More Gym Insanity
After my routine of cardio and weight training, I finish it all off with a little ab work. Nothing major, just a few sets of various exercises on the ab benches.
At my gym (24 Hour Fitness) there is a row of about six of these machines upstairs. Most of the time a machine (is that even the right word?) is readily available but tonight was a different story. I patiently did some stretching while waiting for my turn on one of these six-pack producers.
After a few minutes, all the machines were still in use by the same people. On closer inspection, I found the root of the bottleneck. Two young ladies were using this time to lay on their ab benches and yap on their cell phones. Not just while resting, but as they were exercising as well. I even witnessed one of them DIALING while in the middle of her ab "workout". Yes, as she was crunching up and down, she was actually dialing the phone.
More and more, I am noticing that some people cannot do anything without something glued to their ear. I see people in restaurants with their Bluetooth headset on. I see people walking around the block with a ear-buds jammed into their head. Now I see girls on the ab bench telling her friend all about the cute guy she saw at the store.
When did we as a society lose our common sense? Is etiquette something we have to be taught or is it a natural instinct in humans? I don't recall my mother ever sitting me down and telling me that one day there will an invention called the cell phone and that I should refrain from using it in every public place that I happen to find myself.
Maybe I'm just a crotchety, old fart of a man.
As you were.
posted by TinyElvis @ 10:08 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I hear you, tinye. I was a 24 Hour Fitness member both in Glendale and Pasadena, and it boggled my mind to see people gabbing on the phone while working out. It drove me nuts, and I dropped my membership and joined Body Builders in Silver Lake. It felt good to leave the starbucks of working out to go to a place that had less frills but at least everyone there was respectful of a shared public space. One of the few things I hate about being a public librarian are all of the idiots that think it's okay to approach me at the reference desk while on the phone, especially if they are on a bluetooth.
If you're a crotchety fart, then I'm one too.
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There is not enough time in the day for me to list all of my complaints about the lack of cellphone ettiquette.
I am glad to see that I am not the only one annoyed. What's interesting is that everyone else seems to be annoyed with it too, but if that's the case, then why is it still happening?
Bodybuilders Gym in Silverlake is a joke. I'd rather put up with the crowds at Bally's than the fat staff, fat trainers and lack of motivated patrons at Bellybuilders. At least at Bally's, people there actually sweat. If you're into socializing, then a mom and pop like Bodybuilders is ok, but if you're serious you have to go to a place that has a lot of nice bodies that motivate you. It's easy to isolate and get into a rut like at Bodybuilders. I finally made my escape from there after years, and my workouts have been reinvigorated.
Re: Bodybuilders Gym. I was a member there many years when it started as a gay gym. Since Jim the founder of BBG died it has gone through a couple of weird owners but this Eric guy, the latest owner is real neurotic. I was 86th because I wouldn't put up with the rude and harrassing staff. Eric sided with the staff members. He initially refused to refund what remained of my membership but thought better of it and grudgingly gave me my money back. I also have a Bally's membership for many years so making the change was no big deal, but I too felt greatly energized after I got kicked out. It is true that the trainers are grossly out of shape and the staff looks like they never work out. It's true, the name should be Bellybuilders. Most of the patrons think that just by showing up they'll get in condition, they exercise their jaws more than anything. It's too bad because it used to be a really good alternative to the big chains but unless you are really self-motivated and don't mind the obesity there, you're better off somewhere else. The owner Eric must pay minimum wages to the staff otherwise he'd hire professional staff who are courteous and well-mannered.
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