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July 30, 2025
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘Do as many squats as you feel like, I don’t want to get involved.’—impersonal trainer”

Many people who go to the gym to work out have a personal trainer. Are there impersonal trainers? "I have an impersonal trainer. We meet at the gym, we don't talk, he works out alone and…

September 4, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘I ran a half marathon’ sounds so much better than ‘I quit halfway through a marathon’”

"I ran a half-marathon! Small print: I entered a marathon and gave up halfway through" was cited on Twitter on September 24, 2013. The joke became viral with Rick Aaron's tweet on…

June 1, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘I’ is the only difference between fit and fat”

"'I' is the only difference between fit and fat" (or "'I' is the only difference between fat and fit") is a motivational saying that has been printed on…

December 12, 2023
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘What are your gym goals?’ Me: Going”

"'What are your gym goals?' Me: Going" is a jocular saying. This was posted on an image by My Jesus Jam on Facebook on October 18, 2023. Facebook My Jesus Jam October 18, 2023…

July 30, 2025
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘When you go to the gym, do whatever you want’—impersonal trainer”

Many people who go to the gym to work out have a personal trainer. Are there impersonal trainers? "I have an impersonal trainer. We meet at the gym, we don't talk, he works out alone and…

July 30, 2025
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘Yeah, engage your core or whatever.’—impersonal trainer”

Many people who go to the gym to work out have a personal trainer. Are there impersonal trainers? "I have an impersonal trainer. We meet at the gym, we don't talk, he works out alone and…

November 18, 2020
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“2020: The year health experts told you to avoid the gym”

The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic caused many gyms to close. A joke was posted on Reddit -- Oneliners on November 17, 2020: "2020: The year health experts told you to avoid the…

April 11, 2020
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“87% of gym members don’t even know their gym is closed”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic closed many gyms. However, many gym members never regularly went to the gym, anyway. "87% of gym members don’t even know their gym is closed" was…

December 17, 2024
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A bodybuilder won’t judge you for working out…”

"An athlete won't judge you for working out. A millionaire won't judge you for starting a business. A musician won't judge you for trying to sing a song. It's always the…

June 8, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there”

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited on Twitter since April 21,…

August 2, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A good pair of running shoes can last 400 miles” (running adage)

"A good pair of running shoes can last 400-500 miles" is a running adage of unknown origin. "Most good running shoes, however, should last for at least 500 miles (800 km) without the…

January 8, 2016
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A gymnast walks into a bar…” (bar joke)

"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." "So a nearsighted gymnast walks into a bar" was cited in March 2010. "So a…

August 27, 2014
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time: pills or stairs”

"A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time: pills or stairs" is a popular one-line saying about fitness. "The condition of a man can be judged by what he…

November 5, 2017
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A marathon runner walks into a bar…” (bar joke)

"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A running version is: "A runner walks into a bar. The bartender asks, 'Why the…

December 19, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A one hour workout is only 4% of your day.  No excuses”

"A one hour workout is only 4% of your day. No excuses" is a motivation saying that has been printed on posters. "There are no excuses...you just gotta make time!!! a 1 hour workout…

October 28, 2014
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A strong butt is the key to a happy life”

"A strong butt is the key to a happy life" is a catchphrase of Dr. Jordan Metzl of New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery. Metzl said in 2009 that "a strong butt is a…

May 19, 2021
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A treadmill is basically a hamster wheel for humans”

Treadmills have been compared to hamster wheels. "treadmill = human version of hamster wheel" was posted on Twitter by DJ Chuang Tangerine 莊迪斐 on November 8, 2008. "Treadmills…

April 18, 2006
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“A Way of Life” & “Think Less, Feel Better” (New York Health & Racquet Club)

The New York Health & Racquet Club is over thirty years old and has several city locations. "A Way of Life" is a slogan since 1988, and "Think Less, Feel Better" is a slogan…

August 21, 2024
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“About four minutes into any run I decide to work on my personality instead”

"About four minutes into my run, I've decided I want to work on my personality instead" is a joke that was posted on printed on many images. "I'll never look like that so…

August 20, 2024
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“About four minutes into my run, I’ve decided I want to work on my personality instead”

"About four minutes into my run, I've decided I want to work on my personality instead" is a joke that was posted on printed on many images. "I'll never look like that so…

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BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

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