Gym Etiquette..what to do, if anything, when a sick person works out beside you..
MSH2930
Posts: 161 Member
More times than I care to recall, when I go to Planet Fitness, someone hacking and coughing all over the place (and never covering their mouth, no less) has to pop on the treadmill beside me..,? There must be 40-50 treadmills in that place and I ALWAYS get stuck with some sick person beside me..Even if I go late at night like 11:00pm and all the treadmills are open, I get someone hacking on the treadmill beside me...ugghhh...:/ Or if I am on an elliptical, someone sick will jump on a treadmill or bicycle behind me..WHY...????? 
With cold and flu season in full swing, it makes me cringe, all the more. I have thnought about jumping off the treadmill and moving to another one, but would that be rude..? Yeah, I know it is kind of rude of them to hack all over the place, but..at the same time people are so overly sensitive....Plus I hate "losing" my info, like calories burned, distance, etc..and starting over on another machine...
Am I being a big baby..? I guess maybe because I had an illness years ago that made me more susceptible to things, I am a little overly paranoid..
I guess it is maybe one of those things either put up or shut up..?
Guess maybe I am mainly venting..although maybe someone else suffers this same 'attraction' and can relate...:/
With cold and flu season in full swing, it makes me cringe, all the more. I have thnought about jumping off the treadmill and moving to another one, but would that be rude..? Yeah, I know it is kind of rude of them to hack all over the place, but..at the same time people are so overly sensitive....Plus I hate "losing" my info, like calories burned, distance, etc..and starting over on another machine...
Am I being a big baby..? I guess maybe because I had an illness years ago that made me more susceptible to things, I am a little overly paranoid..
I guess it is maybe one of those things either put up or shut up..?
Guess maybe I am mainly venting..although maybe someone else suffers this same 'attraction' and can relate...:/
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Replies
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Stop and move, that's about all you can do.
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Every time I get sick, I'm never able to recall some obvious time of exposure. Also, I have exercise-induced coughing fits myself and I'm not actually sick, so there's that. I'd say don't worry about it, but if you decide to tell people to wear masks or something, I'd love to hear the responses you get.0
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I would feel the same, I find things like that so irritating, especially in a place you are trying to improve your health - the last thing you need is to catch a bug! That person should also be resting. I would probably just move haha0
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I tell them to go home because they are rude and spreading their germs.0
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Espressocycle wrote: »Every time I get sick, I'm never able to recall some obvious time of exposure. Also, I have exercise-induced coughing fits myself and I'm not actually sick, so there's that. I'd say don't worry about it, but if you decide to tell people to wear masks or something, I'd love to hear the responses you get.
Haha, that is what I kind of tell myself..that they are (hopefully) not contagious..;)
I guess maybe moving is not a bad idea..0 -
You have 4 possible options.
1.) Confront the person with words. "I'm sorry, can you please move to another treadmill? I don't want to get sick".
2.) Be passive agressive and turn around often giving them a disgusted look. Make sure to go "UGH, seriously?" under your breath for maximum effort.
3.) Move to another machine. (why not also give them the disgusted look at this point just because?)
4.) Complain to management at the gym that they are sick and spreading germs to everyone.0 -
erialcelyob wrote: »I would feel the same, I find things like that so irritating, especially in a place you are trying to improve your health - the last thing you need is to catch a bug! That person should also be resting. I would probably just move haha
Totally agree! But I do know, and I've been there before, that some coughs just linger and linger, or it might just be allergies, hard to say!! But I just don't get why anyone wants to pick a piece of equipment right next to someone when there are 40+ other ones available, but that might just be me and my personal space talking.
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erialcelyob wrote: »I would feel the same, I find things like that so irritating, especially in a place you are trying to improve your health - the last thing you need is to catch a bug! That person should also be resting. I would probably just move haha
Totally agree! But I do know, and I've been there before, that some coughs just linger and linger, or it might just be allergies, hard to say!! But I just don't get why anyone wants to pick a piece of equipment right next to someone when there are 40+ other ones available, but that might just be me and my personal space talking.
it's obviously because they want to race you.
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rainbowbow wrote: »You have 4 possible options.
1.) Confront the person with words. "I'm sorry, can you please move to another treadmill? I don't want to get sick".
2.) Be passive agressive and turn around often giving them a disgusted look. Make sure to go "UGH, seriously?" under your breath for maximum effort.
