# Gym annoyances **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 15, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573 "2009-05-15T21:23:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Telcontar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Telcontar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telcontar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/61 "2009-05-17T21:21:17Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Camera phones. Jeez the guys sit there in the locker room next to the showers talking on their phones, sometimes for hours. I can see guys doing this and 2 hours later come back and they’re still talking on their cell phones. Oddly enough this ONLY happens right by the showers. So you can guess what people are doing with those phones. I’ve spent most of my time in university gyms (very different culture than the real world) but I have never seen this. Does this really happen a lot? I’d tend to think that such behavior could be quickly remedied by a complaint to management or, ah, “direct action.” ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/62 "2009-05-17T21:35:01Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > Nope. Unless post-wiping is enforced, you have to pre-wipe anyway just to be sure, rendering the post-wipe (if it was in fact done) superfluous. So forget the post-wipe and just pre-wipe. And stop looking askance at non-post-wipers. We are right and will be proven right over time. You’re no better than those germphobic bitches who hover pee and piss all over the seat, and then don’t wipe up because they think someone else will do it for them. It’s amazing that adults have to be told to clean up after their own bodily fluids as if they were children. ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/63 "2009-05-17T21:40:59Z")
I blame this “ewww, sweat” mentality on gym advertisements. The models exercising in them are all in great shape, but no one is sweating, grimacing, or even appearing to be working all that hard. Moreover, they are also usually smiling (exception: martial arts advertising), for some peculiar reason. Good luck trying to get results while living up to that image. I dunno about you guys, but when I work out, there’s plenty of sweating and straining. It’s the only way to get results. That’s why I go. And I ain’t smiling while I do it, I assure you. That said, everyone should clean up their own sweat with their towel (screw that disinfectant juice, it’s too much work). But changing shirts? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/64 "2009-05-17T22:29:22Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > I got no beef with most of the gripes in here, but the clueless about the moves in aerobics class really just sounds assy. I mean, I know you’ve made all these exceptions for getting tired and not being perfect and all, but it really does seem like everybody is going to be clueless about the moves at some point. Nobody here has complained about people merely being “clueless.” That term was used by another poster when she wrongly accused me of saying that only people who do the moves perfectly should be allowed to participate. As I took great pains to emphasize, it’s not a question of not knowing the moves. I specifically and repeatedly said that there is an understandable learning curve involved, and that people can adapt the moves if they can’t get them quite right yet. Rather, the issue is with whether someone is ABLE to do the moves – or at the very least, fake it so that they can kinda go along with the class. And if they need to pause and observe the moves first – or perhaps catch their breath – that’s fine too. (Other posters have also emphasized that newbies will make certain mistakes, and that most gym patrons will be more than understanding.) I repeat: It’s not a question of intellectual ability. It’s a question of being able to work at the right level, so that you can gain the proper benefits, avoid being a distraction to the instructor, and avoid being a distraction to the class. As **Enginerd** correctly pointed out, people get the best results when they work out at a level that’s within their grasp. If you’re taking a class that’s far beyond your ability, then you’re not really helping yourself AND you’re throwing other people off their game. > [@](#): > > After all, how in the name of all reason is a person supposed to already know and follow the moves if they’ve never seen the routine before? Osmosis? Telepathy? Coming in to sit and watch the class a few times beforehand? C’mon. Hey, if you can find anyone in this thread who said, “People need to get the moves right on the very first try, even if they’ve never seen them before!” then I will gladly join you in your objection. That’s not what we’re saying, though. Rather, my point (as echoed by a few others here) is that it doesn’t help to take a class that’s far beyong your abilities. It’d be like taking an advanced dance class when your only prior dance experience is doing the hokey-pokey. It won’t help you much, and it’ll be a distraction to everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/65 "2009-05-17T22:30:06Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > Nope. Unless post-wiping is enforced, you have to pre-wipe anyway just to be sure, rendering the post-wipe (if it was in fact done) superfluous. So forget the post-wipe and just pre-wipe. And stop looking askance at non-post-wipers. We are right and will be proven right over time. I’m wondering if maybe there’s a communication problem between you and those responding to your refusal to wipe up. **Hyperelastic** , are you talking about wiping up any visible sweat left on equipment with a gym towel (that I hope you’re using) or wiping down with paper towels and disinfectant? > [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > I got no beef with most of the gripes in here, but the clueless about the moves in aerobics class really just sounds assy Which post(s) are you referring to? **JThunder** made it clear that he wasn’t referring to those that need to adapt to some of the moves, but extreme cases where some people just basically walk in place or do what they want and don’t even attempt to follow along. Unless you’re talking about a post that I missed, it sounds like you’re making another straw man argument to add to the list. ETA: **JThunder** beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/66 "2009-05-17T22:46:25Z")
