Annoying people at the gym...

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: eakers
nothing irritates me more than the guys who leave 4 huge 50lb plates on the smith machine, really really high up (like above my head high) and then smirk as I struggle to take them off. assholes. If i was hot, they'd probably come over and help.

No re-rack rule at your gym?

Lazy douchebags have little concern for rules.

 

[Whisper]

I can only really think of two pet peeves that have stuck with me through however long it is that I've been working out:

1) People not re-racking their weights
2) People not wiping down benches/machines when they're done with them and after they've left an obvious puddle of sweat

So I guess it really just comes down to a lack of common courtesy, which is a pet peeve of mine in pretty much every aspect of life.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: d33pblue
People being generally disrespectful of others wanting to use the equipment. Including:

1. Curling in the squat rack while others are waiting to actually do squats.
2. Not reracking weights.
3. Finishing a set on a machine then sitting on the machine catching your breath (while others are waiting).

#'s 1 and 3 I generally don't have problems with, up to a point. If someone wants to use a squat rack for curls, or anything else for which it might not have been originally intended, I'm fine with that, so long as they aren't taking inordinate amounts of time. They got there first; I'm not going to attempt to tell them how they should work out.

As for the catching your breath bit, I'd never have an issue with that, unless--again--the person is taking inordinate amounts of time. I don't expect someone to cut their workout short simply because I'm waiting on the machine; beyond that, if I want to use it, I'll generally ask if I can work in. Nine times out of ten, people will say yes.

 

[herkulease]

I hate the people who hog the machines. I often try to use free weights but when I have to, I hate it when people will do one set. Rest for 10 minutes on the machine then walk away. They could've rested thsoe 10 mintues somewhere else.

I also hate it when to do it on the treadmills/elliptical. If you're gonna take a break and not use it, even walking I dont' care, if not then get off.

I'm also annoyed by older ladies/loser guys trying ot pick up some one at hte gym. get TF out of my way and go do that outside. Stop crowding the place.

I have since stopped going to the gym(membership over). I bought my own elliptical and have a bench and weights at home. Screw teh morons at hte gym. Plus I have a big screen TV at home and can watch anything.

 

[TallBill]

Last sunday the cleaning crew must have had the night off or something. Anyways there were weights and bars laying everywhere in the free weight section, and towels strewn everywhere as well. Even the locker room had towels all over the place. Bunch of slobs.

 

[GoatMonkey]

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: ibex333

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Just wondering what everyone's little pet peeves are of other people at the gym.

There's one thing I can't stad, people jabbering away on their cell phones.

And one thing that just bugs me, "tough guys" who try to lift as much as they can as fast as they can and scream while doing it.

lol. I feel ya. Back when I used to go to the gym I had the same thoughts.

Things I hated:

1) When I would struggle through 10 reps of some heavy lifting, and as soon as I'd get up, some dude next to me would stumble in my place, pick up the weight and easily power through 30 reps of twice the weight I pulled. Then he'd walk away with a face expression like he is trying to say: "And that's how you do it son...".

2) When people would sweat like pigs and drip sweat all over the exercise equipment. Then they'd walk away and not even bother to wipe off their filth.

3)When people would scream like morans with every rep and then drop the weight on the floor with a loud bang, then walk away gloating stuff like "What b*itch? WHAAAT?"

4)When girls would use the treadmill for hours on end listening to their ipod or using the exercise bike while reading the book. Why is the hell would you be using the treadmill for this long? Are you trying to burn all the fat in the world? How about some diversity in your exercise routine? There must be other ways to get fit aside from using a treadmill... (It's probably not my business to judge these girls but it just looks weird to me when I see someone running/cycling for 2 hours)

5)When my friends would make me feel like crap, and put me down for not being able to lift as much as them. People say not to pay any mind to this stuff and do your own thing, but how is it possible when people are insulting your dignity and your manhood?! How is it possible when your rep is on the line? How is it possible when slutty girls are looking at you?
I lifted as much as my friends even though I couldn't and off course I got very sick and had to stop going to the gym.

6) And finally the cell phones... don't even get me started on that one. I cant stand it in the gym, I cant stand it on the bus, and I cant stand it in college. It's things like that that make me wish there was no cell phones.. lol

If your personal "rep" or "manhood" depends on how much you can lift, get new friends. IF they're actually your friends, they're probably not serious. People can be assholes unintentionally. You sound a little oversensitive/too serious.

As for your manhood: do you like girls? Yes or no. There's your manhood. Who cares what other people think? It's what the girls think that really matters here.

