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Gym etiquette
Replies
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Since I'm a smaller female, it isn't realistic to work-in on free weights for me. But if I ask them to let me know when they are done and tell them where I will be, they are all over finding me. Not to mention helping me load my weights.
To be honest, I'm quite happy for a "smaller female" or anyone else to work in. I'll just strip the bar down. Its not hard work or annoying but I understand that people, and maybe especially women, aren't always comfortable about a strength disparity or may feel like they're being judged or causing a nuisance. I hope that doesn't sound patronising. I'm not a built guy by any means.
Just to chime in, as another small female, the main thing for me is height. There aren't a lot of other lifters in my gym who are 5'3", so it's not only unloading the bar, it's also adjusting the rack height for squat or bench. Which isn't intimidating, but it is a pain in the *kitten*. Honestly, if a guy is only going to be another ten minutes, I'd rather just wait. I'll usually just ask how many sets they have left and tell them not to hurry on my account.3 -
i have to know . . . i've never even seen the inside of a men's locker room, but has anyone ever asked one of those proverbial older guys if they can 'work in' on the hand dryer? or asked how many sets they have left?
idk, maybe the old-guy-drying-his-balls is an urban myth. but if it isn't then i might pay to see such an exchange.1 -
Notthe gym, but that reminded me, when I was 18 and a (vwry youn looking) Freshman in college, some nasty old guy in one of my classes was constantly askung me and another woman to cut his hair and beard for him, and go to his house to cook him pizzas. It turned out he also lived close enough to me to see me walk to work. I did not walk after thatcanadianlbs wrote: »i have to know . . . i've never even seen the inside of a men's locker room, but has anyone ever asked one of those proverbial older guys if they can 'work in' on the hand dryer? or asked how many sets they have left?
idk, maybe the old-guy-drying-his-balls is an urban myth. but if it isn't then i might pay to see such an exchange.
The worst part is that it was a childrens , class. We traveled to schools to perform. We were always skeeved out about him being with us there.1 -
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
I guess I'm a bad gym-goer, but I do this and I didn't realize it bothered people! Can anyone explain why this could be annoying? As a female I have a tendency to try to choose machines nearest to other females to comfort myself and my anxiety around unknown males.
For me personally I try to give people space & I like my own space. To me it would be like sitting in an empty waiting room and then someone else comes in and sits right next to me. I would wonder why they are next to me when there is plenty of space.1 -
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
I guess I'm a bad gym-goer, but I do this and I didn't realize it bothered people! Can anyone explain why this could be annoying? As a female I have a tendency to try to choose machines nearest to other females to comfort myself and my anxiety around unknown males.
For me personally I try to give people space & I like my own space. To me it would be like sitting in an empty waiting room and then someone else comes in and sits right next to me. I would wonder why they are next to me when there is plenty of space.
Yep, like sitting next to someone on bus when you two and the driver are the only ones on it.2 -
Packerjohn wrote: »If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
I guess I'm a bad gym-goer, but I do this and I didn't realize it bothered people! Can anyone explain why this could be annoying? As a female I have a tendency to try to choose machines nearest to other females to comfort myself and my anxiety around unknown males.
For me personally I try to give people space & I like my own space. To me it would be like sitting in an empty waiting room and then someone else comes in and sits right next to me. I would wonder why they are next to me when there is plenty of space.
Yep, like sitting next to someone on bus when you two and the driver are the only ones on it.
I think its just hardwired into ppl-safety in numbers from our tribe days.0 -
I don't think this topic has been brought up yet re gym etiquette; spotting.
If someone asks you to spot them and then proceeds to explain what exactly they want and you agree to how they want you to spot them, please FOLLOW those instructions to the letter.
In my case, i explain that I'd like help unracking the bar so that I don't lose tightness in my upper back and after that, no help at all unless I ask for it. Even if the speed of the bar slows down, don't touch it, unless I tell you I need help. I will grind out the weight. The guy agreed and then as soon as he helps me unrack the bar, his fingers and hands are all over the bar, touching, conmng down with me, still touching the bar, then back up, still touching the bar, whilst all the time saying "it's all you". And all I want to do is shout "IF IT'S ALL ME THEN STOP TOUCHING THE *kitten* BAR"3 -
I don't think this topic has been brought up yet re gym etiquette; spotting.
If someone asks you to spot them and then proceeds to explain what exactly they want and you agree to how they want you to spot them, please FOLLOW those instructions to the letter.
