ordinary day. And you come alone - fit and toned or still wondering why it does not work for you.

Why do I feel this way.? Well ,you see highly successful people and realise they are the regular gym-mers. Then, there are those who sign up on 1st of January without fail, every year, only to say that the gym does not have enough equipment by the 15th January. And, there are also those who keep wondering why others look so fit while they themselves are standing outside the gym. Here are some points which support my views that life is exactly like being in a gym. The weights may look different, but the principles are the same.

The Real Membership - Self-Work - You can’t be pushed into growth. Like a gym, life requires voluntary commitment. You join in because you want to get better—mentally, emotionally, spiritually. When you were younger, you got a free trial. Make mistakes, no problems. But after that you have to sign up. No one can do your push-ups for you. And yet, once you’re in, the atmosphere itself starts to work on you. You begin to feel what it means to be in it—to experience your own effort.

Show Up Regularly - A gym membership is meaningless if you don’t show up. Same with life. Your daily attendance—to your priorities, your family, your work, to what is essential, matters far more than bursts of intensity. Just doing weights on one day and wondering why your biceps don’t seem to have grown is well - foolish. It’s not just about being inspired, by your neighbour who goes to gym daily or that successful Head of Operations, who seems to have everything going for him.  Progress comes from being present day after day, without fail, giving your full. It is not about perfection. It’s about being there, even when you’re not feeling up to it. And believe me, showing up at your best, every moment, is not very easy. I remember long ago, so long ago, that I don’t know how long ago - I once did 10 reps of something I didn’t know the name of—only to wake up sore for three days. Growth hurts. Life hurts. Still, we show up.

Observe but Participate - I have seen many people looking through the large glass windows at the people inside running on the treadmill. Walking into a gym and watching others work out, pulling weights or stretching, doesn’t make you fit. Life is exactly the same. You can scroll, comment, become the ultimate spectator, cheering your star but unless you participate, you enter the field, nothing shifts. Is there someone who seems to have a fit body? Be rest assured, that person not only comes to the gym regularly but also does his part. You have to engage yourself, do the work, sweat a little, push yourselves harder, take an occasional breather and then go for it again. That’s life. Growth is not for the passive watcher.

Know What You’re Lifting: And Let Others Know - What are you here to work on? Do you want overall fitness, work on your abs or build stamina, lose 5 kgs of weight or 2 inches off your tummy? What do you want to improve in life - resilience, patience, confidence, joy? Clarity is key. Like setting fitness goals, naming your intentions aloud keeps you focused and accountable. Make sure the people who matter, know. The clearer you are, the easier it is for others to support you. Even a 30-second daily reminder to yourself—“This is what I’m working on”—can change the game.

Connection is the Strongest Muscle - The best workouts in life cannot be done solo. They’re relational. Talk to people. Listen deeply. Share goals. Understand what they’re going through. Let them understand you. These personal 1-to-1 moments become emotional weight training—where your heart expands and your empathy deepens. Connection is strength.

The Trainer Within and Around You - In a gym, the trainer nudges you to do one more rep. In life, trainers come in many forms—mentors, friends, books, family, even your inner voice on a quiet evening. They remind you why you started and show you better ways to move through difficulty. They protect you from injury.  Don’t ignore the trainer. Seek help. Listen—and try again.

Comparison is a Trap - You’ll always find people in better shape - in a gym and in life. When you see someone with rippling muscles and 6 pack abs in a gym, you wish you could be like that. Don’t envy their muscles. Focus on your own. It is highly possible that there are others who are wondering how you have managed to reach this great shape yourself. Each person’s growth curve and life is their own. Your life is not meant to mirror theirs. It’s meant for you to live yours - your way. Remember, consistency is more powerful than comparison and fitness is personal.

Sharing is the Real Gain - A fit life isn’t just about what you build, it is also about what you share. Once you find something that strengthens you, be it wisdom, routines, kindness, insights —pass it on. Invite others into their own version of the gym. No man is an island and you don’t grow alone. The best way to have a great life is when you lift others as you lift yourself. This feedback loop of support and generosity is life’s finest muscle group.

Wisdom Is Only Useful When Used - Life gives you amazing tools for you to work on yourself - stillness, conversation, reflection, forgiveness, learning. They have been time-tested and used by experts in the field but they don’t work unless you use them. Each of these processes are like a piece of gym equipment, built to target a specific part of you. The more skillfully you use them, the more balance and strength you develop. Unused wisdom is as pointless as unused dumbbells.

You can’t simply “join life” and expect results. Like a gym, life rewards only those who engage fully with the people and the equipment that are present around you. It’s not enough to pay your dues, be it in years you have lived, roles you have managed or habits you have formed. You have to sweat. You have to stretch. You have to care enough about yourself to get up tomorrow and come back again, even if today was hard. In the end, life is the gym that builds not just your body, but who you are. No one can live it for you. No one can take away the joy of pushing through resistance -through your sweat and tears. It is about your work and if you stay long enough, you’ll find that the person who entered the gym, would have evolved into someone quietly but unmistakably stronger.

Now go lift.......