PUT THE DAMN PHONE AWAY!!!

12346

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    In my Wellness center our gym policy is that members can't converse on the gym floor on their phones. There are signs posted saying that if they have to talk to someone, to go downstairs and into the main lobby. Haven't had an issue with it.

    What I do have an issue with is people who #$&*ing text, play, stare etc. on their phones while occupying a piece of equipment for 10 minutes to do 3 sets with lackluster effort.
    This is why I have all my clients put their phones on "SILENT".
    Do yourself a favor..............................put the damn thing away for an hour. Your personal life won't change in that hour, but your body can.
    Put it on silent, leave it in your pocket..................................and get to work!!!!

    Rant done.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Is your requirement still acceptable after the tragedy of yesterday?
    Strawman argument. Tragedies like what happened yesterday aren't the norm. I silence my phone, put it in my pocket and if a call comes in, I'm aware and will glance to see if I need to take it at that time.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    again : people just lack common. courtesy these days...see?

    i agree. people like the OP should mind their own business and stop telling everyone what they should be doing.
    I opine. You disagree, then disagree.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • In my Wellness center our gym policy is that members can't converse on the gym floor on their phones. There are signs posted saying that if they have to talk to someone, to go downstairs and into the main lobby. Haven't had an issue with it.

    What I do have an issue with is people who #$&*ing text, play, stare etc. on their phones while occupying a piece of equipment for 10 minutes to do 3 sets with lackluster effort.
    This is why I have all my clients put their phones on "SILENT".
    Do yourself a favor..............................put the damn thing away for an hour. Your personal life won't change in that hour, but your body can.
    Put it on silent, leave it in your pocket..................................and get to work!!!!

    Rant done.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Is your requirement still acceptable after the tragedy of yesterday?

    That is irrelevant. He just doesn't want people to chat away while they are at the gym. My phone is on silent at the gym, but I continually check it inbetween machines, bathroom break, or water break. He is not saying forget the world exists around you, but if you are hogging a machine don't be on your phone talking/texting about your weekend plans or the cute people at the gym.

    It does have relevance as he has all his clients put their phones on silent. I believe he should ask if there would be a reason for them to keep the sounds activated. There are valid reasons to have a phone actively notifying you.

    Okay, but hear me out. If you had a reason to have your phone on anyway (like an emergency), why would you be at the gym anyway? I want to correct myself too, I actually keep mine on vibrate not silent. That way I can feel it and only answer/text it if it is about my kids.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    In my Wellness center our gym policy is that members can't converse on the gym floor on their phones. There are signs posted saying that if they have to talk to someone, to go downstairs and into the main lobby. Haven't had an issue with it.

    What I do have an issue with is people who #$&*ing text, play, stare etc. on their phones while occupying a piece of equipment for 10 minutes to do 3 sets with lackluster effort.
    This is why I have all my clients put their phones on "SILENT".
    Do yourself a favor..............................put the damn thing away for an hour. Your personal life won't change in that hour, but your body can.
    Put it on silent, leave it in your pocket..................................and get to work!!!!

    Rant done.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Is your requirement still acceptable after the tragedy of yesterday?

    That is irrelevant. He just doesn't want people to chat away while they are at the gym. My phone is on silent at the gym, but I continually check it inbetween machines, bathroom break, or water break. He is not saying forget the world exists around you, but if you are hogging a machine don't be on your phone talking/texting about your weekend plans or the cute people at the gym.

    It does have relevance as he has all his clients put their phones on silent. I believe he should ask if there would be a reason for them to keep the sounds activated. There are valid reasons to have a phone actively notifying you.
    Like I stated, a phone on silent doesn't mean it's off. You can still be notified if there's an emergency. <eyeroll>

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    I'll use my cell phone (notepad) to keep track of my workout and I'll answer texts, but I generally will do that after I've completed a station - I agree that station hogs suck!
    Bravo for courtesy!

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    That irks my nerves. One of my biggest pet peeves when eating (one of many; I'm picky about table manners lol) is when people have their cell phones out. My husband and I were out to eat the other day and there was a couple that we assumed were on a date were both on their phones, and hardly said a word to each other. WTF???
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Why on earth would you prevent people from talking ? and then you have a problem with them texting ? They are doing the most boring thing on earth why won't they occupy themselves with something other than the torture they are subjected to. But then they have you to look at, how dare they look at their phone when you are standing right there before them !
    You've obviously picked and chose what you've wanted to read.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • I do text and play music on my phone but only when I'm on a machine that I'm using my legs like treadmill. Weights is a different story
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    IMHO it points to a deeper problem in modern life. We can't focus on one thing for 2 seconds anymore.