In my case, i explain that I'd like help unracking the bar so that I don't lose tightness in my upper back and after that, no help at all unless I ask for it. Even if the speed of the bar slows down, don't touch it, unless I tell you I need help. I will grind out the weight. The guy agreed and then as soon as he helps me unrack the bar, his fingers and hands are all over the bar, touching, conmng down with me, still touching the bar, then back up, still touching the bar, whilst all the time saying "it's all you". And all I want to do is shout "IF IT'S ALL ME THEN STOP TOUCHING THE *kitten* BAR"
This is why I only ask people I trust to spot me. Not everyone knows how to do it, they just think they do0 -
I don't think this topic has been brought up yet re gym etiquette; spotting.
If someone asks you to spot them and then proceeds to explain what exactly they want and you agree to how they want you to spot them, please FOLLOW those instructions to the letter.
In my case, i explain that I'd like help unracking the bar so that I don't lose tightness in my upper back and after that, no help at all unless I ask for it. Even if the speed of the bar slows down, don't touch it, unless I tell you I need help. I will grind out the weight. The guy agreed and then as soon as he helps me unrack the bar, his fingers and hands are all over the bar, touching, conmng down with me, still touching the bar, then back up, still touching the bar, whilst all the time saying "it's all you". And all I want to do is shout "IF IT'S ALL ME THEN STOP TOUCHING THE *kitten* BAR"
This is why I only ask people I trust to spot me. Not everyone knows how to do it, they just think they do
Agreed. Its hard to find people you trust unless you both are at the gym at the same time and you know them. Otherwise its trial and error with the emphasis on error.1 -
Ha! This is one of those things that seems to fall under "human condition" regardless the country. When I go to a gym in China, I have seen people sit there on their phones checking social media while the trainer they are paying extra for stands there and waits for them to finish.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
Me? I leave my phone in the locker. Can use my phone in the pool anyway. Though I have see people stop and take a phone out to check while still in the pool.
(when I'm in China, I have even more motive to lock up my phone. Came out after a 10km swim to find more than 9 desperate messages demanding immediate response that turned out not to be so urgent)
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Ha! This is one of those things that seems to fall under "human condition" regardless the country. When I go to a gym in China, I have seen people sit there on their phones checking social media while the trainer they are paying extra for stands there and waits for them to finish.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
Me? I leave my phone in the locker. Can use my phone in the pool anyway. Though I have see people stop and take a phone out to check while still in the pool.
(when I'm in China, I have even more motive to lock up my phone. Came out after a 10km swim to find more than 9 desperate messages demanding immediate response that turned out not to be so urgent)
I haven't seen this is the pool I go to, thank goodness. These are really sad times1 -
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Yes that doesn't surprise me. It's exactly what it is-an addiction. What do they use that score to determine?0 -
I keep my phone with me on an arm band. It keeps track of my sets as I log them, times my recovery time and tells me when to do another, while tracking my progress it tells me to increase or decrease my weight as appropriate, it plays my music. The only time I check it for anything other than the above is, while stretching, check to make sure my gym time is properly logged in with my medical insurance provider so they will pay me my $20 per month after my 12th day of attendance/workout.0
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Packerjohn wrote: »If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
I guess I'm a bad gym-goer, but I do this and I didn't realize it bothered people! Can anyone explain why this could be annoying? As a female I have a tendency to try to choose machines nearest to other females to comfort myself and my anxiety around unknown males.
For me personally I try to give people space & I like my own space. To me it would be like sitting in an empty waiting room and then someone else comes in and sits right next to me. I would wonder why they are next to me when there is plenty of space.
Yep, like sitting next to someone on bus when you two and the driver are the only ones on it.
Exactly like that lol!0 -
If you are doing 30 minute circuit there are two acceptable methods, 1 and go, use each machine, in time, and go to next machine when timer says. Or do 2-3 reps, but still using timer.
Do NOT hog one machine for more than 3 sets , or use the leg machine to do sit ups, or ignore the timer. And if it is busy, ONLY 1 and go is acceptable.
Basically, anytime you are preventing the others doing circuit from completing thier workout in 30 minutes, with every machine, you are being a jerk. ESPECIALLY when there are plenty of other similar machines in other areas!
