Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do. 
Walt Disney

Here’s how people see gyms/workout spaces:

1. Monotonous 
2. Boring 
3. Lonely 
4. Primarily for vanity for goals such as fat loss and to look more muscular


On the other hand, sports with similar repetitive patterns such as forehand, backhand, front drive, fast bowling, spin, smash, shuffle etc are seen as :

1. Dynamic 
2. Entertaining 
3. Community driven 
4. Requires skill
5. Functional to improve quality of life


This perception is arbitrary and misplaced. I would argue strength training is more reliable and a far more predictable way to build skill and improve quality of life. Here is how we drive home this perspective:

1. Emphasis that lifting weights is to improve quality of life. Vanity, muscle and sport come later. Strength is the most reliable and predictable way to improve quality of life. 
2. No exercise is sacrosanct. Any exercise can be scaled, tweaked, dispensed with or altered to suit you. 
3. Every session has a win. Could be your first pull up or your first time hanging for 15 seconds or even your first weighted squat. Even the smallest wins deserve attention and celebration. 
4. Community means everything. I know this is important. Some of Madras’s more enduring fitness projects such as The Quad, Strength System and Madras Barbell thrive on shared values and shared goals. Needless to say Movement inc is on the list too :D
5. Emphasis technique, mindful execution and the skill of training. Even when clients chase things like calories burnt, sweating during exercise or soreness after workouts, unapologetically emphasize skill and how useful an adaptation is.
6. Training intensity is important. Just as important is being able to share a good laugh on the training floor. You can train hard and keep things light between bouts of exercise.