Finding Lost Memories

Leon slid the plate on, a loud grating sound emitted as he did so, followed by a metallic clank as it made contact with the first plate. He exhaled loudly, and shook his arms, hopping around a bit to get himself hyped. “C’mon Leon, lets get 27 reps. If you can get 26, then you can sure as hell get 27,” coaxed Leon, now pacing back and fourth nervously.

Leon made eye contact with the bar, staring it down as if it were an actual person. He hopped one more time before turning around and placing himself on the bench. He reached up for the bar and positioned his hands, making sure everything was just right before he proceeded with the exercise. Exhaling one last time, Leon lifted the bar off of the rack, and let it come down towards his chest, inhaling through his nose. The bar bumped against his chest, and in one fluent motion, he let his arms explode towards the ceiling, exhaling sharply through his mouth.

Again and again, Leon repeated the motion, the hiss that emitted from his mouth when he exhaled growing louder each time. On the twentieth rep, his tempo started to slow, his arms shaking under the weight of the bar and four plates that rested upon it. His face started to turn a light shade of red, a bead of sweat falling off the side of his head. He kept on pushing though, hitting the 25th rep, and continuing onto the 26th.

This is it Leon, just two more and you’re done for the day, let’s do it.

Leon let out a grunt as he pushed with all his might, the bar slowly moving upwards. C’mon lock it up, lock it up!! His face twisted in agony as he struggled to get the bar up, but a second later he felt the usual locking of the elbows. He held the bar up, exhaled, inhaled, and then let it fall slowly downwards for the 27th time. He felt the usual pressure on the center of his chest, and with all his might, shot his arms upwards.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!” roared Leon as the bar traversed upwards.

Many heads turned, looking for the source of the sound. Leon didn’t care though, this was a battle he would win at all costs, and nothing would stop him. And just as soon as it had started, it ended. His arms were locked up, and with a smile, he let the bar fall back onto the rack. He sat himself up, letting his head fall forward, stretching his neck muscles and his delts.

Now what?