What bothers you at the gym?

BAMA66

I hate when I'm finished working out and sitting on the bench to change clothes and a naked guy wants to stand there and talk to you. That's always uncomfortable

DizzieLittleLifter

wow that guy sounds like an asshat! Hope he gets diarrhea! I haven't ever had a bad experience at my gym. The worst thing at my gym is a group of boys that lift (poorly! ). They think I can't hear them when I'm on the dreadmill with my headphones in. Talking about their chicks and saying nasty and I mean NASTY stuff about them and the occasional comment about my *kitten*. I just ignore them :laugh: boys!

remembertheharddrive

-when other members don't re-rack their weights
-when someone leaves a towel or their waterbottle on a bench like its table, but never actually uses it in the course of their lifting, but still blocks the people who need it (i.e. ME) from accessing it

SkateboardFi

I hate when I'm finished working out and sitting on the bench to change clothes and a naked guy wants to stand there and talk to you. That's always uncomfortable

HA!

writtenINthestars

So I was at the gym this morning. I started off with C25K and then headed to circuit training. I'm sure most of us know what circuit training is, but if you don't, it's basically a few workout machines (certain weight machines, certain cardio machines) to give you a full body workout in less time. You move around from station to station according to the timer posted at your gym.

Well, when I went to circuit training, I got on one of the machines and began to lift. There was a man across from me on a bike (about 30 years old, average fitness from what I could see), doing his part of the circuit training. When the timer beeped and we were supposed to switch, I moved on, but the guy didn't. I thought "Alright, he's just doing one extra round on the bike before switching. Whatever." But then it was time to switch again, and he didn't move, just kept going and going on his bike.

Figuring he was new or something (hey, we were all new at once- there was a time when I didn't know what the circuit was, haha), I decided to approach him and explain to him. I said, "Sir, this is circuit training. That light over there flashes, and then we get on, when it flashes again after 45 seconds, we switch machines. We're not supposed to stay on one machine the whole time."
All he said was, "I know."
Then I said, "Well, sir, could you please start switching machines? I'd like to use the bike so I can finish my circuit training properly.
And then he told me, "I can use this d*mn bike however I'd like! You think you know what you're doing, fat b*itch?"

I just sort of stared at him for awhile like "Did he really say that?"
And then I ignored him- when the time for the bike came, I ran up and down the staires (thank God the circuit training is located right next to the stairs!).

But man, some things/people at the gym really irk me?

Have you had any experiences like that?

I didn't even read the whole thread but please please please tell me you went to an employee about this?!:explode:

nokittyno

My biggest biggest pet peeve at the gym are guys and girls who wear the wrong shoes!!! Seriously wear proper sneakers... why are you wearing toms or vans- and no they don't look like sneakers. This girl last week was wearing boat shoes to a circuits class (the person who runs this class is intense) they were struggling as they were new (i struggled that badly too) but what made it worse was they had the wrong shoes-

It depends on the workout though. I wear something similar to Vans, but just a generic Flat Sole shoe I bought from a Factory outlet for 20 bucks. Are they good for walking or running? Helllll no, but for lifting they give me a feel for the ground I .am on, and keeping my body flush when I am doing strength training.

I use to just use runners for everything, but come to learn doing say - Squats with a raised and "air-y" shoe is just, unsafe, and you're unbalances and the sweat making the liners squishy is a disaster waiting to happen. Luckily, I have Powerrack so if I fail I have safety catches and vertical bars to aid me.

Now I am not sure what.. boat shoes are.. haha. I wouldn't wear crocks, maybe Vibrams, but as stated if you drop a weight, they ain't gonna save your toes.

I think certain shoes have a purpose, and barefoot even! I would sometimes go barefoot in my home gym, but the dropping a weight issue was to common, so I opted in for my flat soles.

busywaterbending

Mfpfriend: your story is horrible. Next time tell him to move his ugly *kitten*, you're tired of looking at it.

My pet peeve at a gym is people who have really bad BO or shoe odor. I mean really bad, like guy just had $*x in his skivies and didn't change, or dude next to you has athlete's foot. And they know it.

hewhoiscd

The main Gym I go to has separate areas for different types of working out. Free weights in one room, another room full of cardio stuff, etc. They even have different types of music in each area, lol. Also, every Gym I have ever been in has a sign clearly stating the policies, including being respectful, and they are serious about it. Tell the manager.

If someone is taking long breaks between sets, there is often a legitimate reason for that. If they are going for hardcore strength training (as opposed to toning up), that's pretty much what you have to do. Ask them if you can work your sets in between on their breaks. I've never had issues with that.

