Recently, I posted about all the strange people you run into on the road. But your training will also introduce you to the bizarre critters inhabiting the gym.
Please remember it’s all in good fun…
The endurance athlete
That’s me! On a day when the weather is awful, they invade the gym and are there for HOURS.
Being on a treadmill feels like forever every time to me, but some make it a bit more true than others. I definitely have been known to do that, but I also try to pick times when the gym is empty, so I don’t prevent multiple other people from doing their workout.
The competitive runner
This one makes me laugh a lot. Sometimes, when I run on a treadmill, I watch people crank up theirs and glancing over at the person next to them:
Do you know them? I certainly see them regularly. I used to occasionally have this problem, but these days, if I ever jump on a treadmill, it’s all between me and the machine. I do have issue with not wanting to run faster, but that’s my issue. I don’t watch what others are doing. I do, however, sometimes see speeds of those around me and get surprised. But I don’t let that impact my workout.
The gaggle
Oh, how I ‘love’ them! This doesn’t happen in all the gyms, but mine is notorious for it. Door to a room where group classes take place happen to be right next to the treadmills. Like you have to be careful not to touch a treadmill when entering close. A group of people (usually women) tends to congregate right behind treadmills and TALK. I think they are hearing-impaired to be honest. My headphones don’t have settings high enough to drown them out!
It’s half a problem for me on a weekend or in the morning… But when it’s in the evening, when I’m already tired and cranky, it drives me crazy! It’s a good thing I usually avoid the treadmills.
The talker
Ah, yes, another lovely neighbor from cardio machines! This delight tends to be a woman (at least I usually see women doing it), goes at a snail pace (no judgement on that – we all have our own fitness levels and you should do what works for you) and talks on the phone the whole time:
I understand that sometimes we all have an emergency and need to take a call. I had to take calls before while on cardio machine. But this is not what I’m referring to. I’m talking of people who chat about nothing important THE WHOLE TIME. And usually at volumes that assure that you know all the dirty details of their lives. Why???
The flirt
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t go to the gym to meet a guy (or a gal). I may occasionally befriend somebody because I see them all the time or because they have a shirt saying something that interests me. I might start a chat for a minute, but when the subject gets exhausted, I get back to my workout. But then there are these guys:
Well, this makes it look like only the weightlifting men are the guilty ones around here. Far from it! How about these lovely ladies:
Whenever I see them, I roll my eyes so hard that I worry about my balance… You know them: they wear as fancy clothes as they can (and I’m not talking about women who opt for just a bra – it happens that you don’t wear a shirt for variety of reasons). Face full of makeup, making sure they don’t sweat or have a hair out of place, they get as close as they can to their ‘target’ and try to flirt. Maybe some people like it. Personally, it’s not my thing. When I come to sweat, I can be friendly, but I most definitely won’t have romance on my mind!
The adviser
We all know them… He comes by to give you advice on your workout. He (it’s always a ‘he’, let’s face it) usually has little to no idea what he’s talking about:
I know I have mentioned them before… Especially my favorite with a random guy telling Diana, my personal goddess of all things fitness, while she was wearing her TRAINER shirt (and standing next to her picture and list of qualifications), how to do pull ups. I doubt most of them understand how ridiculous they are. I also have no idea why would they do it. Usually, I try to ignore them…
The reserver
Have you ever been to a gym and hear from somebody that they are using this machine when you’re approaching basically every machine?
I know that sometimes you have something very specific planned. But you also have to take into consideration that you are not the only person in the gym and others may be interested in the same machines. Will it really ruin your workout to allow somebody get a round in in between your sets?
The grunter/ dropper
Recently, a lady in the reception by the pool at my gym (directly below free weights area) told me that some of the walls are cracking because of people dropping weights. I guess they are stretching themselves and then can’t hold onto the weights? OK, let’s face it: for most of them, it’s more of a way of attracting attention to themselves and showing to the whole world they are so awesome. The grunters are their close relatives. Those are the guys that make loud sound effects to go with their workout. It’s not as bad if they are really lifting heavy, but some of them are doing it with relatively small weights. That makes them look flat out ridiculous!
The influencer
Did he/ she even make it past the lobby?
I know there are some serious fitness influencers out there and more power to them. My beef is with people who just take a picture and then post ‘oh, I lifted so much that I can’t move!’ Come on! Stop selling people on fiction and do the work! I am not sure if those people walking around the gym taking pictures with variety of equipment are better or worse. It may depend on how crowded the gym is… One thing is for sure: I want no part of that!
The slob
I don’t know if this is more of not caring about other gym goers or just not thinking about. And, of course, a few people who think that gym staff is there to do everything for them. Yes, I am talking about those gym goers who never wipe down equipment, re-rack weights or drop towels on the floor.
So which one are you? We all sure have most hated type of people we meet at the gym and sooner or later, we may be guilty of some. Here is a good rule to always follow: gym is shared space, so make sure to share it 😊
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