Fitness club managers dish about their members' most obnoxious habits.
Comment: All very true - check out (http://www.powermyself.com/kb_results.asp?ID=2) where they've picked out several annoying gym habits. I particularly like Mr. Mobile and the Equipment Hogger, so very true!!!
Comment: #10: The gym rat that hasn't bathed or showered in over a week and smells so bad it runs you off the machine next to him.
Comment: Another gross observance is that of the profuse sweater. If you are soaked and dripping all over the equipment, possibly even splashing those on nearby equipment, bring a towel and mop up once in awhile. Its just plain gross!
Comment: Another perhaps unconcious bad manner is sweating profusely and pouring down on equipment or passersby. Its good to be proud of working uip a good sweat but, bring a towel and mop up once in awhile. Its just plain gross!
Comment: Another sweat sin is when a person uses their own sweaty towel to dry off gym equiptment!!!!! That's so sick!
Comment: hahaha! the woman made a grilled cheese in the sauna?! hilarious! but whats funnier is that no member of the gym staff or fellow gym member noticed this sooner; i would think some other hungry gym patron would have asked for a sandwich too! LOL
Comment: People are getting a little too sensitive if they can't handle some grunting or talking while exercising. Where did they work out when growing up? When lifting weights, a LITTLE grunting is normal and helpful. It doesn't have to sound like Seles, Sharapova or the Williams sisters, but small grunts on your final few reps isn't bad.
A good athlete can get into a 'zone' and tune out an awful lot. Granted, we're not all good athletes, but you should strive to get along with others despite their differences. Health code violations and obscenity are one thing, but a minor inconvenience is no big deal. The world doesn't revolve around each one of us.
Comment: Looking at ALL the comments, all you people are self serving idiots!!!
Comment: Postin: I agree with your first comment; no intelligent person would come to that conclusion.
Your second comment, albiet correct (in terms of legality ONLY), walking can be hazardous if one doesn't watch where they are going. This seems a little self-serving.
Your third comment is COMPLETELY without merit! "The safety of a person driving 15mph under would be decreased is completely ludicrous: You have no idea of the mental apptitude, psychological state, or physical capabilities of the person going slower (which I would assume are either self-serving or otherwise).
Fouth paragraph - Let's see: Braking slows the car while hitting the gas (given the direction of the wheels and direction in mometum of the car) would send it careening, further out of control! It's only common sense that someone going 2 mph would be able to recover (or not get into) an unsafe situation...let's see some data on physics. I am a race car driver (name withheld) and I am sorry, that logic is just totally without merit AND JUST PLAIN STUPID! Anyway, the abilityy to gain or lose control is based upon each persons capabilities...you assume the masses (of which you are obviously one or you would not have made those comments)
Let me strap you in at 200mph and see what you do when your tires break traction.
The fifth paragraph... again you pick on two isolated groups to try prove a point about the population in general...again, not an educated response. Cite these groups in your analysis, but do not generalize as it lowers your perceived intelligence about the subject.
Paragraph six. Please provide data behind any information you have on this. You are sounding like a "statistics" class, and we all know about stastics...don't we (and a little self-serving)?
And...last but not least...you should be paranoid when you post such rubbish.
Comment: Postin: I agree with your first comment; no intelligent person would come to that conclusion.
Your second comment, albiet correct (in terms of legality ONLY), walking can be hazardous if one doesn't watch where they are going. This seems a little self-serving.
Your third comment is COMPLETELY without merit! "The safety of a person driving 15mph under would be decreased is completely ludicrous: You have no idea of the mental apptitude, psychological state, or physical capabilities of the person going slower (which I would assume are either self-serving or otherwise).
Fouth paragraph - Let's see: Braking slows the car while hitting the gas (given the direction of the wheels and direction in mometum of the car) would send it careening, further out of control! It's only common sense that someone going 2 mph would be able to recover (or not get into) an unsafe situation...let's see some data on physics. I am a race car driver (name withheld) and I am sorry, that logic is just totally without merit AND JUST PLAIN STUPID! Anyway, the abilityy to gain or lose control is based upon each persons capabilities...you assume the masses (of which you are obviously one or you would not have made those comments)
Let me strap you in at 200mph and see what you do when your tires break traction.
The fifth paragraph... again you pick on two isolated groups to try prove a point about the population in general...again, not an educated response. Cite these groups in your analysis, but do not generalize as it lowers your perceived intelligence about the subject.
Paragraph six. Please provide data behind any information you have on this. You are sounding like a "statistics" class, and we all know about stastics...don't we (and a little self-serving)?
And...last but not least...you should be paranoid when you post such rubbish.
Comment: Interesting topic, given that over 16 million Americans are what the fitness industry calls "core members" - those who go to a fitness center or gym 3 or more times a week...I call them Gymrats. It's usually NOT a Gymrat that commits the type of behavior mentioned in Tina Peng's article. Most times it???s the "Neofits" that have not yet learned the unwritten Gymrat Rules. How does one spot a neofit? If the ???new fitness tog tags??? are not showing, they are the ones wearing brown socks and shoes with velcro closures...rhinestone or glitter tees, a playboy bunny insignia (and is not a playboy bunny by the way), carrying the bathroom hand towel and a copy of War and Peace. Want to know more? Read "Gymrat Rules: a Novel and Gym Primer for the Fit...and the Flabby" available in print at www.gymratrules.com / July 2008.
Comment: While this article may be interesting trivia, I also think that this amount of attention being payed to exceptions to the rule is a little unfortunate. Most Americans find it hard enough to build the motivation to go to a gym and work out as it is...seeing an article like this may turn off more people who otherwise might try to use an athletic facility near them to improve their health.