My pet peeve? People doing bicep curls in the squat rack.

busywaterbending

Glad to heat that jack-off won't be harassing you or your fellow gym mates again. It's not even about gym etiquette, it's being a decent human being.

I don't go to a gym, but I like to go jogging at the nearby HS track at night. Last Thursday, there were no less than 3 people walking the track with their little yappy dogs unleashed. Now mind you, there are plenty of parks in the area. What if the dog has to go? Are you going to let them go on the track? Or the soccer field in the middle of the track? That's just rude!

Sometimes I work out in my garage, door open, and people run by. One woman always would run by with her unleashed dog, who would come INTO my garage and chase my cat. After the second time I would literally kick the dog out of my garage. No pain or hurt intended, just protecting my cat and sending a message to that woman jogger. She stopped running by my house after the third dog kicking incident.

busywaterbending

My biggest biggest pet peeve at the gym are guys and girls who wear the wrong shoes!!! Seriously wear proper sneakers... why are you wearing toms or vans- and no they don't look like sneakers. This girl last week ... ACTUALLY TOOK THE SHOES OFF! and looked like hse was sun bathing. then proceeds to finish her burpees, etc barefoot.

hey, flat shoes with tons of cushioning, (skate sneakers/ tennis sneakers) are actually better for you. They keep your feet flat on the ground for better balance, and your ankles strong. Plus, streatching out and jumping barefoot/socked helps you push off and roll through your foot, acheiving stronger and more flexible feet. You should try it sometime, unless you need the mega cushioning of running shoes or support for weak feet/ankles.

Take it from a skater/surfer/dancer/yoga girl and strengthen your feet! Please don't knock us in the know about flat shoes.

hazelnutflav

i guess im one of the lucky ones at my gym folks always wipe off the machines,people dont hog the free weights, those who raise the tradmill and hold on are forgiven and told to be careful, managers are always around so if there is a problem the will address it, i have not complaints about it.


HOWEVER, the thing that gets my blood to boil is when men try to talk to me while im working out, i hate that, i did not come here to talk to you i came burn abt 500+ fat cells and have no time for you, dont you see i have my music on and yes im ignoring you, go away please

JoceyyySmall

My biggest biggest pet peeve at the gym are guys and girls who wear the wrong shoes!!! Seriously wear proper sneakers... why are you wearing toms or vans- and no they don't look like sneakers. This girl last week ... ACTUALLY TOOK THE SHOES OFF! and looked like hse was sun bathing. then proceeds to finish her burpees, etc barefoot.

hey, flat shoes with tons of cushioning, (skate sneakers/ tennis sneakers) are actually better for you. They keep your feet flat on the ground for better balance, and your ankles strong. Plus, streatching out and jumping barefoot/socked helps you push off and roll through your foot, acheiving stronger and more flexible feet. You should try it sometime, unless you need the mega cushioning of running shoes or support for weak feet/ankles.

Take it from a skater/surfer/dancer/yoga girl and strengthen your feet! Please don't knock us in the know about flat shoes.

I'm not knocking skaters or anything necessarily about those shoes I actually own toms and vans etc and did skating back in high school. Please, don't read this as a knock to sports or other activities that need a flat shoe. I understand there are times its needed. Its just at the gym. I understand the foot to the ground thing when lifting weights as another person said. Its when it's running in a shoe like Sperry's(boat shoe) that bug me (which is what my example at the time stemmed from) because the girl was clearly in pain from the shoes as she was rubbing her feet, etc.

I personally right now need a supportive shoe as I had plantar faciitis a couple months ago. Running barefoot sounds cool and I know people do it.

JoceyyySmall

HOWEVER, the thing that gets my blood to boil is when men try to talk to me while im working out, i hate that, i did not come here to talk to you i came burn abt 500+ fat cells and have no time for you, dont you see i have my music on and yes im ignoring you, go away please

I talk with people(or my friend) when I'm doing weights and stuff. Or passing by, but when I'm on the treadmill or elliptical I am like this.

k1229

Wow, way out of line. At the very LEAST, he deserves to be banned from your gym.

TBH reading a lot of the comments here bothers me. Does it really matter what someone else is wearing? How someone else is working out? Unless its directly affecting you and your workout, just look the other way and keep doing what you're doing. Everyone likes to do their own things and what works for them. No one deserves to get judged for it.

\

^exactly. i don't care what anyone wears, if they're grunting, whether or not they have make-up on or whatever because it doesn't make a difference to what i'm trying to do. sometimes i go to the gym after work and i have make-up on because i spent an 8 hour shift at the front desk of a hotel, does that mean i'm out of line? i wear short shorts to the gym at times, am i affecting anyone's workout? a lot of this stuff is so vain lol.

