San Diego social club helps gymgoers find their people
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First hike, then protein shake. Photos: Courtesy of Jenn Faller
Jenn Faller was trying to do something super difficult: make friends as an adult without staying out at bars until 2am.
The big picture: So in September, Faller started Gym For Life, a social club for people who live that #gymlife lifestyle.
- That means a focus on health and fitness.
- And there's still drinking, just in the form of protein shakes.
"I had friends who would drink all the time until 2 or 3 am and I'm like, 'I'm too old for that,'" Faller, 36, told Axios. "Their idea of going out reminds me of when I'm 16."
Flash forward: She created an alternative.
- "The first one, we hiked Cowles Mountain and got protein shakes after, and everyone showed up for the protein shake," she said. "And then everyone showed up for the next one and the next one, and I was like, 'oh, this is actually a thing.'"
- Within a few short months, she's built the group to more than 100 people.
How it works: They gather for walks, protein donuts (yes, those exist) and an upcoming "cheat day" Thanksgiving.
- All the gatherings are free because it would be "cringe" to charge people to take a walk and have coffee.
- "It just kind of took off in a way I didn't expect at all," she said.
Living the gym life: Gathering with other serious gymgoers is important because they just get it, Faller said.
- They don't want to go out for a night of heavy drinking "because it would ruin their progress, and that's what they prioritize."
- And they can laugh at the same gym humor, like the guy who puts every possible weight on the leg press machine.
"Someone who goes to the gym knows that machine and knows those people who put on as much weight as they can so that they look like they're strong," Faller said.
Friction point: Faller moved to San Diego three years ago and was surprised by how hard it was to make friends.
- "The city really does a good job of having things for us, like 1,001 different social clubs," she said. "They have a ton of events. They have a lot going on, and I expected it to be quite easy."
- But a lot of those clubs rely on you to be outgoing, like showing up to a 50-person Pilates or cold plunge event.
- "It relies on people being comfortable approaching strangers," she said.
So she's made her events more intimate, where you gather and walk on the beach with a small group.
- "This is a great way for me to meet people in a way that isn't a lot of pressure," she said. "Going for coffee and a walk with someone, it's easy to talk. You kind of have to talk, right? It's low pressure."
- Especially if you add in a protein donut.
What's next: Get involved if it sounds like your thing! You can message them on Instagram here.