Overall, I think that the deliberation went very well for my group. Throughout the process, we worked well as a team. We worked well together when it came to brainstorming different problems and potential approaches. Our effective delegation within the group allowed us to complete the work on time with a quality product. As for the deliberation itself, I think that we did a great job. We did a lot of planning before the deliberation so that everything went smoothly and followed a schedule to ensure that the deliberation would be the correct amount of time. Something unique that my group did was put the criteria for deliberation on the chalkboard. This allowed us to reference the criteria throughout the deliberation, which kept all of the discussion on track and relevant. The questions that we asked the class were almost all relevant and brought forward new ideas to discuss. We also provided some input and clarification on our end, which was backed up by research that didn’t necessarily make it into the videos. We chose a controversial and high-stakes topic, which was homelessness in Philadelphia. This led to very contrasting opinions in the class. Our approaches catered to different perspectives, allowing for a more well-rounded deliberation where everyone was included. Being such a controversial issue, as a group I think we did a great job maintaining a civil discussion and having ideas be judged by the criteria and not solely by personal opinions. Although it went well overall, I think there are a few things that we could have improved upon. One is by defining the problem’s causes more clearly. We did a great job addressing the symptoms of homelessness and ending the cycle of homelessness, but we overlooked explaining the root causes in our introduction video. While these causes were explained by us and explored by the class in our deliberation, it would have been helpful to have them in the initial video. Another aspect we could’ve improved on is by being more specific in our approaches. We were very specific in some parts, such as explaining what taxes would increase and by how much, but we generalized who would qualify for these programs. For example, we said that the homeless would have access to work training programs, whereas we should have directly stated that they would also have specialized treatment if they had a disability, children, drug abuse, etc. This meant we initially came across as being potentially ableist since some thought that these groups of people weren’t going to be included until we explained that they were key parts of our approach. As a group we wanted to help as many people as possible and not exclude anyone, so we should not have assumed that people would automatically think that they would be included and explicitly stated so in the video portion.
Form and Gym Safety
If you have ever been to a gym before, whether as a member or a guest, I am sure you had to sign a liability waiver. The waiver waives the right to hold the gym accountable for any injuries that may occur during your visit. As a gymgoer and an employee at a gym, I have seen countless injuries due to improper gym safety and poor form. If you are planning on going to the gym, it is important to have a good understanding of both before you sign the waiver and blindly get started.
General gym safety is crucial when being in a gym. It doesn’t even involve you lifting weights. First, abide by all gym rules. They are there for a reason for these rules and they should not be ignored. One of these rules is usually disallowing gym bags outside of the locker room. This is to prevent people from tripping and potentially injuring themselves. Most gyms offer free day lockers, so I recommend bringing a lock and using them to store your belongings during your workout. Another rule is to put your weights back. Weights are very easily tripped over and can be difficult to notice if you are not paying attention. It takes a few seconds to put them back, so please do. It is also important to always be aware of your surroundings. The last thing you want is to bump into someone lifting hundreds of pounds of weight, potentially injuring yourself and them.
When it comes time to get started there are a few things that you should practice. The first is warming up before lifting weights. It is always a good idea to stretch before a workout. Doing so reduces your risk of injury and will increase your flexibility during the workout. Next, you should use an appropriate weight to do your exercises with. Lifting very heavy weights to look cool is not a good idea and can result in injury. It is also very important to drink adequate water throughout your workout. Throughout my time working at a gym, I have seen almost a dozen people collapse from dehydration, and it is easily avoidable.
Focusing on your form in the gym is one of the most important things you can do. You should follow the diagrams on machines and watch videos on how to do exercises properly. If you are still curious about how to do something I recommend working out with someone or asking a fitness trainer to assist you. Doing so will allow them to spot you and give you proper training advice.
Although you now have this basic knowledge of gym safety and form, I encourage you to do your research and watch videos as well. You can never be too careful when using gym equipment. That being said, don’t let this discourage you from going to the gym. This should give you more confidence that you know what you are doing before you step foot inside of one!
Works Cited
“Gym Rules.” FDL YMCA, www.fdlymca.org/gym-schedule.html.
“How to Use the Proper Form for Weightlifting and Exercising.” How To Use The Proper Form For Weightlifting And Exercising, www.spookynooksports.com/blog/manheim/proper-form-for-weightlifting-and-exercising.