^^ The wearing make up thing couldnt bother me less - im in the office all day - go to the gym straight from work - im not washing it off - ima sweat it off! But its the girls that come in super dolled up just for the gym - like just save ur money and put it on later...like a full on heavy makeup - eyeliner and shadow bronzer and lippy with fake lashes...like thats just a waste!

I work out with my face on - but its my "been on all day" face. not my "just for the gym face". lol. its not that it really affects my work out in any way shape or form, i think its probably my own insecurities...but im big enough to admit that. lol. x

k1229

I hate when I'm finished working out and sitting on the bench to change clothes and a naked guy wants to stand there and talk to you. That's always uncomfortable

hahahaah - chance would be a fine thing in my gym! lol

SkateboardFi

Wow, way out of line. At the very LEAST, he deserves to be banned from your gym.

TBH reading a lot of the comments here bothers me. Does it really matter what someone else is wearing? How someone else is working out? Unless its directly affecting you and your workout, just look the other way and keep doing what you're doing. Everyone likes to do their own things and what works for them. No one deserves to get judged for it.

\

^exactly. i don't care what anyone wears, if they're grunting, whether or not they have make-up on or whatever because it doesn't make a difference to what i'm trying to do. sometimes i go to the gym after work and i have make-up on because i spent an 8 hour shift at the front desk of a hotel, does that mean i'm out of line? i wear short shorts to the gym at times, am i affecting anyone's workout? a lot of this stuff is so vain lol.

^^ The wearing make up thing couldnt bother me less - im in the office all day - go to the gym straight from work - im not washing it off - ima sweat it off! But its the girls that come in super dolled up just for the gym - like just save ur money and put it on later...like a full on heavy makeup - eyeliner and shadow bronzer and lippy with fake lashes...like thats just a waste!

I work out with my face on - but its my "been on all day" face. not my "just for the gym face". lol. its not that it really affects my work out in any way shape or form, i think its probably my own insecurities...but im big enough to admit that. lol. x

LOL i got ya...lol @ work out with my face on..you and i both sister. lol

jillwaller

I think my biggest pet peeve at the gym is when it's not crowded AT ALL (I usually go at odd hours so I avoid the early-morning and after-work rush hours) and I'm on the treadmill or elliptical, doing my thing. And suddenly, someone comes up on the machine right next to me when there's probably 8 other open ones. But no big deal, right? Usually I don't care- But I ALWAYS get that person who has to obsessively sneak peeks at how many calories I'm burning so he/she can act like they're working harder than me. I thought the gym was a pretty personal and individual thing! I didn't realize it was a competition with strangers!

fawnkay0ne

My husband saw a girl working out in heels... yeah... heels. That is annoying.

SO many girls "work out" at my gym in full on make-up, hair, push-up bra, jewelry, etc. One girl even wears fake eyelashes while she "works out".

RubyHearts

I go to a very small gym where there are only four treadmills. What bothers me is when people save a treadmill for someone who isn't even there yet. Fine if you have to save it then that person should be arriving in atleast five minutes. Today some lady put a towel over a empty treadmill and was basically saving it for her friend. Her friend didn't come until 25 minutes later. I was so pissed i probably should of said something but didn't : /

RubyHearts

omg that happens to me all the time. granted there are only four treadmills at my gym. but i'll be at the one on the very end and sometimes the rest are free. But some random person always picks the one right next to me. It just bothers me because if i can help it i never go on a machine next to someone.

I think my biggest pet peeve at the gym is when it's not crowded AT ALL (I usually go at odd hours so I avoid the early-morning and after-work rush hours) and I'm on the treadmill or elliptical, doing my thing. And suddenly, someone comes up on the machine right next to me when there's probably 8 other open ones. But no big deal, right? Usually I don't care- But I ALWAYS get that person who has to obsessively sneak peeks at how many calories I'm burning so he/she can act like they're working harder than me. I thought the gym was a pretty personal and individual thing! I didn't realize it was a competition with strangers!

Merricles

I think my biggest pet peeve at the gym is when it's not crowded AT ALL (I usually go at odd hours so I avoid the early-morning and after-work rush hours) and I'm on the treadmill or elliptical, doing my thing. And suddenly, someone comes up on the machine right next to me when there's probably 8 other open ones. But no big deal, right? Usually I don't care- But I ALWAYS get that person who has to obsessively sneak peeks at how many calories I'm burning so he/she can act like they're working harder than me. I thought the gym was a pretty personal and individual thing! I didn't realize it was a competition with strangers!

