In a developing story out of a gym in Astoria, NY, 39-year-old Jade Richards is currently taking a break in between dumbbell sets –– a break that began over nine years ago.
“It’s been such a rewarding way to spend my 30s,” Jade told reporters. “I’ve prioritized my rest while also spending more time than ever in the gym! It’s a win-win.”
Jade told reporters that she ignored social pressure about how long a break should be, and instead listened to her body.
“I feel like people often take too little time in between sets, and then their form and endurance suffer,” she explained to reporters. “For me, a decade is roughly enough time to start to feel like I’m ready to start that second set.”
However, Jade did add that other aspects of her life did suffer during her rest in between sets.
“My relationship with my family is definitely more distant now,” she said. “And, god, I can’t even remember the last time I’ve spoken to my friends…”
However, Jade added that “a lot of people drift apart from loved ones in their 30s” and claimed it was “just a part of life.”
While those close to Jade are happy she’s enjoying her fitness journey, they expressed that they do wish they could see her again.
“‘Journey’ is a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?” said Jade’s roommate, Mila. “She did one set of dumbbell curls, like, ever, and then took an almost 10-year break. Sure, she was technically inside a gym for all of those years, but that doesn’t mean she’s been on some sort of journey.”
Jade’s mom, Beth, said she didn’t even realize her daughter liked working out.
“She lives in the gym these days,” Beth told reporters. “Like, she literally lives there. I don’t think she’s left in, what? Maybe 10 years? I support whatever she chooses to do, of course, I just hope to see her again, you know, before I die.”
As of press time, Jade had turned 40 and finally managed to complete her second set of reps. She then declared that it was time for her to “decenter weight lifting” from her life, as she didn’t want to waste her 40s “grinding at the gym” like she did in her 30s.
Reporters agreed that these sentiments were a bit of a stretch.
