This is a Thinking Aloud Podcast from the BBC and for more details in our terms of use and much,

much more about thinking aloud. Go to our website at BBC.co.uk. dot UK. You know, I'm beginning to wonder about the value of my twice a week trip to the local gym. See on the plus side I mean I can now lift

small weights above my head and I can cover the best part at half a mile on a be-armed rowing boat.

But these these modest physical advances have to be set against the

psychological pain of actually being there I find that my irritation mount

almost before I've opened my locker I mean why on earth there's that young man next to me spread his clothes over half the bench

and for heaven say why is that elderly man disappearing into the shower with enough cleansing

creams and shampoos and body lotions to fill an average-sized bathroom cabinet.

And why, why is it that I always end up lifting my modest weights next to a man who can't

manage a single lift without grunting like an engorged buffalo.

And why am I waiting and waiting at this water spout while that young woman from the Zumba class

fills up what seems to be a two-gallon water bottle?

My partner, my partner rather misleadingly describes

my fury as advanced gymophobia and recommends that I hire one of the athletic

personal trainers who seem to hang around the place.

They'll give you the confidence you know, they're professionals you see,

they know their way around.

Well it was even while I was toying with the suggestions,

I came across a new research paper.

They'd not only told me about the sort of help that a personal trainer might provide,

but more importantly gave me a real insight into the nature of their employment.

That paper is entitled Neo Villeney in the service sector, the case of hyper flexible and precarious work in fitness centers.

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