3.) Move to another machine. (why not also give them the disgusted look at this point just because?)
4.) Complain to management at the gym that they are sick and spreading germs to everyone.
Option 5 is to just move without any of that passive aggressive stuff.
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thankyou4thevenom wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »You have 4 possible options.
1.) Confront the person with words. "I'm sorry, can you please move to another treadmill? I don't want to get sick".
2.) Be passive agressive and turn around often giving them a disgusted look. Make sure to go "UGH, seriously?" under your breath for maximum effort.
3.) Move to another machine. (why not also give them the disgusted look at this point just because?)
4.) Complain to management at the gym that they are sick and spreading germs to everyone.
Option 5 is to just move without any of that passive aggressive stuff.
yeah. that was number three. I'm just saying, might as well make it obvious why you're moving.
It's inconsiderate and disgusting to be hacking your germs all over the place, especially right next to someone.0 -
Get sick on purpose so you can return twice as strong0
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erialcelyob wrote: »I would feel the same, I find things like that so irritating, especially in a place you are trying to improve your health - the last thing you need is to catch a bug! That person should also be resting. I would probably just move haha
Totally agree! But I do know, and I've been there before, that some coughs just linger and linger, or it might just be allergies, hard to say!! But I just don't get why anyone wants to pick a piece of equipment right next to someone when there are 40+ other ones available, but that might just be me and my personal space talking.
Same. I try to keep at least one machine away from people. I am not sure why other than we do it for everything else in life, why not exercise equipment.0 -
I also cough sometimes when I am exercising.
It happened just yesterday during Zumba.
When my throat gets dry I get a sudden tickle that makes me start coughing, once it starts its hard to get it to stop.
I try really hard to not let it happen at the gym...because I don't want anyone to stare me down and say, "Really!", and then move to another machine.
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I cough due to mild asthma when I exercise. If someone is coughing a ton, enough to make me notice, then I ask if they are alright. Otherwise I carry on with my workout. I wash my hands and arms after a workout and try not to touch my face until after I shower. I figure if they have enough energy to work out then they probably are past the contagious part of their illness or it's allergy/asthma related and not contagious. If it super bothers you then move machines quietly.0
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I would move. Who cares about their feelings. Getting sick is not worth worrying about them.0
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oh the horror of public places!0
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Common sense is just not so common anymore ..I would move to another machine , steal one of those out of order signs and put them on the machines next to you? and then Id go to the gym's facebook page if they have one and complain !! Its so bad people should know better but sadly they dont 0
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So many great points and thoughts on this!! Thanks all!!
I think if it happens again I will just move quietly to another machine.
It very well could be just an allergy or just a tickle, as I mentioned in one of my posts, but it also might be something brewing or something contagious. Personally I do not get why someone would choose to pick a piece of equipment right next to a stranger when there are 40+ other of the same machines available, but who knows!! It might be perfectly innocent, but sadly not everyone uses common sense or common courtesy anymore.0 -
I would move to another piece of equipment, and wipe it down before using it. A lot of people have to work when they're sick. It's not surprising that there is a general disregard for contagion.
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I also cough sometimes when I am exercising.
It happened just yesterday during Zumba.
When my throat gets dry I get a sudden tickle that makes me start coughing, once it starts its hard to get it to stop.
I try really hard to not let it happen at the gym...because I don't want anyone to stare me down and say, "Really!", and then move to another machine.
This was exactly what I was thinking. I tend to cough and hack a lot when I exercise. I honestly think of someone is sick enough, they'll stay home.0 -
The possibility of being sick is one thing. The not covering the mouth is another thing. And why when there are 40+ treadmills pop on one beside a total stranger..? Just makes for a very uncomfortable situation. Yes I realize some people have to go to work even when they are sick, and that is a different story. But why buddy up next to someone when there is ton of free space and especially if you are sick..?
Oh well. I will just move. And if they do it again I will be equally rude and flat out tell them I moved because I prefer my own space (which is why I tend to go late at night in the first place).
Like I said, I know it might just be a tickle, but I am very susceptible to illnesses.
Better safe than sorry!!
Thanks. 0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »thankyou4thevenom wrote: »rainbowbow wrote: »You have 4 possible options.
