Talking on the phone at the gym

Gisel2015

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

I was at my gym today and a girl got on the machine next to me while talking on her cell phone. At first I thought she might be just ending a call but she continued talking for the 25 minutes I had left of my run.

I found it annoying but was hesitant to say something because 1) this is my work gym and, 2) I wasn't sure if this is poor gym etiquette or if I'm just easily annoyed.

So, would I be out of line to say something if this happens again?

I didn't read all the comments to your original posting, but my gym has signs everywhere clarifying that phone conversations are to be conducted in the lobby and not in the workout area. Everybody respects that, and if somebody doesn't I would (and I did) report him or her to the gym monitors.
I am going to the gym to workout not to hear other people personal or business discussions. If their work or personal situation requires them to be connected to the phone all the time, they should workout at home

yourhiddengem

I would be semi annoyed if someone was talking on the phone near me at the gym most likely. However I wouldn't say anything, I would just either move or try to ignore it and hope it's not someone I run into on the phone every day.

Somebody_Loved

WalkingAlong wrote: »

I think it still affects people. If you're say listening to a podcast or audiobook or your treadmill's tv, you shouldn't have to blare the audio to drown out the rude person jabbering away standing next to you. Not everyone likes loud music during their workout, or noise cancelling headphones.

This is it exactly. I don't want to have to blast my music as loud as it will go just to drown out the person next to me.

I get that gyms aren't supposed to be quiet, but there was something about the one-sided phone conversation that was completely distracting for me. Not "I'm going to trip on the treadmill" distracting, but distracting in the sense that it I couldn't zone out the way I usually do with running.

Call me selfish, but I was irritated that my workout wasn't as enjoyable as it normally is. Then again, maybe her workout wouldn't be as enjoyable if she wasn't talking on the phone so who knows. Interesting topic, clearly a lot of differing opinions.

KatieTee83

I'm going to freely admit that this annoys the heck out of me for like, purely high horse reasons, I think. I tend to run with pretty loud music, so generally I can't hear the conversation, but it just feels rude for some reason. Like, we're here to work out, dude. If you wanted to stroll and talk on the phone you could have done that outside. But I fully recognize that that's my own personal opinion and it's not ACTUALLY affecting me that this person is making a different choice than what I believe to be the right choice. So I usually just make sure my music is loud enough to drown it out and then judge them silently in my head. If they're being louder than my music, I'll just move.

But, gym etiquette, people. Because that's sort of the heart of the matter -- people, mostly, are at the gym to get in the zone and do what they came to do. In the same way that it's g-d rude to have a loud cell phone conversation next to someone on the bus or in the elevator, it's just rude to subject everyone in this public place to your private conversation, and that's the end of it. If you don't think that's a rude thing to do, you are the person everyone is annoyed by, for real. That's not curmudgeonly or old-man-ish, that's just common courtesy. It's not possible that you're working hard enough to work up a sweat while also maintaining a lengthy phone call, so take it outside and let everyone else concentrate on their workout.

end rant.

whmscll

I am self employed but do not have the space or the equipment to work out at home. I usually work out after business hours, but even then I will sometimes receive an unexpected call from a client. Am I going to take a call from a client when my livelihood depends on my client relationships? Absolutely. Am I going to try to keep it short? Absolutely. Am I going to pack up my phone, towel, water bottle and leave the workout floor if it seems like it's going to be an extended conversation? Yes. Am I going to do it otherwise and give up my treadmill or spot in the squat rack? No. My gym doesn't have any rules or signs about cell phone usage. It's all about simple common courtesy and being both considerate and tolerant of other people in a shared space.

KatieTee83

mean_and_lean wrote: »

I find it very annoying and not just at the gym. I get there early in the morning -- like 5 a.m. -- and have seen people talking on the phone at that time. What is so important at 5 a.m. that you have to chit chat on the phone? I just noticed a sign where I go that says all cell phone conversations are to be conducted in the lobby which I totally agree with.

f two people are on treadmills next to each other and have a conversation is that going to bother you as well?

Yup. That annoys me as well. If you can talk comfortably while doing your cardio you're not working hard enough. There's a woman who goes to my gym and all she does is talk and she's loud and it's extremely annoying. Not only that but she takes up a treadmill to just stand on while she chit chats.

Word to this.

Packerjohn

mean_and_lean wrote: »

I find it very annoying and not just at the gym. I get there early in the morning -- like 5 a.m. -- and have seen people talking on the phone at that time. What is so important at 5 a.m. that you have to chit chat on the phone? I just noticed a sign where I go that says all cell phone conversations are to be conducted in the lobby which I totally agree with.

f two people are on treadmills next to each other and have a conversation is that going to bother you as well?

Yup. That annoys me as well. If you can talk comfortably while doing your cardio you're not working hard enough. There's a woman who goes to my gym and all she does is talk and she's loud and it's extremely annoying. Not only that but she takes up a treadmill to just stand on while she chit chats.

Im glad my gym restricts phone use but if it is okay people may want to talk on the phone for business or pleasure to people in other time zones where it is a "normal" time.

I work for a multinational company and intentionally go in a bit earlier than some of my coworkers as I need to discuss things with people in Europe

Packerjohn

majigurl wrote: »

I have to agree with everyone here.
Working out is hard, if this is what helps them get threw it who are we to tell them to stop? People only have so much time in a day, so they are multitasking lol
I'd probably like the distraction and I would listen in lol If you are going to talk near me when I'm working out, I'm going to be eavesdropping

If you are working out hard you are not on the phone

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

It would annoy me too. That being said, yesterday I had to answer the phone while at the gym because my son had an ear infection and I expected a call from his school when it was time to give him his medicine. I felt eyes of judgement from the other gym-goers. I had become "that person".

Somebody_Loved

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage wrote: »

It would annoy me too. That being said, yesterday I had to answer the phone while at the gym because my son had an ear infection and I expected a call from his school when it was time to give him his medicine. I felt eyes of judgement from the other gym-goers. I had become "that person".

I bet you didn't talk for 25 minutes and laugh while discussing your weekend plans, though. Taking a call you have to take for a few minutes is completely different and totally understandable.

tulips_and_tea

whmscll wrote: »

I am self employed but do not have the space or the equipment to work out at home. I usually work out after business hours, but even then I will sometimes receive an unexpected call from a client. Am I going to take a call from a client when my livelihood depends on my client relationships? Absolutely. Am I going to try to keep it short? Absolutely. Am I going to pack up my phone, towel, water bottle and leave the workout floor if it seems like it's going to be an extended conversation? Yes. Am I going to do it otherwise and give up my treadmill or spot in the squat rack? No. My gym doesn't have any rules or signs about cell phone usage. It's all about simple common courtesy and being both considerate and tolerant of other people in a shared space.

Good for you! The whole difference is that you are being considerate of others. Lots of cell phone jabberers pay no attention to anyone but themselves. Those are the people that are annoying.

Unknown

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WalkingAlong

Or set up a home gym, or switch to a gym with stricter rules and that enforces them.

It's not neuroticto let rudeness bother you. It's normal. If you think the chatterbox next to you is watching your treadmill console or chatting to annoy you explicitly or something, that's neurotic.

Somebody_Loved

Haha, definitely don't think I'm being watched. That neuroticism generally shows up when I'm running alone outside (damn crime shows).

I'm very lucky to have a gym where I work so I guess I can't complain too much. I'll work on not letting it get to me if it happens again.