SOME PEOPLE ARE just utterly shameless and when it comes to the gym, they just leave manners, etiquette and very often, dignity, in the boot of the car.
How many of these have you seen?
1. Using my screen
I get on the treadmill or the exercise bike and to be quite frank, I can’t wait to do my workout. With my earphones plugged into the TV I’m switched off from the world…that is until I hear the heavy breathing of a man glued to my screen. And not one flip does he give.
2. Gym-selfies
This is the gym, not the top of the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Opera House. We get that you are in the gym, now why don’t you do some exercise instead of proving to everyone what a gom you are?
3. Wearing aftershave or perfume
Dash into the changing rooms from the car, get togged out, prepare for a workout, lash on the Hugo Boss. Spot the odd one out.
4. Slamming weights. If you can’t put them down don’t pick them up…
Almost as annoying as the grunting that is usually a precursor to slamming weights. We can only assume the logic behind this is the person in question is thinking ‘if they didn’t hear me grunt a second ago they’ll definitely hear me smash 120kilos of iron onto the floor and think I’m hard.’ Have a bit of respect.
5. Choosing the treadmill next to me
There are 12 treadmills, 6 rowers, 6 steppers, 4 bikes and 2 stair climber machines. I have the pick of them as it’s early in the morning and I’m first in. A bit of tranquillity. Nope. The next person in bounds right up beside me. Awk-ward.
6. Arriving late to class or leaving early
We’ve a mantra here in the office that’s abided by from time to time. Except on Fridays and after a World Cup qualifier. It goes ‘if you can be late, you can be early’. No one gets the eyes more than the person who arrives into pilates 15 minutes late and forces a frantic reshuffle of the floor space. Cue deep exhalations all around.
7. Letting it all hang out…
You know who you are. Everyone is talking about you behind your back. Cover yourself up man. Finishing a spinning class is no excuse to strut around in the nude for 15 minutes. And no one wants to talk to you when you are that naked either.