    If you're doing something and it's worth doing, then do it. Don't *kitten* around doing something else at the same time!

    This is separate from the courtesy issue, which may or may not be a symptom of modern life..... if you're not using something then why hog it up so others can't use it (the other thread has a great story about a guy hogging three benches, whilst not actually using any of them.....). Now, if you're proud of being selfish or ignorant, fine. That sucks for you, but try not to make things suck for everyone else too! It's bad enough that people feel they have a god-given right to be rude to each other on the internet..... but when douche-baggery is written all over daily life too, it makes Jimmer sad.....

    you are missing the point. we aren't talking about people who are done with the equipment and still sitting on it using their phone. we are talking about if you are between sets and decide to take your phone out for a minute. for some reason the OP thinks this is rude. i think the OP thinks the world revolves around him/her.

    Actually, you are missing the point. The OP's point (which he has had to restate ad naseum every few posts because people only seem to read what they want to see) is that phone use prolongs a persons usage of a piece of equipment beyond what the time they would need to use the equipment if the phone use was not involved. Thus they are "hogging" the equipment by extending the time they are on the equipment. When people use something like a phone their subjective experience of time is slightly out of whack. Personally technology is a bit of a time-vortex. Perhaps people who think they are texting in the minute between sets are unaware that the "minute" has, in fact, been a wee bit longer?

    At no point has he said you can't use the phone in an emergency. At no point has he said you can't use the phone whilst on a cardio machine. In fact he has stated the reverse. Although some people have made out he is a bit of a (how shall I put this delicately....?) w*nker because of these two things.....

    For the record, I didn't get the sense that the OP thinks the world revolves around him. I got the sense that he wants to create a gym environment where certain individuals selfish desires and practices didn't get in the way of the best use of the environment for all. In fact, to my untrained ears, sounds a lot like the opposite of selfish.

    Perhaps there is history between the OP and his detractors because I can't find the things they say he has said in his posts......
  • ynotcycle
    ynotcycle Posts: 121 Member
    Do something about it if it pisses you off so much don't cry like a wee ***** about it here.
    Smash their phone, Yell at them, Run to teacher, why are you complaining here? Nut up and confront them.

    Generalized approach to not being punked applies to most of lifes little problems

    Edit to agree with others timely use of equipment: Buy your own? or approach them? idk.. you decide.


    While i'm *****ing, get the hell out of my way on the road, you drive to slow
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    again : people just lack common. courtesy these days...see?

    i agree. people like the OP should mind their own business and stop telling everyone what they should be doing.
    I opine. You disagree, then disagree.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    [/quote]

    then for the sake of all of us..just make 1 thread where you whine about everything that upsets you...ok?
  • i will say this, when I am teaching a class and the people on the bikes start playing with their phones that is annoying, cause you came to the cycle class to workout, it is limited space, you want to play on your phone wait until after class, or leave the room and let someone else use that bike.

    it is annoying but I dont say anything cause Hell it is their workout and if they are too busy playing on their phone to workout then whatever, i know I got a great workout in by teaching.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    Honestly I just started using the notepad app on my phone to record workouts. I try to make sure that I am not on the equipment when doing so.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Agreed except that I use my phone to log my workouts so when someone is judging me for ****ing around on my phone I'm really just doing my workout thing.
  • xSakura
    xSakura Posts: 288 Member
    I agree, to some extent. I do play games on my phone whilst on my exercise bike AT HOME, but I'd never do it in a gym. I also use my phone for listening to music.

    If I was to use my phone in the gym, I'd make sure I'm not using any of the equipment so that other people could use it.
  • bronnyd
    bronnyd Posts: 278 Member
    I personally don't like being tethered to my phone 24/7. It annoys me, and it annoys me that everyone else has them practically surgically fused to the palms of their hands. Give it a rest! There are other things going on around you!

    I do like having a cell phone, but will often just leave it at home when I am going places that I don't need it like the gym or the grocery store. I guess I am one of the few left who doesn't like being reachable wherever I am...
  • arachniagirl
    arachniagirl Posts: 64 Member
    I sit and text, watch youtube videos, look up interesting things on the internet, send emails, etc.while sitting on a machine. Personally, if someone wants the machine and doesn't know how, or wishes, to get the same exercise in another manner, they're more then welcome to come ask me to share the machine with them. I will gladly do it! If they're too timid to come ask to "work in", they can enjoy being quietly and discreetly angry in a corner somewhere.

    Seriously? What's wrong with using the machine efficiently and then freeing it up for others?

