Things that annoy me: gym edition

In no particular order...

• People that think the gym is their personal space.  They hang their clothes on the bike and go use a different machine.  They bring a bag and drop it in the middle of the floor.  They leave a trail of terror in their wake - layers are shed, medicine balls are left in the middle of the floor, computers are put on a weight bench so that nobody else can use it.

• People that don't share.  Sharing is caring.  Especially in a smaller gym, where there might only be one of a particular machine, or one set of free weights.  If someone else wants to work in with you, let them.  If they're waiting for a treadmill and you've been on for an hour, give it up.  I know it sucks to have to alter your workout a bit, but imagine if you were on the other end and some jerk was preventing you from being able to work out. 

• On the flip side of that, people that aren't willing to be flexible at all.  They neeeeeeeeeeeed to use the 10 pound medicine ball right this very second.  Doesn't matter that you're using it and you're happy to let them use it after you finish your set.   Them standing there staring daggers at me makes me want to make me set just a teeny bit longer.  But maybe that's just me.

• People that don't realize there are others in the gym.  I get it.  You're in the zone and all that.  You don't care what you look like or what other people think of you.  But can you please remember that just because you have headphones on and we can't hear your music, we can still hear you if you sing along to the songs.

• People who talk on their cell phone.  I kind of sometimes want to just go up to these people, grab the phone out of their hand, and throw it across the gym.  This urge happens even if I'm just walking past a gym and see someone talking on a cell phone.  I get it - sometimes, you actually really need to take a quick call.  The office is having a crisis or your patient is dying or your kid is having a tantrum at school.  Fine.  Either make it super quick or take it outside.  But don't walk slowly on the treadmill for 30 minutes while discussing The Bachelor with your BFF on the phone.  You may not be super into your workout, but other people are. 

• People that don't wipe up their puddles of sweat.  Common courtesy here, people.  Yes, the gym is a place where you're supposed to get all sweaty, which is fine, I'm all for a good sweat.  But nobody else wants to sit down on a machine only to have their butt or back greeted by a puddle of your sweat.  Bring a towel and use it.  Or use the antibacterial wipes, spray, or paper towels that all gyms offer.  They're there for a reason.

• People that leave the weights on the bars.  Or that don't put the free weights away.  Or that put the free weights in the wrong spot.  Sometimes, just cleaning up after the person before you can be a workout in and of itself!