A gym has it’s own culture. People are expected to keep their eyes forward and somewhat unfocused lest they appear to notice that they aren’t the only ones in the gym. The first unforgivable sin is to actually see the people around you.

There are other rules, though. There’s a veritable caste system of fitness. Those who are fit are practically required to wear as little as possible because everyone else will be inspired by their flat abs and toned extremities. Those who are less fit should never wear this type of revealing clothing lest they frighten away newcomers to the gym. Baggy t-shirts and sweats are pretty much par for the course.

Of course, fit people can also wear baggy t-shirts and sweats as long as they roll the sleeves up to their shoulders and carry around specialized equipment (such as back braces or elastic straps) that clearly marks them as highly fit. It is also acceptable for fit people to wear baggy clothing if they customize all the equipment they touch, moving benches from one machine to another or adding extra weights to the standard equipment.

This evening, as I did my best to torture myself into a sweat while wallowing in an over sized t-shirt and sweats (though not customizing anything, or carrying any specialized equipment), I committed the unforgivable sin. I kept glancing at the guy on the elliptical next to me.

No, it’s not what you’re thinking. Nothing even remotely close. No, this guy was… unique. His loafers cushioned his argyle-socked feet. Both of these complemented his chocolate brown, pleated, belted, corduroy pants and white button-down shirt. The yamaka, with it’s gold and tan embroidery, topped off the look to perfection.

I’m not sure where this fits in the gym hierarchy.