Counting Reps

by Kris Pitcher

For counting out loud! I gotta call you out on this one. You're the guy at the gym who counts out loud! You're, "Counting Out Loud Guy". I'm not sure why you can't keep track of your reps in your head. There's only 10 or so to count...

It would be one thing if you weren't also grunting them under the effort of your reps. Please! It makes me think you're going to poop your pants. I'm just worried.

You usually have your headphones on so maybe you don't know you're counting out loud. Maybe. But that's got to be stretching it. YOU HAVE TO KNOW THERE IS SOUND COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH! And I could possibly deal with the grunting...EXCEPT I'M LIFTING MORE THAN YOU!

OK, let's just take a deep breath here. We'll all count to ten...together. Deep breath, and one, two....So, here's the problem. Your counting out loud is messing me up in my head.

Did I just do 7, or was that 8 - because you just count-grunted, "Nneeleveh!" And then you kind of squealed like a 7th grade girl. Plus, if you can do 11 (which is what I think I heard you say), it can't be that heavy for you.

I guess it's not you, it's me. See, when I'm laughing I cannot concentrate the way I need to. I think I'll just wait until you're done with your set and then I'll do mine. Besides, I likely want those weights you've got. I'll just look for a natural ebb, or flow...or silence.

To all the counting out loud guys (or gals) I'm just letting you know, we can hear you. We're really proud of how many reps you did. We can see, and hear in your voice - the effort you're putting out. Way to go.

Last thing, one of the strongest men in the world, Aaron Anderton (google him), lifts at our gym...not a peep out of him. And he can count in his head. So, we can deduct counting out loud doesn't make you stronger.

I feel a little better for having let you know - we can hear ya! Now let's try counting to ourselves and see how it goes. Smile...