# I can't join a gym because people suck (long) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 28, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099 "2010-05-28T18:45:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**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 29, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/61 "2010-05-29T15:28:22Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > Not exactly. I realize that although annoyed at someone working out in front of a dumbbell rack, my annoyance will be fleeting and realizing he’ll be out of the way in a relative few moments is the preferable option over interrupting someone while in the middle of a set. I thought I explained this already? If anyone else wants to focus on why I didn’t say “excuse me” to someone, please start another thread. I think I said enough about it already and my annoyance at the gym was not solely or even mostly about this. So if it’s so fleeting, why were you still pissed off about it? I mean, I get not wanting to say anything if it’s just a momentary thing, but if you’re still pissed off all this time later, why not have said something? You can do so politely without starting an altercation. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/62 "2010-05-29T16:02:48Z")
I agree with the OP. People do suck. But people will always suck. That’s never going to change. The best thing to do is make lemonade. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/63 "2010-05-29T18:30:02Z")
\ The last thing I want to see or interact with is a bunch of guys with too much muscle getting irate and penis measuring. But it’s the lack of hygiene that squicks me out. No towels? Ew. And now back to the thread. ---
**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 29, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/64 "2010-05-29T18:32:36Z")
For machines, are you expected to put the towel down on it (or bench) before you use it? I use a gym but I only use the treadmill so it’s not really an issue. I wipe the control-y part with a paper towel at the end, not that there’s sweat on it, but it’s been so drummed into me from these threads that the possibility of sweat=gross. I don’t really notice anyone else with towels or even using the paper towels, though. (It’s a private gym in my building, so not many people are using it.) ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/65 "2010-05-29T18:55:55Z")
In my gym, it’s either one. The idea is not to leave behind sweat for the next person to have to wipe, lay in or soak up with their draped towel. So, wiping or draping leaves the bench fairly dry. I drape my towel behind my head even on equipment where I’m sitting up and quickly wipe along the bench after I finish. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/66 "2010-05-29T19:01:53Z")
Yes, you’re supposed to put towels down. You’re also usually supplied with spray sanitizer or Clorox wipes to wipe down the areas that you’ve touched or sweated on. Me? I wipe them down before and after. ---
**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 29, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/67 "2010-05-29T19:06:08Z")
I don’t know if we have any wipes or spray sanitizer in my gym but I figure just using the dry paper towels is enough for me since when you’re on the treadmill you’re barely touching anything… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099/68 "2010-05-29T19:21:40Z")
For those intimidated by gyms, I suggest [Planet Fitness](http://www.planetfitness.com/). I have been to two in two different states and both of them were staffed with friendly folks and the clientele tends to lack the kind of self-absorbed meatheads that typify gym stereotypes. Actually, they kind of dissuade them from even joining and will kick them out ([they made news when they revoked the membership of someone who violated their “No grunting” rules](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/18/nyregion/18grunt.html)). (I am not, nor have I ever been, a PlanetFitness employee.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-join-a-gym-because-people-suck-long/541099.md?page=3)