Mast Americans know about the film and television exploits of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The two of them have been pleasing audiences for over a combined sixty years. But, the two are making waves together as the co-owners of Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC.
Wrexham plays in the National League in English Football, which is the first league out of the what is called the Football League. The Football League contains the top four leagues of the English pyramid, the Premier League, The Championship, League One, and League Two. All the teams in the Football League are truly professional clubs, and most importantly, the money made by the top clubs in the Premier League like Manchester City, Arsenal, etc., trickles down to all the clubs in those three lower leagues. This financial lifeblood is crucial for the survival of these smaller clubs, who often have small fan bases and limited revenue streams. And, when teams are relegated out of League 2 into “Non-League Football” into the National League, or a lower league, the financial strain often leaves teams with only two options; sell all of their players worth anything, or disband. So, for clubs like Wrexham, getting promoted back into the Football League, whether by finishing first in the National League table or winning the six-team playoff among teams that finish 2nd-7th, is everything.
Wrexham, which is the subject of a popular FX docuseries called Welcome to Wrexham that has introduced millions of Americans to the club, has had a dream season so far. They missed out on promotion in tragic fashion last year, losing the playoff final in Extra Time. But Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who bought the club for around $2 million last year, committed to putting in place the pieces that would get the club back into the Football League.
And, Wrexham had a marvelous season. They set the single-season record for points in the table with two games to go. But, league rival Notts County is also in the midst of a historic season, so Wrexham needed a win in their penultimate match Saturday to clinch promotion to the Football League with one match to spare.
But, things didn’t start out well, as opponent Boreham Wood scored in the first minute of the match to go up 1-0, sending a wave of nervousness over the Wrexham fans at their home ground, the Racecourse Ground, as well as Reynolds, McElhenney, and their guest Paul Rudd in the owners’ box.
Boreham Wood take the lead inside the first minute against Wrexham
This wasn’t in the Hollywood script
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— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 22, 2023
But, Wrexham equalized before halftime, and scored two more in the 2nd half to clinch the biggest win in club history.
WREXHAM GO LEVEL
Elliot Lee heads home the equalizer to make it 1-1. Scriptwriters were just toying with us?
pic.twitter.com/bAVVH2MRrs
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 22, 2023
Elliot Lee heads home the equalizer to make it 1-1. Scriptwriters were just toying with us? 
GOAL | Wrexham 2-1 Boreham Wood | Paul Mullinpic.twitter.com/Cjxr6zof2f
— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 22, 2023
PAUL MULLIN AGAIN!
Another ferocious hit, this time with his left across goal. 28yo seems fueled by crackling energy in packed Racecourse Ground. Wrexham now minutes from winning National League title and returning to English Football League.pic.twitter.com/PgF3BmJ1AS
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 22, 2023
Wrexham will play in League 2 next year for the first time since since 2007-2008. And, fans were quite enjoying a truly magical set of circumstances.
The moment Wrexham were officially promoted to the Football League! pic.twitter.com/c9AQqrhWFG
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 22, 2023
The moment Wrexham were officially promoted to the Football League!
THAT'S IT!
WREXHAM ARE CHAMPIONS!
WE'RE BACK IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE AFTER 15 LONG YEARS!
THIS IS FOR THE DIEHARDS, THE NEW FANS, THOSE FANS NO LONGER WITH US.
THIS IS FOR THE TOWN, FOR NORTH WALES, FOR THE LOVE OF A CLUB THAT REFUSED TO GIVE UP! #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/dmGlsJ7Auk
— Fearless In Devotion – Wrexham AFC pod & fanzine (@fearlessidzine) April 22, 2023
It even brought a tear to the eye of Rob McElhenney.
Rob McElhenney was in tears watching Wrexham secure promotion and win their first league title in 45 years
pic.twitter.com/SPrwvKggEm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 22, 2023
And, with strong financial backing, alongside a growing fan base in America, they will have plenty of resources to compete in League 2. Who knows, maybe they will find themselves in the Premier League soon.
Unfortunately, many gym-goers, with all their sweating, coughing, selfie-taking and loud talking, break basic etiquette rules on the regular. Not everyone is aware of how to behave in such establishments, and, unfortunately, they become “that person” and annoy folks hoping to make the most of their gym membership. Some fitness experts who see these sins committed almost daily offer their thoughts on what the transgressions are exactly, and how to remedy them.
Related: 24 Fitness Myths to Debunk for Your Next Workout
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Skimpy tank tops, Daisy Dukes, or baggy clothing can result in unfortunate fashion hazards. “Rule of thumb is this: If you wouldn’t wear it to the grocery store, do not wear it to the gym. Remember the angles we are at on benches. So men, be very aware if you are wearing shorter shorts that you have on something underneath. And ladies, just be sure that you have on enough gear that fits you properly,” said Jeff Howard, a trainer at Baptist Health’s Milestone Wellness Center in Kentucky. “I have been in a gym before where someone’s been on a treadmill, and they actually lost their pants as they were walking and were unaware of it.”
