My "Gym Rant" Post

I've been meaning to write this post for a while.  One of the fitness magazines that I "like" on Facebook posted asking for pet peeves from gym goers.  The response was long and loud in terms of the number of complaints people had about their gym-goers.  Here are some that I remember.

I hate it when...

• someone gets on the treadmill right next to mine when there are other open ones
• a woman has full make-up on when working out
• someone stinks
• people don't wipe off a machine when they're done using it
• people grunt or groan while lifting weights
• fat people wear clothes that are too tight, too revealing, too anything
• someone slams down the weights when they are done using them
• I see people who don't use good form
• people drive to park as close as possible to the front door only to go inside and walk on the treadmill
• people wear clothes that show butt crack, cleavage, mid-section, etc 
• new year resolutioners swarm the gym in January and February
• a fellow gym-goer tries to chat me up
• people sit on the benches or machines, and proceed to have a conversation or watch tv

I've also had friends post on Facebook, complaining about their fellow gym-goer's clothes, body odor, exercise choices, etc.  In general, I am irritated with all the irritation.  When did we become so intolerant of others?  What do you care what others are doing or how they're dressed?  It's a gym, not your living room.  I have a few answers to the above complaints.

• If I get on the treadmill next to you when there are others available it's because A) I only plan to be on for a few minutes and it was the closest one or B) I like what's on the TV closest to that one.  
• I workout with make-up when I'm coming straight from work.  Besides, why do you care?
• It's a gym, some people will stink. 
• If you are so upset by machines that haven't been wiped off then wipe them off yourself before you use them.  Problem solved.
• Fat people can wear whatever the heck they want.  If you don't like it, build a home gym.
• I grunt because it's hard, I groan because I'm suffering - that's what I do at the gym, hard, suffering work.  And I'm not sorry to disturb your peace.  
• Resolutioners are the life-blood of gyms.  They sign up for a year contract and then some percentage will start no-showing by March.  Thank them for keeping your dues lower but your treadmills open.

And no, I am not above a few gym rants of my own.  Of course I think my gym peeves are totally valid :)

• I agree, don't sit on a bench, a machine, or hoard dumbbells if you are going to be taking more than a minute break between sets.  Someone else might need that stuff.
• Put things back where you found them.
• There are lockers for your backpack and jacket.  The corner against the wall is not the place.
• The upper locker next to the counter on the far left, that's my locker.  Please don't use it.

Ok, that's enough with this silly gym rant post.  Feel free to add your own gym rants, but know I will be judging you for your intolerance.  Oh, the hypocrisy!