# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/121 "2009-05-21T02:33:58Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Then there’s the danger of colliding with an out-of-sync neighbor, as I mentioned several times earlier. If you’re just stepping in place as you mentioned in your post, then how would that cause danger/distraction? You said you wouldn’t even step in place b/c that would be rude to your fellow classmates. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/122 "2009-05-21T02:41:29Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > If you’re just stepping in place as you mentioned in your post, then how would that cause danger/distraction? Because as I said several times now, if you’re stepping in place and other people are moving laterally, then you are presenting a danger to the people around you. Being stationary is not the same as being safe. If you don’t move with the class, at least roughly, then you can indeed cause an accident. This is not merely theoretical, since I’ve seen several near-collisions over the course of the past few months. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/123 "2009-05-21T02:43:44Z")
> [@Kayeby](#): > > It’s definitely dangerous if people are constantly moving in the wrong direction, but if they’re walking on the spot instead of doing jumping jacks I don’t notice. Most people wouldn’t, at least not if its only occasional. Like I said, it’s expected that some people will need to take a break now and then. If you’re doing it throughout the class though, then it’s hard not to notice, especially when the class movements require covering a lot of distance. Again, this is not just theoretical, as I’ve heard other people complain about this before. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/124 "2009-05-21T02:45:59Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Because as I said several times now, if you’re stepping in place and other people are moving laterally, then you are presenting a danger to the people around you. > > Being stationary is not the same as being safe. If you don’t move with the class, at least roughly, then you can indeed cause an accident. This is not merely theoretical, since I’ve seen several near-collisions over the course of the past few months. If you’re standing that close to someone that just standing there can cause an accident, I’d assume the reason was that there just isn’t enough space. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/125 "2009-05-21T04:12:48Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > If you’re standing that close to someone that just standing there can cause an accident, I’d assume the reason was that there just isn’t enough space. Admittedly, when there’s plenty of open space, then the danger factor is limited. When there is less space available though, then people should either (a) be prepared to move, (b) excuse themselves from the class, even temporarily. Besides, a lot of common exercise moves can require covering sizeable distances. When performing a grapevine, for example, you might have to travel six feet or so–longer, if you have long legs. With a double grapevine, you can cover twelve feet or more. Should we insist on having 12-foot boundaries between each and every student? That’s excessive, especially when the class is in great demand. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/126 "2009-05-21T04:22:40Z")
Put it this way, **Slit**. Suppose that the class is in considerable demand, and that you can’t accommodate a 12-foot (or even a six-foot) margin between students? What should the gym management do? Should they expect people to move with the class, following the teacher’s instructions? Or should they say, “Sorry folks, but you can’t join the class. We need to have plenty of room in case some people decide to stand still”? This is not a situation wherein one can be completely egalitarian. Sure, some people might complain about being expected to move with the class. They might even say, “It’s unfair! I can’t keep up, so don’t ask me to!” If you choose to limit class attendance because of this though, then it’s unfair to the other members – the ones who actually do move with the crowd. There is no magical solution that will make everyone happy, which is why it’s best to pick a class that’s a reasonable match for your skill and energy level. As with many aspects of gym etiquette, it’s simply a matter of balancing personal convenience vs the safety and consideration of others. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/127 "2009-05-21T13:55:59Z")
JT, I think we can conclude from this thread and others before it that polite people with an interest in getting in shape have no place at a gym. It should be strictly for clueless people who want to complain about how much they work out without losing any weight. Have another ice cream cone, ya bastids. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/128 "2009-05-21T14:53:14Z")
Actually, I conclude from this thread and many others that there are quite a lot of people using the possibility that someone at a gym might be briefly annoyed at them if they went there, as their excuse for why they have to be overweight. _Imagining_ that someone might criticize them for giggling during aerobics is apparently far more traumatic than being overweight or out-of-shape. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/129 "2009-05-21T15:10:00Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Who says this? I always hear this “debunked” but I haven’t heard anyone push women toward the 2 pound weights so they won’t get too bulky in 20 years. I can’t remember the trainer’s name, but she trains Gwyneth Paltrow & Madonna, I think she said that women should never lift anything heavier than 3 lbs weights. This was recently, I think she was on Oprah saying it. And if it’s on Oprah, people are going to believe it. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/130 "2009-05-21T15:12:24Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > 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. I have the same issue with step aerobics of all levels, no idea why. I’m not terribly uncoordinated, and can follow other aerobics classes just fine. It’s odd. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/131 "2009-05-21T15:41:51Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > Actually, I conclude from this thread and many others that there are quite a lot of people using the possibility that someone at a gym might be briefly annoyed at them if they went there, as their excuse for why they have to be overweight. > > _Imagining_ that someone might criticize them for giggling during aerobics is apparently far more traumatic than being overweight or out-of-shape. I don’t know where you get “quite a lot” from this thread. Are there that many people saying they wouldn’t go to the gym because of the OP’s attitude? ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/132 "2009-05-21T15:44:58Z")