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Many newcomers don’t know where to start, and often show up at the gym in need of guidance. “Do your own research,” advises Mike Neumann, owner of Fit Body U, a gym in Bourbonnais, Illinois. “Know what kind of equipment you will have access to, Google workout routines. YouTube any exercises you don’t know. If you know what you are supposed to do once you get to the gym, you won’t be totally lost and confused.”
Related: 12 Fitness Tips You Should Know Before Even Breaking a Sweat
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If you’re not feeling well, consider this: Gyms are far from clean — sweat left on equipment can host bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If you’re already sick, this combination could make it worse. Just stay home. “The gym is a very easy place to pick up others’ germs. It’s inconsiderate to the other members, and this is how people get sick,” advises Mikey Weiss, a fitness coach in Indiana who runs themindmatterlifestyle.com.
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Tripping over someone’s belongings can be hazardous, or at the very least, annoying. “I always dislike it when someone has a gym bag they carry with them and it winds up coughing up everywhere,” said Allison Fahrenbach, a nutrition and health coach, and owner of AFS Training in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “For example, they have their shaker on a bench, their weight belt on the floor, their wrist straps on a rack, etc.”
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Return weights to their rack and don’t leave plates on the machine. “If you can lift the weight during your set, you can put it away once you are done,” said Peter Fitschen of Wisconsin, owner of FITbody and Physique. “Respect the weights and equipment, and respect everyone around you, clean up after yourself.”
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Occupying more than one piece of equipment at a time during your super-setting routine leaves others either thinking equipment is free when it’s not, or leaves them waiting for you to get done. Even leaving your towel on a station doesn’t mean you own it. “Never be gone from a piece of equipment longer than a minute. Take breaks in between exercises, not in between sets,” Neumann said.
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Always bring a towel and wipe equipment down once you’re done. Oh, and “wash your hands in the bathroom. The number of people who deep clean every machine before and after yet never wash their hands is insane,” said Katie Wilson, owner at Katie Wilson Fitness. Fitschen added, “At the very least, wash your gym clothes and wipe down anything you sweat on.”
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Though occasional grunting or yelling while lifting heavy weight may be acceptable in some hardcore gyms, many patrons at more commercial fitness centers frown on such behavior. “More often than not, it’s entertaining because you know it’s actually coming more out of a place of insecurity than ego. But when a single person’s volume, aggressive pacing, abuse of equipment, and clapping is disrupting the focus of an entire gym? Nope!” Wilson said.
Related: The Biggest Exercise Mistakes You Can Make After Age 50
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A certain amount of sweat and smell can be expected after a vigorous workout, but it’s the steps you take before getting to the gym that’s important. “Hygiene should be a priority at all times. Wear deodorant, and if you sweat profusely, wipe the machines down,” Weiss said.
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Working out with a friend can be helpful, but it can also be distracting for others to focus if you’re talking loudly or sitting on a machine and not using it. Also, don’t initiate conversation with someone while they are performing a set or who clearly is focused only on their training. “If someone has earphones on or they have earpods in, that basically means they don’t want to train or talk with you,” Howard said. Fitschen added, “If you are talking to someone, be sure you stay out of the way of others who are still getting their workouts in.”
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Basic common courtesy and respect of personal space should be the priorities. “Don’t take selfies with someone changing nearby or take loud personal speakerphone calls,” Wilson said. “And please stop leaving your garbage and hair in the bathroom sinks.”
Also, spare others from having to witness your private parts flopping about. “For God’s sakes, man, put a towel on,” Weiss offers.
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Though taking an occasional selfie while working out is a good way to track your progress, random poses on the gym floor can be distracting. Consider limiting them to the change rooms and be considerate of others by not getting in their way. “If you need to take a call, step outside, go to the gym entrance or find a corner of the gym that is seldom used,” Fitschen added.
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Weiss thinks it best to help others only when they request it. “People can indeed get offended. I’ve learned that you can’t help everyone,” he said.
Howard told Louisville’s WHAS-TV, “We don’t want to go up to people and help them out because we don’t know what they are doing, but a personal trainer in the facility could do it. But a lot of times, they are wanting their own space. Don’t be a jerk.”
Unfortunately, not everyone can take no for an answer, and in that case, “Just nod your head and say, ‘Thank you.’ You don’t have to use their advice, but let them believe you learned something,” Neumann said.
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Whether you’re a longtime gym-goer or new to the scene, you may be unaware of the proper behavior in such a setting. It really comes down to common sense. “Everybody’s there for the same reason — all working for self-improvement,” Fahrenbach says. “Gym etiquette is just old-fashioned respect. Respect for the equipment, others, and yourself in the gym.”
SolStock/istockphotoThe post Ryan Reynolds’ And Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham FC Promoted To Football League As Pandemonium ensues. appeared first on BroBible.