ABSTRACT
I become acutely sensitive of my surroundings: sounds, smells and sensations that I am normally so accustomed to that I barely notice. Loud music is blaring out, echoing and booming against the warehouse walls. The machinery hum of treadmills and other cardiovascular equipment can be heard in the background. Within the weights area, male grunts, groans of exertion, and shouts of encouragement can be heard, occasionally interrupted by a fleeting eruption of laughter. The thuds of heavy weights as they are dropped or thrown to the floor vibrate through my trainers. Smashing sounds are heard as iron hits iron. Audible twangs and clicks. There’s a sense of anticipation, tension and excitement in the atmosphere. Scent glands emit bodily uriniferous and musky smells, which vaporize into the air and mingle with other sweat odours, characteristics of food eaten the night before such as garlic, onions, and curry.
