s 48 - Thursday, March 29, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com ., Summertime self-expression D uring this 2012 heat- to eplore their day-drinking wave, the sun has possibilities as the premature peeked its head out far summer weather makes most enough to royally disturb the life feel somehow off the hook. My of plants and animals, but days feelings on the subject are rather have become neutral. much live- From a sardonic English-major lier for human standpoint, the porch/front- Ann Arborites lawn area symbolizes a midpoint - porches and between security and insecurity. front lawns It's positioned openly to the transform street but remains attached to the into the most firmly rooted home that is typi- inhabited tally a space prized for its safety. parts of all JIA In real-person speak, it's cur- homes. Spring SMITH- rently trendy to be hanging out came early EPPSTEINER on the porch because you can and this year, and because you look relaxed (and we're all re- usually you are). Finally, it's the realizingthat we do in fact have finest spot to try out fresh fash- neighbors - not just walking, ions of which you maybe unsure. talking North Face fluff balls that In terms of the most obvi- sleep in the box over. We remem- ous form of style - what you ber that fashion exists, ice cubes wear - the inaugural weeks of make drinks tastier, Frisbee is warmth accentuate folks' choices much harder than it looks and we in threads, walking-wear, shades are actually happy. and every other germ of external- June in March: displeased izing our person. In the last days sharecroppers, pleased students. of March this year, a generous We gain the right to stare at amount of hair braiding, mint- people as they walk by, stumble colored everything, sports caps, by, bike by, throw a football by ... highly saturated denim short but there is this odd dichotomy shorts and canvas backpacks have going on. We are all together come out to play. As long as the in the sunshine in our minimal hair-feather fad remains buried, clothing, listeningto upbeat jams, I'm content. but we're isolated on rectangular plots, observing one another from a place of privacy - private prop- POrches are the erty, that is.P It's like each home is its own a r animal exhibit at the zoo. pl e r o Despite this social foible, the to present their porch is a wonderful venue for showing off your latest trends personalstyle. with a sense of comfort and confi- dence derived from being at your home with your friends. Butthe outside world is still able to eye The power of the porch to your latest harem pants, eyelash- let these fads out seems to be tinting job, laptop stickers and somewhat specific to the Univer- smoothie blend made of Farmers sity because many other college Market kale and beets. I mean, towns do not have such a high #YOLO, right? #GBGH? "It tastes population of students living great, I promise!" in homes, and most Ann Arbor Hammocks, lawn chairs, residences represent a historic, roofs, towels and the steps are farmhouse architectural style all superb locations for flaunting that includes porches. The porch purposes. If you desire passers- is a torch that lights the way to by hear the sunny electronic trendiness. Do you see what I did indie-pop magic that is "Closer there? I rhymed. It's not trendy, Than This" by St. Lucia, there's don't do it. no better settingthan street-side Send out positive thoughts to share your taste. If you've got for those whose income depends a Cabo-induced tan to share with upon agriculture, but then con- the world before it's faded by the tinue to soak in that unexpected classroom, your sorority house Vitamin D and the ability to rooftop or lawn is superlative. If transport ourselves via bikes, you care to share your hula-hoop-. skateboards and rollerblades. ing/cigarette smoking multitask- Beyond that, revel in your flip- ing skills, then your co-op's porch flops, naturally highlighted hair is idyllic, and porch/front-lawn experience, Conclusion: The porch which all facilitate your self- front-lawn Space truly works as expression like a oss. a trendy outlet for all cultures within college campuses. And Smith-Eppsteiner is rocking I've forgotten to mention that it is the porch recliner. To rock it too, also the perfect place for students e-mail julialixs umich.edu. THE NEW LINE CHINESE CUISINE (Gar en SPECIALIZING IN HONG KONG, TAIWANESE, ' SZECHUAN & HUNAN STYLES 734-995-1786 116 S. MAIN STREET (BETWEEN W. HURON AND WASHTENAW) ' DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR WWW.KAIGARDEN.COM -.5D - U A 2 gymmixes art, fitness Sparrow Gym makes the workout personal, dynamic By CHLOE STACHOWIAK Daily Music Editor Most people don't go to the gym for the decorations. They don't shell out money to be sur- rounded by the turquoise, glassy glow of aquariums or to hoist dumbbells into the air next to mint-green walls and the black- and-white photos that adorn them. A gym's interior is noth- ing more than the backdrop to its members' workouts - unless, of course, those bicep curls and squat thrusts are taking place inside the colorful walls of Spar- row Gym. For members here, the gym isn't simply a place to pump iron, but a place to feel inspired. It's a haven where art, person- ality and a love of fitness come together in a single space. Tucked away in the corner of Sparrow Market, it's clear that this Kerrytown gym is going to stand out from others the moment you walk past the meat counter and onto its creaky hardwood floors. Tom Petty and Beyoncd hits blast from the speakers. Movie and music post- ers stare down at equipment from boldly colored walls. Even the unconventional floor plan begs for a double-take - a junc- tion of small, equipment-lined rooms hidden from the view of the entrance. It's not your typi- cal, overly sterile gym. There isn't a single