Gym Etiquette

I forgot how great the gym feels, I really did. I can't believe I've been away this long and I'm so grateful that my foot has finally healed because I put some serious miles on the treadmill and elliptical today. I'm more relaxed than I have been in weeks.

I also forgot how ignorant people are at the gym.

I joined Extreme Fitness and because I'm on a corporate membership, I'm lucky enough to have an all access pass to all of their local facilities. So, since I'm working from home this week, I thought what the hell, and stopped in at the Pickering location. I walked in, got hassled about my North York membership, until I convinced them to just scan the card, and they saw that I should be there, but the kid was doing his job, so it's not really an issue.

After getting changed, and finding my bearings in the place, I happily located what I assumed to be the cardio area. I walked up on the platform, took a quick inventory and realized that the only thing available up there was a bike, which isn't really my thing, so I wandered off to have a little better look around and see if I could find the actual cardio studio. I went up a flight of stairs and BINGO! It was cardio heaven.

*Please note: I like to change cardio equipment a few times during my workout, because I get easily bored*

I hopped on an elliptical, did about 5 minutes and then realized that the woman next to me had the squeaky machine. There's always one. Ugh, fine. I turned up my headphones and carried on, and after she finished 10 minutes, she left, allowing me to enjoy another 15 minutes or so in peace.

GYM PEEVE #1:

She didn't wipe down the machine.

WHAT?!?!

I don't know about you, but I, personally, find that a little gross. Lady, you were just sweating all over that machine, there are droplets on the display, take the 20 seconds and sanitize that beast.

I finished my 30 minutes on the elliptical, and moved on, after the requisite wipe down of my equipment, to these fun new machines that they have that are sort of like skating.

GYM PEEVE #2:

When something is out of order, please tell the staff so that they can put a pretty little "out of order" sign on it. Us mere mortals don't have the power of the mechanical mind meld and as such, we are not able to look into that little computer brain and figure out what's wrong.

So, I ended up giving up on those, tipped off the trainer who immediately put on the sign and scampered off to the treadmill.

GYM PEEVE #3:

When the place is packed, please, Please, PLEASE do not just stand on the treadmill next to your friend while you're waiting for her to finish her lap. I would like to keep my heart rate up and so would the thousand other people around me, and your monopolizing the machine as your personal soap box while you rant about daytime drama on your favorite soap is just ignorant.

Finally, I get a treadmill, and I get to run! Oh, do I ever love a good run. I knock out about 45 minutes on the treadmill, and as the gym is quieting down, the treadmills on either side of me open up, and two guys, who are clearly friends, pick them up. I don't mind the eye candy, so I smile, and nod, but I also offer to switch treadmills so they can work out beside eachother. They decline, and I keep running.

GYM PEEVE #4:

I'm trying to work out. I have offered to switch treadmills with you, you declined, so please, have the courtesy to not shout across my treadmill, directly into my ear at your friend through the whole 20 minutes that you're beside me. I like to focus while I run, and you're killing my runner's high. Screw off.

After I finish up my time on the treadmill, I head over to the bikes to cool down, and am feeling pretty good. I was greatful as I got there that someone was leving though!

GYM PEEVE #5:

I know that we're all at the gym to get a little sweaty, but for the love of God, if you have been eating nothing but garlic or anything else that will seep out your pores could you please bust out a little body spray or something? Strong smells in the gym are bad, but strong body odor is worse, so do something about it.

Anyhow, I'm sure everyone has their own things that annoy them at the gym, these are just a few of mine, but they're mostly common courtesy stuff. I still felt great after my workout, so it must not have bothered me that much but I think I'll stick to the North York location where people seemed a little more civilized. Off to see the trainer tomorrow @ 5, can't wait!