Gaining respect in the gym:

Jerome Nonyane
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

The other day I was leaving the gym and noticed something that I’ve honestly noticed before and have always immediately thought to myself but why…..

This observation I noticed was that every once in a while I’ll receive:

“The respect nod”

What I personally view as the respect nod would be another fellow gym member who’s either, someone bigger than you that respects your grind, or someone that’s in the same position as you or just notices the time you’ve put into getting in shape. Now the funny thing about this to me is that it confuses the hell out of me. Not in the sense that I don’t understand why they’re doing this, but in the sense that these same individuals aren’t giving these respect nods or smiling at people that need them the most.

I think it’s save to say that the massive 6'5 Arnold looking guy knows what he’s doing, and I’m sure everyone around him gives him the respect in terms of how long it probably took him to get like that. Where my issue lies isn’t regarding the “respect nod” itself, but who people choose to give them out too.

Personally I feel anyone who steps foot into a gym deserves props/respect. I know for many it can be a very scary and intimidating place. But as a fitness community why make it any more tough for someone just starting out, overweight, or their an elderly person, Or whoever….. I feel a lot of the time it’s these people who want to be included in the sports clubs or at least feel welcomed in them. Why not share a nod or a smile with one of these individuals?

When I first started going to the gym right after highschool as a skinny 140lb I never would receive smiles or nods. I was basically ghosted. I got lucky to have found 2 brothers that would lend me a hand and train with me, but that’s not always the case for everyone. It wasn’t until I started to put on a little bit of size and gain some true strength that I’d notice the people around me would start giving me some type of respect, or acknowledging my results.

I personally would like to see both sides be treated the same. All it takes is 1 smile or nod to change someone’s whole idea of the gym around. It could be the difference between them busting their ass for the near future, or leaving and never returning. It’s easy to sit back and think that these small effects have no significant meaning. But you’d be greatly shocked.

Take it from someone’s who’s experienced both sides of:

The nod


Whether you’re giving someone the nod, or you’re on the other side of it. Respect is always appreciated and welcomed!

#JustThouthts

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Jerome Nonyane

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👻Snapchat: Jrock604 IG: JeromeNonyane

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