In either case, witty comebacks are the best solution to both of the above.

As for slutty girls... WTF man. I'd enjoy the attention as much as any guy, but why is this such a major factor? Who cares what they think? They're slutty for a reason. If you go to the gym to impress girls and friends, you're going for the wrong reasons. Go for yourself. In terms of the opposite sex, I'd rather reel in quality girls. Being physically fit helps in this regard. Not to mention the health benefits.

Also, every girl in the gym may notice you, and may feel some physical attraction. I assure you that they do not care about you in the slightest at the end of the day.

Ex: When I go to the beach, I'll naturally notice hot chicks. If I can work up the balls to do so, I might approach one or two, but unless the one or two works out , at the end of the day I probably won't see or care about them again.

My advice: Go to the gym alone. If you don't enjoy going with friends, then what's the point in going with them? (And what's the point in having them as friends?)

In most areas gyms that are men only fail. While women only gyms are relatively popular, especially with older married women.

Gyms like you see in Rocky are pretty rare. Most guys now want some eyecandy as extra motivation during a workout. It's kind of a reminder of why you're there.

Not that you should really be worried about what they think of you. But "go for yourself" is usually not *really* the main motivator for a lot of guys. Unless you have some health issue you're working through, the ultimate goal of almost everything guys do is sex in some way.

1) When I would struggle through 10 reps of some heavy lifting, and as soon as I'd get up, some dude next to me would stumble in my place, pick up the weight and easily power through 30 reps of twice the weight I pulled. Then he'd walk away with a face expression like he is trying to say: "And that's how you do it son...".

Here's what you do with these guys, when they ask to work in during your set. When you finish your set move the weight back down for them to several plates more than they did on their last set, just so they have to move it up to a lighter weight. Just a little reminder that they are not infinitely strong either.

 

[Eugene86]

I just saw a funny and annoying thing today at the gym.
I was done doing preacher curls and went over to grab some dumbells. As soon as I left the preacher curl seat, or whatever you wanna call it, three of these really skinny high school kids dressed in baggy clothes took over the preacher curl seat. When I left, I took the weights off the bar but left them beside the seat since I know most people are going to use those weights. Anyways, these guys put on the same weights as I was using but decided to also add a 10-pound weight on each side of the bar for good measure. Now I know for a fact that they would NOT be able to curl the same weight as I did, nevermind an extra 20 pounds, since these kids must have weighed just over 100 pounds a piece.
So one of the kids sits down and prepares to curl. He reaches for the bar and tries to lift it, but completely fails and doesn't even end up lifting the bar off the stand that holds it up. So his other friend comes over to help him bring the bar up. With the combined strength of both of these guys, they finally get the bar up off the stand and the kid who is curling places it in "starting" position near his face. Now, a proper curl would consist of you slowly extending your arms until theyre fully extended and then curling the bar back up to starting position.... Not these kids though. The kid starts "curling" the bar by moving it maybe 5 inches away from his face and back to his starting position, all the while his other friend is "spotting" him by lifting some of the weight....
I don't understand, I don't even think any of the weight of the bar was even transferred to his muscles in the process, but only held up by the bones in his arms. After this, the kid stood around the mirror, looking at his "pumped" arms.
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[wheresmybacon]

1) People not re-racking their weights.

2) People doing exercises RIGHT IN FRONT of the dumbbell rack. Usually it's people who're doing ~ 20+ reps (lol). I'm convinced these are the same people who deem the bottom/top of escalators and stairways to be the best places to hold lengthy conversations with long lost friends.

3) Old men loving to be naked in the locker room. Seriously wtf is this? After 65 is it some sort of club or something? Can't wear a towel, ever? I'm putting on my shoes and some old dude comes in from the sauna and bumps into me with his junk.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Eugene86
I just saw a funny and annoying thing today at the gym.
I was done doing preacher curls and went over to grab some dumbells. As soon as I left the preacher curl seat, or whatever you wanna call it, three of these really skinny high school kids dressed in baggy clothes took over the preacher curl seat. When I left, I took the weights off the bar but left them beside the seat since I know most people are going to use those weights. Anyways, these guys put on the same weights as I was using but decided to also add a 10-pound weight on each side of the bar for good measure. Now I know for a fact that they would NOT be able to curl the same weight as I did, nevermind an extra 20 pounds, since these kids must have weighed just over 100 pounds a piece.
So one of the kids sits down and prepares to curl. He reaches for the bar and tries to lift it, but completely fails and doesn't even end up lifting the bar off the stand that holds it up. So his other friend comes over to help him bring the bar up. With the combined strength of both of these guys, they finally get the bar up off the stand and the kid who is curling places it in "starting" position near his face. Now, a proper curl would consist of you slowly extending your arms until theyre fully extended and then curling the bar back up to starting position.... Not these kids though. The kid starts "curling" the bar by moving it maybe 5 inches away from his face and back to his starting position, all the while his other friend is "spotting" him by lifting some of the weight....
I don't understand, I don't even think any of the weight of the bar was even transferred to his muscles in the process, but only held up by the bones in his arms. After this, the kid stood around the mirror, looking at his "pumped" arms.
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Great first post! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by: hungfarover
3) Old men loving to be naked in the locker room. Seriously wtf is this? After 65 is it some sort of club or something? Can't wear a towel, ever? I'm putting on my shoes and some old dude comes in from the sauna and bumps into me with his junk.

