The other kind of Heavy Metal

Most of the visitors to my gym use the machines, but some of us prefer the clang of heavy metal.  Welcome to the weightroom.

Choose your poison. We've got racks of all kinds of weights. Use them right, and they'll grow muscle for you or define what you already have. Use them wrong and they'll tear your rotator cuff or bust a tendon. No matter how strong you are, the metal rules.

The weightroom used to be a boy's club, but we've been getting more ladies in recent years as they learn the virtues of resistance training.

And it's not just youngsters. This sweet octogenarian is a regular visitor.

Speaking of seniors, my workout buddy, Bob, is the fittest 75 year old you'll ever meet. He competes in a half dozen 10Ks every summer, hikes up to the top of Half Dome on his annual visit to Yosemite, and bench reps 205.

Some might rightfully consider weight lifting a strange hobby, but resistance training is a healthy persuit, no matter what your age. You can get an excellent workout with the machines...

but free weights rock! Get under some heavy metal  It's a rush!