    I never disturb people when I'm waiting for machines, instead I hang back and wait for them to finish up. This out of courtesy because I don't like to be disturbed during my sets, I just want to be left alone to do my thing. Obviously I will let someone work in if they ask, but I would prefer that they just wait their turn. I think we should all assume that someone is waiting and conduct ourselves accordingly.
  • Agreed!!, and while we're at it "Put your damn weights back!!"
  • StarTrekkinDelta
    StarTrekkinDelta Posts: 30 Member
    I really don't see the issue here. I would get about half as much work done if it wasn't for my phone, nook, or ipod. I use them to watch Netflix, read, listen to music, text, or whatever because it keeps my mind off of the task at hand. I end up working harder then I realize and finishing my goal burn in what feels like little to no time because I am distracted. Thus, it making the process a little easier. If I didn't have this option, working out would be much harder for me. Therefore, I seriously do not see the problem. Because if it works? Then what's the big deal? Now, if you are in a training class or something, then understand. But really, other then that...
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    again : people just lack common. courtesy these days...see?

    i agree. people like the OP should mind their own business and stop telling everyone what they should be doing.

    Pot calling the kettle black, eh?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Perhaps there is history between the OP and his detractors because I can't find the things they say he has said in his posts......
    A couple of the detractors don't like a lot of my threads. I'll leave it at that.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    i will say this, when I am teaching a class and the people on the bikes start playing with their phones that is annoying, cause you came to the cycle class to workout, it is limited space, you want to play on your phone wait until after class, or leave the room and let someone else use that bike.

    it is annoying but I dont say anything cause Hell it is their workout and if they are too busy playing on their phone to workout then whatever, i know I got a great workout in by teaching.
    I teach cardio/kickboxing class and if anyone did that, they would be out of the class. It's discourteous not only to the instructor, but the class as well.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    I really don't see the issue here. I would get about half as much work done if it wasn't for my phone, nook, or ipod. I use them to watch Netflix, read, listen to music, text, or whatever because it keeps my mind off of the task at hand. I end up working harder then I realize and finishing my goal burn in what feels like little to no time because I am distracted. Thus, it making the process a little easier. If I didn't have this option, working out would be much harder for me. Therefore, I seriously do not see the problem. Because if it works? Then what's the big deal? Now, if you are in a training class or something, then understand. But really, other then that...
    Lol, so easy workouts are the way to go.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    [/quote]
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    i will say this, when I am teaching a class and the people on the bikes start playing with their phones that is annoying, cause you came to the cycle class to workout, it is limited space, you want to play on your phone wait until after class, or leave the room and let someone else use that bike.

    it is annoying but I dont say anything cause Hell it is their workout and if they are too busy playing on their phone to workout then whatever, i know I got a great workout in by teaching.
    I teach cardio/kickboxing class and if anyone did that, they would be out of the class. It's discourteous not only to the instructor, but the class as well. People go to theatres, churches, and library willing in public, but for some a reason a gym is a place where being discourteous is okay?


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • I go to the gym to socialize not workout

    We all have different goals, don't judge me
    :D

    Seriously though, I agree. Get off your damn phone for a minute.
  • I have my cell phone attached to an armband that I use for my music. And I use the MFP app to log my calories lost, however, I won't sit at a machine logging everything in. That's just rude.
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    I have kids so need my phone with me. Never know whats gonna happen. They rarely text or call while I"m at the gym but you never know. The one time you don't have that cell phone will be the time they needed me. Its already happened. Anyway, when they do text or call while I"m working out I get up off the machine and walk to an area where there isn't anyone within ear shot and take my call then or text. I don't like to hold up the machines.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    I have kids so need my phone with me. Never know whats gonna happen. They rarely text or call while I"m at the gym but you never know. The one time you don't have that cell phone will be the time they needed me. Its already happened. Anyway, when they do text or call while I"m working out I get up off the machine and walk to an area where there isn't anyone within ear shot and take my call then or text. I don't like to hold up the machines.
    Then you're doing it right. Courtesy still goes a long way.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    then for the sake of all of us..just make 1 thread where you whine about everything that upsets you...ok?
    Lol, for the sake of you mostly. Save yourself the grief and don't participate in my threads if it upsets you.:laugh:

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    then for the sake of all of us..just make 1 thread where you whine about everything that upsets you...ok?
    Lol, for the sake of you mostly. Save yourself the grief and don't participate in my threads if it upsets you.:laugh:

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    LOL thank you for not making a new thread today to whine about something else. maybe make a thread about gym music being too loud or inappropriate? :D