Am I A Gym Snob?

nikii14
nikii14 Posts: 403 Member
edited September 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Is there such a thing?? :wink:

I go to the gym to workout ....not walk around and talk to people, hold conversations, try and look pretty.
Some people kill me at the gym. Between the people who try to 'hook up", to the ones who think its a social hour. You gotta laugh!! I love the ones that come in all "pretty" with a ton of makeup on...and the perfume.....OHH...THE PERFUME!! (or cologne)

And how can anyone talk while exercising?? I mean...literally hold a full conversation and REALLY be working out??? Its like being at a hair salon:laugh:

Am I the only one who goes to actually workout??:tongue:

(Im really not a BIT**...I swear..LOL)

Replies

  • Zee75
    Zee75 Posts: 6
    I feel the exact same way!!! I am amazed at how some of the women come into the gym... hair and make up DONE! They ride the bikes for about 10 minutes, never breakin' a sweat, then walk around the rest of the time hoping to find a man im sure!! LOL

    Stay focused and leave that other crap to the 'Gym gerbils'...
  • So long as they don't sit on the machines talking on their cell phones (which does happen sometimes), I figure they are just one of the many amusements to occupy my mind when I get tired of the music on my ipod. People go to the gym for all sorts of reasons, it seems. It's a good cross-section of humanity.
  • AJCM
    AJCM Posts: 2,169 Member
    The perfume is what bothers me (and people covered in cat hair) - it's all a health issue - our gym is great, and have professionally printed signs that say "no perfume or cologne".

    I get a kick out of the people who are fully dressed and painted - I mean good for them if they like it - yet at the same time I do clean myself up - no one wants to run on the treadmill next to a beast!!!

    ...but I seriously love love love the grannies that come all dolled up - they are my heros, and I do stop to tell them that when I see them in action! I want to be 80 and working out ina fully co-ordinated little outift - they rock!
    :flowerforyou:
  • MattySparky
    MattySparky Posts: 771
    I dont think that socializing at the gym is weird, but theres a time and a place for it. As for dolling up before going, yeah that's just retarted... those people are what I call "cookie-cutters" they are there for the image and because it's cool to go to the gym. I agree though, the gym is a place to sweat and grunt as far as Im concerned. You are not a gym snob, you just take going to the gym more seriously than these people we speak of.
  • Alafia22
    Alafia22 Posts: 112
    It gets worst the more well known the gym is (ie, Bally's, Gold's Gym, LA Fitness). It's like a meat fest in there. Everyone walks around to strut. sooo annoying...
  • That's the reason I don't use my school gym. UCF has a great huge gym that's free for all students... and that's the problem. Half the students are there to watch the guys flex their muscles and the other half are the ones on the machines 24/7.

    I had to find another gym near my house that wasn't quite like that. Even when I go to the gym -with- someone, the only thing we really talk about is which machine does what, how many reps we should do, etc.

    And I go in ratty sweat pants and a t-shirt because I haven't reached my second mini goal yet! :happy:
  • nelletali
    nelletali Posts: 15 Member
    It's fine to socialize a little at the gym. I have a few people I have gotten friendly with because we took classes together and such. What I don't like is the people who sit on a machine while another person stands there and chats with them for 10, 15, even 20 minute while people are waiting to get on the machine. That is just rude and ignorant. As far as the ones who get dolled up? I don't even know what to say about that. I see them spending most of thier time staring at themselves in the wall of mirrors. Someday they will be looking in that mirror and realize that thier butt is two times larger than when they started at the gym because they spent all of thier time checking themselves out in the mirror instead of actually working out. lol!!!
  • czewwhat
    czewwhat Posts: 8,715
    I figure as long as they pay their dues, the gym stays open! To each his own thing, isn't this a great country! And the more they lurk instead of work, the more machines are free for my use!

    Mike, you rock, this site is a god sent!
  • Zara11
    Zara11 Posts: 1,247 Member
    If I ever go to the gym to do no-sweat light strength training, I would totally wear something cute - except for make up (unless it's lip gloss :laugh: ). It's an ego boost if I make it that far tone-wise that I would have the balls - or the thighs - to wear short shorts.

    But I promise to not get in anyone's way :wink:

    But - one thing I CANNOT stand - super loud yelling or grunting.
    I know I squeak or whimper in an undignified way during the more hardcore classes - sometimes a loud one might slip out after push-up 72. But the ones who BELLOW.... grrr.
  • toots99
    toots99 Posts: 3,794 Member
    So long as they don't sit on the machines talking on their cell phones (which does happen sometimes), I figure they are just one of the many amusements to occupy my mind when I get tired of the music on my ipod. People go to the gym for all sorts of reasons, it seems. It's a good cross-section of humanity.

