My Weightlifting Gym in Saigon

After a long long break from weightlifting, I decided to return last Saturday.  I used to lift all the time when I was younger but after I injured both knees in the Marines, I had to walk away to focus on my physical therapy.  I never got back to it but I missed it.

Since I spent most of my time overseas since 2000, starting to lift again has been difficult.  I am quite picky about the gym where I want to work out.  I cannot stand the clean yuppie gyms/health clubs.  I want a real weightlifting gym where you can drop the weights and just lift.  I hate the gyms where the guys have to look at the mirrors each time they lift just to look at themselves.  A mirror is help improve technique.

Well, thanks to my student, I found a gym not far from my house that I really love.  The guys who go there really want to lift weights.  The atmosphere and environment is what I have been looking for.  I only pay 120,000 VND a month.  The weight equipment are nice.  The only think I miss is a squat rack but overall, it fulfills 90% of my needs.

The owner, Tam, is really funny.  You will be amazed from his photo below to learn that he is only 52 years old!

(Mr. Tam, only 52 years old!!!)