Maybe it’s runner’s high or the endorphin rush that can come from a great session of power lifting. Whatever causes it, there seems to be something in the air at some health clubs that make even the most civilized, rational people act out. From Ms. No Boundaries during yoga class to Mr. No Clothes in the locker room, there’s always going to be some people at the gym that you wish would switch to home exercising. But since even the most annoying gym rats are likely here to stay, try these strategies to stop potential workout wreckers from getting in the way of your fitness.
Annoying People At The Gym
The Grunter
You know the guy. The one whose guttural "GAAHHHH" you can hear even if you’re on the opposite side of the weight room. If you come face-to-face with a Grunter, it’s best to just tune him or her out. “Try to focus more on your workout, get in your zone, and just go,” advises Kim Lyons, former trainer on NBC’s "The Biggest Loser" and Dr. Phil’s "Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge."
The Chatterbox
The Chatterbox goes to the gym to socialize rather than work out — and spends time trying to talk to anyone who will listen. This can ruin your concentration and your training, but luckily there’s a quick fix. “That’s why the MP3 player was invented,” says Gregory Florez, a certified personal trainer in Salt Lake City, owner of FitAdvisor Health Coaching Services, and a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise. If you’re not in the mood to crank the Lady Gaga, just put your earbuds in and pretend you can’t hear, he advises. It will help you mentally check out and signal to others that you’re not there to talk.
The Equipment Hog
They're oblivious to the signs all over the gym: Limit the use of cardio equipment to 30 minutes. But while you’re patiently waiting for them to finish so you can hop on, they're going and going like the Energizer Bunny. When that happens, take it as a hint to find something else to do, Lyons says. Besides, she adds, when you’re at the gym it’s always good to “embrace variety.” If you’re crunched for time, you can always politely ask when you might be able to use the machine you need. “Sometimes they don’t know that you’re waiting,” Florez says.
The Cellphone Yakker
Can you hear them now? Although most gyms and fitness centers are cellphone-free zones, there’s always someone who ignores the ban. It’s hard to image how the yakkers are able to carry on a conversation and keep up a brisk pace on the treadmill. But that’s their workout problem, not yours, Lyons says. People like that used to annoy her until she learned this motto: “You’re only responsible for what you do at the gym.” Sometimes, she says, that’s the only way to deal with other people while you’re training.
The Hit Man
At a big gym, you’re bound to find men and women alike who come not to exercise but to scope out potential dates. You can make it clear in select situations that you’re not interested, but for Jen Brango, co-owner of Only Results Fitness in Phoenixville, Pa., there’s only one long-term solution. Join a gym or training center that is either small and intimate or full of serious exercisers. There, you’ll find that kind of behaviour is not socially acceptable.
The Stinker
Ick! The guy next to you smells like he’s been to the gym every day, but apparently not to the showers. And that woman might be working up a sweat, but it’s hard to tell underneath all that perfume. By now, you’re either sneezing up a storm or hiding your nose in your hoodie. The best you can do under the circumstances is to simply walk away. You need oxygen to get through your workout plan, so stake out an odor-free spot.
The Unwanted Advice Giver
There’s at least one guy at every gym who thinks he’s your personal trainer and just has to give you his workout advice, whether you want it or not. If you’re polite and stop to listen to what this self-appointed master says, you may make it worse. When he suggests you do a different fitness move, but you know you’re on the right track, be firm. Smile and, in a nice way, say something like, “Thanks, but I like doing it the way my trainer showed me.” On the other hand, if you’re coveting your neighbor’s perfectly toned triceps, don’t hesitate to ask for their advice on how they got there. Chances are, they’ll be flattered and more than happy to share their tricks of the trade.
The Bad Habits Guy
Just like the gym rat who ignores the signs about time limits, this one ignores all requests to wipe down the workout equipment when finished. He just walks away, leaving his sweat behind. This is your chance to show you’re the better person, Florez says. “Be a good influence in the gym, and wipe off the equipment yourself,” he says. You’re helping keep your facility clean and sending a message that not wiping down machines is not okay.