I so agree here. It happens all the time at my gym. Try putting your towel over the display, this will greatly reduce the chance of this happening. However, I have had people walk up and MOVE MY TOWEL to see my display. How very rude.

maria1113

So I was at the gym this morning. I started off with C25K and then headed to circuit training.

Then I said, "Well, sir, could you please start switching machines? I'd like to use the bike so I can finish my circuit training properly.
And then he told me, "I can use this d*mn bike however I'd like! You think you know what you're doing, fat b*itch?"

I just sort of stared at him for awhile like "Did he really say that?"

That dude needs some serious manners. Especially if your gym has a set circuit like that. One thing that gets me at the gym though, is people WALKING on the treadmil. I mean really, you can walk around the gym, or the building. You don't have to take up all the machines for walking.

I actually walk on treadmill occasionally since I can't run (broke my leg few years back, no more running for me on hard surfaces). I wouldn't do it if there was people waiting to use it, but it's free almost all the time.

kgb6days

Mine seems pretty petty, but I hate it when women brings their kids into the adults only locker room Come on people - go to the family locker room!

hewhoiscd

I so agree here. It happens all the time at my gym. Try putting your towel over the display, this will greatly reduce the chance of this happening. However, I have had people walk up and MOVE MY TOWEL to see my display. How very rude.

Wow! That would have been quite a confrontation if that happened to me. Personally, I could care less if people know what I am burning or not. But, if I did care, and I took steps to protect that info, someone moving my towel in obvious disregard for my wishes would be cause for a scene.

Kohadre

Wow! That would have been quite a confrontation if that happened to me. Personally, I could care less if people know what I am burning or not.

Same here, it actually provides me some "workout-entertainment" watching them over-exert themselves trying to match my pace and burn on the same type of machine I am using, and then get burned out and leave the gym after only doing 10 minutes while I am pushing 40 on mine.

fionarama

that is so awful, you should have complained about the guy to the staff there. No one has a right to abuse either the other members.

mikeyrp

Glad to hear you reported it and this (insert swear words of your choice) is now banned.

I love my Gym - people are really friendly - there is a big mix of ability there and there are a few competitive body builders (including the owner) who do sometime 'hog' a machine or station - unless they know you are waiting - in which case they will share so you can complete your set or - better yet - give really good advice on alternate exercises to work the same muscle groups: This is actually better than doing the same thing every week and means you learn to do the exercise in the best technical way (less chance of injury etc).

I don't care how glammed up or shabbily dressed people are. I don't care if people are there to socialise or to work there *kitten* off... The only thing that would bother me would be the kind of rudeness you've described - and I've been lucky to never have witnessed anything like this.

One thing that does bug me is people using bad technique - especially on the rowing machines or the pull downs. I know that this can lead to a serious injury and I always want to say something, but I'm never sure if that would be seen as rude or helpful. Fortunately the staff tend to pick up on people doing things really badly and help them out (that included me on one occasion),

I am guilty of looking over peoples shoulders when I work out next to someone I'm just competitive by nature... Actually made a few friend this way - it gets you talking and you congratulate each other after a good work out. Probably is rude though. the only person who really hate it is my wife LOL.

lilRicki

oh yeah the perfume wearers...there's always a huge fan next to the cardio machines...and for some reason I get the smelly lady standing infront of the fan, blowing her $10 avon perfume and sweat onto me...why wear perfume? you aren't on a hot date! But generally my gym is awsome, minus the buttwad sitting on the bench while I'm trying to do calisthenics (ahem thkelly...lol just kidding)...my gym is good, it's huge, the beef cakes stay in their back corner, the tight little girls are no where to be found, we're all there for a reason. And it's a cheap membership!

and yes lady, you're a better woman than me, I would have dropped some serious f-bombs at the insulting prick

lilRicki

yeah as for the clothes and make-up, I just keep my head down and refuse to make direct eye contact...I LIKE the fact that I don't know anyone at my gym, so I don't have to stop and chit chat, or smile stupidly while I'm sweating bombs. And even if I do know someone, I ignore them, completely. I have no time to check people out or critique their gym routine..the most i do is check out women to see what kind of body I'm working for lol

mikeyrp

yeah as for the clothes and make-up, I just keep my head down and refuse to make direct eye contact...I LIKE the fact that I don't know anyone at my gym, so I don't have to stop and chit chat, or smile stupidly while I'm sweating bombs. And even if I do know someone, I ignore them, completely. I have no time to check people out or critique their gym routine..the most i do is check out women to see what kind of body I'm working for lol

I started off this way - but I want exercise to be part of my life - same as my job: I look forward to going in, working hard, seeing my friends and coming out feeling like I've achieved something.

i love my running club for this especially - I actually look forward to seeing my friends as much as I do the running