Friday, September 19, 2008

Recent irritating scenes from the gym

There are many things that irritate me at the gym, such as people cuddling and being overly supportive while I'm trying to pump some iron so I can go home. But recently there have been two incidents at the gym that I felt compelled to share with everyone. One provided me with another reminder of why I choose to work out alone.

Scene One: At the free weights, me doing a "casual flex" while a guy is giving his girlfriend "pointers" on working out, all while looking like he can't wait to be on his own.

Boyfriend: God what is wrong with you?
Girlfriend: These [the weights] are heavy
Boyfriend: Are you serious? They're like 10 pounds, quit your whining
Girlfriend: Am I doing this right?
Boyfriend: Probably not, try harder, use your arms to lift the weight

Later.....
Boyfriend: Move your leg back to do the lunge
Girlfriend: Here? (Moves her leg back about an inch)
Boyfriend: No, here
Girlfriend: Here? (Moves her leg back a little more)
Boyfriend: NO, WHY AREN'T YOU LISTENING?
Girlfriend: I don't know if I can go any further back
Boyfriend: You are such a wuss, gosh, just try for once. You can't do anything right

I couldn't stand to listen to the rest of it but I can imagine it went on like that for a while. I like a strong guy, but not one who is going to put me down. That's why you pay for a trainer to help you get in shape and hopefully not verbally abuse you.

Scene Two: The cardio floor, me in the midst of a serious elliptical routine, reading the Redeye and watching the news when my thoughts are interrupted by...

Moron: Dude, hey how are you? (I look over and see he's talking very loudly to no one)
Me: Who are you talking to?
Moron: Hey yeah I know, yeah I'm working out right now (Still can't see anyone he could be conversing with)
Me: Hey there's no one there, everything okay?
Moron: Dude I went to New York this weekend and totally hit it with this girl *laughs* Yeah it was fun
(At this point I notice the iPhone strapped his arm and groan)
Moron: What was that? Yeah I'm at the gym working out. Doing cardio, yeah feelin' the burn. Yeah I slept with some girl in New York, ha ha yeah we won't tell Ashley, totally, hot hot hot.

The conversation about him and his weekend conquest went on for a while and I had to cut my routine a little short before it became too graphic. Ironically, later I saw him and a girl, who I'm going to assume is Ashley, snuggling while walking out of the gym. I've seen this guy near the cardio machines a couple of times now and I'm always treated to hear his iPhone conversation.

The iPhone is cool but is a total pain in the a** at the gym. Just listen to your music and don't carry on a conversation in "outdoor voices" while some of us are trying to work out. This also extends to the morning bus commute with a Bluetooth headset too. Indoor voices people, or at least make your conversation public-friendly. I don't need to know that much about you.

Well the Emmy's are Sunday and Anne has a bottle of wine with my name on it. Big post coming Monday so be sure to check back. What is everyone else up to this weekend?

40 comments:

Rachel said...

I posted today about someone at the gym.

We should start our own gym....it could have a bar in it!

Ben said...

I'm starting a gym membership tomorrow.

Now taking bets on how many times I go in the next year? Three? Four? None?

B said...

this is why I'm glad they ban cell phones at my gym

thatShortchick said...

this post is making me feel really good about not going to the gym!

(although my behind has a different opinion).

Anonymous said...

Ugh, those stories are bad on so many levels. And I'll never understand how you can talk on a cell phone at the gym. If it's a decent workout, you should be too winded to yammer on about your cheating ways!!

Anonymous said...

Those guys both sounded sucky. And that makes me glad that I stay away from the gym, even though I pay $35 a month for it. Yeah, and I go like 12 times a year. Ooops.

Katie said...

You are so right! I would be frustrated too - well, at least now you have an excuse if you didn't want to go workout :)

LBluca77 said...

That is why I don't go to the gym.

I hate though when I did go and I would see those lame girls that you could tell did their makeup before going to the gym. Girls you are just going to sweat it off.

Anonymous said...

You should have been like 'Hey Ashely! Your douchebag boyfriend cheated on you in New York! You're welcome.'

Ashley // Our Little Apartment said...

Oh ew oh ew.

That just depresses me.

What a jerkface.

Anonymous said...

I can't go to the gym without my ipod so I can block all that crap out.

KA said...

i loathe cheaters.... ugh. especially when they advertise like that.

DomestiGals said...

I'm going to grad school this weekend! AAAAAHHHHH! Don't remind me ;-) Please fill us in on your thoughts on the Emmys. I am so starved for pop culture it's getting a little out of control.

As for the gym... that boyfriend (the first one) deserves a big kick in the cajones. The other guy? What a sleazebag! Gyms really attract the scum, don't they. Yikes.

But at least they make for good stories!