advertisement for protein supplements hanging onthe wall, and rows of identical cardio and weight machines are nowhere to be found. But for Josh John- son, the gym's founder and main trainer, the offbeat fitness center is exactly how it should be. "You see alot of places look the same when you go to the gym," he said. "It can be intimidating and overwhelming when people see a bunch of equipment. I wanted to create an atmosphere where peo- ple wanted to walk in every day." The gym is striking on an aes- thetic level - bright hues wash each wall and clusters of photos cover nearly every inch - but the purpose behind Sparrow's deco- rations isn't just paint-deep. "I think the art is something that makes people not think about what they're doing," he said. "If you're doing an exercise and you think it sucks, and you look over and see a picture of Marilyn Monroe doing the bench press, you probably won't think Sparrow Gym was founded six years ago and is located in Kerryotwn's Sparrow Market. about that exercise. Instead, you'll just think it's an amazing photo. You're' kind of making people forget about where they are." Opened by Johnson and Spar- row Market owner Bob Sparrow, the Sparrow Gym has only been in operation for six years, but it has already made a name for itself as a business and quasi-art showcase. It houses pictures of everything from Muhammad Ali to the University Hospital stairs, and has a membership at nearly full capacity to boot. It's a color- ful success storyfor such a young fitness center, especially since it was born out of an idea the two had when they were working out together. "I was just getting out of grad school, and I was looking for a job in some kind of financial position," Johnson said. "I had been working out since I was 17, but it was something I never saw myself doing professionally in the future. But helping people feel good about themselves - that's what made me think doing this would actually be an option." Transforming the gym space - and his customers' experi- ences there - didn't stop when Johnson first designed the gym, though. He is constantly updat- ing the gym's interior, with paint jobs occurring almost monthly along with frequent changes in pictures and wall art. While the endless makeovers might pose a tedious challenge for some, John- son's interest in art and photog- raphy keeps the design process as fresh as the end product. Some of the pictures hanging are given to him by clients, but the rest are taken and printed by the trainer himself. a workout for you thatday," Kant- "I try to snap a picture when- ers said. "He recognizes if you're ever I'm working out outside in a show or notfeeling that great. and a shot really stands out," he He pushes, he always pushes, but said. "I like to throw people off you're comfortable with him." by hanging something beautiful For Johnson, maintaining this and artistic that still has a fitness level of personalization means edge. I want to show them beauti- creating specific workout plans ful places in Ann Arbor that they for more than 140 people per didn't even know existed and day. He and the other trainers encourage them to get out and also keep in constant touch with aboutto see them." their trainees, even if that means This attentiveness to the atmo- picking up the phone and sending sphere doesn't go unnoticed by messages directly. Johnson's clients. For School of "The communication here is Music, Theatre & Dance senior awesome," Golliday said. "You Melissa Golliday and junior Zoe might get a text message from a Kanters, these artistic touches trainer that says, 'Hey, are you keep their workouts from becom- working today?' or, if you haven't ing monotonous while still feel- been to the gym in a while, ing relaxed. 'Where are you?' That's a huge "It's a great environment," motivator." Kanters said. "He definitely cre- It isn't easyto keep this level of ates a space where you can make connection between trainers and it your own." clients. Johnson is no stranger to , Added Golliday: "He lets 15-hour workdays, shifts spent everyone put a splash of color on bustling about Sparrow while the wall if they want to, and that's offering friendly words and really somethingthat appealed to detailed exercise instructions to me when I saw people I knew on the members training there. He his wall." also requires newcomers to get "I was like, 'Oh, ok, this is a referrals from friends who are good, safe place to be where I'm members before they're admit- going to feel comfortable.'" ted, a way for him to maintain the Still, it's the personalization , atmosphere in the gym. It's a lot of the workouts themselves that of fuss for a man who also trains really stands out to Sparrow cus- Olympic swimmers on the side, tomers. Unlike traditional gyms, but when you factor in the sense which can force clients to fend for of community and personal com- themselves in a dizzying array of fort his efforts create for clients, fitness equipment, the trainers maybe the fuss is worth it. at the Sparrow offer each per- "We're artists, and Josh knows son their own workout plan. This that," Kanters said. "We need custom list of exercises is often workouts that cater to our breath, created on the spot, based on that cater to our flexibility and members' specific fitness levels, stamina. They're really good goals or even moods when they at understanding what people walk through the door. need, and that's what makes the "Josh is reallygood at creating Sparrow Gym so unique." Josh Johnson, a co-founder and the head trainer, infuses the facility with his passion for photography to keep the clients' minds off their workout. 0 Applications are now being accepted for the Undergraduate Program in Philosophy, Politics & Economics PPE Deadline is March 30, Visit wwwdsaumiehedu/pp for morc informati n )mL i ..., =*; ';; 0 :41