TROUBL

1. Q.

   uh oh.. better get Maaco!! (they will come for your brakes, homie)

   i’m siding with the women on this one.. every gym that i was a part of, the Black women outnumbered the Black men.. i train now with my man Platinum VP, and his clients are 60% women.. so, you could see a situation where women might go the personal training route.. or not.. i’ve noticed a lot of the time that they go very early or late.. when i check out NYSC in Harlem, it’s predominantly women in there.. maybe it’s a regional thing.. which i could believe as well..

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   TROUBLMan reply on May 2, 2008 10:29 am:

   It’s definitely a regional thing. Here in NY, I find that a lot more black women care about their appearance. It’s not like that everywhere though. I find in NY, ATL, L.A., there’s a sense of competition among women.

   Where I’m from, it feel like black women are allergic to the gym. Part of it comes from being embarrassed to start because at that level they’re admitting that they let themselves go. Another reason is that they aren’t compelled to keep up with there male counterpart. I’m from the bay Area where a lot of black men forsake the gym also.

   I’ve always found that women I’m are compelled to workout if I’m keeping my shit tight.

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   Cisco reply on May 2, 2008 10:10 pm:

   The consensus related to this topic based on your article isn’t broad enough for your feeble minded conclusions. Have you been to any predominantly Black African American Communities (the few that are left since Harlem is being taken over by the wealthy white because it’s still considered Manhattan) to survey the “mom and pop” type gyms that we (Black African Americans) frequent because the fees are much lower then those of NYSC or Ballys Total Fitness. It’s not based on pride or Black woman feeling like they’re admitted they’re fat it’s mostly financial. Lets be real you know the saleries of white men and woman are definitely different from those of blacks even these days and times. Even educated Blacks with degrees still make less than their couterparts with the same credentials. I know many black men and woman that work out. Next time you do a survey ask some real Black African Americans that aren’t token blacks fitting in with some Upper East side yuppies. If you would like a tour of the hood just give me a call.

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   TROUBLMan reply on May 3, 2008 12:20 pm:

   There’s no way economics is an excuse for us taking care of our health. Yes, the absence of black women at the gym does illustrate economic disadvantage, but even before that we need to address the absence of a realization that exercise is important. The black I’m around act like it’s an option. It’s not. It’s life or death. It’s free to jog and free to walk, yet few sistas I know incorporate these activities into their lifestyles. Explain that… It starts before the gym. It’s starts with the decision to be healthy, which way too many people not just black women understand.

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   Cisco reply on May 3, 2008 2:00 pm:

   Your second sentence stating that the absence of black woman at the gym is based on a “economic disadvantage” but you say in your fisrt sentence that economics doesn’t play a part. Which is it. The topic is about black woman in the gym and your statement supports my conclusion based on the finances. However, you are correct about it starting outside of the gym but that’s not the topic here. Bottom line, we do not workout nearly as much as we should. By the way I really appreciate your site. I love bebating on a civil level and I like what you’re doing for Sean Bell.

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   TROUBLMan reply on May 3, 2008 11:58 pm:

   You’re right. The topic is about black women in the gym and in that case economics is a factor. But you also acknowledged that it starts before the gym and therefore going the decision to go the gym is about deciding to be healthy. Only after that decision is made does the money to pay for it come into play. And know I really appreciate your comments and you challenging my theories. We’re here to make each other smarter. Supporting causes like Sean Bell is what we’re about. We in this together.

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2. *SB*

   A-MAN

   I see where you are coming from on this…I think in black culture- to be big and thick is considered beautiful and I think alot of black women use that as a excuse not to work out…they want their love interest to appreciate their curves which is undersatndable…being a big woman is a beautiful thing but it does not exempt a woman from working out…working out does not mean that your expected to loose all you weight and fit into size 2 pants at the end of the year…but loose some of your weight to be healthy and look a little healthier as well…

   I see black woman in the gym…Im not always sure if their there to really work out or to look cute and attract a mate…but I see them there…