1.) Confront the person with words. "I'm sorry, can you please move to another treadmill? I don't want to get sick".
2.) Be passive agressive and turn around often giving them a disgusted look. Make sure to go "UGH, seriously?" under your breath for maximum effort.
3.) Move to another machine. (why not also give them the disgusted look at this point just because?)
4.) Complain to management at the gym that they are sick and spreading germs to everyone.
Option 5 is to just move without any of that passive aggressive stuff.
yeah. that was number three. I'm just saying, might as well make it obvious why you're moving.
It's inconsiderate and disgusting to be hacking your germs all over the place, especially right next to someone.
The also (why not give them a disgusted look just because) would cast doubt on that.0 -
Where do you all go to the gym? I don't think I've ever had an obviously sick person get on a machine next to me at the gym. If I were worried about it I'd switch machines. Nothing said, no dirty looks, nothing.
The only time I respond to others who are sick is when I'm in an eating establishment - and then my preferred response (if I only had the nerve to do it) would be to tell off the boss for not giving his employees paid sick leave, so they can afford to stay home and get better.0 -
glimmersilver wrote: »Where do you all go to the gym? I don't think I've ever had an obviously sick person get on a machine next to me at the gym. If I were worried about it I'd switch machines. Nothing said, no dirty looks, nothing.
The only time I respond to others who are sick is when I'm in an eating establishment - and then my preferred response (if I only had the nerve to do it) would be to tell off the boss for not giving his employees paid sick leave, so they can afford to stay home and get better.
Excellent post!! ITA!!!
I've been going to Planet Fitness and once I reach my goal and/or my membership expires, I think I am done. It is not so much because of the gym itself, I actually enjoy it and I think it is great for those of us who are just wanting to get and/or stay fit, but it is clear I am more comfortable working out at home.0 -
I'd stop, wipe my machine, go get a drink, then start again on another treadmill. No eye contact, no dirty looks, no comments, just a casual move.0
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Don't lick the equipment. Eat a balanced, varied diet with a moderate deficit to give your immune system as much support as you can.0
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More times than I care to recall, when I go to Planet Fitness, someone hacking and coughing all over the place (and never covering their mouth, no less) has to pop on the treadmill beside me..,? There must be 40-50 treadmills in that place and I ALWAYS get stuck with some sick person beside me..Even if I go late at night like 11:00pm and all the treadmills are open, I get someone hacking on the treadmill beside me...ugghhh...:/ Or if I am on an elliptical, someone sick will jump on a treadmill or bicycle behind me..WHY...?????
With cold and flu season in full swing, it makes me cringe, all the more. I have thnought about jumping off the treadmill and moving to another one, but would that be rude..? Yeah, I know it is kind of rude of them to hack all over the place, but..at the same time people are so overly sensitive....Plus I hate "losing" my info, like calories burned, distance, etc..and starting over on another machine...
Am I being a big baby..? I guess maybe because I had an illness years ago that made me more susceptible to things, I am a little overly paranoid..
I guess it is maybe one of those things either put up or shut up..?
Guess maybe I am mainly venting..although maybe someone else suffers this same 'attraction' and can relate...:/
I'm not playing devils advocate, but they may not always be sick if they're coughing and sniffling.
I'd never had asthma or hayfever a day of my life, but when I started running? Oh geez. I sniff and cough up mucous and everything like I'm a hayfever expert (I now take antihistamines the nights before I run, but they only help so much). My doctor says it's because my body is not used to all the extra oxygen intake and increased VO2max, and with that comes extra pollens and dust that. So if it's happening to you in the cardio area and not in the weights section, it may be why.
Then again, whenever there's a thread on here about 'should I exercise when I'm sick?' most forum-goers say if it's from the neck up they should, and if it's the neck down they shouldn't, so we're all to blame if they actually go and spread their germy love.0 -
Yes, I am a germaphobe so if someone is coughing that much at the gym, I'm moving! However, I cough pretty much every day due to asthma and allergies which are worse for me at this time of year and really bad in the mornings. While I am not coughing up a lung or anything when I am at the gym, I can certainly see how one could be bothered by it. If my coughing was awful, I couldn't work out anyways without it bothering me so I would just stay home. I don't see many sick people, that I know of, at the gym though. I am more disgusted my the buckets of sweat that pour off the guy that always gets on the treadmill next to me! Blech........0
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