    People on phones while working out drive me nuts! Last week, in the middle of yoga class, one woman dared to even answer her phone. Absolutely appalling.
  • Zara11
    Zara11 Posts: 1,247 Member
    So long as they don't sit on the machines talking on their cell phones (which does happen sometimes), I figure they are just one of the many amusements to occupy my mind when I get tired of the music on my ipod. People go to the gym for all sorts of reasons, it seems. It's a good cross-section of humanity.

    People on phones while working out drive me nuts! Last week, in the middle of yoga class, one woman dared to even answer her phone. Absolutely appalling.

    LOL

    http://www.happynews.com/news/242009/exercising etiquette don gym diva.htm
  • KaitieBug
    KaitieBug Posts: 559 Member
    toots....:noway: GASP!!! I'm so glad that hasn't happened in any of my yoga classes (yet). I would've chucked a yoga block at her head. :laugh:
  • zoink66
    zoink66 Posts: 116 Member
    Ha! Maybe some of those people need a refresher in gym etiquette.
    Actually, the gym is one of my favourite places to people watch. And it also gives me motivation! First from people who are really fit, but also from the people who aren't but are trying hard to be.
  • JDHINAZ
    JDHINAZ Posts: 641 Member
    I don't have a problem with the pretty people hanging out chatting it up....primarily as we don't really have any that go to my gym. What is aggrevating, though, is when someone is going back and forth between two machines, but just kind of hangs around and takes their sweet time in using them both. You know...walks around between sets, goes over and gets a drink...looks in the mirror, then "oh yeah....I have my towel hanging on that machine....guess I'll go over and use it again...la de dah, la de dah...." another drink.....takes a mental trip to the Bahama's for 5 or 10 minutes, then "oh yeah....I have my gym bag on that OTHER machine...guess I'll go use it now....doopie doopie doo..." ARGH!!!:explode:
  • nikii14
    nikii14 Posts: 403 Member
    Ohhh......I must confess.....Sometimes I snap my gum while exercising. OOPS....I admit...that is annoying.

    Sorry everyone!!!:embarassed:
  • toots99
    toots99 Posts: 3,794 Member
    I don't have a problem with the pretty people hanging out chatting it up....primarily as we don't really have any that go to my gym. What is aggrevating, though, is when someone is going back and forth between two machines, but just kind of hangs around and takes their sweet time in using them both. You know...walks around between sets, goes over and gets a drink...looks in the mirror, then "oh yeah....I have my towel hanging on that machine....guess I'll go over and use it again...la de dah, la de dah...." another drink.....takes a mental trip to the Bahama's for 5 or 10 minutes, then "oh yeah....I have my gym bag on that OTHER machine...guess I'll go use it now....doopie doopie doo..." ARGH!!!:explode:

    Oh hell no. I'd move their stuff off the machine if they were being that rude.
  • creativefrugalmom
    creativefrugalmom Posts: 267 Member
    I stay at home and am fortunate enough to be able to go to the gym in the mornings. The closest gym to us is the YMCA. I have to admit, it is a really nice facility and they have awesome classes, but it is full of little old ladies and men working out and drinking their coffee. I must admit, it is really cute to watch them and hear some of their converations. What I also see is some women my age in there who take their kids to the daycare and they do actually workout. They don't care what they look like and, let me tell you, these are the women with the bodies like I will have someday.

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  • AJCM
    AJCM Posts: 2,169 Member
    So long as they don't sit on the machines talking on their cell phones (which does happen sometimes), I figure they are just one of the many amusements to occupy my mind when I get tired of the music on my ipod. People go to the gym for all sorts of reasons, it seems. It's a good cross-section of humanity.

    People on phones while working out drive me nuts! Last week, in the middle of yoga class, one woman dared to even answer her phone. Absolutely appalling.

    I answered my phone once in yoga - ONLY ONCE - because my SIL went into labour! I had my phone on me 24/7, as my brother was away working, and I had to get to the hospital!

    For an "emergency" is the only time I would advocate cell phones in the gym period!
    :flowerforyou:
  • AJCM
    AJCM Posts: 2,169 Member
    Oh - and I made a quiet little announcement to my group, and ran out, and everyone was very kind and supportive - but I had been with this group a while!
    :flowerforyou:
  • Georg
    Georg Posts: 1,728 Member
    This is funny.
    But...in their defense, I have to point out that not everyone sweats like me.
    I seem to start sweating the second I get started. My face turns reddish, BP fine, it just happens.
    BUT...
    My older sister NEVER sweats!:huh:
    It's quite annoying. Sometimes we walk together & I'll be dripping, my hair damp & frazzled. She looks like she just stepped out.
    :grumble:
    She can dash into the gym during work hours on a long break - or on her way to work & still look fine. So she often shows up in full makeup, etc.
    :grumble:
  • AJCM
    AJCM Posts: 2,169 Member
    Georg - I'm with you on your sister - when I would go after work my hair would be done, make up, etc...