   Ive noticed that going to the gym or getting a personal trainer has become a luxury that some woman like to flaunt…”girl, I cant go- you know i gotta see my personal trainer in the morning”…etc.- you can blame the Kanye West workout plan for that- j.k but seriously…

   I know plenty of blk woman that do not work out but I know plenty that do so its just a matter of the individual’s initiative…

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3. TROUBLMan

   Let it be said, I love big, skinny, thick, chunky, short, tall, all women. But before any of that I love healthy women. There’s something about a healthy women’s glow and swagger that make a brotha be like DAMN. And most people don’t realize but working out and eating right is also about mental health. Working out develops mental strength and inspires confidence which comes out in a women’s swag. If a woman got her glow and her mind right than she can’t be stopped.

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   Q. reply on May 2, 2008 11:21 am:

   LOL.. i hear you.. i have my personal prejudices, though.. let it be said that i love in shape size 10 and under (i think) women.. maybe it’s a size 8.. i’m confused nowadays.. i like my version of thick (which is healthy) like Toccara during her Celebrity Fit Club days..

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   "A Mom" reply on May 2, 2008 12:06 pm:

   Q
   I think Toccara is a little bigger than a 10. Maybe a 14 - 16 but she is one of the most beautiful healthy women out there. I agree with you she is thick, healthy and beautiful.

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   Q. reply on May 2, 2008 12:13 pm:

   Thanks Mom!! So, yea, 14-16 (i guess) and under.. i’m a little dude..

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4. Sardonyx Jade

   It’s the mirrors - LOL! Just kidding. The black women I know are athletes. They participate in sports. They also have work out equipment and programs that they utilize at home. They also live active lives to burn calories eliminating the necessity to frequent the gym.

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   "A Mom" reply on May 2, 2008 12:23 pm:

   I think it’s according to where you live. They say Colorado has some of the most healthy women in the country but I don’t think that includes black women.
   Where I was working out in Marin California. I was probably the only black women there, put the black population was very small. I saw more black men there but I must admit that most of them probably worked in that area as I did.

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5. "A Mom"

   I have always been one who finds working out medicine for life. I have also always been a small person. People say why do you work out. You are so small. I explain to them small has nothing to do with health. I was a very unhealthly young person. When I went to college I was under weight and sick all the time. Even though I worked out some, I didn’t eat properly. Captain Crunch and M&M with peanuts was my everyday diet. I was a mess.
   It’s not as hard as people think. It just takes 30 mins a day. I have been to gyms all over even when I went to Hawaii or Texas etc. At most of the gyms I don’t see many black women, but I’m sure they are around.

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6. Pearl Jr

   Maybe if we felt that Black men would respect us and the world would honor us more for being physically fit, and it would make a difference in the way we are treated then more of us would have motivation to do all we can to improve our lives.

   Too many Black women are overwhelmed and have given up on making our lives better because too many times, we get disrespected no matter what we do.

   It may not be right, but that’s the real!

   Respect, love, honor, and cherish Black women and Black women will change for the better.

   Stop looking for reasons to put Black down! Damn!

   Much love for my beloved sistahs,

   Pearl Jr.
   Author, Black Women Need Love, Too!

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   "A Mom" reply on May 2, 2008 12:47 pm:

   I understand what you are saying. But! Yes we do need all these things. What we need to do more than anything is the “Honor Oursleves” regardless.
   We can’t live this Pitty Party we got to much goin. Another thing is to honor each other as black women. You talk about people don’t respect us. What about the hate we show to each other. I love all my sisters, but do they love me? regardless I will keep on building them up by telling them the truth.

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7. A MOM

   Back in the days of May West, Toccara would be the ideal women. health is very important and you can she in her that heath and she shines.
   My daugther reminds me of Toccara, but she is not healthy with it. I think she is trying to work on it now because she knows what it takes and she has been there. If she could only stay away from “Burger King”
   LoL.

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8. choppaboy

   I go to the gym five times a week and there is every race of female there except black. They are rare in my gym.

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9. TROUBLMan

   Don’t forget that black women don’t want to sweat their hair out…

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Reply to “Ask-a-Man”

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