5 people who annoy me in the gym

I’m still a regular user of my local gym. It’s not called the Barn any more, it’s Vision Fitness, and although attendance has been down it’s slowly building up again. I like it when there are others in the gym, exercise seems to be a social event even if you don’t talk to anyone, but there are a few who annoy me. And their generally blokes.

People who bring their bags into the gym. It doesn’t offend me per se but I reckon it’s not good gym etiquette and is a safety hazard. There’s the risk of someone tripping over someone else’s bag or of the bag itself interfering with the movements within one of the machines. It’s not necessary, there’s plenty of space to leave your bags, so please. No bags within the gym itself!

People who leave their phones on the floor. I guess it’s a subset of the above but I just don’t understand it. OK they may have their routines marked up on their phones or they may of course be the source of the music they listen to when exercising but it really is silly. Given that phones cost anything up to £1000 and beyond why leave then somewhere where they might be damaged?

People who hog machines whilst using their phones. That’s using as in social media of course but it might be actually making a call but that’s infrequent. Given that gyms typically only have one machine of each type it’s antisocial to block others use of them. If you want to use your phone please step away and let others have access.

There are people who do multiple sets. I get it that it’s a perfectly legitimate method of training but as noted above there’s probably only one machine of the type you’re using and by so monopolising it you’re stopping others from getting on with their circuits. Again, please step away from the machine when others wish to use it.

People who sweat. I don’t mean people who have sweaty palms who then rightly wipe down machines after use. It’s the ones who decide to spend an hour on an exercise bike. Before long they sweat profusely. To their credit they generally cover the floor with paper towels and are then studious in cleaning up afterwards. But is it really necessary? Why not go for a bike ride?

People who don’t reset machines/put kit away. For example we’ve got a pull down machine with a set of alternative bars for use instead of the standard horizontal bar (which I use). There’s a rack for them on the side so please if you use one please put it away when you finish and replace the standard.

There is a positive side though. Other people inspire me and I get motivated by their presence. To be honest they’re generally good looking women but there are some blokes too who do enough to make me think I should stick at it. If they can do it then so can I!