Thank you so much for saying that, **x-ray**. I honestly don’t know why people keep missing this distinction. Having said that, I do understand why people might find it distasteful to say that certain people should avoid joining the cardio classes. Fitness and obesity are such emotionally volatile topics of discussion, and so many people will tend to react adversely to ANY complaints about people who fall too far short of society’s ideal. Hence all the over-the-top accusations that we are demanding absolute perfection. Folks, contrary to what some posters have said, **nobody** is saying that only fit people are acceptable in the gym. And **nobody** is saying that you have to do things perfectly. Rather, it’s a question of simple consideration for others – whether you’re an Olympic bodybuilder who won’t re-rack his weights or a 98-lb weakling who being a distraction by not (at least roughly) following along with the class. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/67 "2009-05-17T22:54:58Z")
BTW, even though I never suggested it, I do think that there **are** times when it might be best to observe a class first before jumping in. I speak from experience. Earlier, I mentioned that I once tried a step aerobics class that was far beyond my ability. The moves were simply too advanced for me, and so I was flailing around and messing up completely. As I said, I could have just stepped in place or done my own thing, but I knew that would be disruptive and distracting to the class. So I did the right thing – I bowed out, knowing that I could return some day when I was ready. And yes, I did take a few minutes to observe the class, making mental notes so that I could visualize the moves more thoroughly. I practiced a little bit at home, and then I rejoined the class a couple of weeks later. I didn’t do things perfectly – in fact, I still mess up, even to this day – but I knew that I wasn’t flopping around and being a wild distraction to everyone else. People will tend to be very understanding when someone messes up in class. As long as your moves sorta resemble what the class calls for, you’re going to be fine. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/68 "2009-05-17T23:45:06Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > However, there are people attending these classes who habitually step to the left while everyone else is lunging to the right. Or people who zig in one direction while everyone else is zigging another way…if necessary, practice the moves at home for a while, so that you can get the proper benefits and avoid injuring your fellow gym-goers. > > Less annoying are people who do go in basically the right direction, but whose moves bear little resemblance to what the instructor is calling for. That. That right there is where people are getting that you think people who don’t already know the moves shouldn’t bother coming to the class at all. If you’re not already used to interpreting the directions and mirroring the instructor’s movements instead of actually doing what they’re doing, it’s really kind of hard to split your concentration between that and actually doing the movements. Most people are going to screw up and wind up going the wrong way fairly frequently until they get used to it. And there’s only one way to get used to that–to take classes and screw the moves up while you’re adjusting. So what it really truly sounds like you’re saying is that people who aren’t already used to taking aerobics classes should never take aerobics classes–which is exactly the sort of attitude people who aren’t used to taking aerobics classes or goig to the gym are afraid of encountering. I’m guessing by your protestations that maybe it’s not what you were actually trying to get at–I think maybe you meant to bitch about people who take classes that are too advanced for them–but it’s what you said. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/69 "2009-05-18T01:29:12Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > That. That right there is where people are getting that you think people who don’t already know the moves shouldn’t bother coming to the class at all. That’s not the same thing as not knowing the moves. Rather, it’s a matter of going the WRONG DIRECTION, which is an entirely different matter from merely being unfamiliar with the motions. You were specifically talking about people who are “clueless with the moves” and who have “never seen the routine before.” That’s a legitimate issue, but it’s not the one that you’re describing now. As for the issue that you’re now raising… If the instructor says “Jump to the right” and you keep jumping to the left, then you’re presenting a physical hazard to the people around you – especially in a crowded classroom. It’s one thing to make this mistake _occasionally_, as most people do. However, if you do it habitually, and if you repeatedly fail to correct yourself before it becomes a problem, then you are presenting a danger to the people around you. This is not just a hypothetical situation. I’ve seen several situations where two people nearly collide precisely one person is zigging while the other person is zagging. I also saw a fella nearly walk into someone’s fist because he was wasn’t paying attention to the people around him. Is it truly so difficult to see why this is an annoyance – and indeed, a potential hazard? > [@](#): > > Most people are going to screw up and wind up going the wrong way fairly frequently until they get used to it. And there’s only one way to get used to that–to take classes and screw the moves up while you’re adjusting. And once again, we’re not talking about people who occasionally mess up. As I specifically said in the OP, “However, there are people attending these classes who **habitually** step to the left while everyone else is lunging to the right. Or people who zig in one direction while everyone else is zigging another way. **The occasional mistake is fine, but if you do that habitually** , then you are presenting a physical hazard to the other people in the class.” (Emphasis added.) Additionally, the majority of first-timers can usually manage to go in roughly the right direction, even if they don’t get the moves right. And if they occasionally go the wrong way, then can usually correct themselves or otherwise avoid colliding with other people. In addition, first-timers are also generally