Singing at the gym?

SarahMorganP

I'm just wondering how anyone can sing while working out? I am so out of breath that I might be able to get 2 words in the sentence out. LOL I have never heard anyone singing at the gym because I have my own music on pretty loud. :happy:

OnMyWeigh464

Wow! Who would have guessed so many people had an opinion about this? Personally, I was raised to feel its a little inconsiderate to treat public spaces like you would your car, living room, or shower, but that's just me. I DON'T hate on those people, as I'm sure none of us do, but I do find it a little odd and, like I've said, inconsiderate. Would everyone here think it right or normal of me to recite poetry while in line at the grocery store, or to rehearse one-acts in a mumbly-under-my-breath tone at the library, or any other similar example. Again, no big deal, but I feel like the only people defending the behavior are the ones who engage in it.

^^This

I do agree with this. I'm not about to belt out my songs while working out but it's just not something that I'm gonna get myself worked up about if someone else does it.

TheWinman

Music is what gets me going at the gym and I mouth along the words and maybe sometimes forget and may sing out aloud. I look at it that they are motivated and working out and it would not bother me. imo

I think the size of the gym matters also. If it's a small gym and not much other noise then yes it could be annoying. I go to a very large gym and there is lots of noise.

Then again, people talk and have conversations while working out, talk on the phone etc. so singing is really no different. I don't think they are blaring it out.

Also, talking on the cell phone at the gym... not okay. It's just basic gym etiquette.

I don't talk on the cellphone while at the gym, but only because I want to get away from the phone for that time period. I certainly could care less if someone else is talking on theirs, as long it's not on speaker. Again, I workout at a large health club and may feel different if I used a small gym

spa9177

It doesn't bother me if someone wants to sing their hearts out! I love to sing!

saragato

I'll mouth the words if I'm really in to the song, but I learned at age 10 when I would sing ABBA songs with my headphones on when I went on long car rides, if you can't hear yourself you will sound tonedeaf. (and yes a 90s child liked ABBA)

I have heard others hum, others under their breath try to sing along or just do the "la la la" thing, but nothing beats yesterday. There's a group of older gentlemen that always come in early in the morning, work out, and then sit in the "break" area to read the paper and talk. Apparently yesterday a country musician died and one brought a portable boombox, plugged it in, and all 7 men began to sing loudly along with the already loud music. Went on for like an hour, my saving grace was I have earphones that fit so snugly in my ears that even with no music I barely hear anything but my own breathing. I don't know why they weren't told to shut it off aside from the fact none of it had bad language, which is a no-no at my gym. It was basically inconsiderate.

saragato

Music is what gets me going at the gym and I mouth along the words and maybe sometimes forget and may sing out aloud. I look at it that they are motivated and working out and it would not bother me. imo

I think the size of the gym matters also. If it's a small gym and not much other noise then yes it could be annoying. I go to a very large gym and there is lots of noise.

Then again, people talk and have conversations while working out, talk on the phone etc. so singing is really no different. I don't think they are blaring it out.

Also, talking on the cell phone at the gym... not okay. It's just basic gym etiquette.

I don't talk on the cellphone while at the gym, but only because I want to get away from the phone for that time period. I certainly could care less if someone else is talking on theirs, as long it's not on speaker. Again, I workout at a large health club and may feel different if I used a small gym

It also depends on the gym's policy with them. Cellphones are not allowed in the strength/cardio area or the weight area though there's a loophole if you have music on your phone or have an app that gives you your workout. The thing with cellphone conversations in a gym, large or small, is the person is having to be loud to be heard over equipment, TVs, others talking, etc and it can be grating. What bothers me more is texting in the gym. It happens a lot in the cardio area since stuff like the stairmaster and bikes and treadmills are hands-free and so if you're not listening to your own music you constantly hear the message alert sound.

TheWinman

I'll mouth the words if I'm really in to the song, but I learned at age 10 when I would sing ABBA songs with my headphones on when I went on long car rides, if you can't hear yourself you will sound tonedeaf. (and yes a 90s child liked ABBA)

I have heard others hum, others under their breath try to sing along or just do the "la la la" thing, but nothing beats yesterday. There's a group of older gentlemen that always come in early in the morning, work out, and then sit in the "break" area to read the paper and talk. Apparently yesterday a country musician died and one brought a portable boombox, plugged it in, and all 7 men began to sing loudly along with the already loud music. Went on for like an hour, my saving grace was I have earphones that fit so snugly in my ears that even with no music I barely hear anything but my own breathing. I don't know why they weren't told to shut it off aside from the fact none of it had bad language, which is a no-no at my gym. It was basically inconsiderate.

Wow, I cant believe those guys did that. Yeah, that was inconsiderate. IMO

ChrisStoney

I go to a pretty small gym and most people only listen to headphones when they are doing cardio, then if you have enough wind to sing, go for it!

I would like to comment about the gym's where people all wear headphones and kind of act like toddlers at the playgound... in thier own world. I personally don't like it, I have met many interesting people at my gym and occasionally shooting the **** with them was not devastating to my work- out, or spotting for someone did not ruin my day. I wonder if people wear the headphones because they are afraid to talk to other people? Maybe they have nothing interesting to say? This has allways turned me off about some of the bigger gyms. Especially when you go about the same time everyday, it is nice to connect to some people, am I wrong about this?

