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To be annoyed by new people in the gym

200 replies

NotHereToMakeFriends · 02/01/2020 11:43

So I'm an avid gym-goer (been going to the same gym for 4 years) and always encouraging people to join. However there is a usual spike in January (always to be expected) but these new people can cause annoyance and outrage to use regulars as they don't know the gym etiquette, hog the machines without even using them (just standing their and talking) or talk on phones ridiculously loud. Now I know that most people will drop out after a few weeks and I try to move my workout around the rush but AIBU for thinking that new people should try to respect the regulars routine as they will be there long after they stop going?

OP posts:
frumpety · 02/01/2020 18:30

Armi Bastards ! if you ever fancy trying a gym again , my local council ones are really friendly and full of people of all shapes and sizes, went for a look round before Christmas, everyone was really welcoming Smile

MinkowskisButterfly · 02/01/2020 18:33

Pretty sure this thread happens every year by one poster or another. You were new once too.

BoneyBackJefferson · 02/01/2020 18:57

KatherineJaneway

But these things are not just done by new members, maybe the regulars could/should lead by example.

Also, wipe down after you use a machine. Take a small towel and wipe off any wet marks or sweat when you leave.

Due to the amount of regulars that don't do this, my gym has had to put this in the rules.

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TitsalinaBumSquash · 02/01/2020 18:58

Well let's hope I don't join your gym OP, because I'm joining very soon and I have rheumatoid Arthritis and Elher Danlos Syndrome so anything I do will be very slow and un coordinated, I will be short of breath and shakey, I might dislocate and joint or 2 but will show respect and go somewhere quiet to pop them back in. I wouldn't want to offend any gym royalty. You can feck right off of you think I'm going to let my body deteriorate further though because of your shitty attitude. Hth.

Dolorabelle · 02/01/2020 19:24

Everyone is new at the gym at some point, but if you are then you really need to watch how other experienced gym users behave and pick up the rules and considerate practices. Not hog machines or use the gym as a place to catch up on phone calls.

IHaveBrilloHair · 02/01/2020 19:28

I have to be v careful, I'm underweight, and as well as brittle asthma I have severe osteoporosis and have broken five bones in my back previously.

DickDewy · 02/01/2020 19:28

You can feck right off of you think I'm going to let my body deteriorate further though because of your shitty attitude.

This is ridiculous. The OP merely said that gym-goers with bad manners are annoying. Which they are.

BoneyBackJefferson · 02/01/2020 19:30

DickDewy

She did specify new gym members, as if the regulars are all saints.

DickDewy · 02/01/2020 19:35

She did, but she wasn't having a go at new members generally, just the ones that are inconsiderate.

Maybe the inconsiderate 'oldies' have been scolded/tutted at enough to change their ways.

Dolorabelle · 02/01/2020 19:38

you pay the same membership so you have the same rights

But you don’t have the right to behave inconsiderately.

My list of ways to fit in at the gym:

Be aware of other people training. For example, if someone’s using the sled (Prowler) keep clear of the track

Use a towel wipe off your sweat. Or use the paper towels available ( at my gym they have several paper towel stations).

Re-rack your weights! Don’t just leave ‘em where you finished. And that goes for squat/deadlift weights as well as dumbbells and kettlebells.

Use a deodorant. Wash your work out clothes every time you use them. The smell of your rank sweat makes me nauseous

Shower before you use the sauna/steam room

*do not wear work out clothes in the sauna/steam room”

I hate the smell of stale sweat in those enclosed places.

Don’t barge in on my work out. Or if you do wait your turn and reset the weights after each set of reps.

Don’t set up your step for Pump class right on top of me. I have long legs and I’m quite bendy so I use up a fair bit of space in the lounge track.

Listen to the instructor in group classes. S/he usually has expertise and will coach you if you show willing. But not if you chat during the instructions. It also distracts those around you.

Say hello if you’re ext to me on the stretching mats. We can groan together as we roll out our IT bands.

If you must take selfies in the change room at least do it when no one’s there.