hesitant, and so they avoid making large leaps, vigorous kicks, or other aggressive moves. They also tend to watch the people around them closely and try to mimic their moves. So no, contrary to what you say, this most assuredly is NOT a matter of saying that inexperienced people have no business starting at all. As I said, there’s nothing pleasant about saying that someone should avoid attending the class under such circumstances. Do you have a better solution, though? Again, we are not talking about > [@](#): > > So what it really truly sounds like you’re saying is that people who aren’t already used to taking aerobics classes should never take aerobics classes… I think we should add that comment to the list of strawman retorts that **x-ray vision** is compiling. NOBODY is saying that first-timers should not be allowed, as I explained earlier. And even if they do mess up the first time around, we’re not talking about mere newbies here. As I took great pains to emphasize, we’re talking about **habitually** going the wrong way. YES, there will be a learning curve… but unpleasant as it may sound, when people never get over that curve, they present physical dangers to the ones around them. It’s like riding a bicycle or driving a car. Most people get the hang of it after a while, but for whatever reason, some people don’t. then for the safety of others, please stay off the streets. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/70 "2009-05-18T01:31:36Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > I’m guessing by your protestations that maybe it’s not what you were actually trying to get at–I think maybe you meant to bitch about people who take classes that are too advanced for them–but it’s what you said. You’re conflating two separate issues. I complained about people who habitually go the wrong way, thereby causing collisions or near-misses with their neighbors. I then said, “Less annoying are people who do go in basically the right direction, but whose moves bear little resemblance to what the instructor is calling for” – a complaint that more closely resembles the one to which you originally took issue with, as indicated by your use phrases like “people who don’t already know the moves.” ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/71 "2009-05-18T15:01:08Z")
[quote=“1920s Style “Death Ray”, post:21, topic:496573”] Eh? 😕 I don’t mind having MY sweat on my towel, I don’t want YOUR sweat on my towel. Wipe your bloody sweat up after you’ve finished. If you’ve had to wipe the equipment before you started, then that’s between you and the previous user, don’t make it include me! [/QUOTE] Amen. Triple Amen. Wipe down after you’re done - those who don’t should be - I lack sufficient imagination to come up with adequate punishment for you filthy pigs. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/72 "2009-05-18T18:37:55Z")
How can anyone try to justify not wiping up their own sweat? Bacteria love growing in warm, moist areas. The pool of sweat left behind is the perfect place for bacteria to bloom and ooze into all the nicks and crannies. Wiping up your sweat is not going to sterilize the equipment, but it will get rid of a huge amount of the water the bacteria needs to reproduce. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/73 "2009-05-18T19:28:59Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > How can anyone try to justify not wiping up their own sweat? Bacteria love growing in warm, moist areas. The pool of sweat left behind is the perfect place for bacteria to bloom and ooze into all the nicks and crannies. Wiping up your sweat is not going to sterilize the equipment, but it will get rid of a huge amount of the water the bacteria needs to reproduce. Yeah, I just can’t see where it’s acceptable not to wipe up your sweat after you work out on a machine. Regardless of the bacteria, that’s really inconsiderate. It’s not your job to make everyone in the gym as happy as possible and I really don’t care if you disinfect the equipment or not because I’ll be washing my hands anyway, but still - take responsibility for cleaning up your own bodily fluids. That’s just disgusting to leave a puddle or sweat splotches. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/74 "2009-05-18T19:51:52Z")
People not wiping up their own sweat are 100% wrong, you have NO argument. If I want to wipe down a already clean machine that’s my business and my time wasted. If I see you walking away without wiping I will report you and have done so. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/75 "2009-05-18T20:28:13Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > And stop looking askance at non-post-wipers. I don’t “look askance” at them. I inform them that i’m not their maid, and tell them to wipe their own fucking filth off the equipment. If they don’t do that, i report them to the gym staff. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/76 "2009-05-18T21:56:56Z")
**JThunder** , why do you hate strawmen so much? Are you prejudiced against straw? You realize that people like you are the reason that scarecrows are never seen in gyms! **Hyperelastic** , you have a disgusting habit. Please stop trying to justify it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/77 "2009-05-18T22:58:33Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > …Some will just stand there and talk to you buckass naked. Without wearing shower shoes. Does no one worry about athlete’s foot? Never wore “shower shoes” in my life. Never had athlete’s foot. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/78 "2009-05-18T23:24:17Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > Nope. Unless post-wiping is enforced, you have to pre-wipe anyway just to be sure, False. The only time a per-wipe is necessary is if some inconsiderate slob fails to post-wipe. More often than not, a pre-wipe is not necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/79 "2009-05-19T00:15:24Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Never wore “shower shoes” in my life. Never had athlete’s foot. Never wore “seat belts” in my life. Never had a serious injury or been killed. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/80 "2009-05-19T00:21:04Z")
> [@Fantome](#): > > Never wore “seat belts” in my life. Never had a serious injury or been killed. Nice ramp-up of the rhetoric. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573.md?page=5)