How could I have missed that?

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday February 7, 2022 06:00

Simplicity banished. And yet as the search command rifles through the cranial museum called the hippocampus, it finally registers. Those vocal inflections should have given it away.

How could I have missed that authoritative anatomy? The cotton in his t-shirt strained to compose itself while the corpulent tanned muscles effortlessly pushed its fibres to within an inch of their lives. Though the march was easy and composed, it exuded purpose. Even though his smile was non-committal, I knew who he was and could only shudder at what nefarious plan was afoot. But I was used to saving the world and the chase was now on. He gave no indication that my presence was compromised but he was a master at this apocalyptic game. As he followed his chosen path, I followed my own angled propulsion. Though my geometric game was strong, he turned unexpectedly.

I doubled my efforts to catch up, all the while grateful for all those long hours spent on the treadmill. I too altered my direction and closed in on my prey. As he raised his head and finally acknowledged my presence, his pace slowed. His eyes fluttered wildly as he knew he was trapped with no possible escape. My trained hand clutched my chosen weapon, further crushing his hopes. The adventure was over and I had won. Only one further act remained. A smile crept across his heroic face.

He was a honourable man and would accept defeat with grace. I raised my weapon expertly and in one fluid motion pressed the button. The programmed machinery instantly registered my composed image. I depressed the button further and captured another and another. My captured subject none other than the Terminator himself, Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Today there was no Skynet controlling the machines to enslave humanity. Today I celebrated getting photos of a Hollywood icon. This encounter occurred at a Sandton Hotel when the international sports competition called the Arnold Classic took place. While Arnold may lay many claims to fame including Governor of California, he introduced himself to a global audience as a bodybuilder who won the Mr Olympia competition seven times. He serves to inspire as a global ambassador for exercise and physical fitness.

At age 74 he begins each day with a workout at the gym, though his routines differ greatly from those he did 50 years ago. Consider more than two million people over 65 years of age in the US suffer from depression. A number of studies show exercise can help alleviate this illness. Remarkably, the global anti-aging market is worth $58 billion a year. That’s a lot of people holding onto their youth. But how much exercise is enough? Most health researchers recommend 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week.

Consistency is the key to maximise benefits. These health perks include: reduced risk of a heart attack, weight control, reduce blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and some cancers, stronger bones (reduced risk of osteoporosis) and to sleep better. This list is by no means exhaustive but I think you get the point. I do believe numbers serve to illustrate details clearly. Here is one for your consideration. A review of studies conducted over half a century showed that the most physically active subjects reduced the risk of coronary artery disease by 50%. FIFTY!!! That ought to have all of us running for our Lululemon Athletics gym wear.

As with everything currently, COVID is always a consideration when deciding which exercise activities would suit us best. While the gym industry has implemented strict protocols to reduce the risk of transmission, most of us choose to exercise away from the health clubs. I for one miss the structured routine of my exercise week and await patiently to safely return to Virgin Active. It is much easier to exercise with 20 other people rather than on my own. Misery loves company but as always, necessity breeds invention and small exercise groups mushroom everywhere. These serve to motivate and vary activities. I have not exercised at Virgin Active since March 2020 though a smile creeps across my face as I remember my best workout. As I drove to the gym, I had to return home because I had brought the wrong running shoes.

When I finally reached the gym, I spent 20 minutes untangling my headphones, then realised I was hungry and went home. Definitely didn’t check the FitBit that day. Another thing I miss is the added cardio when you finish your workout and then can’t remember where you parked your car. As I scroll through my photo gallery, I remember my Terminator encounter.

Arnold was not as tall as I imagined. Though Hollywood has a habit of portraying their heroes as larger than life, he was as tall as I am. I was impressed with his energy and physique at 74 years of age. As I put my phone back in my pocket with my prized images captured for posterity, I saw him smile. I think he smiled because he knew he had made my day as he was used to creating unforgettable memories for most people who’s lives he has touched. Such is his legendary persona.

I said, “Thank you Mr Schwarzenegger.” He replied, and here he said something but what I heard was “Hasta la vista baby.” I looked at him, winked and said, “I’ll be back.”