LOL

 

[bignateyk]

Well I used to think that not much bothered me until yesterday:

Our gym has 10 power racks, and 1 olympic lifting area (with the wood floor).

Well some douchebag decides he's going to do squats at the olymic area (even though there are at least 5 power racks open).

There are two sides to the olympic area, and I wanted to do cleans on the other side. But I couldnt because this fucking moron decides to use ALL avaliable 25kg rubber coated plates to make himself a stool to sit down on while doing squats. WTF. Thats why they have power racks you fucking idiot.

Fast forward 20 minutes to when he starts to do deadlifts. He puts all of the rubber plates away and loads his bar up with regular plates. Then proceeds to slam the weight down on the wood each time. Thats why they make the rubber encased plates you dumbass, so you don't make a huge racket and damage the floor. Christ.

 

[NuclearNed]

I can't stand people who spot me, but end up lifting more of the weight than me. My cardinal rule for people who spot me is to not touch the bar until I'm on the verge of dropping it on my face.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: Eugene86
I just saw a funny and annoying thing today at the gym.
I was done doing preacher curls and went over to grab some dumbells. As soon as I left the preacher curl seat, or whatever you wanna call it, three of these really skinny high school kids dressed in baggy clothes took over the preacher curl seat. When I left, I took the weights off the bar but left them beside the seat since I know most people are going to use those weights. Anyways, these guys put on the same weights as I was using but decided to also add a 10-pound weight on each side of the bar for good measure. Now I know for a fact that they would NOT be able to curl the same weight as I did, nevermind an extra 20 pounds, since these kids must have weighed just over 100 pounds a piece.
So one of the kids sits down and prepares to curl. He reaches for the bar and tries to lift it, but completely fails and doesn't even end up lifting the bar off the stand that holds it up. So his other friend comes over to help him bring the bar up. With the combined strength of both of these guys, they finally get the bar up off the stand and the kid who is curling places it in "starting" position near his face. Now, a proper curl would consist of you slowly extending your arms until theyre fully extended and then curling the bar back up to starting position.... Not these kids though. The kid starts "curling" the bar by moving it maybe 5 inches away from his face and back to his starting position, all the while his other friend is "spotting" him by lifting some of the weight....
I don't understand, I don't even think any of the weight of the bar was even transferred to his muscles in the process, but only held up by the bones in his arms. After this, the kid stood around the mirror, looking at his "pumped" arms.
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

lol - well actually that's the new way for 3 people to work out all at the same time. it's a real time saver if you are with a group

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I can't stand people who spot me, but end up lifting more of the weight than me. My cardinal rule for people who spot me is to not touch the bar until I'm on the verge of dropping it on my face.

i hate that crap too. i've been going to the same gym for a few years now and there is one guy that works out the same schedule as me. if either of us need spots we will spot eachother and we both know how to do it properly.

i also hate it when some random dude asks me to spot him, then i help him on his 3rd rep and he is like "4 more" and i end up being the one doing all the work for him on those 4.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I can't stand people who spot me[, but end up lifting more of the weight than me. My cardinal rule for people who spot me is to not touch the bar until I'm on the verge of dropping it on my face.

So true.

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I can't stand people who spot me, but end up lifting more of the weight than me. My cardinal rule for people who spot me is to not touch the bar until I'm on the verge of dropping it on my face.

i hate that crap too. i've been going to the same gym for a few years now and there is one guy that works out the same schedule as me. if either of us need spots we will spot eachother and we both know how to do it properly.

i also hate it when some random dude asks me to spot him, then i help him on his 3rd rep and he is like "4 more" and i end up being the one doing all the work for him on those 4.

