MEN - TRAIN WITH A LADY FOR EVEN BETTER RESULTS!

Who doesn't appreciate a good firm body on a woman?

I don't like to see flabby, out of shape bodies on women who think that all they have to do is have their hair and nails done and slap on a half pound of makeup. A woman who takes care of herself with weight training will develop a healthy pride in her body, rather than just vanity. In the 60's and 70's you'd never find a woman in the gym with the guys. They would rather go to a spa because most gyms were "hard core" and filled with men. At Gold's Gym in Venice, Calif., there were a few exceptions. They had maybe 2 or 3 women training there, and they typically looked like drill sergeants. But as time went by, more feminine-looking women started coming in with their boyfriends and husbands. It was becoming more accepted. Today, gyms are a lot like single's bars - the place where a lot of relationships start. What better place?

Gyms are not smokey and there's no alcohol to hide behind. There's just natural sweat and endorphins. Women in the gym can be an advantage to men - giving them the opportunity not only to meet new women, but also to train better. Men are often more aware of how they are training and, subconsciously or not, they may train harder. No man wants to look bad in the eyes of a lady, right? My wife, Randi, has been very beneficial in my workouts. We trained together everyday for years. I would push her and she would push me.

She had no knowledge of weight training when we started - she was maybe 98 lbs. Great body - but she needed about 10 lbs on her. I trained heavy and hard and she trained lighter, but with the same workout. I continued to gain size and she re-shaped her body. So the bottom line for men is this: get your girlfriend, wife, or female friend interested in training with you. You'll both train harder and enjoy the workout more.

And if you're committed, you can keep each other on a good diet, too. One hand washes the other. And if you meet someone in the gym - who knows? - you might end up marrying her. I did!

Ric Drasin 'The Equalizer'