Comment: I'm honestly surprised to see so many people upset that other people are naked in the locker room... that's what the locker room is for! Keep your eyes on your own business, and it won't bother you.
I mean, I agree that it is perhaps rude -- and certainly a bit weird -- to start a conversation with a stranger when you are in your birthday suit. Certainly, you shouldn't be doing stretches in the nude (or in the locker room at all), and you shouldn't be staring at other's people's junk.
But otherwise, please -- all of you so offended by nudity in the lockerroom... grow up and stop being such a wussy puritanical American. It's a locker room. If you are so offended by the sight of other nude people (and why are you looking anyway?), then go change in a bathroom stall by yourself.
Comment: It is about hygiene.
Consider the percentage of people (especially extremely social people that use gyms often) that are infected STD's and/or other bacteria/diseases. Do you mean to imply that you would have no problem with a nude person sitting on the same bench you use?
Next consider how easily foot funguses are spread. Do you not have a problem with those people who do not wear shower shoes or flip flops in the same areas as you?
You may believe 'As long as I cover myself I won't get infected'... true, covering yourself does reduce your chances--but don't you think others who may or may not be infected (whether they know it or not) should afford you the same courtesy of improving your safety barriers by also covering themselves?
Comment: Some of you folks are missing the point. I can hardly believe what I am reading. It's not about being naked you freaking idiots. This is a gym we're talking about, not a nudist camp. Keep your dik hidden from me cause I don't want to see it, period. If you want to show it, then YOU have the problem, especially if you do not have a problem showing it to kids. Gyms are not "show-and-tell" for all of you freaks. Keep it hidden.
Comment: Hey dyeing4art , why do you have a sticker on your bottom?
Comment: When I drive, I pay attention to the drivers in my rearview mirror. It is easy to read them and you can tell if they're the types to pass you. They just cannot handle driving at a decent speed with the rest; when an opening comes up in a lane, they'll take it because it is all about the "ME" attitude. They're self-centered.
Comment: "Most speed limits are posted below the actual safe limit anyway." <<<<< This is absolutely false.
Comment: I'm surprised to hear people get into scuffles in gyms. I've been going to gyms since I was a teenager and people are generally VERY polite; I can't think of an occasion in which someone was aggressive. Only examples to the contrary were some trainers who act like total idiots.
The worst gym sin is the stares one gets in the locker room from peeping gay guys.
Comment: For years I have been fighting to keep boys out of the women's locker room. Even at the local YMCA that I go to, which has sperate locker rooms for adult men, adult women, girls under 18, boys under 18 and one specifically for families, women still bring their boys into the locker room. Recently, I was showering at the "Y" when I felt a little finger pock me in the buttocks and turned to see a 5 or 6 years old boy who wanted to know, "Why do you have a sticker on your bottom?" HIs mother was horrified that he had touched me but not to have him in my shower with me. I told her that the boys (she had another older boy with her) were not supposed to be in the women's locker room. She informed me that the family locker room was busy. Interestingly she still had her clothing on and more interesting... I found out that she wasn't actually their mother. Their mother was out in the lobby talking to the boys father while she did her a "favor".
Comment: I am not interested in old men acting as hippos lurking inthe swim lanes when women want to do laps; nor do I find it amusing when young men wiggle, squirm, grimace and moan in the heated whirlpool at the Redwood City California gym. I don't like justifying my opinion of that crude behavior to the blase management. I just went once - never to return to that creepy, disrespectful environment. I don't care what anybody does as a consenting adult in the PRIVACY of one's own home or bedroom, but please spare me your bad manners. That is boarderline stalking behavior and I am not Interested in hearing what one of these creeps would say to me or any other woman in the parking lot late at night. Yuck!
Comment: These are not the most grievous offenses. In a Redwood City California facility I tried to swim in their laned indoor pool to find old men squatting and lurking the water (like old hippos) staring at the women trying to do laps. I then moved to the whirlpool area and sat next to a young man who grimaced and squirmed and moaned in the hotter water. When I mentioned these inappropriate behaviors to the management later, they (the male management) made further insensitive remarks about this gross behavior. I told him that is why I was making this communication by telephone; I didn't want to encounter typical cavelier remarks. I never went back. It all boils down to the issue of respect. Keep your "person" and your personal issues to yourself in "public". They are two differently defined words. I don't care what you do in your own home or bedroom, but don't make me privy to it.
Comment: It sounds to me that the people uncomfortable with other people's nudity have the problem, not the other way around.
Comment: Naked bodies dont bother me, but I never want my kids to see me naked or vice versa. I dont like kids at the gym period. I do wear what I want and I dont care but in the city we have our share of gym psychos.
Comment: lol or just go to the gym how you want to, and if someone has a problem with it, tell them to stuff it. you're there to work out and get nasty, so you're not going to wear beautiful clothing. As for them, their problem with your clothing isn't your problem. Sheesh, this sounds like high school to me.
Comment: Yeah, but kids see thei rparents naked, and their full grown adults. I see nothing traumatizing in a full grown naked man, never have. And I just don't see how a normal body is foul or taboo. Let alone illegal.
Comment: Children see naked men in their fathers. Err. Traumatizing how? I just don't understand what's foul or taboo about a normal body.. :/
Comment: I hate designer gym patrons come all dressed up to talk. Also we need to go back to seperate male/female gyms. That way I can stink and wear my raggity gym outfits.
Comment: Whats the deal with people freaking out over nakedness? Its no different than seeing someones little toe/elbow/or even face and being offended at that... we shower/bathe naked... we are even born naked if you can believe that. Not to mention the whole animal kingdom is naked. People can be so uptight with nakedness to the point of stupidity.