> [@badbadrubberpiggy](#): > > I can’t remember the trainer’s name, but she trains Gwyneth Paltrow & Madonna, I think she said that women should never lift anything heavier than 3 lbs weights. This was recently, I think she was on Oprah saying it. > > And if it’s on Oprah, people are going to believe it. Tracy Anderson. I know this because some of the women on a fitness forum I lurk at absolutely loathe her. From [this](http://www.oodora.com/fitness/fat-loss-and-cellulite/madonnas-trainer-tracy-anderson-on-how-to-lose-20-pounds-in-6-weeks.html) website: > [@](#): > > While following this plan six times a week, use 3-pound weights, max. Anderson explains, “It’ll get you to your tiniest, tightest point without overdeveloping muscles.” Tiny! And tight! Like a teeny-tiny dancer! Teehee! ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/133 "2009-05-21T15:51:47Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I don’t know where you get “quite a lot” from this thread. Are there that many people saying they wouldn’t go to the gym because of the OP’s attitude? This isn’t the first thread where people pop in and opine “Oh, you just don’t _understand_! _That_ attitude is the reason that people are scared off from going to a gym and getting into shape.” “That” attitude invariably being ‘I might imagine that people are thinking bad things about me in their head’. It’s been pretty much every gym thread I can recall reading recently… although I don’t often visit the weightloss club/getting in shape threads. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/134 "2009-05-21T15:56:26Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > This isn’t the first thread where people pop in and opine “Oh, you just don’t _understand_! _That_ attitude is the reason that people are scared off from going to a gym and getting into shape.” > > “That” attitude invariably being ‘I might imagine that people are thinking bad things about me in their head’. It’s been pretty much every gym thread I can recall reading recently… although I don’t often visit the weightloss club/getting in shape threads. Fair enough. I haven’t read very many other gym-themed threads, now that I think about it. ---
**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 21, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/135 "2009-05-21T17:13:25Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > That makes no sense. Sure it does. Since you think it’s a situation that never happens, anyway, you should have no problem agreeing that if it \*were \*to happen, it would be inconsiderate and inappropriate. > [@crazyjoe](#): > > JT, I think we can conclude from this thread and others before it that polite people with an interest in getting in shape have no place at a gym. Well, sure, if you want to completely misrepresent everything **JThunder** ’s said. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/136 "2009-05-21T17:32:46Z")
**Shot from Guns** , I think that **crazyjoe** was agreeing with us, albeit using hyperbole to do so. At least, that’s what I think. I had to pause a bit while reading his response. Anyway, while I wouldn’t use such hyperbole, I do agree that this is ultimately an issue of politeness. One might not _think_ that it’s polite to avoid working out in a gym class if they can’t move along with the group, and I can understand why this sounds distasteful. Ultimately though, it is a matter of being polite – polite to the people around you. People who are trying to concentrate, who are trying to do the moves correctly, and who want to avoid colliding with a gym-goer who is either stationary or going the wrong way. Ditto for the other issues raised, such as loud talking, uncontrolled laughter, and leaving one’s sweaty back prints all over the gym equipment. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/137 "2009-05-21T18:06:40Z")
Yes, we met in the thread where I complained about people using the treadmill improperly. What a train wreck that was… Hyperbole is my specialty. My gym has a list of rules such as no loud grunting, no spitting, wear deodorant, keep cell phone conversations low, etc. We don’t have locker room issues because there isn’t a locker room, but I see plenty of people using more than one machine/bench, and it happens regularly that people will move the inclined situp bench over to some other area so they can do inclined presses on the squat bar or something equally as stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/138 "2009-05-21T18:15:33Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > This is not a situation wherein one can be completely egalitarian. Sure, some people might complain about being expected to move with the class. They might even say, “It’s unfair! I can’t keep up, so don’t ask me to!” If you choose to limit class attendance because of this though, then it’s unfair to the other members – the ones who actually do move with the crowd. There is no magical solution that will make everyone happy, which is why it’s best to pick a class that’s a reasonable match for your skill and energy level. As with many aspects of gym etiquette, it’s simply a matter of balancing personal convenience vs the safety and consideration of others. Okay, I guess that makes sense. My gym (being as it’s just in my building) doesn’t offer classes like that, so I suppose it’s not really my area. > [@crazyjoe](#): > > My gym has a list of rules such as no loud grunting, no spitting, wear deodorant, keep cell phone conversations low, etc. They tell you to wear deodorant? How would they even know? I get pretty sweaty with or without it when I wok out… ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/139 "2009-05-21T18:25:46Z")
> [@Kayeby](#): > > Tracy Anderson. I know this because some of the women on a fitness forum I lurk at absolutely loathe her. I stand corrected. There is a moron out there who is still claiming that you should do 100 tricep extensions with a 2 pound weight. To not get “bulky.” BTW, **Kayeby** , which forum? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573/140 "2009-05-21T19:19:07Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Sure it does. Since you think it’s a situation that never happens, anyway, you should have no problem agreeing that if it \*were \*to happen, it would be inconsiderate and inappropriate. > . I simply meant that I had no clue what that sentence of yours was supposed to mean. You lost me at “themself”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-annoyances/496573.md?page=8)