That's your fault. I never touch the bar with more than two fingers for an assist. If I have to grab the bar with my hands, the set is over. If somebody tries to pull that shit on me, their next rep will take at least ten seconds.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Just wondering what everyone's little pet peeves are of other people at the gym.

There's one thing I can't stad, people jabbering away on their cell phones.

And one thing that just bugs me, "tough guys" who try to lift as much as they can as fast as they can and scream while doing it.

People who won't let me go between their sets, people who don't put the weights back on the rack.

Along comes a scrawny 15 year old girl and you expect her to clear the bar of the 100lbs olympic weights you put on?

I lift as much as i can as fast as i can and i scream while doing it if i need to, i'm not in the gym to socialize, i have a family and a life, i'm there to lift weights, the point is exhaustion, why the fuck would you wait for your muscles to recoup when you want your muscle fibers to tear?

I like the smell of an old gym, where weights are in the center and the magnesium carbonate clouds are thick as really big men scream their way while the barbell bends from the weight they have on it. That is where i feel at home, we don't talke, we might grunt as we pass eachother on the floor and no one ever has to wait for their turn, there are always enough dumbells and barbells there while the wimps go to the fitness center downtown and pretend that they are working out by doing unnatural motions by unnatural means.

Of course, i'm not a fucking metrosexual like you.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I can't stand people who spot me, but end up lifting more of the weight than me. My cardinal rule for people who spot me is to not touch the bar until I'm on the verge of dropping it on my face.

You should try going to a real gym, if i'd spot someone it is because he asked me to, i assume anyone without a spotter knows how to drop the weight by himself, and if you'd ask me, you'd have to fucking fight for every gram i'd take off of your lift.

 

[Pepsi90919]

i didn't read this thread at all, so these are probably covered, but,

1. guys who don't even do anything while they're in there. they think it's some sort of social event to be at the gym, and qualify it with a set every 15-20 minutes.

2. loud obnoxious idiots

3. people who don't wipe the machines (you should be shot)

4. people who burn themselves out after 10 minutes on a cardio machine by going at 90 RPM at 0 resistance and think they've done something good

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Grrrr, I had 2 more today that really angered me, well one really pissed me off and the other I just gave an evil glare.

The first one was this guy who was doing everything wrong, then got a phone call and stood in front of the mirror flexing for himself while he was yabbering away on the phone.

The second were these two guys, probably about 20. I was doing shoulder today so there was alot of wingpsan in involved. These guys clearly saw me and inched their way by me to get to the weight they wanted then proceeded to stand in my way doing about 3 bicep curls at some obscenely heavy weight then inched by me again to put the weights back. All the while I had to stop what I was doing so these idiots could do their exercise.

I thought it was just common knowledge that you don't work out in someone else's space. Like bowling, you don't bowl when the person next to you is bowling. Maybe gyms should start making all new members work through a gym etiquette course or something before they can get their membership. Luckily my trainer told them off.

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Grrrr, I had 2 more today that really angered me, well one really pissed me off and the other I just gave an evil glare.

The first one was this guy who was doing everything wrong, then got a phone call and stood in front of the mirror flexing for himself while he was yabbering away on the phone.

The second were these two guys, probably about 20. I was doing shoulder today so there was alot of wingpsan in involved. These guys clearly saw me and inched their way by me to get to the weight they wanted then proceeded to stand in my way doing about 3 bicep curls at some obscenely heavy weight then inched by me again to put the weights back. All the while I had to stop what I was doing so these idiots could do their exercise.

I thought it was just common knowledge that you don't work out in someone else's space. Like bowling, you don't bowl when the person next to you is bowling. Maybe gyms should start making all new members work through a gym etiquette course or something before they can get their membership. Luckily my trainer told them off.

You were standing in front of the dumbbell rack and blocking access. You are the idiot.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Grrrr, I had 2 more today that really angered me, well one really pissed me off and the other I just gave an evil glare.

The first one was this guy who was doing everything wrong, then got a phone call and stood in front of the mirror flexing for himself while he was yabbering away on the phone.

The second were these two guys, probably about 20. I was doing shoulder today so there was alot of wingpsan in involved. These guys clearly saw me and inched their way by me to get to the weight they wanted then proceeded to stand in my way doing about 3 bicep curls at some obscenely heavy weight then inched by me again to put the weights back. All the while I had to stop what I was doing so these idiots could do their exercise.

I thought it was just common knowledge that you don't work out in someone else's space. Like bowling, you don't bowl when the person next to you is bowling. Maybe gyms should start making all new members work through a gym etiquette course or something before they can get their membership. Luckily my trainer told them off.

