Why You Should Exercise Without Your Phone
How using a lock at the gym made me faster and stronger
My movement of choice is weightlifting, which means there’s a rest period between each set of exercises, especially when lifting heavier weights. Not wanting to stare into the void, I used my phone during every uncomfortable blank space of rest. But that’s just an excuse, because, like other Gen Z, I’m addicted to my phone so I want to use it as much as I can.
There appeared to be no harm using my phone while I’m resting. Rest time goes to waste if I don’t play with my phone. This rationalization seemed like a reasonable way to justify my addiction, but I eventually noticed a trend: the more engaged I was with my phone, the less weight I could lift. It was hard to see this because — as every weightlifter knows — some days, you’re just weaker. That’s the torture of self-improvement; sometimes — even if you do everything you can — you get worse. But after years of data, it became undeniable that my phone did make me weaker. I hated to admit it, but it was true.
I didn’t want to get rid of my phone. Not only did I not want to stare into the void, but I wouldn’t be able to listen to music anymore, and I didn’t want my phone to get stolen; my gym requires you to bring a lock to use lockers. I didn’t have a lock, and I was afraid of…
