Gym Etiquette

[Veronica]

Veronica - not to nitpick and not to go off topic, but I thought you might find this article on Sweat Science interesting:

Light weights build muscle as effectively as heavy weights.

The writer does a good job of summing up the science from the paper (I think) and found that fatiguing yourself was actually a better way to build muscle rather than lifting heavy loads.

Anyway, just an interesting aside...

I just looked at it quickly and it seems to me that either way you have to lift to failure in order to build mass. That means fewer reps with heavier weights, as opposed many reps with lighter weights. The time crunched athlete who wants to increase mass is going to go for heavier weights, fewer reps.

If I were only using a 3 pound dumbell instead of 20, I'd have to do a LOT of bicep curls before I'd even feel it. BTW I have no idea what my one rep max is for anything.

Veronica

[sookiesue]

Perfume at the gym. Ugh.

People on cell phones at the gym. Ugh.

There was one day where I spent my whole workout breathing through my sweat towel because the guy next to me was, shall we say...expelling air...not from his mouth...dude, just because we can't HEAR you do it doesn't mean we don't all know you're doing it...Unfortunately it was a busy day at the gym and there were no other ellipticals available or I would have moved.

The gym I belong to recently changed owners, too. It used to be a low-key place where people came in, did their workouts, sometimes socialized in a friendly manner, not too chatty, not too silent. Now everywhere is some poster advertising spray tanning, or tanning beds, or frightening weight loss plans (HCG!). They fired all the old employees and brought in a bunch of big dudes with spray tans that never smile.

I am sad that my safe place to work on my fitness when I can't be outdoors is changing into this type of environment. However, I have such a great deal on my membership that I can't afford to move anywhere else now! So, I just keep my head down, get in, work out, get out.

[Kiwi Stoker]

People turning up wearing street clothes and a pair of jandals/thongs/Havanas (or whatever you call beach slip on shoes). There's heaps of signs saying closed toe sports shoes only WITH pictures.

People (and so far it's only men) that sit down on the gym equipment and don't use it. Hey there's two couches to sit on in the corner. If you need a rest, sit over there. I shouldn't have to ask you to move so I can use the machine!

[smittykitty]

Well, my beagle grunts all the time too!!!


But, there is the guy in Body Pump class that always seems to set up in front of me. He is off in his own world doing his own thing. Seriously, if you have no intention of following the instructor, why are you there? And obviously you can't handle all that weight. You have to stop after of couple of reps and drop your bar to the floor with lots of drama.

Oh, and pull up your shorts! PLEASE. And was that your sweat that just landed on me???

When I can stay away from HIM, I love the class!

[Jolt]

There was one day where I spent my whole workout breathing through my sweat towel because the guy next to me was, shall we say...expelling air...not from his mouth...dude, just because we can't HEAR you do it doesn't mean we don't all know you're doing it...Unfortunately it was a busy day at the gym and there were no other ellipticals available or I would have moved.

Ugh. Sounds like somebody shouldn't have eaten that second helping of baked beans and coleslaw before his workout!!

[malkin]

People who gas the whole locker room with spray deodorant.

Moms who are in a hurry and then are mean to their kids. (Your toddler will not hurry no matter how grumpy you get. Ripping a comb through your pre-teen daughter's hair will not get you to your next thing any more quickly.)