Well, first thing doesn't concern you, you should be focusing on your training, not checking out other guys. second, how the fuck do you get "a lot of wingspan" on shoulder day unless you are doing some stupid arse laterals or something equally stupid, don't do that shit, do compound movements and i promise that even you will be able to impress the lads at the gym.

For shoulders, military presses, wide grip barbell upright lifts, wide barbell bent over lifts to the neck.

If they get in your way then slam your dumbell against their elbows if you are in the designated area doing your thing, it takes one step forward while doing laterals and you'll be out of their way.

You sound like a whiny bitch more than anything else.

 

[everman]

1. People who don't put dumbbells away, just leave them lying around.
2. People who need 4 sets of dumbbells strewn all around them for some reason.
3. Idiots who go to the squat rack, remove all weight, and proceed to curl the 45lb bar for 10 mins. <---- Epitome of gym idiocy.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Originally posted by: crt1530

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Grrrr, I had 2 more today that really angered me, well one really pissed me off and the other I just gave an evil glare.

The first one was this guy who was doing everything wrong, then got a phone call and stood in front of the mirror flexing for himself while he was yabbering away on the phone.

The second were these two guys, probably about 20. I was doing shoulder today so there was alot of wingpsan in involved. These guys clearly saw me and inched their way by me to get to the weight they wanted then proceeded to stand in my way doing about 3 bicep curls at some obscenely heavy weight then inched by me again to put the weights back. All the while I had to stop what I was doing so these idiots could do their exercise.

I thought it was just common knowledge that you don't work out in someone else's space. Like bowling, you don't bowl when the person next to you is bowling. Maybe gyms should start making all new members work through a gym etiquette course or something before they can get their membership. Luckily my trainer told them off.

You were standing in front of the dumbbell rack and blocking access. You are the idiot.

Clearly I was in front of the barbell rack, but the benches are all infront of the barbell rack and there are at least 5 sets of each weight to choose from, so there wasn't really an excuse for them to inch by me. Whenever I need a weight that someone is standing right in front of I wait for them to finish what they are doing and then say excuse me as I creep in. Also my trainer popped me in that area so I wasn't going to argue with her judgement.

Well, first thing doesn't concern you, you should be focusing on your training, not checking out other guys. second, how the fuck do you get "a lot of wingspan" on shoulder day unless you are doing some stupid arse laterals or something equally stupid, don't do that shit, do compound movements and i promise that even you will be able to impress the lads at the gym.

For shoulders, military presses, wide grip barbell upright lifts, wide barbell bent over lifts to the neck.

If they get in your way then slam your dumbell against their elbows if you are in the designated area doing your thing, it takes one step forward while doing laterals and you'll be out of their way.

You sound like a whiny bitch more than anything else.

And the exercise I was talking about, I don't know what it's called, but it's where you bend over and get your arms up parallel to the ground. And I do take a lot of room because I put my head against the backrest of the bench to keep my back straight and prevent swining and cheating as I'm still learning all this shiz.

I hired a personal trainer for a reason, because I don't know anything about lifting weights, and she says jump I say how high. I trust her judgement as a professional and professional bodybuilder.

And I'm also not going to be rude to anyone and tell them to get out of my way or hit them with my weights. That's foolish, I don't go to the gym to get into fights. And I don't go to check other people out. I just have a natural observant attitude and I can't help myself but watch what other people are doing, especially when I'm resting.

I can be a whiny little bitch all I want. I pay to use the gym, I'm paying for my time there, I try my hardest to be courteous to others. You sound like an angry person.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: Deeko
The screamers bother me the most. I understand that some grunting occurs naturally with effort, but the yelling is really unnecessary.

Yeah, sometimes I'll make a bit of noise on the last rep or two of a set, but that is usually just do to exertion. The guys who let out those giant screams while not lifting all that much are absurd and obnoxious.

not to mention a bad practise since it promotes incorrect breathing.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Ballatician

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: Deeko
The screamers bother me the most. I understand that some grunting occurs naturally with effort, but the yelling is really unnecessary.

It is either that or when the TV sets in the cardio area are tuned to Univision for some inexplicable reason...maybe the cleaning staff borrowed the remote

messed upp

I agree with the nudity problem though, it happened to me in the school gym all the time, super weird when you can have the same professorrr in class later on....

i thank god my school as a seperate faculty/staff locker. i was actually offered one there since i qualify as staff but i picked the less furnished student one (not to mention gave upa very nice lounge) just cause i didn't wanna see the old guys. and yet they still manage to show up sometimes.