After teaching classes for 14 years, I can attest that those people who REALLY need to be in touch ( and I have them in my classes...doctors, detectives, moms etc.) know enough to keep their phones on vibrate, or in such a position that they can check them unobtrousively.

I sincerely dislike the people that will belittle the members of the gym that don't "look" like they belong there; people that are older, not dressed in the latest gym fashion, overweight, or people in general that are new and probably already stressed about being in a location that they aren't used to.

Last time I checked, gyms were in the business of helping people to get into better condition. It's not about being in condition before you get there, wearing the "right" stuff, or even knowing what you're doing.

I've been a personal trainer since 2001 and a gym rat since 1992 so I've made assumptions that I've lived to regret. My whole business revolves around making people get healthier and unfortunately many fitness facilities don't foster that idea. That is why I'm an in-home trainer.