Comment: Well, the scale was OUTSIDE the locker room, and I can see why this would be a problem. 1: Most gyms have kids daycare sections where parents can drop off their kids while they spend some time on the machines, so if there could have easily been parents walking by with their kids.....and I'm sure you can understand why not everyone wants their children seeing a full grown naked man. Second of all, There are very few gyms that aren't co-ed, and personally, just because I want to go work out, it doesn't mean I want to see a naked guy weighing himself. And lastly, the whole world is not a giant nudist colony, great for you if you're all fine with seeing naked people in public places, but not everyone is, move to a nudist colony if you think the rest of the world is overreacting about the "natural state" because as far as things go, socially, public nudity is't accepted, and is illegal.
Comment: Society's disgust over the nude human form makes absolutely no sense. Everyone has a body. Maybe if children were raised knowing that their external genetalia are not evil, they'd have less insecurities.
Comment: Right, but f*ckers like you ruin for the rest of us who AREN'T obese, you chicken-eating d!ckl!ck. Keep your *** clothes on, you fat f*ck.
Comment: This had been my first day working out at 24hour fitness. I was on the elliptical machine and a man had begun working out on the one next to me. The whole friggin time he was passing gas. I was wearing my head phones but I sure it was silent because of the horrific smell. After five minutes I had to leave. Should I had said something to the guy?
Comment: I don't understand the nakedness thing. Honestly, one person's imperfect body is no worse than another's and... well, what do people expect? Some sort of naked filth to radiate from a person's body as soon as the clothes are gone? Because obviously, from one of those items on the list, clothes don't do much to retain sweat. Any ick you'll get from a person you get either way.
. Well, aside from the people who seem to be disgusted or perhaps even freaked out by nakedness. Ah people, I just don't understand. Why can't we accept what our mother's gave us?
Comment: So... what's wrong with a naked body again? It certainly isn't like one person's imperfect body is any worse than another's, if you really think about it.
Comment: It's not so much that there are things wrong with "A" naked body as much as "YOUR" naked body is a crime against humanity.
Seriously, get some f**king surgery.
Comment: Perhaps you all should spend more time in class than in the gym. If you speak as you write, we are in trouble.
Comment: And i did get new Gold's in Layton a little while ago!! It's really nice and their isn't people walking aroung nude and grilling sandwich's on the Sauna's FEWWW!!! I'm happy i don't have to wait for sleeping people either!!! At least my gym and community aren't as bad as most others!!! :)
Comment: In response to the person asking if any of us commenting on nudity have a problem with the human body. For heaven's sake, I'm a personal trainer! Of course I don't have a problem with human's bodies. But it does preclude discussing your workout whilst you are nude. I am a vibrant, sexual woman, one who is inclined to dress sensuously and I am proud of my physique. I parade it for my man, not the other woman in the locker room. And this isn't a Scandanavian country; it is America. I believe a little modesty and concern for others modesty is the issue here.
Comment: I hope you realize that what some people refer to as 'sensual' dressing is far more offensive than complete nudity. People seem to think that genitalia are 100% sexual. NOT TRUE! If you keep treating it as such we are going to keep having this problem. Last time I checked, urinating was not high on the sexual turn-ons list (I am not including deviants). I wish people would stop treating the human body as a sex object and more like what it is, a body!
Comment: Don't worry. NOBODY treats your body as a sex object.
Comment: Geez wats with people? They 1st a woman tries to make her lunch in a sauna? Are you freaking kidding!!? Thats the stupidest stuff ever and then they say "Oh i thought you could do that" and all that krap! Oh no of course you can NOT!! You stupid retard go home!!! And Amen to shilay30 for her comment who would be stupid enough to walk around the freaking gym GOD these people are stupid then they think that they can do it? OMG!!
Comment: I suppose articles like these are among the many reasons I will never visit a gym. If the average customer in these places considers sleeping, failing to wipe sweat from machines, and talking on cell phones to be among the 9 worst things they can experience there, then these people are not of my ilk. At all. At all at all.
Comment: I understand that some people are comfortable walking around nude at home...However, the gym lockeroom is not the same as being at home. I hate to be in the lockeroom and see naked people walking around as if they are on a d*mn nudist beach...cover up for petes sake! You are not at home!
Comment: Great Comment shilay30 its so true!
Comment: Not for nothing I realize that some people are comfortable walking around nude but I personally feel that one should cover up in the locker room.I hate turning around and seeing naked people. Put a d*mn towel on for petes sake. You are not at home! lol
Comment: Other than people not cleaning their sweat off machines, what pisses me off at my gym, is when people sneeze throughout the whole spinning class! There is this guy, who only has sneeze attacks throught the enitre 45 minutes. I have seen him elsewhere at the gym, but it's only during spinning. I certainly do NOT want his germs on me. Sometime last year, I got off my bike, went to the bathroom, and gave him some toiet paper so he could blow his nose. He didn't get the message...
Comment: My Bally's Total Fitness location has three bottles of sanitizer in the entire gym. They constantly run out of towels, don't load the paper towel dispenser or change the wave dispenser batteries, at all. The sanitizer is sometimes clear, sometimes blue, even though it is the same silk screened chemical bottle, labeled deoderizer, not sanitizer. Bally's is so broke, it is a joke...and I don't know if the issues will ever be fixed. I raise my dissatisfaction, to no avail. How about a story on gym failures to meet codes, proper chemical labeling, availability of sanitizer and towels, etc.