Yes!! I do a lot of circuit training. Usually needing 2 or 3 machines. If there is no one around then I'll spread my stuff out and bounce back and forth between machines. I would never monopolize a bunch of machines. I'll either change up my routine and just get it all done on one machine before moving on or I find something that's less popular. I tend to hit the gym during off peak times to avoid the crowds. But it drives me insane when people are rude. There were three guys at my gym today, all working together and hogging 4 different machines. Chatting and taking their time. There's a stair stepper (don't know what it's really called, but it's adjustable and attached to a weight rack). They were using it as a table. Everyone in the gym was avoiding it. Well, I needed it so I asked if they minded. They did. I pointed out that it's more than a table and politely moved their water bottles off. They didn't know what to say!1 -
I don't think this topic has been brought up yet re gym etiquette; spotting.
If someone asks you to spot them and then proceeds to explain what exactly they want and you agree to how they want you to spot them, please FOLLOW those instructions to the letter.
In my case, i explain that I'd like help unracking the bar so that I don't lose tightness in my upper back and after that, no help at all unless I ask for it. Even if the speed of the bar slows down, don't touch it, unless I tell you I need help. I will grind out the weight. The guy agreed and then as soon as he helps me unrack the bar, his fingers and hands are all over the bar, touching, conmng down with me, still touching the bar, then back up, still touching the bar, whilst all the time saying "it's all you". And all I want to do is shout "IF IT'S ALL ME THEN STOP TOUCHING THE *kitten* BAR"
This is why I only ask people I trust to spot me. Not everyone knows how to do it, they just think they do
Agreed. Its hard to find people you trust unless you both are at the gym at the same time and you know them. Otherwise its trial and error with the emphasis on error.
If none of the regulars are there, then I'll ask the gym owner, he's always there.0 -
joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...12 -
I don't think this topic has been brought up yet re gym etiquette; spotting.
If someone asks you to spot them and then proceeds to explain what exactly they want and you agree to how they want you to spot them, please FOLLOW those instructions to the letter.
In my case, i explain that I'd like help unracking the bar so that I don't lose tightness in my upper back and after that, no help at all unless I ask for it. Even if the speed of the bar slows down, don't touch it, unless I tell you I need help. I will grind out the weight. The guy agreed and then as soon as he helps me unrack the bar, his fingers and hands are all over the bar, touching, conmng down with me, still touching the bar, then back up, still touching the bar, whilst all the time saying "it's all you". And all I want to do is shout "IF IT'S ALL ME THEN STOP TOUCHING THE *kitten* BAR"
This is why I only ask people I trust to spot me. Not everyone knows how to do it, they just think they do
Agreed. Its hard to find people you trust unless you both are at the gym at the same time and you know them. Otherwise its trial and error with the emphasis on error.
If none of the regulars are there, then I'll ask the gym owner, he's always there.
I go to a franchise gym, the manager doesn't even lift.0 -
joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...
Yeah, I spend zero time being bothered by what other people choose to do at the gym unless it is somehow inhibiting me from meeting my goals or making the gym an unpleasant place to be. If someone wants to lift light weights, they're free to do so. First, I have no idea about their goals, potential restrictions, or history. Second, if they're unhappy with their results (which is really different than *me* being unhappy with their results), they're always free to do some research and change their plan.5 -
I don't think this topic has been brought up yet re gym etiquette; spotting.
If someone asks you to spot them and then proceeds to explain what exactly they want and you agree to how they want you to spot them, please FOLLOW those instructions to the letter.
In my case, i explain that I'd like help unracking the bar so that I don't lose tightness in my upper back and after that, no help at all unless I ask for it. Even if the speed of the bar slows down, don't touch it, unless I tell you I need help. I will grind out the weight. The guy agreed and then as soon as he helps me unrack the bar, his fingers and hands are all over the bar, touching, conmng down with me, still touching the bar, then back up, still touching the bar, whilst all the time saying "it's all you". And all I want to do is shout "IF IT'S ALL ME THEN STOP TOUCHING THE *kitten* BAR"
I was taught in PE that spotting required having hands on, in order to "catch", and that was the whole points of the job. Of course, I haven't done weights SINCE high school PE either.1 -
People say that sort of thing all the time. Personally, I think you have to be tremendously unobservant NOT to notice these things... even if you are focused on your own routine. Being focused doesn't mean turning all power of observation off.joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...
