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Readers Respond: What's the worst gym etiquette you've seen?
Responses: 55

By Paige Waehner, About.com

Updated March 10, 2009

User responses are not monitored by About.com's Medical Review Board.

From the article: Gym Etiquette
Working out in close proximity with others isn't always the most comfortable situation. There are people leaving weights on the machines, sweat on the seats or the cloying scent of perfume in your face. What's the worst behavior you've seen at the gym? Share your story about the worst gym etiquette. Share your stories

cell phones

The worst is when people are talking on the cell phone at the gym. It's distracting. I don't want to hear other's conversations, it ruins my motivation and I have a hard enough time motivating myself to get to the gym as it is ;-)
—foodie04

Making themselves at home

Not only is there this one guy who leaves a slimy pool of sweat behind...but he leaves all of his other stuff behind too...he just "moves in" to the gym area and treats the whole circuit as if it was his private gym! He does a set on one bench, then goes to do another set on another bench. He leaves his water bottle, his towel, his Ipod, etc...on the one bench while he goes to the other...or even worse...while he goes to the drinking fountain, or carries on a conversation! He's really big and mean looking...so no one confronts him...but I can see everyone's faces...we all hate him...or rather...ahem...lovingly wish he would just share with the rest of us!
—candleandsoap

People Who Stare

It's intimidating to a beginner to be stared at while learning! No, I don't have the strength, flexibility, or stamina that some of the others at the gym have. Yet.
—womenshistory1

Pick up after yourself

My pet peeve is members trashing the locker room. They leave wet towels everywhere, empty water bottles on the floor, and all sorts of trash in the lockers. Worse, some guys even shave in the steam room, even when there's a huge sign that explicitly prohibits it. Everyone acts as if their mother will pick up after them, and leaves the locker room disgusting. It's not the YMCA either - I'm talking about a club that costs $160/month, a luxury health club with a spa.
—abitalianlanguage

Bad Fashion Choices

Men who work out half naked-no shirt and jean shorts showing their belly and part of their hairy bottom---YUK
—Guest dcr

Idiots who know nothing but preach all

I have a guy at my gym who has such bad form while training and doesn't do 1 exercise correctly, but decides to tell everyone he sees that they are doing it wrong and giving them advice. For example, when bench pressing heavy weights, rest the weight on the palm of the hand and do not grip buy wrapping the thumb around. What an idiot.
—Guest mh13

worst gym etiquette

Personal trainer texting and talking on his cell phone while with a client
—Guest hockeygirl

I hate this...

There are too many users of the gym who have no consideration for the rest of us and they are so loud I can't hear myself think! And they are not talking "gym talk". I can't think of anything more rude (unfortunately I can think of more than one instance)
—Guest Joanne

Attire

Muscle guy in a UNITARD, and people who refuse to re-rack their weights.
—Guest kharris

The thudding lady

Women who set the treadmill to the highest incline and the fastest walking speed then grip the bars, lean back and thud loudly as they try to keep pace. Not only do they look ridiculous and annoy everybody with their thudding, they are wasting their time!! It really bugs me but i can't help laughing at them!!
—Guest gym newbie

Bad Gym Etiquette

1. Very bad flatulence 2. Watching the TV instead of working out while sitting on a machine 3. Spending 20 mins on a machine 4. Reading a magazine instead of working out on a machine 5. Talking so loud that you drown out other people's music 6. Playing your own music in the aerobics studio at deafening levels 7. Lifting weight in front of the dumbbell rack so that no one can access the rack until you're done your set
—JackSchitt0

Conversations.

People, if you are going to go to the gym, don't stand around talking the whole time. You pay for a membership to work your muscles not your jaw. It distracts me.
—Guest Dan The Man

A couple of thing...

I was in a class and 2 ladies were working out somewhat but having a conversation while the instructor was trying to teach. There is a man at the gym who feels like it's okay to hit on women. Oh yeah, he's married! Another is that I really don't want to see any of the women buck naked in the locker room but it seems like the only ones who do it are morbidly obese. Ladies I'm sure there is a towel around and I KNOW there are changing rooms!
—rdhilil

cell phone

One day I started my workout routine like normal. When I got to the curl bar machine a young woman was talking on the cell phone while sitting on the machine holding the bar. I figured how rude, but I could work around this. After each set in my routine but she was still there. I never did get my curls in that day. This seems to be this young womans normal routine. Why not just stay home ?
—Guest garyw12000

Perfumes/Lotions

Breathing in and out the odor of someone's scented lotion or heavy perfume while on a spin bike is just plain nasty. Leave your "I enjoy being a girl" routine at home if you're spinning etc.
—spinchik

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