Comment: My Bally's Total Fitness location has three bottles of sanitizer in the entire gym. They constantly run out of towels, don't load the paper towel dispenser or change the wave dispenser batteries, at all. The sanitizer is sometimes clear, sometimes blue, even though it is the same silk screened chemical bottle, labeled deoderizer, not sanitizer. Bally's is so broke, it is a joke...and I don't know if the issues will ever be fixed. I raise my dissatisfaction, to no avail. How about a story on gym failures to meet codes, proper chemical labeling, availability of sanitizer and towels, etc.
Comment: They worst gym faux pas is curling in the squat rack. If you can't pick the barbell up off the floor, you need to re-evaluate your fitness routine!
Comment: The worst faux pas is using the squat rack to do bicep curls...if you can't pick the barbell up off the floor for your curls, maybe you should re-evaluate your fitness routine!
Comment: i defeinatly would not want to be behind the man who wore no underwear during his exercise class. I don't need to the see the site of his boys a hanging. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Comment: I'm not sure what the series of people forbidding nudity in their comments has against the human body. While you may think that some people "aren't modest enough," it generally seems that those are the people who are most comfortable with themselves and others.
A question for cminnes particularly: Is nudity contagious? If a naked person stands on your body fat scale, will it rub off and bite you? Furthermore, why discriminate against a man with a small penis. If a person is comfortable enough with his or her own body to be nude, you have absolutely no right to judge that person.
Comment: My distate for public nudity has little to do with my depth in evaluating/judging persons based on their physical appearance. Whether a man had an enormous penis, or a small one, was obese or in his prime fitness wise, the simple fact is, I want to choose when I see people naked, and not accidentally come upon viewing an exposed person. When a person exposes themselves in a park, on a train, etc.,. it's a huge deal in the news, and yet you defend full bodied exposure in a different public setting? Where is the logic. And it seems like quite a few persons are perceiving the story about nudity as an issue concerning others physical well being. I don't really think that is the case. I think the real problem the manager of the gym had was the fact that these men were naked out in the open. However, there are still health concern to be worried about considering this act of nudity. Not all of them are THAT worrisome, but still, you could catch, just from the guys being barefoot, Athlete's foot, and planters warts. Do you want to have to deal with having warts removed or needing to buy foot powder/creams because someone else wanted to weigh themselves naked on the scale? Didn't think so...,
Comment: I dont think his comment refered to size, but rather to the amount of hair? At least that is how I read it. That he was saying the bushy people should be embaressed. After all they could trim. If he was, rather, commenting on size, than shame on him.
Comment: Look it up in a dictionary. Gym means naked.
You are supposed to be naked at a gym.
Comment: What the hell-o are you freaking smoking if i was you i would stop thinking about you looking at nude men at the gym and boring us with stupid dictionairy stuff! It's stupid for you to even think that you can be even nude at a gym but. I would understand if you were taking a shower and stuff but never outside were people can see you!
Comment: although several people have mentioned excessive body odor as a gym no-no, the other extreme is just as bad. I can't count the number of times I'm in the middle of a run on a treadmill, and some woman that seems to have held her nose and dunked her whole head in perfume comes up next to me.
Comment: That is my biggest gym faux-pas! I HATE that! I always thought it was common gym courtesy to not wear strong perfumes. I'm sensitive to a lot of those overpowering floral scents and trying to run on a treadmill while breathing fumes of women's products is not fun! I'd much rather smell BO than that. The gym is not a single's bar people. No need for makeup and perfumes.
Comment: Two things that drive me up the wall:
People who use the dumbells, but don't restack them in the right order, so you have to walk up and down the length of the dumbell rack looking for the weights you need. the dumbell racks are usually labeled for which weight goes where, but some people don't care.
The other thing is people who drop their weights at the end of a set, or worse, throw their weights dramatically. This is very dangerous, and disturbing to others. Besides, if they're too heavy for you to set them down properly on the floor, then maybe they're too heavy for you to be working out with.
Comment: One horrible offence that has been omitted from the above is those otherwise normal people who either forget to put on deodorant or the ever worse, those who are arrogantly convinced that they are the exception of the humanities need to put on deodorant and unaware it seems to the ghastly odor which follows them ever so closely...
Comment: Amen to that! Or the person who feels the need to drown themselves in cologne or perfume on top of funk...not a good scent at all!
Comment: One horrible offence that has been omitted from the above is those otherwise normal people who either forget to put on deodorant or the ever worse, those who are arrogantly convinced that they are the exception of the humanities need to put on deodorant and unaware it seems to the ghastly odor which follows them ever so closely...
Comment: The most offensive affront to fellow gym goes is when a member literary bathes themselves in body-spray and then come to work out. This utter disregard for the suffocation bestowed upon the rest of the members is incomprehensible and quite reprehensible. I wish more gyms would post signs dissuading air heads from doing this.
Comment: The most offensive affront to fellow gym goes is when a member literary bathes themselves in body-spray and then come to work out. This utter disregard for the suffocation bestowed upon the rest of the members is incomprehensible and quite reprehensible. I wish more gyms would post signs dissuading air heads from doing this.
Comment: To KM 0225, I agree with the naked coochie on the bench comment. That's just NASTY! But I do have to make a comment... I've noticed that there might be a trend in some of the plumper gym patrons being very comfortable with themselves and not as shy as others may be. While some of the slimmest women I've known would hide constantly or skip the shower altogether because they were so self conscious of their bodies.
Comment: I live in Brooklyn NY. I used to be a personal trainer at the Bally in Bensonhurst. I have seen some of the most disgusting things in the world. Nude overweight men drying their body off with the hair dryers, a female who works out in only a pair of panties and a bra with stockings on(they actually don't say anything to this lady), and a hairy Russian guy who asks people to brush his body hair while he only has his underwear on. This is the worse gym in the world!
