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Networks of cottage industry. During Covid lockdowns I joined a powerlifting gym that was a startup in an old dry cleaners, had to “try out” to get in (make su

Networks of cottage industry. During Covid lockdowns I joined a powerlifting gym that was a startup in an old dry cleaners, had to “try out” to get in (make sure I wasn’t a narc), was the only gym in a city of 5+ million that was open and they had papered over the windows so prying eyes couldn’t observe the no-masks inside. I had the fewest tats in the place, you only wear black, there will never be any TVs and the heaviest lifter in there at the time gets to control the Spotify station which is always metal. They have both a pro-2A plaque and a trans flag on the wall. One of the co-owners is gay and films onlyfans in the gym at night. Fast forward years later and I get my coffee beans from a startup local roaster who hosts an Elvis impersonator, for the motorcycle meetup, I learned where the tats get done, I support a local microbrewery, there is a cafe where I get lunch, I got my black t shirts from a designer…every single business owner I just mentioned goes to the same gym. It’s a neat little community. And I’ve NEVER seen one of these people pull out a phone around others (unless they were filming a PR for their trainer)

dogman144 3y ago
Yes agree. Finding small local interest groups usually leads towards communities that’ll run again the Insta-grain. This is most of my social life as well.
jhartwig 3y ago
(Make sure I wasn’t a narc) What does this mean in the context? Were they afraid of getting shut down during covid or something? I’m assuming that is what you meant.
- stcroixx 3y ago
  Could be roids. When I used to powerlift that stuff was all too common. When I was kid lifting with the grownups they sold GHB next to the protein bars.
  - dogman144 3y ago
    Yes my thought was juicing. Beyond the obvious bodybuilders in gyms the world over, when fitness is needed past a certain level of seriousness it’s much more common than expected.
  - wholinator2 3y ago
    It's definitely the corona virus lockdown mandates. To me, with the mention of papering over the windows _so no one could see the no masks on inside_, it 100% indicates that they wanted to make sure he wasn't going to call the police and get the gym shut down. The people wanted a gym community and so they built one while heavily vetting who was allowed to know about or enter the space, specifically so they could avoid the eyes of the government during the lockdowns.
- FearNotDaniel 3y ago
  > papered over the windows so prying eyes couldn’t observe the no-masks inside I inferred it was lockdown/facemask or otherwise Corona related. I knew a couple of underground bars/restaurants that operated in a similar "speakeasy" fashion back in the 'rona times.
ROTMetro 3y ago
Find the guy making racks/benches/etc to sell, and you will find the local invite only power gym.
dontupvoteme 3y ago
Sounds a lot like the good german diskos - they cover your phone's camera and if they see you try and take it off there will be repercussions. >They have both a pro-2A plaque and a trans flag on the wall. One of the co-owners is gay and films onlyfans in the gym at night heh, that's good though. the oppressed are the ones that should worry about armaments the most -- stonewall riots and such. Previously Haymarket.
PoetEngaged 3y ago
I don't really understand what you are trying to say here and the relation to the post you responded. >Fast forward years later and I get my coffee beans from a startup local roaster who hosts an Elvis impersonator, for the motorcycle meetup, I learned where the tats get done, I support a local microbrewery, there is a cafe where I get lunch, I got my black t shirts from a designer…every single business owner I just mentioned goes to the same gym. So you consume/buy products that are most likely pricier, but sell you the idea of being 'more valueable' because they are organic, local this, that. And this is your idea of counter-culture and non-participation? You buy things and consume products that Walmart doesn't sell? This seems like a pretty generic, consumerist way to to distinguish yourself from the rabbles and appears to me like a typical 2010s hipster lifestyle you are portaying. But the so-called counter-culture crowd you found doesn't pull out their smartphones when being around others, therefore they renounce the modern tech world? I really can't say if your post was meant to be sarcastic or if I am just not getting the joke or you are being serious.

dogman144 3y ago

Yes agree. Finding small local interest groups usually leads towards communities that’ll run again the Insta-grain. This is most of my social life as well.

jhartwig 3y ago

(Make sure I wasn’t a narc) What does this mean in the context? Were they afraid of getting shut down during covid or something? I’m assuming that is what you meant.

stcroixx 3y ago
Could be roids. When I used to powerlift that stuff was all too common. When I was kid lifting with the grownups they sold GHB next to the protein bars.
- dogman144 3y ago
  Yes my thought was juicing. Beyond the obvious bodybuilders in gyms the world over, when fitness is needed past a certain level of seriousness it’s much more common than expected.
- wholinator2 3y ago
  It's definitely the corona virus lockdown mandates. To me, with the mention of papering over the windows _so no one could see the no masks on inside_, it 100% indicates that they wanted to make sure he wasn't going to call the police and get the gym shut down. The people wanted a gym community and so they built one while heavily vetting who was allowed to know about or enter the space, specifically so they could avoid the eyes of the government during the lockdowns.
FearNotDaniel 3y ago
> papered over the windows so prying eyes couldn’t observe the no-masks inside I inferred it was lockdown/facemask or otherwise Corona related. I knew a couple of underground bars/restaurants that operated in a similar "speakeasy" fashion back in the 'rona times.

ROTMetro 3y ago

Find the guy making racks/benches/etc to sell, and you will find the local invite only power gym.

dontupvoteme 3y ago

Sounds a lot like the good german diskos - they cover your phone's camera and if they see you try and take it off there will be repercussions. >They have both a pro-2A plaque and a trans flag on the wall. One of the co-owners is gay and films onlyfans in the gym at night heh, that's good though. the oppressed are the ones that should worry about armaments the most -- stonewall riots and such. Previously Haymarket.

PoetEngaged 3y ago

I don't really understand what you are trying to say here and the relation to the post you responded. >Fast forward years later and I get my coffee beans from a startup local roaster who hosts an Elvis impersonator, for the motorcycle meetup, I learned where the tats get done, I support a local microbrewery, there is a cafe where I get lunch, I got my black t shirts from a designer…every single business owner I just mentioned goes to the same gym. So you consume/buy products that are most likely pricier, but sell you the idea of being 'more valueable' because they are organic, local this, that. And this is your idea of counter-culture and non-participation? You buy things and consume products that Walmart doesn't sell? This seems like a pretty generic, consumerist way to to distinguish yourself from the rabbles and appears to me like a typical 2010s hipster lifestyle you are portaying. But the so-called counter-culture crowd you found doesn't pull out their smartphones when being around others, therefore they renounce the modern tech world? I really can't say if your post was meant to be sarcastic or if I am just not getting the joke or you are being serious.