Gym Sins

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

I had a guy with an erection taking a shower next to me who kept staring at me...

I had a guy with an erection staring at me in the shower...

What about people who take up a lane in the pool talking or standing around instead of swimming laps, preventing others who want to swim laps from doing so?

In NJ, the left lane is considered a 'passing' lane...you can get a ticket for doing the speed limit in the left lane yet failing to allow another to pass. Note also the signs 'slower traffic keep right.' So, yes, there are idiots in the left lane who should keep right!

In NJ, the left lane is considered a 'passing' lane...you can get a ticket for doing the speed limit in the left lane yet failing to allow another to pass. Note also the signs 'slower traffic keep right.' So, yes, there are idiots in the left lane who should keep right!

In NJ, the left lane is considered a 'passing' lane...you can get a ticket for doing the speed limit in the left lane yet failing to allow another to pass. Note also the signs 'slower traffic keep right.' So, yes, there are idiots in the left lane who should keep right!

Wow, that must be more common that I thought!
One day I was in the locker room of my local YMCA and this very funky smell caught my nose. I went around the corner to where the blow dryers are located and there stood a lady in her mid 50's wearing just a towel. She was bent over and had the blower dryer shoved up under the towel, also blow drying her undercarriage, as you so eloquently put it. Needless to say, I now refuse to use the blow dryers in the locker room! SICK!

Wow, that must be more common that I thought!
One day I was in the locker room of my local YMCA and this very funky smell caught my nose. I went around the corner to where the blow dryers are located and there stood a lady in her mid 50's wearing just a towel. She was bent over and had the blower dryer shoved up under the towel, also blow drying her undercarriage, as you so eloquently put it. Needless to say, I now refuse to use the blow dryers in the locker room! SICK!

We had a problem with folks in our gym shower "washing out their workout cloths" in the shower. We also have various new "Thou Shalt Not" signs added that make you go "hmmm":


You are not allowed to dye or bleach your hair in the showers
A layer of clothin or a towel is required in the sauna
Please do not shave your legs in the sauna

and my favorite "your Momma never taught you" rule:

Taking photos in the locker room is prohibited.

There are soo many things that I have seen members do over the years which have been truly just disgusting & thoughtless to others One of my worst pet peeves (I have many) is hoging the running track. Please do not walk three across or stand still or do wierd arm extensions on the track. Have a little respect for your fellow member. Stay to the right side running or walking so everyone can enjoy the track. That is way I much prefer to run outside!!