Dolorabelle · 02/01/2020 19:40

Lunge track Blush (although I wish Pump came with a lounge track)

frumpety · 02/01/2020 19:48

although I wish Pump came with a lounge track

In my house it does Grin

DickDewy · 02/01/2020 19:49

Can I add - 'don't shave your legs in the steam room'!

IHaveBrilloHair · 02/01/2020 19:51

Oh, so dying my hair and shaving my fanny will not go down well?

VivaLeBeaver · 02/01/2020 19:53

Sometimes if I think the instructor can’t see me I have a little lounge in chest track!

KatherineJaneway · 02/01/2020 19:59

But these things are not just done by new members, maybe the regulars could/should lead by example.

I agree, they should do.

Due to the amount of regulars that don't do this, my gym has had to put this in the rules.

Agree as well but I was answering someone asking me what the etiquette was so I replied. Gym etiquette is getting worse. No amount of Paddington Bear hard stares stop the loud mobile talkers Hmm

You can feck right off of you think I'm going to let my body deteriorate further though because of your shitty attitude. Hth.

There's a huge difference between being slow and shaky and being the type of arsehole that is sat on one machine for 15 minutes texting their mates and not attempting to exercise.

RedskyAtnight · 02/01/2020 20:03

I don't know every single person who is a member of my gym, so I have no idea if you are a newbie or not.

For 48 weeks of the year the gym is full of people who get on with their exercise routines. I pay them zero attention unless someone asks me how to use a machine or if I've finished with a kettlebell. They are all very welcome.

For the other 4 weeks of the year there are plenty of people also like that. I only work out they are new, because there are more questions about how to use the machines. Happy to help out where I can.
During these 4 weeks there are also people who

  • stand around gossiping and only occasionally do anything exercise related
  • monopolize the bikes but do very little actual cycling.
  • get in the way when taking photos or talking loudly on the phone
  • get lots of equipment out, use it for about 2 minutes and then don't put it away.

The first type of people are very welcome; the second set are annoying. This is nothing to do with not welcoming newbies.

DickDewy · 02/01/2020 20:09

KatherineJaneway RedskyAtnight agreed

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 02/01/2020 20:18

Urgh I saw a guy shaving his head in the steam room the other week - minging.

And can I also say: chewed up gum in the water bottle holder on the treadmill. Ugh

DickDewy · 02/01/2020 20:25

chewed up gum in the water bottle holder on the treadmill yes! or used tissues

Or - my absolute peeve - people who chat to their mates during the warm-up/cool down in classes. SO RUDE!

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 02/01/2020 20:29

Or people who continue chatting throughout the class. I had a woman loudly mansplaining to her teenage daughter through an entire spin class last week. Shut the fuck up, I'm sure she can work out how to turn the resistance up for herself.

jewel1968 · 02/01/2020 20:38

One of our body guards is very vocal and always with safety in mind. She is also very friendly. One of the other bodyguards was very protective of a heavily pregnant woman and told us all to swim away from her. She was like a protective mummy bear. I think the woman was a tad embarrassed but I thought it was a nice touch.

As a swimmer I try to demonstrate lane etiquette and I learnt stuff from MN I didn't know before e.g. the brushing of fingertips on your feet means they are faster so let them go ahead. Common sense really but nice for someone here to explain it.

Dolorabelle · 02/01/2020 20:39

My gym has noticed about not shaving in the steam room.

But they needs huge fierce picture on the door of the sauna asking “Have you had a shower?”

There’s a really nice “rain forest” style shower right next to the sauna, but some people are just pigs.

In a perfect world no one would be allowed to talk in the sauna either.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 02/01/2020 20:45

In a perfect world no one would be allowed to talk in the sauna either.

Agreed. Or the steam room. I don't give a shit what you're having for tea Janet, I'm trying to chill.

Nicknacky · 02/01/2020 20:51

Meh, I know what the op is meaning. I hated Bannatynes in January, every single year you couldn’t get booked into any classes and without fail come February it was back to normal.

I applaud anyone that joins a gym but why do all these people wait for January? Because if the “new year, new me” and the novelty soon wears off and they have wasted their money.

Doesn’t happen in my current gym now as the owner opens it to new members at points during the year. January included but he caps the numbers.

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