Weiner's gym shots raise questions

Posted by Scott Rothschild June 13, 2011 at 9:45 a.m.

News of U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner's photos that he took of himself in the House gym raised a couple of questions in my mind -- "The House has a gym? Why?"

The gymnasium is located beneath the Rayburn House Office Building, according to the website of the Architect of the Capitol.

Here's a description of the building, which was completed in 1965, from the Architect of the Capitol: "The design of the building is a modified H plan with four stories above ground, two basements, and three levels of underground garage space. A white marble facade above a pink granite base covers a concrete and steel frame. One hundred sixty-nine Representatives were accommodated in three-room suites, with modern-for-the-time features such as toilets, kitchens, and built-in file cabinets; nine committees were also moved to this building. Amenities include a cafeteria, first aid room, Library of Congress book station, telephone and telegraph room, recording studio, post office, gymnasium, and facilities for press and television. A subway tunnel with two cars connects the building to the Capitol, and pedestrian tunnels join it to the Longworth Building."

The website doesn't go into why House members need a gym. I guess, there are no private gyms in Washington, D.C. Additionally, why is there a telegraph room? Maybe representatives need to send telegrams to their districts -- "Just scored 10 in pickup game against Republicans. Stop. Great victory. Stop. But we will lose funding for new bridge."

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LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

BABBOY (anonymous) says…

I have no issue with them having a gym.

I work 60 plus hours a week. I had to put a gym in my house or I would miss work outs. You try going to the gym at 9:00 after you been working since 7 and you did not eat lunch.

Representatives work long hours. I would imagine the ones that are powerful or the ones that advance are there all the time from morning to bed time. So, I do not have an issue with a gym for them to take a 45 minute break to do a quick work out I am guessing it is not that much of gym but do not know

or really care
June 13, 2011 at noon
autie (anonymous) says…

Ask sam. maybe it is a core function..you know, take a picture of your junk and send it to some chick you don't really even know....core functions of government.

Seriously, how stupid are these guys anyway? Ruin everything all over a potential something or other that would all be over with in a couple of minutes anyway? dumber than dumb.
June 13, 2011 at 12:13 p.m.
1. RonHolzwarth (Ron Holzwarth) replies…
  
  It's all because of a medical condtion that men can have known as "testosterone poisoning".
  
  Women can have an analogous medical condition called "estrogen poisoning".
  
  Symptoms usually disappear on their own with age.
  June 13, 2011 at 3:02 p.m.
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  suggest removal
coderob (anonymous) says…

Exercise makes you healthy, mentally and physically. That's why members of congress and everyone else need a gym at work.

There are plenty of private gyms in Washington. A Yelp search will show you that. Like BABBOY points out, access is the real problem. Having one gym for members of congress simply gives them an opportunity to mix work and exercise, a real time saver if you ask me.
June 13, 2011 at 12:21 p.m.
tbaker (anonymous) says…

Free gym at tax payer expense? If they let me right-off my gym dues / home gym equipment, then I suppose I wouldn't mind. As it is, this is just more elitist crap. They all need to be un-elected.
June 13, 2011 at 12:31 p.m.
1. none2 (anonymous) replies…
  
  Do we know if it is free? My employer has a gym, but you still have to pay membership to use it. It isn't available just because you work there.
  June 13, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.
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2. thuja (anonymous) replies…
  
  Your avatar looks like Jimmy Page.
  June 16, 2011 at 8:21 p.m.
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consumer1 (anonymous) says…

Coderob, Then why are thre so many fat congress member's??
June 13, 2011 at 12:32 p.m.
1. somedude20 (anonymous) replies…
  
  some work their bodies and some work their mouths. i just hope that these heros of freedom have the best food in the world at their disposal because all of the hard work that they are putting in to make this the bestest country ever must make them ultra hungry.
  god bless you heros of freedom, from the left to the right never forget that you are the true heros. anyone can fire a weapon or die from one but congress/house; you guys are the Freedom Writters. You write checks, we cash em. You start wars, we fight them. The burdens on your shoulders must be heavy
  June 13, 2011 at 1:58 p.m.
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WilburM (anonymous) says…

the House gym is one of the few places on Capitol Hill where partisanship is placed on the backburner. Playing basketball or working out with a bunch of other legislators is one way for them to deal with each other as individuals, not partisan opponents.
June 13, 2011 at 12:49 p.m.
Bunny_Hotcakes (anonymous) says…

I read the headline as "Weiner's gym shorts raise questions."
June 13, 2011 at 1:50 p.m.
redwombat (anonymous) says…

There is also the question of security for a congress person. Can you imagine the kind of detail that would have to take place every time a congress member wanted to use a local, private gym. I am sure the local gyms are more than happy that they don't have to cater to that on a daily basis.
June 13, 2011 at 1:59 p.m.
tolawdjk (anonymous) says…

Why would Weiner use the house gym and not a local 24-hour or whatever?

Think about it. In one location you run the risk of seeing Pelosi in a jog bra. The other, there is the chance of some hotbod 20 yr old.

Personally, I think the house gym is probably 95% of the time you want to be to assure your constituents you are walking the narrow line.
June 13, 2011 at 2:07 p.m.
frankwiles (anonymous) says…

If the comments on ljworld.com are any indication of the level of public discourse, I think a private gym for Members of Congress is worth twice whatever we paid/pay for it. Why? Imagine the time savings alone of having these loons run up to you at the local public gym.
June 13, 2011 at 2:22 p.m.
wxbuggin (Erin Graham) says…

It's not a terribly shocking thing to have a gym there. Plenty of corporate campuses have gyms. Some private organizations even give incentives for participating in exercise programs. It boosts productivity, morale, overall wellness... all=less time away from the office and more engaged while sitting at the desk/in meetings/etc. I have no problem supporting this.
June 14, 2011 at 12:43 a.m.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…

It only costs $20 per month....nice perk.

As for Weiner resigning today, it blows his chance at running for president since he was going to run and Attorney General Eric Holder was his going to be his running mate. It was going to be the Weiner - Holder ticket.
June 16, 2011 at 8:04 p.m.