As far as why it bothers some... speaking to various people through the years, I can name a few of the reasons they've voiced. One is that they often take up space or equipment that others gym goers could really use. (I can personally relate to that one!) Also, some people can have a visceral reaction to seeing others poison themselves with tobacco or a steady diet of fattening food. It's not hard to see why these folks would feel similarly (though to a lesser extent) about folks who work out with poor form or little effort.
The point about how some people might have hidden physical disabilities is a valid one. I'd wager that this isn't usually the case, since (based again on my observations through the years) these people are usually the ones who use poor form or treat gym classes like a chatty social club. One can't always know for sure though, as I've also met some who have had back injuries or other limitations.
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People say that sort of thing all the time. Personally, I think you have to be tremendously unobservant NOT to notice these things... even if you are focused on your own routine. Being focused doesn't mean turning all power of observation off.joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...
As far as why it bothers some... speaking to various people through the years, I can name a few of the reasons they've voiced. One is that they often take up space or equipment that others gym goers could really use. (I can personally relate to that one!) Also, some people can have a visceral reaction to seeing others poison themselves with tobacco or a steady diet of fattening food. It's not hard to see why these folks would feel similarly (though to a lesser extent) about folks who work out with poor form or little effort.
The point about how some people might have hidden physical disabilities is a valid one. I'd wager that this isn't usually the case, since (based again on my observations through the years) these people are usually the ones who use poor form or treat gym classes like a chatty social club. One can't always know for sure though, as I've also met some who have had back injuries or other limitations.
If I can't use a piece of equipment because someone else is using it, it's the same impact to me whether they're using it in the most effective way or the least effective way. I can see how some people might feel better when they can't use it if the person who is currently occupying it is using it more effectively, but it doesn't make a difference to me.
Either way, whether I'm the type of person who will feel happier when I approve of their technique/plan or not, it's still a piece of equipment that I can't use.
To my mind, it's like being happier when I can't get a table at my favorite restaurant when I see that someone who does have a table has ordered my favorite dish instead of something that I don't care for as much. Do some people feel this way? I'm sure some people do, but it's not a feeling that I personally get. All I know is that I need to make alternate plans for dinner.1 -
And that's fine, but I totally understand why others would say, "This person isn't even using the equipment right!" or "This person is just playing around. May as well give it up for people who'll actually put in some effort."janejellyroll wrote: »
People say that sort of thing all the time. Personally, I think you have to be tremendously unobservant NOT to notice these things... even if you are focused on your own routine. Being focused doesn't mean turning all power of observation off.joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...
As far as why it bothers some... speaking to various people through the years, I can name a few of the reasons they've voiced. One is that they often take up space or equipment that others gym goers could really use. (I can personally relate to that one!) Also, some people can have a visceral reaction to seeing others poison themselves with tobacco or a steady diet of fattening food. It's not hard to see why these folks would feel similarly (though to a lesser extent) about folks who work out with poor form or little effort.
The point about how some people might have hidden physical disabilities is a valid one. I'd wager that this isn't usually the case, since (based again on my observations through the years) these people are usually the ones who use poor form or treat gym classes like a chatty social club. One can't always know for sure though, as I've also met some who have had back injuries or other limitations.
If I can't use a piece of equipment because someone else is using it, it's the same impact to me whether they're using it in the most effective way or the least effective way. I can see how some people might feel better when they can't use it if the person who is currently occupying it is using it more effectively, but it doesn't make a difference to me.
Heaven knows that I've certainly felt that way in crowded gym classes were people were chatting throughout the workout or barely doing the moves. So I can certainly understand why people would feel similarly about those who are technically "using" the equipment, but barely so.
That's not even remotely analogous, though. There's a huge difference between doing an ineffectual workout and ordering food that doesn't fit another person's personal taste.To my mind, it's like being happier when I can't get a table at my favorite restaurant when I see that someone who does have a table has ordered my favorite dish instead of something that I don't care for as much. Do some people feel this way? I'm sure some people do, but it's not a feeling that I personally get. All I know is that I need to make alternate plans for dinner1 -
And that's fine, but I totally understand why others would say, "This person isn't even using the equipment right!" or "This person is just playing around. May as well give it up for people who'll actually put in some effort."janejellyroll wrote: »
People say that sort of thing all the time. Personally, I think you have to be tremendously unobservant NOT to notice these things... even if you are focused on your own routine. Being focused doesn't mean turning all power of observation off.joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...
