Rude gym behaviors require clever, effective ways of dealing with them that will not only cease the rudeness, but may even net an apology.
At a minimum, if you practice these witty ways of dealing with rude gym behavior, you’ll walk away feeling good and empowered, rather than miffed and upset for the rest of the day.
Do any of the following rude behaviors at the gym ever happen to you?
Sweat on the Equipment
Say, “Excuse me, but do you have a towel I can use to wipe up your sweat?”
I’ve done this several times, and in every single case, the offender apologized.
Water All Over a Locker Room Bench
If you know who the offender is, point to the puddles and say, “Oh, make sure you don’t sit here; someone left water all over the bench.”
(This ploy got me a confession and apology.)
Loud Grunting
When this gets pretty loud and frequent, it qualifies as inconsiderate. I myself have grunted — but I kept the volume controlled.
Sometimes you just can’t help it when you’re straining for the last repetition of a giant lift such as the deadlift, squat or bench press. But isolation moves?
Now remember, I’m talking about excessive grunting — and loud. I once said to a man, “You sound like you’re in a lot of pain.”
The man responded to me, “That’s the way it’s done,” but then wasn’t as loud afterwards.
Sitting on a Machine for a Long Time Doing Nothing
People who do this are short-sighted. They should know that by getting off the equipment for a long rest, this signals a nearby person that they can get in a set.
Stand near the equipment so that nobody actually takes it from you while you’re resting, but do expect someone to come over and ask if they can “work in.” And let them if it won’t interfere with your rest time.
As for that nearby person who’s wondering when someone who’s still sitting on the equipment is going to do another set, simply ask if you could “work in.” Often they’ll hop off the seat as though they have ants in their pants.
You can add humor to dealing with rude gym members.
Blocking a Mirror
This happens often to me, but it’s nothing that a passionate, “Excuse me, can you move so I can watch myself?” can’t cure.
About half the time, the offender appears annoyed, but they comply nevertheless.
Please, people, before you begin that set on your feet…make sure you’re not standing between the mirror and someone on equipment (which they cannot move) who’s facing the mirror. Step out of their line of sight.
Child Running Loose in Locker Room
Say, “Did you know that the daycare is open now?” If daycare is closed, say, “Excuse me, but there’s water on the floor and your child might slip and fall if she continues running all over the place in the locker room.”
If the offender gets sassy, point out that they should not let their child run loose in the locker room. It IS your business, even if the floors are bone dry.
One time when I was in a locker room, a few young kids were playing “I’m hiding in the lockers!”
When members opened lockers, the kids popped out at them. This is what happens when their mothers are not called on letting their kids use the locker room as a playground.
Toddler Wandering on Gym Floor
Does anyone NOT realize how risky this is? Never ignore this; say something to the parent! This goes beyond rude; it’s reckless.
One time a man — presumably a potential new member checking out the gym — was permitting this; toddler began exploring around a few stools that I had begun setting up.
There was no sales rep nearby, so I don’t know what the man was doing there.
I turned my back one second, then discovered the toddler under the stool I was about to use; father did nothing.
‘I said, “It’s against club policy to let your child in this area; it’s dangerous.”
He replied, “It’s not for YOU to worry about.”
I responded. “That’s right; it’s for YOU to worry about.”
I then marched to the front desk and reported the problem. Staff wasted no time following up on my report.
Locker Room Bench Cluttered with Belongings
A passive response to this inconsiderate behavior is to nonchalantly begin nudging aside their belongings to make room for yours or your body.
In my case, 100 percent of the time, the offender promptly gathers or moves their belongings and usually apologizes; never any hostility.
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
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