About half way into my lift at the gym today, two male teenagers walked in and headed straight for the weights. Now, I am not one to judge what other people are doing in the gym, but these kids demonstrated a few mannerisms that started me thinking about some of my gym pet peeves. Here are a few of mine:
1. Standing right in front of the weight rack. This drives me crazy! I like to grab the weight I need for a particular move and take a few large steps back so other people can get in there. Nope. These kids stood right in front of it. (Apologies for the blurry photo.)
2. Making a mess. These kids pulled, what felt like, every plate and dumbbell off the racks and had them strewn about their feet. Not only is this dangerous, but it makes it impossible for other people to use them.
3. Not reracking weights. I spent the first 2 minutes of my workout hunting down the 10 lb dumbbell. It was hidden in the far corner of the auxiliary room. Really people? I realize you may have had a killer workout, but how hard is it to put back?
4. Lifting too heavy. The teens picked up the heaviest dumbbell and attempted to do cross-body bicep curls. Their form was so horrible to the point that they were getting more a shoulder workout than a bicep workout. If I take a weight that’s too heavy because I feel tough I know that my form is being compromised and I’m increasing my risk of injury. So I put it back and take a weight I can lift with the right form.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ycoXiEDBZk&w=560&h=315]
5. Letting the treadmill run while resting on the sides. There are a few women in the gym who I’ve seen take a break on the treadmill by standing on the side of the conveyor belt. Take a break if you’re tired, yes, but pause the treadmill. Not only can they seriously hurt themselves when they step back on it, but they are lying to themselves about how far and how long they ran.
I apologize for the rant-like nature of this post, but most of these things are about safety not only for the person working out, but for the people around him or her. At least I am not as angry as this guy:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0WxyKGD7sU&w=560&h=315]
RQ: What are some of your gym pet peeves?
I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
Grunting/loud swearing/groaning is one of my biggest pet peeves. I don’t care how hard that lift is. I don’t want to hear your gross noises.
Yes! Agreed! That’s one of the reasons I pretty much always wear headphones when lifting.
The people who flex in the mirror after they lift something. Seriously that is for the privacy of your own home! or at least the locker room.
hahahaha. Those people are hilarious!
This was hysterical! I can’t stand it when people whistle/hum/sing reallyyyy loud while on the bikes or elliptical. Aside from the fact that I can hear it over my music and it sounds awful, how intense of a workout could they possibly be getting?! Also, girls who wear a ton of makeup to the gym. What the heck? 🙂
Agreed! The ones who look totally perfect to come sweat. How could of a workout can that be?
these are all so right! also: after working out in woodbury, the women who workout in a sports bra and tiny shorts, hair down, walk at a 2.0 and never break a sweat. also, the guys who only do bicep curls, and more bicep curls, and more bicep curls.
Yes! The tiny shorts and sports bra kill me. So annoying! And really…are there not more muscles than your biceps to work out?