Comment: Here are the rules I posted on my myspace after being fed up with inconsiderate behavior.
1. If you are naked, don't talk to anyone.
2. You may never do your stretches naked, or in the locker room at all.
3. If you are shaving, wear some pants.
4. NEVER jiggle your balls while engaged in a conversation.
5. The blow drier may not be used to dry your pubic hair.
6. Don't ever ask to try out my body fat scale and expect to stand on it naked.
7. If your package looks like a button in a fur coat, you should be embarrassed and should change in the bathroom stall.
8. Unless in the shower, you should never be without either pants or a shirt.
9. Don't flex in the mirror without wearing pants.
11. Loitering is strictly prohibited.
12. Never complement another persons body who you don't know or if they are not wearing pants.
13. Never speak while urinating.
14. If you crap stinks, provide one or more courteously flushes. There's nothing worse than shower steam mixed with crap smell.
15. For the love of God, don't ever, ever, ever, ever bend over without pants on. That's the grossest thing I've ever seen.
NOTE:
A. Women are exempt from all of these rules except number 4, 7, and 14 and are encourage to participate in these activities.
Comment: Here are the rules I posted on my myspace after being fed up with inconsiderate behavior.
1. If you are naked, don't talk to anyone.
2. You may never do your stretches naked, or in the locker room at all.
3. If you are shaving, wear some pants.
4. NEVER jiggle your balls while engaged in a conversation.
5. The blow drier may not be used to dry your pubic hair.
6. Don't ever ask to try out my body fat scale and expect to stand on it naked.
7. If your package looks like a button in a fur coat, you should be embarrassed and should change in the bathroom stall.
8. Unless in the shower, you should never be without either pants or a shirt.
9. Don't flex in the mirror without wearing pants.
11. Loitering is strictly prohibited.
12. Never complement another persons body who you don't know or if they are not wearing pants.
13. Never speak while urinating.
14. If you crap stinks, provide one or more courteously flushes. There's nothing worse than shower steam mixed with crap smell.
15. For the love of God, don't ever, ever, ever, ever bend over without pants on. That's the grossest thing I've ever seen.
NOTE:
A. Women are exempt from all of these rules except number 4, 7, and 14 and are encourage to participate in these activities.
B. How come 15 is the most disgusting if a dude does it but is the most hot if it is a girl?
Comment: last month, i noticed a guy was resting a good 3 minutes one a work out machine. i asked him if i could work in. he said "wati till im done". i said "fine" but it irked me, so before i walked off i explained to him it was proper gym etiquette to allow others to work in and not simply occupy equipment when resting between sets. he said i was wrong, i didnt "come there with him" and he didnt have to. he told me to complain to gym staff. i told him there is no rule or law about it and gym staff do not dictate how adults behave. he said i was acting as if i owned the gym ... i told him HE was and that it is proper and polite to share equipment, especially in light of the fact that he was only RESTING on it. it escalated into a full blown arguement with a stranger and he even threatened my physcially. i explained i would defend myself and he backed down. am i wrong here, or is it actually proper to monopolize equipment because someone "was there first"???? - sacramento, ca
Comment: Sounds like somebody has a real sharing problem. As long as it's one person, or a small enough group where there is rest time in between sets, there should be no problem letting somebody work in. If somebody asks me if they can work in I even pay attention in case they need a spot. Some people just have no respect.
Comment: I use to be a personal trainer/fitness host for Bally. I see this kind of behavior all of the time. I mean you were not wrong but at the same time there are like one hundred other pieces of other equipment in the gym to work out on. The guy would have eventually gotten off of the equipment but once you put your two cents in he decided in his mind he would stay on their longer. Remeber when two people argue from a distance you can't tell who the fool is. You could have easily worked out your abs, did cardio, performed some weight training. However instead you chose to argue with an adult who is obviously foolish and you ended up looking like an ass as well.
Comment: Two disgusting offenses that I have come across in LA Fitness in San Diego: First, a guy cutting his toenails on the locker room bench. When I confronted him, he said he was not cutting his TOENAILS...yeech...I can only imagine.
Second are the middle-age Asian women in the women's locker room. My wife reports that they parade around the locker room in all of their glory - some overweight and unshaven, without a modicum of modesty.
Comment: Two disgusting offenses that I have come across in LA Fitness in San Diego: First, a guy cutting his toenails on the locker room bench. When I confronted him, he said he was not cutting his TOENAILS...yeech...I can only imagine.
Second are the middle-age Asian women in the women's locker room. My wife reports that they parade around the locker room in all of their glory - some overweight and unshaven, without a modicum of modesty.
Comment: When I was in Dallas I worked out in at Baly's Executive club, but the area where the club was in a growing gay section of Dallas. When I first started working out there most of the members that worked out there were not gay, or at least not openly, but then more and more gay clients joined the club. Then the mens dressing room and showers became a gay sex play house. They also cut holes in all the shower curtains. The management replaced them but they kept cutting holes in them and eventually started to tear them down completely. I started showering at my job to avoid this activity, nevertheless, a little later I could not get a good workout in because gay guys would ask me for dates all the time. That is when I left the club for another one. I am not homophobic but I do not go to the gym to be pick up by men or women for that matter.
Comment: Women who sit naked on the benches.....sick! I don't want to put my stuff or sit down where your nasty nether regions have been...getting pubes and juices and germs everywhere. It makes me gag just thinking about it. Just b/c you might be comfortable prancing around naked in front of everyone does not mean that I want to see all of that mess. Sorry...I can't help that I don't want to look at big fat saggy hairy smelly wrinkly bodies. I am by no means perfect, not even close, but I don't subject others to having to stare at my body.