Jen xx

Anonymous said...

I will NEVER understand the phone at the gym thing. It's really and truly ok if you are not reachable for an hour. The world won't end. I promise.

Anonymous said...

OK I can add some other irritating scenes from the gym of my own:

-People who save bikes in spin class and then their friends don't show up.
-When you're running on a treadmill and the sweaty man running on an incline next to you decides to hold on to the top of the machine, exposing sweaty, smelly armpits and more BO than anyone should ever be subject to, even at a gym. JUST RUN SLOWER and then you won't have to hold on.
-Couples who work out together and walk around the gym holding hands. Yes, you're adorable, but don't you need your hands free to, um, work out?

LJ said...

wow that first dude sounds like an Ahole! I would dropped a weight on his foot! Sounds like xsport dudes :)

Anonymous said...

Ew? What the hell gym is this?

Unknown said...

I DESPISE THE GYM. I will not go. I refuse.

Mandy said...

People who talk loudly with their bluetooths drive me crazy. I was in the elevator with a co-worker the other day who was talking very loudly. Then gave me a dirty look when I didnt hit the button she wanted, apparently I am supposed to have super brain reading powers.

I am going to Columbus!

Katelin said...

oh man both of those would drive me insane. especially the phone guy. luckily i go to the gym early in the morning so i just see a lot of old people who are pretty funny.

Megkathleen said...

I HATE those bluetooth things. I don't know how many times I've embarrassed myself by thinking they're talking to me.

Nilsa S. said...

Cell phones should be banned in gyms. If your call is serious enough, you should leave the workout area. It's unbelievable how inconsiderate many people are. Gah.

Pretty Unfamous said...

Nothing annoys me more than a bluetooth conversation. It automatically makes the talker look and sound like a douchebag.

Living Dees Life said...

altho i should hit a gym, that's a good reason to stay out.

i'm gonna get a treadmill to put in the garage if we get this townhouse this weekend... it's getting so close now! down to the wire!!!!

hopefully this weekend i'll be scheduling movers for the 1st weekend of october and start packing and scheduling my utilities to be moved!!!!

Meg said...

Ugh, sounds awful... I haven't been to the gym in a while, I now feel guilty. :/ Thankfully the one I go to isn't so bad... I just avoid the running track and opt for the treadmills instead. Then I don't have to watch the dorm rats following me each time I pass the weight room... (Dorm rats being the single military guys who live in the dorms and have nothing better to do than go to the gym.)

I mean, I don't mind being checked out, but being repeatedly stared at? Not cool. (And the whole military thing takes it to another level... I'm not a whore like some of the other wives, so no, I'm not gonna sleep with some other loser just because my husband's been gone for three months.)

SA said...

Reason 26 why I'm a horrible person...

I would totally record male in Situation #2 conversation and give it to girl he was cuddling with to let her know what type of guy he is. And to shut him up when he's at the gym.

Anonymous said...

Yesterday, everyone on my bus was treated to a very loud cell phone conversation between a man and the mother of his children (ex wife probably?) as they argued about custody of said kids. Certainly not the way I would choose to begin my day.

P said...

Fun! :)

I just hope "Ashley" isn't a reader of your blog!

Or perhaps I hope she is . . . ;)

Anonymous said...

Oy! I hate people who talk on their phones loudly. Not that I go to the gym, but I'm sure it would annoy me there as well.

Today I'm heading into the big city for some downtown fun!

Anonymous said...

Dude, I would have accidentally let go of the ball I was working with so it would have hit either of those guys.

Mega said...

You should have jumped in on that conversation.

Today is chalk full of laundry/cleaning fun followed up by a dinner date.

Anonymous said...

I would never put up with the verbal abuse. I'm so glad I take dance classes instead of going to the gym. Bellydancing makes use of a whole number of muscles so there's not much exercise I'm missing out on anyway.

This weekend I'm writing a 4000 word paper. The deadline is Monday, but I have to work then so I want to have everything finished tomorrow. I've got 1200 words so far, so that's not too bad. Hopefully I can relax next weekend though! I need some time off!

Tipp said...

I cannot stand hearing other peoples conversations -anywhere.

Tipp said...

I cannot stand hearing other peoples conversations -anywhere.

EP said...

And that is exactly why I don't have a gym membership and whenver I work out, my dog is beside me. She can't talk crap about my lack of skills.

Unknown said...

I'm telling Ashley.

Anonymous Amy said...

i frigging HATE hearing other people's convo's. I once hear a girl in the bathroom stall describing her *ahem* period to her mother!!! HATE!

Kayleigh said...

EW ew ew ew ew. This is why I cannot stand men.

Princess Pointful said...

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say anyone who actually brings a cellphone outside of their bag in the locker room qualifies as a toolbox.

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