TheWinman

Good points about having too talk much louder to talk over the noise of the machines. Texting hasn't bothered me since i dont hear the incoming text tones in my gym. I don't even know how they text while working out. I see some of the younger adults/teens cranking away on the eliptical at hyper speed and texting at the same time. Lol

Music is what gets me going at the gym and I mouth along the words and maybe sometimes forget and may sing out aloud. I look at it that they are motivated and working out and it would not bother me. imo

I think the size of the gym matters also. If it's a small gym and not much other noise then yes it could be annoying. I go to a very large gym and there is lots of noise.

Then again, people talk and have conversations while working out, talk on the phone etc. so singing is really no different. I don't think they are blaring it out.

Also, talking on the cell phone at the gym... not okay. It's just basic gym etiquette.

I don't talk on the cellphone while at the gym, but only because I want to get away from the phone for that time period. I certainly could care less if someone else is talking on theirs, as long it's not on speaker. Again, I workout at a large health club and may feel different if I used a small gym

It also depends on the gym's policy with them. Cellphones are not allowed in the strength/cardio area or the weight area though there's a loophole if you have music on your phone or have an app that gives you your workout. The thing with cellphone conversations in a gym, large or small, is the person is having to be loud to be heard over equipment, TVs, others talking, etc and it can be grating. What bothers me more is texting in the gym. It happens a lot in the cardio area since stuff like the stairmaster and bikes and treadmills are hands-free and so if you're not listening to your own music you constantly hear the message alert sound.

ChristinaBarnhouse

If I'm running on the treadmill and I'm close to the end of my workout I'm usually mouthing the words to whatever it is that I'm listening to because it forces me to concentrate on the song instead of on how tired I am. If anyone is singing outloud I probably wouldn't be able to hear it anyways since I blast my music.

LOL... I do the exact same thing!! No shame in that!

saragato

I go to a pretty small gym and most people only listen to headphones when they are doing cardio, then if you have enough wind to sing, go for it!

I would like to comment about the gym's where people all wear headphones and kind of act like toddlers at the playgound... in thier own world. I personally don't like it, I have met many interesting people at my gym and occasionally shooting the **** with them was not devastating to my work- out, or spotting for someone did not ruin my day. I wonder if people wear the headphones because they are afraid to talk to other people? Maybe they have nothing interesting to say? This has allways turned me off about some of the bigger gyms. Especially when you go about the same time everyday, it is nice to connect to some people, am I wrong about this?

The people at the gym I go to usually wear headphones only in the cardio area to "get in the zone", myself included. Makes 30 minutes of being on a machine go by faster. But at the strengthening machines and in the weight room, people are always having a conversation, friend or stranger. I keep my member card on a lanyard around my neck and one day struck up a conversation with an older gentleman who liked the design and wanted to know where I got it. I've also joined in with conversations in the weight room. Now, that being said I'm not a social person and the more fit members intimidate me so I do like my time to myself as far as headphones go. And some people do that. They tune out everything, get what they're there for done, and leave. I always assume they're the ones on tight schedules.

sidhe31

Perhaps my gym etiquette is a bit old fashioned, but none of the gyms I work out in would tolerate singing. Mobile phones are banned as well. Even music is a rarity, mostly limited to the treadmills and exercise bikes. Basic consideration for others in the gym says that noise should be kept to a minimum. If you need music to work out to, fine, but keep it at a level that is appropriate so that it does't bother others who choose to keep their ears free from headphones.

ChrisStoney

I go to a pretty small gym and most people only listen to headphones when they are doing cardio, then if you have enough wind to sing, go for it!

I would like to comment about the gym's where people all wear headphones and kind of act like toddlers at the playgound... in thier own world. I personally don't like it, I have met many interesting people at my gym and occasionally shooting the **** with them was not devastating to my work- out, or spotting for someone did not ruin my day. I wonder if people wear the headphones because they are afraid to talk to other people? Maybe they have nothing interesting to say? This has allways turned me off about some of the bigger gyms. Especially when you go about the same time everyday, it is nice to connect to some people, am I wrong about this?

The people at the gym I go to usually wear headphones only in the cardio area to "get in the zone", myself included. Makes 30 minutes of being on a machine go by faster. But at the strengthening machines and in the weight room, people are always having a conversation, friend or stranger. I keep my member card on a lanyard around my neck and one day struck up a conversation with an older gentleman who liked the design and wanted to know where I got it. I've also joined in with conversations in the weight room. Now, that being said I'm not a social person and the more fit members intimidate me so I do like my time to myself as far as headphones go. And some people do that. They tune out everything, get what they're there for done, and leave. I always assume they're the ones on tight schedules.

That's a good atmosphere! It is good to be validated by other people and people who exercise are kind of a 'special' group. You will probably stick to it longer if you feel like a part of gym, rather than going to the gym. Almost everyone listens to music doing cardio, I usually do that and watch 'The Chew' on TV.....

kellybean14

Perhaps my gym etiquette is a bit old fashioned, but none of the gyms I work out in would tolerate singing. Mobile phones are banned as well. Even music is a rarity, mostly limited to the treadmills and exercise bikes. Basic consideration for others in the gym says that noise should be kept to a minimum. If you need music to work out to, fine, but keep it at a level that is appropriate so that it does't bother others who choose to keep their ears free from headphones.

I always thought I was born in the wrong decade...

tabulator32

I'll tell you what I do when people at the office or the gym go off like they are auditioning for "The Voice," I simply start belting out "We all live in a yellow submarine" at the top of my lungs and all the off-key crooners that think they are so special tend to shut up.

:ohwell:

Like sidhe31, I don't feel I should be obligated to wear headphones just to block out annoying people in my immediate environment.

ericgAU

Another point worth mentioning is that if you can sing while on a cardio machine you probably aint exercising properly anyway. Just saying....