Comment: Regarding the nude guys, perhaps they are Northern Europeans; Germans, Scandinavians are generally relatively ho-hum regarding nudity in public (i.e. FKK). For example they have mixed-sex sauna. If these guys were Europeans they really mean if they said they do this at "home" all the time.
Comment: I canceled my membership and left LifeTime Fitness in Schaumburg Illinois because of the ongoing lewd and unnecesary behaviour of adult men in the showers and locker room. I am an adult male also and understand that showering and changing cloths requires nudity for reasonable lengths of time. But I do not want to witness masturbation with shower curtains left half open to make sure it is seen, nor do I feel comfortable in the shower area when I see holes cut in the shower curtains for peepers. At first I thought that these holes were accidental until, over time, I realized that the holes were always at eye level or hip level. Yes, curtains were replaced very regularly only to have new holes cut within days. Some manager must have noticed the volume of new curtains they were going through and questioned the reason? Also, in the main locker area, watching men shave and groom themselved butt naked in front of mirrors while young adults and children are also in the area is simply unacceptable. Then you have the few men that insist in sitting outside the shower area, legs spread, no towel, "air drying" . Come on! Everyone entering and leaving the showers get an eyeful, not to mention all the locker areas in full fiew of this area.
When I asked to cancel my membership, a manger was requested. Forms were pulled out and completed etc. There was an area on the form for reasons for cancel request. I was then asked why I was canceling, the pen was poised to write down the details, but, as I explained exactly why, the pen seemed to get repelled by the paper. Not a detail was noted. I also explained that I had discreetly informed other managers what was going on, assuming they were not aware and would act. Foolish me. I also had a few student sons and their friends work there parttime, and some of the stories about supervisor and manager actions and inactions lead me to believe that LifeTime either does not care or are simply incompetent.
Comment: I'd like to add two things:
1-people who go directly into the sauna after working out. They take off their stinky clothes in there and marinade in their sweat. It's already hot - add funky to the mix.
2-women who forget their sanitary products in the shower. Hello! Change it in the stall and discard them appropriately.
AND I forgot (I know I said 2 things) giving your self a perm in the locker room.
Comment: I was in a Planet Fitness in Poughkeepsie a few years back and some tool would take his shirt off and walk from mirror to mirror flexing and looking at himself. This guy would gel his hair before going to the gym and would be sure to make his presence known. I don't think I ever saw him work out though. Another issue at PF was the poor quality of music they played. Nobody wants hear Fergie while they work out. Gyms and tanning booths should not be in the same building. Also what I can't stand is people taking cigarette breaks between sets in the entrance to the building.
Comment: the PF also banned deadlifting.
Comment: I heard once long ago that a local women's wet spa had disallowed nudity due to the "ladies'" unacceptable activities, i.e., cutting their toenails, lounging spread eagle, etc.. Oh well, I really don't believe their lack of sports attire contributed to their performance anyway!!!
Comment: I would have to say that after working at a Boston Sports Club the worst offense would be men taking pleasure of other men in the locker rooms, if you catch my drift. We had it so bad there that the police would do walk-throughs on the hour to settle the steam. YIKES!
Comment: I would have to say that after working at a Boston Sports Club the worst offense would be men taking pleasure of other men in the locker rooms...if you catch my drift. We had it so bad there that the police would do walk throughs on the hour to settle the steam.
Comment: Maybe every gym should create awareness among users or clients by posting a GRO to advice them at the front desk or put up flat screen monitor to advertise repeatitive message as a form of ethicle awareness. I think that a lot more diplomatic then cursing behind their back I believe.
Comment: I really hate the people who can't pick up their towels and put them in the towel bin. It is not only disrespectful to the staff to make them pick up after them, but it is really annoying to other members who have to move them out of the way to sit down or get into their lockers.
Comment: Probably your front desk GRO was not informed to give sufficient training to address the situation in advance, means to say code of ethic that should be respected by your client before using the facilities. May be u should put up a flat screen monitor to give repeatitive advertisement on this information again and again, that should be a diplomatic approach right? My seggestion.
Comment: What about the people who can't hold their gas. I can't count how many times during my treadmill workout that I've been next to a person who passes horrible gas.
Comment: What about passing gas? I can't count how many times I'd be on the treadmill next to a person who passes horrible smelling gas.
Comment: P.S. What if a person is singing good? I wonder what people's reactions to a good singer at the gym. Not that I've ever witnessed such an occurance.
Comment: Savon,
You are NOT being picky. That is gross and rude behavoir and is also a health risk. There are lots of foot conditions you can pick up by walking over shed/sloughed skin. Fungus, warts, bacteria, ringworm you name it. In fact, getting a pedicure is a foot health risk especially when they scrap feed and those places try to keep things as clean as possible and so you can imagine how much worse it is to scrap and leave skin at the poolside for others to walk over. Maybe you can politely point her out to the people who work at the pool, or if they won't approach her maybe ask her yourself?
Comment: Having been in this industry for over two decades, here are my offeneders:
l. Women, I know you are proud of your buff bodies, and you should be, but PLEASE don't conduct a conversation with me while nude! I don't feel comfortable when I am fully clothed and you aren't!
2. I agree with the singing comment in the article. We have the worst off-key renditions in the gym, all belted out at excruciatingly loud levels.
3. Just because I am a trainer, I am not trying to sell you something if I correct your form. I am honestly trying to help you do it correctly.
4.This is my JOB. When you cancel, don't show up, or adjust your appt. time over and over, I am not just sitting there with nothing to do, wating on your schedule. I have one also.
