Column: brain gymnastics

'Hi, I'm Gianfranco. Sure I can give you some information. Walk with me, let's sit there.'

I follow the athletic young man to a desk in the middle of the room and plop on the chair next to it. Five minutes ago I saw that newly opened aquarium tank full of sports people lying by the side of the road. At the last minute I decided not to drive by it, but to take a look. It really is high time to get moving and why not take action right away?

Sporty type

"It's not the first time you've walked into a gym, is it?" says Gianfranco, sitting back relaxed. 'I think you're the sporty type, don't you? I see that right away!'

For a moment I think he's kidding me. If anyone would rather be lazy than tired when it comes to sports, it's me. Couch potato, that's a word that suits me better. But he's serious. No spotlights in his eyes. Not an ironic smile. He does have a friendly expression on his face as he waits for me to speak.

'Well, I'm not very sporty. I used to play tennis. I also played squash and even did aerobics. But that was quite a long time ago.'

I don't tell him that he probably wasn't even born at that time.

24/7

'See, I saw that right away! And how come you don't do that anymore?'

'Well, Gianfranco…'

“Gianfra, call me Gianfra. That's what all my friends call me.'

“Oh, okay… Gianfra… Well, I guess lack of time. A family and work and all that. Then sports will soon be the last place. Not good, eh, actually.'

'You're not the only one with too little time, I often hear that. But then you've come to the right place. We have something that other gyms don't have: we are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is a real godsend for anyone who is busy during the day during the week.'

'24 hours a day? Seven days a week? Really, Gianfranco?'

"Gianfra, call me Gianfra."

"Oh yes, I'm sorry… Gianfra… So if I can't sleep at three in the morning, could I come over here to work out with you?"

I can already picture a sleepy Gianfranco rising from his bedchair behind the counter when I enter it fresh and fruity at three o'clock in the morning with a sports bag over my shoulder.

Nutella afternoons

'Yes, fantastic isn't it! You won't easily find that at other gyms, let's face it. And what you don't often see at other gyms, are our famous Nutella afternoons! Around four o'clock we will put a large table in the hall and make a table for everyone snack: bread with Nutella! '

'Nutella at a gym? You don't hear that very often, Gianfra. What a special initiative. Why are you doing that?'

He laughs broadly: 'Not only do sport unite, but bread with Nutella too!'

I laugh along with him and meanwhile try to imagine how such a Nutella afternoon between the torture devices set up. Would everyone immediately stop training the moment the jar of Nutella comes out? Hustling each other around the table with sweaty bodies?

And what are they talking about, hoping Nutella doesn't stick around their mouths? Are they talking about their training schedules? About how long they have to exercise extra to train off all those sandwiches as quickly as possible? Would they agree to do an extra round on the treadmill together? They are lined up for half a battalion, so that should be possible without any problems.

An offer you can't refuse

'We don't do it every day, but it's always a success. And what do you think, Mirta, don't you think it's something to become a member too?'

'Well, Gianfra, it all sounds very promising. Especially that Nutella. But an annoying question: how much does it cost to be able to walk in here 24 hours a day?'

'Normally € 22,50 per month. But because we already know each other quite well, I can make you an offer that we have especially for a select group of friends: a 6-month subscription for only € 150. What do you think, could it be better?'

I look at him surprised.

'€150 a special offer? Gianfranco, are you quite sure?'

'Gianfra. Yes, I'm very sure. Isn't that a friendly prize?'

I smile and thank him for all the information, while he clearly thinks about exactly where things are going wrong. A very nice guy, my new best friend Gianfra, but he probably knows more about sports than math.