Sure, I’ve occassionally reached my limit and a decent groan sneaks past, but if you do it every time you are doing it for show.
Yes, we know you’re strong, we’re really impressed. Now knock it off.
Eventually one of them is going to actually hurt himself and nobody will pay a lick of attention to his cries.
The water fountain thing is very annoying, but why is it that a gym with 150 sweaty/exerting people at any one time will only ever have one drinking fountain?
Here is what I hate the most: when I walk away from a machine for 15 seconds (I like to walk it off after doing my squats) and return to find some other asshat resetting the machine for themselves. Walking all over my belt, my bag, my water bottle, throwing my towel to the floor (I put it over the bar so it would be clear it was in use). At least make an attempt to find out if the machine is in use.
Yeah, there is a hell of a lot of gym etiquette to follow, so it’s not surprising that some people can’t seem to get it (although it is pretty aggravating.) I work out at home now, and for me, it works a lot better.
The grunters drove me nuts. I just couldn’t stop giggling at the noises they made lifting weights, and I didn’t want to seem rude, so that’s another reason to work out at home. I mean, yeah, a grunt does sneak out every so often, but every fucking time you lift?
And word on the wiping down the machine thing. Some people are just nasty.
I really, REALLY wish that the gym staff would post an etiquette guide in the locker room, or SOMEWHERE. I had no idea that some of this stuff was considered improper, and I was certainly not told when I signed up at the gym. I mean, sure, I could figure out that I shouldn’t leave my sweat or grooming products all over, but some of this stuff is completely new to me.
Of course, mostly I just get in the pool and do my workout there, trying to stay out of other people’s way.
I can understand what you’re saying, but remember that on the other side there are those annoying fucks who “mark” their machine and then go to the bathroom for two minutes. I understand that you are not one of these, but leaving your stuff behind while you are not there could give others that impression.
I encountered one of those guys while waiting for one of the most popular machines in the gym. I let him go and then had to wait half an hour for another one to open up. I never forgave myself for not telling him to fuck off. (I’m talking about cardio machines that you use for 40 minutes at a time, not weight machines)
As for grunters, there is a guy who literally sounds like he is fucking, every time he lifts anything. You hear him get started and you could swear he’s fixing to bust a nut. Makes me want to kill.
But reading this thread made me think of a question I’ve been wanting to ask:
My gym has recently put up quite detailed etiquette guides on the walls. I agree with all the rules except the one about not resting on the machines. I take a short break (maybe about 30 seconds at the most) in between sets. This is not long enough for someone else to slip in and do a set, as the etiquette guide suggests. What’s more, as you switch off, you always have to wipe the machine down and readjust the settings. I don’t think this is worth it if you’re only going to take a 30-second break, and so I ignore the signs that tell me to let other people use the machines. People look at me like I am the worst piece of shit in the gym for this.
Kyomara I think the intention is that you just extend your rest from say 30 secs to a couple of minutes so that you can rotate through with someone else. This is more efficient. It’s more sociable. It will stop those looks.
If you really think about it, you can work with someone else on two pieces of equipment and just swap and go.
I hate it when people come to the gym who do not have the courtesy to practice basic hygeine. Christ, how long does it take to work up that kind of stench?
I don’t mind you wearing your personal stereo and headphones. Hey, if it works for you… great! But keep the volume below TEN. Jeez, HOW DO YOUR EARDRUMS PUT UP WITH THAT?
And, when you do lower the volume, please don’t sing along. The last thing I need to do is try to stifle a laugh when I hear you singing, offkey, the soundtrack from Flashdance whilst I’m trying to push out that last squat.
And, please put some clothes on when you go an sit in the lounge area of the men’s locker room. (I actually reeled and heard myself say “EEUUUUGHH!” when I walked in there one day and found EVERY seat taken by a naked man!) I understand that you’ve draped a towel down so that your hairy, wet pustule-laden ass doesn’t come in contact with that WONDERFUL herculon furniture. If you want to watch TV naked, GO HOME! Or, if you want to sit around with a bunch of naked sweaty men, go to the sauna or steamroom.
My gym provides its members with unlimited, free towels - they’re thin & skimpy but nonetheless just “bath-sized.” Consequently I almost never see a wipe-down problem, which I appreciate. But because they’re thin & skimpy, most people need at least two.
Which they leave on the goddamn locker room floor. Soaking wet.
It’s rude to the staff, and it’s rude to the other members. I don’t like picking up your sopping-wet-with-god-knows-what rag to get to my locker. And the staff aren’t here to clean up after you - they complain, they’re right, and I know you can hear them. They’re talking to you.
About the drinking fountains…filling up 64-oz. bottles from a drinking fountain is a good way to burn out the motor. Then no cold water for anybody. Your gym should post a sign forbidding it.
Yep - I’m one of those people. I have a herniated disk and really get annoyed with people who don’t re-rack the weights, especially the 45 lb ones (those are the heaviest ones at my health club). Even if I’m lifting more than 45 lbs, I don’t use thhe 45 lbs weights; I use more of the 25s instead (plus whatever else I need).
Of course, this is moot now. I dropped my health club membership since it’s not convenient to the new job, and I’m going to take a couple of group classes that are offered at work (Yoga and Strength Training), plus work out with dumbbells and the Resistaball at home. The only time I’ll be at the health club is to finish up the last few sessions I have with my PT, and we’ll be using the dumbbells and ball.