    As for the red face - are you pale skinned? I saw the doc about this in highschool because I would be running track, and would be SO embarassed because my face was beet red, even though I was cardiovasucularly fine! The doc said that very pale / fair skinned people lose heat that way - causing the face to flush, as the blood moves to the surface.
    :flowerforyou:
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    OH the PERFUME! :mad: :mad: :mad:

    Anyone who wears perfume or cologne or highly scented lotion to the gym should be shot! Nothing like hot stinky flowers to help you when you are breathing hard :noway:

    I put my ipod in my ears and avoid eye contact, I am not at the gym to impress anyone, just myself! :wink:

    My dad is retired and he goes to the gym in the mornings for 2 hours or more and he has a whole group of buddies that are there everyday and they chat it up. So in that case I don't mind the talking because they will get out of your way when you need a machine or set of weights unlike some of the chatty women or gym rats trying to pick up chicks. :happy:
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    Georg - I'm with you on your sister - when I would go after work my hair would be done, make up, etc...

    As for the red face - are you pale skinned? I saw the doc about this in highschool because I would be running track, and would be SO embarassed because my face was beet red, even though I was cardiovasucularly fine! The doc said that very pale / fair skinned people lose heat that way - causing the face to flush, as the blood moves to the surface.
    :flowerforyou:

    :mad: I am part Irish and everyone on my mothers side of the family get the red face. When I get off the treadmill or back from a run my kids call me DARTH MOMMY :laugh: :laugh:

    for those of you that don't know, darth mal is the red and black striped face guy from star wars.

    Red face is usually just flush from the blood warming up and fair skin plays a big role. It can be embarassing when people walking past you stop to see if you are ok though :blushing: :blushing:
  • mrd232
    mrd232 Posts: 331
    Some of the most obnoxious behavior I've noticed at the gym was from the following people:


    1. Rude moms - I'm not singling out people with young kids, I'm singling out the handful I've seen that don't take advantage of free daycare at the gym or attend at a time where you don't have the kids with you...I used to go to a Y with a very lax policy in regards to age limits in various parts of the gym. These areas should be limited to 14 and older but this was not enforced. I complained several times along with other members and was told, basically, that I was the rude one. Wow. I left the gym after that.

    Rules for tykes:
    - The cardio room is NOT a babysitting service. I am not in charge of your child. YOU ARE.
    - Do NOT allow your 5 year old to operate a treadmill (read: screw around and hog the machine) beside you. It's not cute. It's pretty dangerous, to be honest. Plus, they're hogging an open machine.
    - Don't let your 3 year old meander around the free weights. Someone once had the audacity to allow their kid to play with the Nautilus equipment while the staff wasn't watching. Kid slammed one of his fingers between the weights. Totally shouldn't have happened.


    2. Rude meatheads, guidos, and teenagers in the weight room. Don't get me started on these @$$holes. These guys hog the bench and squat rack doing nothing but patting each other on the butt and making comments about the rest of the weight room. Half the time, the majority of them do no actual weightlifting, but meanwhile continue groping their "brosephs" and talking about all the Jagermeister they'll be drinking later that night. Go home and drink your muscle milk and gloat in your own mirror, morons. And yes, they are the stereotype as depicted in the "my new haircut" video. Spot on.

    3. Guys working out in street clothes. Why did this trend start? This is just stupid. Nice Italian dress shoes, buddy. Now put 'em in the locker room where they belong and find a pair of sneakers. Geez.

    4. People who ignore sign up sheets. This only really applies during peak hours, but I really hated when I reserved spots in a spin class only to find some jerk erased my name. RUDE.

    5. People who yak on cell phones in the sauna. WTF? why bring the stupid thing in the sauna?

    I don't think it's gym snobbery, I think much of it is just common decency.
  • toots99
    toots99 Posts: 3,794 Member

    3. Guys working out in street clothes. Why did this trend start? This is just stupid. Nice Italian dress shoes, buddy. Now put 'em in the locker room where they belong and find a pair of sneakers. Geez.

    I think it's gross when people work out in jeans. It just seems...gross. Even worse are people who workout on machines barefoot!! :noway:
  • AJCM
    AJCM Posts: 2,169 Member
    Hahaha - these have been pretty funny... I agree, I think we are really talking common sense and common decency!!

    Working out in jeans? It's like swimming in a three piece suit! Yikes....
    :noway:
  • mrd232
    mrd232 Posts: 331
    There was a dude at the same crazy YMCA that worked out in a wrestling singlet (and nothign else) that looked as though it hadn't been washed since the 1980s.

    Barfffffffff.
  • JoyousMaximus
    JoyousMaximus Posts: 9,285 Member
    I have a new found appreciation for the Navy gyms. Guys don't do there to pick up on women because any woman there is probably married so every one there is just wants to work out. I will never complain about the old *kitten* equipment again. or this week...

    P.s. I feel you about the red face. I have slight rosacea but when I work out you would think I fell face first in to a vat of red paint.
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