As far as why it bothers some... speaking to various people through the years, I can name a few of the reasons they've voiced. One is that they often take up space or equipment that others gym goers could really use. (I can personally relate to that one!) Also, some people can have a visceral reaction to seeing others poison themselves with tobacco or a steady diet of fattening food. It's not hard to see why these folks would feel similarly (though to a lesser extent) about folks who work out with poor form or little effort.
The point about how some people might have hidden physical disabilities is a valid one. I'd wager that this isn't usually the case, since (based again on my observations through the years) these people are usually the ones who use poor form or treat gym classes like a chatty social club. One can't always know for sure though, as I've also met some who have had back injuries or other limitations.
If I can't use a piece of equipment because someone else is using it, it's the same impact to me whether they're using it in the most effective way or the least effective way. I can see how some people might feel better when they can't use it if the person who is currently occupying it is using it more effectively, but it doesn't make a difference to me.
Heaven knows that I've certainly felt that way in crowded gym classes were people were chatting throughout the workout or barely doing the moves. So I can certainly understand why people would feel similarly about those who are technically "using" the equipment, but barely so.
That's not even remotely analogous, though. There's a huge difference between doing an ineffectual workout and ordering food that doesn't fit another person's personal taste.To my mind, it's like being happier when I can't get a table at my favorite restaurant when I see that someone who does have a table has ordered my favorite dish instead of something that I don't care for as much. Do some people feel this way? I'm sure some people do, but it's not a feeling that I personally get. All I know is that I need to make alternate plans for dinner
As I said, I can intellectually understand why someone might feel frustrated -- I just don't feel that way myself.
When I see someone doing a workout that I personally don't see the point of, I don't conclude automatically that it's ineffectual. They may have goals or limitations that I don't quite understand. There have been things I've seen in gyms that I couldn't have explained at the time or would have maybe dismissed and I later find out that the behavior had a purpose (or at least the behavior has a legitimate purpose in other types of plans). Maybe I'm just more hesitant to draw conclusions based on brief observations . . . at least at the gym.
That's why I compare it to food. What someone else is doing in the gym may not be what I'm there to do, but that doesn't mean it isn't serving their purpose.0 -
joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
Why does that bother you so much? It you're focused on what you're doing while at the gym, it shouldn't really concern you what people are doing. I think it's great to see ANYONE in the gym, doing their thing ... even if they aren't working as hard as YOU think they should be...
That comment wasn't made in a vacuum. It was in response to others complaining about guys grunting and dropping weights because they were lifting heavy and exerting themselves.1 -
I think its just hardwired into ppl-safety in numbers from our tribe days.
i'm just anal-retentive. and no, i don't do this specific behaviour because i like all the personal space i can get.
but to me the image instantly takes me to the way i like to stack things neatly when they're just things. fill up the available space in an orderly fashion from back of the cupboard to front. like cans of tomatoes etc.
0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »
When I see someone doing a workout that I personally don't see the point of, I don't conclude automatically that it's ineffectual. They may have goals or limitations that I don't quite understand.
Yes, this. I've been doing a light day at high reps and low weight and I'm like... I wonder if people think I'm just tooling around? How would they know I'm coming off a *kitten* cold or an injury is on its way out and I'm testing the waters... and then that carries over to how I see what other people are up to. You can't possibly know what an individual's plans are for that day just by looking.
As for the "taking up space" comment and using equipment that someone else could be doing better with?
3 -
MelanieCN77 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »
When I see someone doing a workout that I personally don't see the point of, I don't conclude automatically that it's ineffectual. They may have goals or limitations that I don't quite understand.
Yes, this. I've been doing a light day at high reps and low weight and I'm like... I wonder if people think I'm just tooling around? How would they know I'm coming off a *kitten* cold or an injury is on its way out and I'm testing the waters... and then that carries over to how I see what other people are up to. You can't possibly know what an individual's plans are for that day just by looking.
As for the "taking up space" comment and using equipment that someone else could be doing better with?
Reminds me of when someone came up to me when I was squatting in the rack and asked me how many sets I had. When I told him he replied that "some of us want to shift big boy weights". I just told him that he looked like the sort that likes big boys and left it like that.
Needless to say that his form was horrendous but hey, he had a belt so I know he was hardcore
6 -
Was it a harbinger belt?
Hey big boy, get some big boy manners and wait in big boy line.0
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