recflowers

I like to work out. I mean I really like to work out. And I’m not talking about going to our REC at Texas A&M and jogging around I bit. I’m saying I like to really lift some weights and get buff. I have a complete routine that I do, which is enough to make the guys that come with me want to cry. I know there are others out there like me, both of the male and female variety, and I also know that they share one of the same qualms about the REC that I do. Our biggest obstacle and source of much fury: the REC Flower.

If you’ve been to the REC to do any sort of serious workout, you know what I’m talking about. They are the girls that walk around with three Greek letters, animal print everything, or A&F written across every article of clothing. They are the bleached bobbing pony tails that come to the REC in their cute new outfit to “work out”. They get in the way, create back-ups for much sought for machines, and are a mockery to the entire institution that is serious health care.

First of all, they like to just sit at a machine and… well… sit. If they come by themselves on some rare occasion, you’ll see them at a machine lifting at most three plates. Now, I know it takes time to work your self up, but even I at my weakest point could lift more than that with out getting sore. And maybe, just maybe, I give them the benefit of the doubt that perhaps they are toning their whatever. But no, not these girls. They’ll do a set and then just SIT there. Usually looking for at perfect piece of eye candy to go work out next to.

Not only do they not do a proper work out for the weight that they are working with, they obviously don’t get the concept of letting others work in. Near almost every machine is a sign that clearly states “No multiple sets allowed. Please let others work in.” Guys understand this perfectly. But I could be waiting for a girl to finish, standing right by the machine, she will look straight into my eyes, then look at the ever so enticing show that has been muted on the TV.

Then there are the girls who go to lift in groups. These girls come in,
many times in groups of three, proceed to a machine, and begin to
lift in rotation. But obviously they don’t know what a rotation is.
To them, one person sits, lifts their two plates, then will sit on the
bench and talk about the newest line out at Abercrombie, then perhaps
get up to let the next girl go. This mostly happens when I am waiting
for that particular machine.

And I’m not the only person who has problems with this. My best friend is work out fanatic as well. This girl will run for an hour everyday, serious running, not power walk a step. Yet there are those girls, usually in their rush or Greek crush shirts, who will tie up the treadmills for hours just walking. I’m speaking stroll! They will mosey on across that treadmill while catching up on the latest gossip in their Cosmo.

How do you recognize a REC flower? There are a number of ways:

Greek affiliation
Perfect tan with a bleached pony tail
Make up and layered make up
Hair that is down and even in the face
Work out clothes that show off the perfect tan and aren’t slightly sweaty
Groups of three girls, who speak as though every sentence is a question

For best results and highest percentage correct, if a person fits two of the above criteria, she’s most likely a REC Flower and should be dealt with accordingly.

For starters, it is fun to walk up to a girl alone on a machine, flex as you crack your knuckles and ask, “So, how many sets do you have left?” I like to use the deepest voice I can muster without smiling. The lifting gloves that I wear add a nice touch to the whole appearance.

Another thing that should be done is proper lifting technique should be showed to them. Say a girl lifts three plates and only does ten reps. I would go up to her, and say something along the lines of, “Oh, that was just way to easy for you. Let me see ten more at this level,” and raise it a plate. It’s also fun, in the case you actually get to work in with one, to make eye contact with them as you easily lift twice the amount of weight they use.

In the case of my running friend, she could easily dispose of the Flowers before her by asking, “Hey, is that as fast as you can go? I bet you can do better than that.” Also, a little smirk given to a neighboring Flower as she steps off her treadmill could easily convey the little amount of respect given to someone who doesn’t push themselves to their limit.