Cellphones at the gym

[jedimaster91]

Seriously, people, you can go without your cell phone for a little while. I get so annoyed seeing people (always seems to be 20-something girls) sitting on a machine texting and not working out. Other people (like me) might want to use that machine to, you know, get in shape. Don't get me wrong, I like my cell phone as much as the next 20-something. But Workout Time is time for me to groove to my music and get in touch with what my body needs. Not spend all my time texting my friends.

[Boozy]

They're probably just resting between sets. If you need the machine, ask them if you can work in.

I assumed this thread would be about people having loud conversations on their phones, which I guess can be annoying - sometimes. But texting? I don't see the issue.

Just be more assertive and let them know you're waiting.

[Kheldarson]

I dunno, I kinda see the point. People seem addicted to their phones. Like we've got people at work who have to be in contact with their friends all the time...either on their phone or the workphone. Both are incredibly rude and show how addicted they are to the constant feedback.

Same thing here. You've gone to work out for probably around a hour. Do you really need to be continuing a conversation during that time?

[Boozy]

The question isn't what they "need" to be doing, but why anyone else would care. It's not your business, and I don't know why you'd find it annoying. It should have no effect on you.

My husband is often forced to reply to work e-mails on his Blackberry while working out, between sets. If he knows someone's waiting for a machine, he'll move. But he's not a mind-reader. A friendly, "Hey, are you still using that bench?" will result in a response of, "Yeah, just taking a breather, but you can work in your sets between mine". Not a big deal for anyone.

[MadMike]

I assumed this thread would be about people having loud conversations on their phones, which I guess can be annoying - sometimes.

That's what I thought too, and I was prepared to raise the question of why it's wrong to talk on the phone if you're somewhere where it's OK to have a conversation with someone who's in the room with you. If it's an overly loud conversation, then I understand the problem, whether it's with someone in the room or on the phone. I remember one time I was on the treadmill with the iPod cranked up, and I could STILL hear the loudmouths.

As far as tying up the equipment and not actually using it, I'm with you there. I used to see this one guy who would come in, turn on one of the TVs and put on the ball game, park his ass on one of the machines, and just sit there watching the game. I wasn't even using that particular machine, but it still got on my nerves for some reason.

[HYHYBT]

If they're tying up equipment they're not actually using, they need to stop.

If they're somehow managing to use the phone and exercise at the same time, or if they're off out of the way somewhere, no harm.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

While I'll agree that cell phone usage is getting on my nerves what with seeing everyone who can't seem to live without their phones for more than 0.68 seconds...I can be largely indifferent to it.

It's my pet peeve but not my place to judge as it really has no impact on me and my life.

I've had people taking a break and sitting on the machines while texting. I'll go over and ask if they were done. Most will let me slip in to do my sets while they're cooling down or will move on to their next machine. I just thank them, mentally roll my eyes at the inability/unwillingness to unplug, and do my sets.

If they get pissy about it then I unleash my inner bastard and I'll get the gym staff involved.

[Boozy]

Come to think of it, some of these folks may not even be texting. Back when I first started weightlifting, I used an app for my iPhone that showed me proper form, put together routines for me, and let me to track my progress. I don't bother with it now, but as a newbie I found it helpful.

I still see a lot of people using clipboards to track their progress and routines. I'm assuming just as many use their phones, and I just don't notice.

[jackfaire]

I still see a lot of people using clipboards to track their progress and routines. I'm assuming just as many use their phones, and I just don't notice.

Forgive me but my mind generated,

"Yes master I did 20 reps" listens

"Yes I will be in shape for when my computer overlords take over the planet"

[fireheart17]

Come to think of it, some of these folks may not even be texting. Back when I first started weightlifting, I used an app for my iPhone that showed me proper form, put together routines for me, and let me to track my progress. I don't bother with it now, but as a newbie I found it helpful.

I still see a lot of people using clipboards to track their progress and routines. I'm assuming just as many use their phones, and I just don't notice.

I have a couple of apps on my Android phone which give me some workouts to do depending on fitness level and time. For those interested, they're called VirtuaGym and Workout Trainer.

[jedimaster91]

The incident that sparked this rant:

A girl walks in to do some squats with the bar weight.

Step 1: Get bar from the rack.
Step 2: Answer text.
Step 3: Put weight on one end of bar.
Step 4: Answer text.
Step 5: Put weight on other end of bar.
Step 6: Answer text.
Step 7: Do 2 reps.
Step 8: Answer text.
Step 9: Decide more weight is needed.
Repeat the above.

Yes, it annoys me. And I know it was texting because the text alert kept going off.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

Ah...that's different. I'd be pissed off as well.

[Boozy]

I agree. That particular situation would annoy me too.

[Seifer]

I text while I'm walking on the treadmill sometimes, but that's because I don't want to have a full-blown conversation in front of everyone. I have spoken on the phone a few times while working out, but it was either because the person called me and I was in the middle of a 10-minute work-out circuit and didn't want to just up and stop, or because the call was important. (I got a phone call about a job interview while I was at the gym, so hell yes I'm going to take that call.)

As long as people don't get in the way and keep their conversations short, I don't really care.

[blas87]

I laugh at people at the gym who aren't even shedding a drop of sweat as they walk at .5 mph texting away or slowly reading a magazine.

Granted, I'm spoiled at the athletic club. They have a movie theater so I can just hop on a treadmill, set myself up, and watch a movie for 30-45 mins and get my cardio in.

Now that I have an mp3 player, as soon as someone with a working computer can get me some tunes, I will be set for weight lifting, so I don't have to listen to their awful XM radio stations and people talking.