Local Man Starts Taking Workouts Seriously After Turning Hat Backward

By Clay Beyersdorfer

ST. LOUIS (AP) — In a moment that gym-goers are calling equal parts inspiring and baffling, Derek Patterson, 27, made a bold statement at FitLife Gym on Monday by flipping his baseball cap backward—a move he says signifies his commitment to finally taking his workouts seriously.

“It was like he became a completely different person,” said Ryan Calloway, a fellow gym regular. “One minute, he’s scrolling TikTok on the bench press. The next, he flips his hat, grunts louder than anyone asked for, and starts benching like he’s in a Rocky montage.”

Patterson, who had been a sporadic gym-goer for months, admitted his workouts had previously been more about appearances than effort. 

“I’d come in, take a couple of mirror selfies, maybe do a set or two of curls, and call it a day,” Patterson said. “But something clicked when I turned my hat around. It’s not just a hat—it’s a symbol of dedication.”

Others at the gym also took notice. Sophie Martin, who was stretching nearby, said the transformation was immediate. 

“It’s like he flipped his hat and turned into a guy who thinks he’s the main character in a gym movie,” she said. “He even started saying things like, ‘No pain, no gain,’ unironically.” 

Fitness experts, however, remain unconvinced. 

“Turning your hat backward is more about aesthetics than performance,” said Dr. Helen Porter, a sports psychologist at Washington University in St. Louis. “It’s the fitness equivalent of playing air guitar.”

FitLife employees noted that less-than-welcome side effects accompanied Patterson’s new intensity. 

“He started grunting and screaming so loud people thought we were in an active hostage situation,” said Jake Ramirez, a trainer at the gym. “And for a moment, it kind of felt like we all were.”

Patterson shrugged off the criticism, claiming his new approach is inspiring others. 

“I’ve seen at least three other guys flip their hats backward since I started doing it,” he said. “It’s a movement. I’m thinking about investing in some fingerless gloves, too.”

While the jury’s out on whether Patterson’s commitment will last, gym-goers are bracing for more theatrics. “If he starts yelling ‘Let’s go!’ after every set, I’m canceling my membership,” Martin said.

End of the Bench will have more on this story after we turn our hats backward.

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