I was raised in a very conservative home, so it's probably needless to say, but I had always had issues with body image and self confidence. I was taught to be modest and always cover up, and to be ashamed of my sexuality.
Then I got married at a young age. I was 18 when I married my high school sweetheart, the only man I had ever been with. I was young and in love, and he was the first person who had ever shown any interest in me, so I felt so good when I was with him. But I was still that modest girl. We didn't have sex until marriage, and I didn't even let him see my body until months after that, I was that ashamed and afraid. I eventually loosened up a little, but always still insisted on having sex with the lights off.
After a few years of unfulfilling sex and a boring life, I joined a dance troupe. Dancing has always been one of my passions, but I had never joined a performance group before because dancers always have to wear such skimpy outfits. But I decided to be brave and try to follow my dream. To get in better shape, I decided to join a gym. I tested out a few, but I was always so self-conscious, I hated people being able to see me work out. I wore loose, baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt, making sure everything always stayed covered. And then a friend from my dance troupe recommended her gym, Motion Fitness, and I decided to try it out. Little did I know my life was about to change.
First days at new places are always scary, and my first day at Motion was no different. I was shaky as I drove to the gym early in the morning before the sun was up. I scurried quickly into the locker room, scanning the guest pass Katie had given me the day before as I rushed by the front desk, ignoring the desk attendant's friendly attempt to say good morning. I walked in the locker room and sighed with relief when I saw that it was empty. I found an unoccupied locker to keep my stuff in and started changing.
I don't have the best body, or that's what I've always thought, so I always change as fast as possible so I don't have to think about it. I'm not out of shape or anything, I just don't have that classic hourglass figure most guys go for. I'm very flat-chested, and my butt is bigger than I'd prefer it to be. I hate how it always jiggles around when I run...
After another quick glance around to make sure I was alone, I quickly stripped off my shirt and sweatshirt, exposing my tiny 32A breasts. I hadn't worn a bra that morning because I usually don't need to wear one and I figured I'd be changing as soon as I got to the gym. I pulled on a tight sports bra, and hurriedly threw my t shirt and sweatshirt back on over it. Perfect. I was already wearing sweatpants over men's gym shorts and comfortable underwear. I slipped my wedding ring off and into my bag, locked my stuff in my locker and crept out into the gym.
Cardio is supposed to be great for you, so I decided to start on a treadmill. I found the one farthest back in the corner and started it up at a low jog to warm up. As I jogged I looked around the gym. The room that I was currently in was just your basic gym room full of treadmills and ellipticals, all facing the same direction. Most of the walls of the room were mirrors, which I've always hated about gyms. Why would I want to watch myself work out? There was a hallway through one of the walls, and it had the word "weights" spelled out in neon lights above it. There was nobody else in the treadmill room this early, so I zoned out and focused on my jog.
"Good morning!"
I just about fell off my treadmill, I was so surprised by the greeting a few minutes later. I punched the "STOP" button on my treadmill and turned to see who had interrupted me. There was a very athletic-looking man standing next to me, smiling. He stood about 5' 9", only a few inches taller than myself, and wore loose gym shorts and a white t-shirt stretched across his well-defined chest.
"Hi! I don't think I've seen you in here before, my name is DJ, I'm one of the trainers here at Motion." He extended his hand towards me for a handshake.
I hesitantly returned the handshake, "My name is Melina, and you're right, I haven't been here before. My friend Katie recommended this gym to me, she gave me a guest pass."
His face lit up at the mention of Katie's name. "Ahh Katie, she's one of our best customers, we just had a workout session yesterday! Plus, you're in luck, your guest pass is also good for a free consultation with a trainer. Would you like to use that today?"
"Um... I don't usually take those offers, I'm not seriously looking to be a body-builder or anything..."
"Nonsense, you don't need to be! A consultation will just let us find out your overall physical condition and what you want to work on, and then we'll be able to recommend exercises to accomplish that and help you with your form. It couldn't hurt, it's free! What do you say?"
I don't like being scrutinized, but this service did sound helpful. Besides, I should be a bit more adventurous and try things. After mulling it over for a second, I nodded, smiled and said "alright, why not?"
"Excellent! Let's start now!" He clapped his hands together and then gave my outfit a glance. "I will need to see what kind of shape you're in, and I'm afraid that sweatsuit leaves everything to the imagination. Are you wearing anything under it?"
My face flushed at the thought that he might be picturing me naked under my sweatsuit. "Of course I am!"
He held up his hands in a pacifying gesture. "Woah, easy, it was just a simple question. Let's head over to the weight room and have you take those off so I can get a better look at what we're working with."
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the hallway I had seen before, the one with the neon lights above it. I pulled my hand from his, embarrassed by the contact, and walked through the hallway. His pace slowed subtly, and I could practically feel his eyes on my body, covered as it was. My cheeks flushed again, but along with the embarrassment was another feeling, a warm feeling of pleasure, knowing that a stranger was looking at me, ogling me. I pushed that feeling aside, after all, I was a married woman! It wasn't right for me to be feeling this!
We reached the weights room, a room practically identical to the treadmill room except filled with mats and weight machines instead of treadmills and ellipticals. Despite the early hour, there were a few guys milling around the weights, lifting and chatting with each other. I sighed in relief as DJ led me to a mat in the far corner of the room, pretty much as far away from where the guys were hanging out as possible.
"Alright, Melina, stand on the mat in front of the mirror." He grabbed a clipboard and pencil from a nearby bench and sat down. "Let's get some of this filled out. Feel free to take your sweatsuit off as we go through this. Don't worry, I won't watch, this is all very professional."
I blushed and turned away from him, more embarrassed now than ever. But what could be the harm in taking it off? I was wearing very modest workout clothes underneath it, it wasn't a big deal. I began removing the baggy over clothes as he asked me questions.
"Full name?"
"Melina Tiana Negron."
"Age and birthdate?"
"February 3rd, I'm 22."
"Sex, female. Current height and weight?"
"5 feet, 6 inches tall, 115 pounds."
