When I was a teenager I enjoyed long distance and cross country running and rugby union. Also swimming and cycling.

When I was 16, my mother told me that the best way of meeting girls was to learn to dance. From the very first time I tried dancing, I knew it was true. After that, I continued with my other sporting interests, but Ballroom/Latin dancing was my definite number one!

I never felt any interest in going to a gym, but stayed very active. My first wife and I parted when I was 43. [Should have been much sooner, but our generation tended to "marry for keeps".] I went dancing just about every night, also swam, skindived, played beach volleyball and ran to keep fit.

After a while, I met a lady at a dance who was very health conscious. Great dancer, played pennants tennis and squash, strong swimmer and did yoga to a high standard. She was a gym member and did weight training, circuit work etc. I was delighted to have such a health conscious ladyfriend.

We danced together, swam, skindived and did triathlon [social level] in our mid fifties. Her gym closed down. We looked together for another, but never found a suitable replacement.

I sadly lost her a few years ago. There are no guarantees in life, are there? On my own, I carried on dancing 6 or 7 times a week. Also swimming every morning and skindiving when I could.

Then, at 68, I joined a small specialist gym and pumped iron in a small group with a trainer. I really enjoyed this.

I met my ladyfriend at a dance and we have been together for over three years. She is a beautiful trained dancer and that's the sporting interest we both share.

It's very important to me to keep fit and active. And to have a like-minded lady to share life with too.

This is a funny article Peter. I know that you were not "eyeballing" the men, that’s just Maximus showing his own insecurity. You have found a culture that pivots around various social problems in the inner city today. I do not, however, think that gyms: the domain of those with big artificial bodies are the future at all. I mean, to start with, they look ridiculous.

This reminds me of the documentary: "Status stress" where people buy expensive cars, fashion label shoes, clothes, hair and even designer steroids, not because they need them, but because they are making a statement. The statement is that they demand respect, that they are better than you are. They demand that you must be nice to them on their terms. That explains why you are not allowed to use gym equipment in "their territory". Status stress is kinda pathetic really. They are not strong people at all. To get this far, they have insecurity. They desperately need to be loved. If people don't give them the superficial behaviour needs, then they feel unloved: the loser.

The fact is accomplished black belt Marshall arts masters are stronger than parading "muscle Mary's. These guys are slim, but strong, tough and can defy gravity. That is fitness.

I honestly believe muscle Mary's look effeminate. Many are on steroids; some are also on Crystal met-amphetamines. That explains how they meet the schedule. That explains the smashed mirrors and the psychotic behavior they carry with their accessorised bodies.

Healthy? No. It is an insecurity problem closer to an illness.

Very funny. Can I suggest you send a copy to heckler@smh.com.au

Might I suggest signing up for a university run gym? There are generally cheaper rates there, and part of the money goes towards the uni sport unions (which have suffered some financial decrease since VSU). Usually there's a wide range of age groups who use them, but you could take some friends with you if you're not sure about going alone.
I think taking the time out, even 30 mins every couple of days, to just run/jump/swim/lift/whatever helps the mind run so much more efficiently!
P.S. If you live in the Bondi area, why don't you take an hour or so off every weekend to do the Bondi to Bronte run/swim/cycle/whatever? That view is BEAUTIFUL! (Much better than the arrogant steroidy males at the gym, I'm sure).