5. Again, the women who dress as though they are trying to pick up men, not work out. It is one of the primary reasons I hear from overweight clients who feel uncomforatble around scantily clad persons. I not talking about spandex. I am talking about hanging out of your clothes, literally.
6. Lastly, when I am working out, I am working out. I am not on duty. I am there 24-7, it feels like, and I cannot get thru a workout of my own without constant interruptions.
Comment: I swim at a very nice pool here in town. One of the things a woman does and maybe I'm being too picky, is after she swims laps, she sits in the locker room on the bench and takes one of those Foot Brush things that you rub on your heels and feet to take off the dead skin. Well, needless to say that Dead skin is on the floor of the ladies locker room for all of us to walk in. I think things like that should be done at home. Am I being picky?
Comment: This sort of thing must happen only in America? In the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica the offenders would offend but once.
Comment: Only in America?
Comment: I find it intolerable the number of peeping toms in the locker room. Granted that some folks might just be "curious" to sneak a peak, but there are those that simply plant themselves, fully naked at an area just outside the showers or steam room to gawk. In todays society where tolerence has gone to the extreme, noone wants to confront the homosexual pervert in the locker room. I don't find this behavior acceptable and I believe that sexual harrassment suits will soon emulate my feelings in the locker rooms acrossed the country.
Comment: I find it intolerable the number of peeping toms in the locker room. Granted that some folks might just be "curious" to sneak a peak, but there are those that simply plant themselves, fully naked at an area just outside the showers or steam room to gawk. In todays society where tolerence has gone to the extreme, noone wants to confront the homosexual pervert in the locker room. I don't find this behavior acceptable and I believe that sexual harrassment suits will soon emulate my feelings in the locker rooms acrossed the country.
Comment: A couple brief notes on lap/lane pool etiquette--
It is an unfortunate fact of life that there will never be ample lanes in a health club's pool for every patron desiring to get in a few laps to have his or her own. Unless one is willing to wait ten or fifteen minutes for an occupied lane to become free, one must share, and likewise, in the interest of fairness, one must be willing to share. Most people are quite accommodating and sensible when it comes to co-leasing a lane, but there are some for whom common sense and courtesy are sorely lacking. I am an avid, daily swimmer, and here are a few of the most common offenses I've observed:
(1) The Post-Weightroom-Dipper. Some apparently believe the conspicuously placed sign that reads, "Please shower before entering pool" is more of a friendly suggestion than an actual instruction. Dripping from their spinning classes, weight sets, several-mile jogs around the track, or what have you, they jump right in, not realizing that this creates the sensation for others in the pool of literally swimming through stench???compare the feeling to that of swimming in the cold ocean and crossing into a patch of warm water, but imagine the water smells like a jockstrap. I'll say no more, as I feel this imagery is sufficient.
(2) The Chatterbox. Most people don't have a problem with you and your friends, coworkers, significant others, etc., socializing at the health club. Indeed, many people frequent health clubs almost exclusively for this reason when they could very easily work out on their own. However, there are certain places in the health club where socialization should be put aside--among them, the lanes of a crowded pool. Everyone has a schedule, and most of us don't like having to share a lane with Stinky McStinkerton (see item (1) above) while you and your buddy in the neighboring lane catch up on gossip.
(3) The Wounded. I'm sure just about everyone has either experienced this???you jump in the pool and are several laps into your workout (or have waded around for several minutes, if you aren't swimming laps) before realizing you forgot to take the band-aid off your finger. You probably don't have pockets in your swimsuit, and you probably don't feel like getting out of the pool and finding a trash can, so you peel off the wet bit of fabric and place it at the edge of the pool. Trust me, this is okay; everybody does it, but please, PLEASE, make a mental note to actually pick it up and throw it away when you do exit the pool. Otherwise, it almost always ends up at the bottom of the pool or on the bottom of someone's foot or sandal???either way, it's unsanitary and bothersome, so don't let it happen.
(4) The Lazy Gum Chewer. Why on earth were you chewing gum in the pool, anyway?
I don't believe these are unreasonable requests, and I think that every little thing we can do to make each others' days a bit better helps everyone in the long run. Just be courteous--it doesn't take that much effort.
Comment: A couple brief notes on lap/lane pool etiquette--
It is an unfortunate fact of life that there will never be ample lanes in a health club's pool for every patron desiring to get in a few laps to have his or her own. Unless one is willing to wait ten or fifteen minutes for an occupied lane to become free, one must share, and likewise, in the interest of fairness, one must be willing to share. Most people are quite accommodating and sensible when it comes to co-leasing a lane, but there are some for whom common sense and courtesy are sorely lacking. I am an avid, daily swimmer, and here are a few of the most common offenses I've observed:
(1) The Post-Weightroom-Dipper. Some apparently believe the conspicuously placed sign that reads, "Please shower before entering pool" is more of a friendly suggestion than an actual instruction. Dripping from their spinning classes, weight sets, several-mile jogs around the track, or what have you, they jump right in, not realizing that this creates the sensation for others in the pool of literally swimming through stench???compare the feeling to that of swimming in the cold ocean and crossing into a patch of warm water, but imagine the water smells like a jockstrap. I'll say no more, as I feel this imagery is sufficient.
(2) The Chatterbox. Most people don't have a problem with you and your friends, coworkers, significant others, etc., socializing at the health club. Indeed, many people frequent health clubs almost exclusively for this reason when they could very easily work out on their own. However, there are certain places in the health club where socialization should be put aside--among them, the lanes of a crowded pool. Everyone has a schedule, and most of us don't like having to share a lane with Stinky McStinkerton (see item (1) above) while you and your buddy in the neighboring lane catch up on gossip.
