Cellphoning at the gym (yes, I know that is not a word)
Why is it that some people seem to think the perfect place to sit down for a long cell phone conversation is on top of a piece of gym equipment? Wouldn’t the front seat of the car be a more appropriate and practical site? I would think so, but judging by the number of times I’ve witnessed this occurrence, its obvious that many people consider a seated shoulder press machine, an elliptical machine, and a leg extension machine perfect places to hold lengthy phone conversations.
Of course, these are the same people who haven’t demonstrated an ounce of progress over months of gym-going. These are also the people who seem to think that walking around and talking to everyone in their path signifies a good workout. So I guess it is fitting that they would misuse gym equipment and their gym time this way. That being said, it is still extremely irritating and usually provokes me to abandon my quiet gym demeanor.
Generally, I am very courteous at the gym. I try not to hog the equipment, working quickly and always allowing people to “work in” with me. I also don’t leave sweaty messes behind and I always re-rack my weights. However, when I am stuck mid-workout waiting to use the leg extension machine that is serving the function of a living room recliner, my easygoing and passive attitude seems to dissipate. First, I try the “stand and wait.” Sometimes, this works and the offender moves his conversation else where. However, sometimes I have to resort to verbal confrontation to get the point across that I actually want to use the equipment for its intended purpose. Sometimes the person smiles and apologizes, quickly getting off the machine; other times he or she gets up, gives me an annoyed look, and walks away as if I was the rudest person created. This reaction doesn’t bother me much as I smile, offer my thanks, and inwardly laugh at the irony of the situation.
August 29, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Don’t you know that time is suppose to stand still while someone is using their cell phone in the gym
That and people using the equipment to lounge on gets me every time. -Jeff
August 29, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Oh, I can’t stand those people. I have a guy at my gym who loves to chat with one hand and do curls with his other. Than there’s the gal chatting away on the treadmill next to me. I’ve always wanted to lean over and just speed things up for her. Hey if your not sweating and breathing hard for cardio, why bother!
August 29, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Are those the same people who complain when the can’t hear their soap on the tv infront of the cardio equipment?
I’d first complain to the manager. Then the corporate. And if you don’t get any feedback…bs them about safety caused by distractions in the weight room.
And if the people are going to bed rude and hog equipment be rude back. Make a fuss and lots of noise around them.
If you’re not sweating you’re not doing it right.
August 30, 2007 at 5:55 am
I know how you feel. I wrote a complain letter once to the manager of my club about this guy who threw the weights around. That clanging noise was totally unbearable.
Well some people, gotta learn the hard way I guess. But a great post you have here, been a while since I read something like that!
All the best in your goals then!
August 30, 2007 at 5:58 am
Your words are my words, verbatim…lol…
September 2, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Yeah, I still cant get this one guy to say hi after I almost b-slapped him for having that stupid earpiece and talking for 30+ min. He would move to every machine next to me and I finally told him to shut the f up and go some where else to talk. I know.. not very christian of me. but what else can you do. Rude people Suck!!!!! GIT-R-DONE!!!
September 4, 2007 at 8:20 am
I never understood that either. My cell phone stays in the car when I am at the gym. I don’t want to be that guy.
September 5, 2007 at 8:13 am
Another argument for the home gym!! Personally, when I do work out at gyms on the road, I don’t have a problem with Mr. Noisy, Important Cell Phone Guy, as it only takes me butting into his super important conversation with a simple, "Hey Boss, I’m gonna bust out a set real quick while you finish up that conversation, alright?" to get him moving along. A matter-of-fact approach always works best and many times is just the kick in the pants that’ll keep these gym-sloths from repeating their annoying habit.
September 5, 2007 at 8:14 am
Cells phones in the gym should be banned! What is so damn important that you need to walk around the gym and talk on the phone? I am in charge of the state SWAT team and when I go into the gym the phone never gets answered. The gym is my time…..every other minute of the day I’m on call so I figure I can take a little bit of time for my physical fitness. Everyone one of my guys know that if they call around 1600 hours, I won’t be answering.
The other thing that irritates me as well are the people who have to walk around and talk to everyone. Ok, if you want to say, "hi" and move on, great, other than that, sit down shut up and train. My wife and I hardly talk while we train together, we are there to train, not to talk. When I train alone I put my headphones in and I hardly look at anyone.
Basically, I agree with you 100%……Keep training hard, you look great.
"Winners do the extra rep, losers call it a day. Who will you be today?!" -D.M.
September 6, 2007 at 8:58 am
I’ve been fortunate enough to have a gym where "you’d better keep moving" attitude reigns. Alot of fitness pros and bodybuilders to serious fitness folks with busy lives workout there too. We’ll phase out the non hardcores real quick since they see a bunch of nutty hard bodies going at it. But yes, just because you made it to the gym doesn’t mean you "made it" for that day, hard work has to ensue. I personally find the phone frustrating sometimes (yesterday I had 14 messages), so the gym is a time for me to commune with the people who are there for their personal best. ok i’m done…
September 7, 2007 at 8:11 pm
haha…my favorite topic.
I’ve seen a lady doing seated cable rows with her cell phone wedged in between her ear and her shoulder, talking while doing the exercise.
And about "working in"; some chickie was resting in recliner-mode on the leg press machine, chatting with her friend and when I asked if I could work in, the friend told me "no, she’s not done yet".
Oh oh…the stories you could start to tell ;O)
September 10, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Crazy huh? Yeah, that kills me too. The people who spend the whole time in the gym on the phone or socializing. That kills me! Also, when the socializers try to drag you into their world by trying to talk you to death. I usually just try to walk off politely with a smile. I don’t understand. Are you coming to the gym just to say you went to the gym today????? What also kills me is people who never push themselves and never get any physical results…I don’t get it! Why waste your time…make your time in the gym count!! That’s what I do. I leave my phone in my locker, but I do have to admit that I do bring my phone with me when my hubby is in Iraq..I can’t stand to miss his calls then…otherwise, no phone for me in the gym. That’s me time! I’m not there to play, I’m there to work hard! I totally feel ya!
October 8, 2007 at 9:21 am
I totally had this happen to me last wed as I was waiting for my favorite leg press machine!! What was worse was that he was talking with one of those stupid ear pieces that flashes every few seconds. Do people not realize how dorky they look with that thing on their ear?!