The worst part about working out in a public gym....

[BJC]

It's understandable that at 5 PM on a weeknight a public gym is going to be busy. But how about those Saturday mornings when you're there with 3 other people and every time you're ready to move on to another exercise, someone else is using what you want to use?

Sometimes I swear it's a conspiracy!

[BJC]

Oh, and let's not forget to mention "Saturday Morning Cell Phone Gym Guy". Leave the phone in the car, Bud! It's time to concentrate on YOURSELF. You're not THAT important!

[Maljonic]

I must admit I can't understand why people take their phone into the gym with them, can't they stand to be disconnected from the damn thing for only an hour!?

Personally I don't even wear my watch!

[BJC]

Originally Posted by Maljonic

I must admit I can't understand why people take their phone into the gym with them, can't they stand to be disconnected from the damn thing for only an hour!?

Personally I don't even wear my watch!

I'm with you, especially on the phone-thing. It's just people wanting to feel important.

And as for the watch, I am the same way. But I sometimes think about getting one and wearing it so I can keep better track of my rest times. Sometimes that seconds hand is hard to see on the wall clock in the gym.

[Maljonic]

I just count in my head for rest times; one thousand, two thousand, three thousand and so on...

[hockeymom]

Come on guys...ease up on us phone carrying people...I have to have my phone with me, because I leave my boys at home. If I don't bring it, who are they going to call with "Kevin just farted on my head, and now I'm going to kill him! Tell him to leave me alone" ? These are very serious emergencies and require immediate attention!! (note extreme sarcasm ;0) )

[hypetech]

I used to bring my phone to use a stopwatch and for tracking my exercises, but I found out pretty quick that it's easier for me just to count in my head and use a slip of paper and a pen for tracking. As far as the machines not being available when you need them, I've had this problem a few times in my gym too, so I've started doing as much with the free weights as I can. It's a better workout than the machines most of the time, and there are usually more than enough dumbells to go around :-p

[BJC]

Originally Posted by hypetech

As far as the machines not being available when you need them, I've had this problem a few times in my gym too, so I've started doing as much with the free weights as I can. It's a better workout than the machines most of the time, and there are usually more than enough dumbells to go around :-p

Actually, I generally do the same. But there's still only one set of 25 lb. dumbbells, etc. Some days it's like God doesn't want me to workout....

[amsie]

the phones don't bother me, its getting in the gym past 5.00 pm weekdays, might as well not bother going, way too busy and doubles the time of a workout.

Cardio wise, not really a problem though

[Joel]

I work out in the fitness center at work and have never had an issue with the Cell phones.

I do know that it is a pain when someone jumps in on your machine after you have prepared it for your last set of 12.

I do not like it when people don't clean up after themselves. They sweat on the benches and machines and don't wipe them down. Also the people that never put their weights back. Sometimes I have to go looking for some of the plates because they took them from say the preacher curl station to some other station.

[TLow]

My peave is the lack of etiquette and understanding. I want to do 5 sets on a machine. I do one then get up and walk around for 60 seconds; long enough for someone else to do a set on the same machine. But it seems that whenever someone jumps in behind me, they don't get off the machine between sets but instead they camp out there and sit. When they finish a set I ask to jump in and they say they aren't done with it yet.. YES, I REALIZE THAT, HOWEVER WE CAN BOTH TRADE OFF SETS WHILE THE OTHER GUY RESTS, JUST LIKE WORK OUT PARTNERS DO! THAT WAY, NEITHER ONE OF US HAS TO BREAK OUR RYTHYM.

Ugh.

[Maljonic]

I never get up and walk off in between sets, though I wouldn't say no if someone asked if they could do their sets while I'm resting.

Also not everyone in the gym is doing BFL, in fact most of them don't know what they're doing, so may have no concept of resting for a minute between sets, or even doing sets as such in the first place. A lot of people struggle for a few reps, increase the weight and struggle some more a few seconds later.

[TLow]

Originally Posted by Maljonic

I never get up and walk off in between sets, though I wouldn't say no if someone asked if they could do their sets while I'm resting.

Also not everyone in the gym is doing BFL, in fact most of them don't know what they're doing, so may have no concept of resting for a minute between sets, or even doing sets as such in the first place. A lot of people struggle for a few reps, increase the weight and struggle some more a few seconds later.

Exactly; etiquette and understanding.

[Chris]

I used to workout at my local YMCA. They have a decent gym, minimal equipment, but got the job done. It was often frustrating because people wouldn't rack weights, they'd walk away for several minutes (not just the typical BFL 60 seconds, like 5 minutes or longer), there would be loads of teenagers running around trying to impress their friends, and lousy personal trainers coaching lazy lifters, and probably my favorite infractions, inappropriate language, cursing, stories about what they did sexually with their girl friends, etc.

I actually didn't realize how bad it was there until we got a membership at the local fitness club instead. They don't offer family memberships and there's an age limit... that takes care of several issues. The equipment is better and the lifting company is more educated. There's profound consideration for other lifters, and since most people rack their weights, it's more obvious when something's being used.

My point is, it does pay to shop around a little... especially if you have several reasonably priced clubs nearby. Sometimes even just changing the time when you workout can make a big difference.

[HARDtoKILL]

I dont take my phone to the gym with me, and I like to go about 1000 am usually just me and a couple of old geezers. but i understand everyone does not have the luxery of going mid morning, and yes I am that really anoying guy who makes loud grunts on my heavy sets, get over it, i cant hear it over my mp3 player....lol

[jkgramzinski]

ok, as a female trying to share the testosterone area with you guys, let me ask WHY the gym weights go straight from 5 to 10 to 15 pound weights?

us gals just getting started need 8's and 12's too! one lady at the gym actually purchased a set of 8's to leave there for all of us to use, but i am having a hard time finding 12's, because i would do the same thing.

i must say though, us ladies admire how you guys pick up those giant weights! i can honestly say my goal is never to pick up those 100 pound dumbells!!! LOL!

[purseladyabc]

I am not a germ freak, seriously, but the germs in the gym....yuck! I actually didn't think about it until I got mono about 2 years ago when I was working out on a daily basis. No one else in my family had it. I had recently moved to a new city, and didn't really know anyone, so wasn't drinking after anyone or even getting near anyone. The only thing I could figure out is that I got it from the water machine. My arms shake after a workout, and my bottle touches the dispenser sometimes. My Dr. said that this was totally possible because the virus can live outside of the body for a period of time. I was out of commission for about a month.

[Maljonic]

purseladyabc, I'm sorry about what happened to you but I don't think it should put people off going to the gym because you could catch it in that way from anywhere there's a water fountain and/or large groups of people sharing stuff with their mouths, parks, schools, hospitals etc - though I think a lot of us are lucky to get it during childhood when it's not so bad, and I think about 80 or 90% of people come into contact with this virus at sometime in their life. Anyways, I think you should be immune now so you won't have top go through it again.