(3) The Wounded. I'm sure just about everyone has either experienced this???you jump in the pool and are several laps into your workout (or have waded around for several minutes, if you aren't swimming laps) before realizing you forgot to take the band-aid off your finger. You probably don't have pockets in your swimsuit, and you probably don't feel like getting out of the pool and finding a trash can, so you peel off the wet bit of fabric and place it at the edge of the pool. Trust me, this is okay; everybody does it, but please, PLEASE, make a mental note to actually pick it up and throw it away when you do exit the pool. Otherwise, it almost always ends up at the bottom of the pool or on the bottom of someone's foot or sandal???either way, it's unsanitary and bothersome, so don't let it happen.
(4) The Lazy Gum Chewer. Why on earth were you chewing gum in the pool, anyway?
I don't believe these are unreasonable requests, and I think that every little thing we can do to make each others' days a bit better helps everyone in the long run. Just be courteous--it doesn't take that much effort.
Comment: 1. How about going easy on the cologne and perfume? Some people must think it enhances their body odor while they sweat but Its obnoxious. Colognes and perfumes become stronger when you sweat and the strengthened aroma is sometimes too much. 2. How about people that leave their machine or weights to either do a circuit when the gym is crowded; go talk to somebody; go to the bathroom or get water, all for an over-extended amount of time and will leave their keys or a towel there to claim that they are still using the machine. Sometimes they won't even leave anything and when they return after 5-10 minutes expect you to forfeit the machine or weights back to them? HuH?!? 3. I don't appreciate members using vinyl or fabric covered benches to step on to do various forms of exercise...first, its dirty and then when others lay on the benches we have to clean them off and over a longer period of time, it damages the cover/vinyl/fabric or whatever the bench is made of, resulting in highers costs to members when the gym has to repair or replace the equipment.
Comment: Let's face it, gyms are stinky, disgusting places and if you want to use them, suck it up! Offensive gym users are NOT going to change their nasty habits....so, suck it up!
Comment: couple months ago I was going to Golds Gym in San Francisco, when I was going into the steam room
there is this guy Jacking off with a hard on with other 4 guys aroynd ! and you are likely also to find condoms used and lubrican inside this area ! even that there is a sign on the wall , that is saying that Golds Gym will not tolerate explicit activities in public areas and they also are all the time stearing ther eyes to other guys dick
not wondering , Here in SF Golds Gym is full of gays with no matters.
Comment: I go the our local gym several times a week, mostly in the early morning before work. There are several people that shower after their workout and then get dressed for work, that is understandable. But a few of them go so far as to was their gym clothes in the shower with them and one guy even goes and hangs it in the sauna to dry. First off, this isn't a laudromat and secondly they waste a lot of water with this practice. Another thing that several people do is spread their stuff all over the benches in the locker room. There is limited space as it is and people should be more curteous to others who may want a small section of the bench to sit down and put on their shoes!!
Comment: Yes, I FINALLY get to vent about this. I go to the gym six days a week so I've built up a list. I'm tired of pretending these annoyances don't exist, however, I limited it to my top 3 since I could write an entire novel about this.
1. First off, BAD ODORS. Why is this so hard for people?! And I am not talking about people who just finished working out on another machine; I'm talking about people I see walk into the gym with the putrid odor already with them. Nothing is worse than running next to person who stinks like smoke or horrible body odor. It's like a sudden asthma attack.
2. Out-of-order free weights. I learned how to count when I was in elementary school so put the weights in the correct oder! There is a slight difference between 15lbs and 50 lbs and if the size didn't clue you in, the little numbers on the weight racks should help guide you.
3. WIPE DOWN THE MACHINES!! I know some people think that they couldn't possibly sweat but you DO and I can't stand seeing sweat drips and spots on machines... or puddles. This is absolutely disgusting. What do these people's homes look like?Also, I do place some blame on management. I've noticed that they don't regulate this problem nor do some gyms carry sanitizer bottles for the members to use like in some gyms.
And for some of the people who hate "gym rats" you really have no say because that is an environment that many people enjoy daily and actually respect. I'm sure you guys don't have the patience of a Saint when someone interrupts your life's little joys.
Comment: Solution to your problems: Build a mini-gym in your basement! You'll have the joy of your own B.O., orderly weights and you can wipe down your own equipment. IF YOUR LIST IS THAT LONG WHY THE HELL DID YOU JOIN IN THE FIRST PLACE YOU DOLT!
Comment: I hates those dudes that sing in da showa ,,loud ,man!!!
Comment: All the comments have a common thread. There are so many people who think rules are for the 'other' guy and they don't have to go by them. Whether it's on the freeway or in the grocery store waiting in line, there's alway's someone who just HAS to get in front of you. We have raised a society of self-centered jerks who care for no one else but themselves. As well as ignoramuses, as they aren't even aware of their behaviour.
Comment: american gyms have TONS OF ENERGY they are great but i do like the european gyms with saunas because in europe you are required to go naked its great especially having conversations with models it really enlighted me as to the VAST cultural differance between americans and europeans.
i have dryed my socks with a hair dryer never thought about it but then my feet dont stink as i work out
all the time.
the music in american gyms is way better german gyums aree like morgues polish gyms are better than german ones they have more enthusiasium .
in britian you have to belong to a private club whiuch sucks they are expensive .
the main thing i miss is the 24 hr open gyms europe doesnt have those except for a cheap cahin called MC FIT and they suck no sauna and they charge 50 cents for a shower after wards.
Comment: I had a guy with an erection taking a shower next to me who kept staring at me...
