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Gym 101: Why the Gym? (The Final Chapter)
This is it. My last blog. The end of the Gym 101 series.
I apologize if my tone today is different—more real, a bit melancholic, even nostalgic.
But that’s just how it is. This is my story.
I want to take you back to the beginning.
Why the gym? Why weights? Why the iron? You know what I mean.
Why not another sport? There are so many out there.
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Why Not Another Sport?
Let me tell you—coming from a former competitive swimmer and a guy who has tried countless sports in his life…
Swimming, road cycling, running, even team sports like water polo (yeah, I was pretty bad at those—probably because I’ve always been more of an individual athlete).
Maybe that’s the reason. I spent so many years training alone that the mindset of relying on others never really clicked with me.
But I kept searching for that feeling of fulfillment—something that clicked.
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The Gym Changed My Life
When I was younger, I trained using bodyweight exercises—what we now call calisthenics.
Back then, more than 10 years ago, it didn’t even have a cool name. It was just training with your own body.
And yeah, it made me feel really good.
But here’s the problem: after a while, your body adapts.
If you don’t add resistance, it becomes boring.
And that’s when I discovered weights—the iron.
If you’re curious and want to get stronger, sooner or later, you make the switch.
Nothing beats the euphoria and sense of accomplishment that (sometimes… unfortunately, not always) comes after a heavy workout.
It’s something that no other sport can give you.
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A Love-Hate Relationship
I have to admit—it’s a love-hate relationship.
There are days when my motivation is zero.
It’s heavy.
It’s exhausting.
You think about the wrinkles from straining your face (yeah, that happens).
You feel dizzy, out of breath—even when you’re doing everything right.
One of those typical “bad days” when you think:
“Life is already hard—school, university, work—it’s all mental stress. Do I really need to add physical stress on top of that? I’m not a professional bodybuilder. I’m not getting paid. So, why am I doing this?”
But then there are those perfect days—when it feels like love at first lift.
Like I said, it’s one of the few sports where the more you give, the more you receive.
In swimming, no matter how hard I pushed, I couldn’t break a certain time. If it were that easy, we’d all be Olympians.
In some sports, you need talent.
Sure, there are people who are more naturally gifted in the gym too, but in the end, everyone sees results—even if it takes more effort.
And that feeling of euphoria after a morning workout? It changes your whole day.
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It’s Not Just About Aesthetics
Some people take care of their appearance—whether it’s hair, skincare, or their physique.
But for me, it’s more than just looks.
Thinking back to the back pain and neck tension I got from studying and stress, I realize how important muscles are.
I don’t want to go on forever, but there are only benefits—as long as you train safely and not recklessly.
Yes, if you push too hard or train wrong, you can get injured (especially if you don’t know what you’re doing—ignorance in the gym is real).
Besides, if you think about it, the gym is complementary to any sport.
Almost every athlete has mandatory strength training sessions.
Maybe the only ones who don’t are chess players… but hey, chess is technically a sport! 😂
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My Journey: From Lugano to Lifting
I’ve been training for almost three years now.
It started as just a place to meet people when I was in Lugano.
I’d joke around, use the machines, just have a good time.
At first, I hated it—like many beginners do.
It was boring—up and down with weights, no one to talk to.
I wasn’t taking it seriously.
But that’s the unique part.
It’s just you, alone with yourself—your body, your music, and your willpower to overcome daily challenges.
That’s what made me fall in love with it—the idea that it’s just you against yourself.
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A Bit of Nostalgia
So yeah, I’ll end this series on a nostalgic note because I wrote it a bit for myself—reflecting on where I started, my struggles, and how I compared it to real life.
But honestly, life is made up of those few beautiful moments of happiness, carefreeness, and euphoria—and that’s what (sometimes, let’s be honest) the gym gives me.
You feel alive, happy, like nothing else matters.
Kind of like when you’re drinking with friends—but in this case, the “high” is not a bad drug. 😜
I hope I’ve motivated someone out there to start this journey—one that’s compatible with any sport and can become addictive.
Once you take it seriously, it’s hard to quit or go back.
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Looking Back: The Journey of Gym 101
Looking back, the gym has been more than just a place to work out—it’s been a journey of growth, struggle, and self-discovery.
It’s taught me to push through the hard days and celebrate the good ones.
From calisthenics to lifting, from feeling lost to finding strength—this series is a tribute to that journey.
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See You at the Gym!
Thank you for following the Gym 101 series.
This might be the last blog, but it’s not the end of my journey.
I’ll keep lifting, keep pushing, and keep sharing.
And I hope you do the same.
See you at the gym! 💪
Never give up!
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Your Turn:
What about you? Has the gym changed your life too? Share your story in the comments!
Let’s keep the motivation going and inspire each other.
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Connect with Me!
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TikTok: @AlphaReps
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Instagram: @manu.fit95
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Check Out My Other Gym 101 Blogs:
