Many readers responded to last week’s story on the 10 habits of highly annoying gym-goers, and while our story hit on most of the egregious behaviors, people elaborated on them, and offered additional thoughts.
Re: It’s impolite to stare
A couple of men wrote that they wouldn’t stare if women wore less-revealing clothes to the gym.
“Why do these women,” asks Dan Roda, “wear tops and tights that are one to two sizes too small, provocative tights that expose thongs or their newly acquired tattoo or tops that are too small or short and continue to pull them down like they are supposed to hide a bare midriff?
“Those of us out of her 20-30 age bracket have learned to simply enjoy the beauty of a woman’s physique – much like enjoying a painting by Rubens, the ‘Madonna’ or even ‘David.”‘
Bob Clark shares this observation: “You might suggest to the ladies who do not want to be stared at that they leave the spandex outfits at home and wear loose-fitting clothes to the gym, but for some reason I don’t think the wearers of the tight outfits mind being stared at.”
Re: Space invaders
People who monopolize the aready-limited stretching space bother Deborah Méndez-Wilson, who asks: “What about those people who sit around visiting instead of working out?”
They’re all wet: Swimmers who deliberately ignore those waiting for the opportunity to ask them to share the lane earn the ire of Amy Duckro.
And when you’re finished with laps, or just out of the shower, don’t be shy about using a towel. As Bill Blomberg wrote, “People coming from the pool or shower and turning the locker room floor into a swamp (are) really annoying.”
Another locker-room faux pas was noted by Andy Bosselman. “One of my peeves is the (usually older) guys who leave their sweaty clothes on the floor while they lounge in the sauna and, eventually, shower. Of course, their rank rags always end up directly underneath the locker I’m using. Ick.”
Equipment stalkers: Standing next to machines while people work out bugs Méndez-Wilson. “I go out of my way to avoid machines already taken by others; why can’t people afford me the same courtesy? I’m happy to work people in during long workouts, but I’m talking about the people who seem to stalk you as you go through a circuit routine, crossing their arms the minute you get on a machine and staring at you until you get off. This is rude too.”
And, finally, use your workout time to exercise your body rather than your mouth, she says. “What about those people who stand next to a friend/ boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/
husband while their loved one works out on a cardio machine and chatter, chatter, chatter in a loud voice for a half-hour or more while you are trying to stay focused? Sometimes it feels calculated to sabotage the rest of us!”
