Gym Membership

We're spoiled at Darden! While this is not new news, it is also abundantly clear being here in Stockholm. SSE is in the midst of a remodel that would essentially let the campus use more space year round (covering the outdoor courtyard in the middle of the building). Most the classrooms I've been in are your typical table and chairs, straight lines, no cascading. It is also very difficult to find a port for a laptop as the majority of students take notes with pen and paper. Printing is not free and there are few rooms that may be utilized for group projects. Not to mention, the school does not have a gym like University of Virginia, so instead, each person must idividually purchase a gym membership. It's not cheap! Approximately $80 for the first month and $65 for the second. However, if you're a semester long exchange student, there are discounts so that you pay less than $200 for 6 months. This is the story of our lives - everything is cheaper as a student, but only if you need access for 6 months!

Anyhow, back to the gym. Between my trip to India, my return to the states and first week in Stockholm, I've probably been to the gym twice. So this seemed easy enough, sign up for the gym, start working out! Problem: Treadmills are in kilometers and I typically run in miles. What speed do I need to warm up on? I started with 10 KMPH as a rough conversion. As I was running, I started thinking about high school track (I knew there was a reason I ran track!). Throughout the years I competed in a variety of events, one being the 1600 M, which is also known as the mile. Thus 1.6 KM * 6 MPH (typical warm up speed) = 9.6 KM per hour! Woo hoo! I decreased my speed. After I warmed up, I stretched and then walked over to the free weights. Problem 2: Free weights are in kg. Further the weights are not placed with their correct labels, and unlike many US weights, the free weights are made up of multiple rings that you can't read. For instance, 12.5kg will have two sides, both with a 5kg ring and a 1.25kg ring. The only visible number is 1.25kg on the two outside rings. The you have the conversion, which I looked up - 1kg is approximately 2.2 pounds. I must admit, every time I needed new weights, I stood there blankly doing calculations. The things we take for granted living in our home countries!

On a completely random note...here's a great video featuring "the professor" aka one of my learning teammates. It shows the future! And yes, it's safe. Click Here!