As a fitness instructor, I cannot begin to tell you how many hours of my life have been spent in the gym. So as we step into another year, I thought it would be fun to explore the most common rants about gym life. For someone just beginning his or her fitness journey, this can give some insight on what to expect. And for those who are all too familiar with what occurs at the gym, this can offer perspective on how to improve gym etiquette.
I recently took a poll and these were the Top 5 Gym Rants:
5. Loud Grunts
“I once heard a guy weightlifting and he was grunting quite loudly and saying the name Ashley over and over again…weird.”
The sounds, oh, the sounds. As much as people can’t stand the groans of men and women on the workout floor, the truth is that it is the body’s natural reaction when exerting energy. So unfortunately, my only suggestion is to pump up the volume on those headphones.
4. Flatulence
“I don’t know what it is, but as soon as I get to the gym, I somehow have the worse case of gas. I try to walk away, but when you’re in a gym full of people where do you go?”
I have to admit this one made me laugh. It also brought me to the conclusion that while at the gym, you’re either walking into someone else’s gas or releasing your own.
“After a set of my chest workout, I sneezed and farted at the same time. I don’t think anyone heard, but it had to have been my protein shake.”
Your body is always working on the inside and, while exercising, your body is digesting everything in an attempt to use it as fuel. This just happens to result in an occasional fart or two.
3. Nudity
“I understand there are showers, but grab a towel if you’re going to hang out a while and talk.”
The gym is definitely a place with a very different standard of openness. You can expect to see people walk around nude in the locker rooms and look you dead in the eye to start a conversation. Solution? Brace yourself for the people who may pass in the buff and when talking to others, try to cover up your privates.
2. Sweat Equity
“I don’t want to lay on a bench that is covered in your nasty butt sweat!”
It is courteous to wipe down your equipment when finished, but I challenge us all to change that idea to wiping it down before you get on it. I think it is more proficient to make sure the equipment is clean by doing it yourself. It is not uncommon for people to go from wiping their bums, and without washing their hands, go straight to using the equipment. So please, wipe it down before you use it.
1. Body Odor
“Please wash it before you shake it!”
Body odor complaints by far outweighed everything else. But it seems as though the biggest complaint was people coming to the gym musty before their workout has even begun!
“When the person next to you in class is musty and the move require you to lift your arms!”
My suggestion? Be prepared for the funk of other people at the gym. For personal improvement, keep a gym bag packed that contains items to freshen up with. Covering up with perfume does not work. Instead, keep a washcloth, dry towel, soap and deodorant with you.