NOT FOR THE SENSITIVE! READ IF U LIKE CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT! GYM Things that makes me go huh??
Addendum:
Look, I’m just going to put it like this, this is my blog - what I say is not meant to offend anyone, what I say are my thoughts and my observations. Again, I am not Captain Save a Ho’ and I’m not going to be the BODYGUARD for every person working out in the gym. I may laugh AT what they do, that is different from Laughing AT THEM. SO please, should you CHOOSE to read the rest of this, read it with a sense of HUMOR and remember - these are not NEWBIES but people I have seen around for months already - I already said in my title - this is not for sensitive people!
My original blog
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As most of my buddies know, I am a hard-core exercise fanatic. I have been one for the past 4 years going on 5. The only time I did not work out was the 9 months spent away from it all because of some injuries and my nasty “I want it all” or nothing attitude. I wish I had you guys’ back then to kick me around a bit. Even though my lower body was off limits, I refuse to work out my upper. I couldn’t stand being at a gym because I was extremely jealous of healthy people.
I’ve been back at it once again for the past 9 months. I can’t be happier; it is my second home. The last few months or so I’ve been switching things up. Mixing classes with my own strength routine and using the elliptical and treadmill again.
Do I miss the elliptical, stair masters and treadmills? Not really. I love my classes. What I do miss is the ENTERTAINMENT I get from watching my fellow gym people go on with their daily routine.
Please, don’t come to my blog and attack me or criticize me for anything written onwards. This is MY EXPERIENCE AND MY OPINION. If you have a sense of humor stay, if not – you can bounce….bounce bounce away.
This morning I jumped on a treadmill and did a slo mo ½ mile before my kickboxing class. From the safe harbor of my treadmill I watched my fellow gym goers and was completely amused.
Stuff that gets me rollin:
Lady and the EllipticalLady comes in from the cold. Puts stuff down for kickboxing. WITHOUT WARM-UP, jumps on the elliptical and starts swishing her hips back and forth in a side to side rolling motion as she rides her machine.
PROBLEM: NO CORE USE and NO WARM-UP period!!! This is not new. I know her. This is something she’s been doing since Mary gave birth to Jesus. Because she never talks to me, stands right next to me 98% of time in class and dared move MY sh** over one day when she knew I was out the room, I can’t stand her!!!!! If you want some room – ask me and I’ll move my own stuff! So of course, I watched with humor as she spent a useless 30 min. on the machine! I always talk to people, but if you act like a bia*CH oh, I’ll treat you like the bia*ch that you are. The proper way to use an elliptical – use your core muscle, keep your body steady – let your legs do the work and your core to stabilize it. If there’s handle – use them, if not DON”T hold on to the bars!
Lady and the Treadmill
I love cute old ladies who are so dedicated to their body. They are my inspiration. There’s a ton of great ones. Then there’s the two or three, who I just look at and shake my head. This tiny 4’10” lady is on the treadmill with the incline set to the max and a hand towel all laid out like a professional. PROBLEM: SHE’S READING and She’s holding on to the handle bar for dear life!! MY gosh, what’s the freakin’ point????????
I watched her, for 30 min. – not one sweaty t-shirt, not one bead of sweat on her brow. Yes, she never let go of those handle bars once! ROFLMAO! I’m sorry, so not effective and honestly a waste of 30 min. If you need to hold on to the handle bar – change the incline!!!!
Lady and the Lat Pull down machine
So after watching these fine ladies enjoying their morning, I turned my head to my right only to just try my darn hardest to keep my eyeballs in my head. I wonder to myself, is this what she does every time she uses this machine? She settles in and sets her weight, then one two three starts doing her reps. PROBLEM: Way too much weight, to the point where she overextends her back to get one rep in. That is so not effective. One must set the weights in a range where it can be done with proper form. If not, then injuries can occur. I feel sorry for her back.
Guy and his beloved jump rope
Guy who does the same freakin’ routine, day after day, after day after day. Have you ever wonder why some people actually work out? This guy – he’s obese and in the 9 months I’ve seen him at least 3 times a week, has yet to progress to a point where he lost noticeable weight. I kid you not – he looks the exact same way.
Every time I have an early morning class he is always there before our class starts. In the back, he’s jumping rope….not “jumping rope” jumping rope. He does this thing where he swings the rope over his head, let it stops, hops over it and the process repeats itself. Don’t get me wrong, he sweats, but other than that nothing else. We’ve never talk and I’m sure never will. I admire him for his efforts, but kinda wonder why he doesn’t do anything else. Yes, he leaves right after, no cool down and right to the car and drives off.
These people I’m talking about are the same people I see at the gym weekly. I’ve learned throughout my own weight loss journey, that there are those who are willing to listen and there are those who don’t care about your opinion. Oh, I know these people don’t want to hear what I have to say….I would love to give a few pointers or two, but hey, who am I right? That’s not my job. My job is to be there to take care of me.
You see, I used to be these people –not the jump rope guy – at one point or another. I’m sure there were people watching me who thought, my lord, what is she doing? The difference between these ladies, and me I use my senses – all my sense to adapt. I watch people. I watch how they use their machines, the ones who look good and strong and have proper form and technique – I copy them. And if there is someone better – I copy him or her…and so forth. If I don’t know how to use something- I ask. There is nothing wrong with using your mouthpiece to learn the proper way to exercise. Because the longer they continue doing it wrong, the slower their progress.
Just my two cents nothing more and nothing less. :) 
I wonder if maybe you should offer some advice to these people or maybe have one of the trainers offer advice. I know I would want someone (nicely of course) to come up to me and help me out. Except if you are a 50 year old man, please don’t watch me! I remember Kimmi talking about the men who offer “help”. AKA creepy.
I have too seen this guy at the gym who is big and he looks the same and I always wonder how. If I was him I would say screw it by now.
They do say that even if you are overweight/obese exercise still benefits you.
hehe, that’s some funny stuff IF you know how to do the right stuff… otherwise, as I’m sure you’ll hear… it seems perfectly fine, or “isn’t something better than nothing” When in reality, sometimes NOTHING is the better choice over doing it wrong.
I’m not much into exercise now, I’m trying to get my food under control, but I used to hit the gym for a few hours a few times a week and see similar things and get a chuckle too… now I’m with jumprope guy I’m sure… ok, maybe I’m not THAT far back… but still, I’m not where I was!
Hey beautiful Holly, I completely agree with you when it comes to exercise for all. But when there is no progress, none at all…it makes me shake my head and say wow.
I am very hesitant to say anything to anyone UNLESS they ask for my opinion. Just got burned by a close friend for doing it and I said to myself never again will I stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. Even here, if someone isn’t asking for advice or help, I try my best not to dish it.
Girl, those trainers don’t care about anyone unless they are paying for a session.
Lol…I have actually been in those peoples shoes!!! lol
When I was going to the gym…I had this guy who NEVER smile…and really didnt work out all that much offer me advice on something I was using…lucky for me..I felt the difference immediately for the good.
What I liked where the gym bunnies…girls who go in there all made up..hair just so…walk around in cute little workout clothes & visit a few guys…and leave…thats going to the gym??? lol
Got a question in the forum that I’m gonna post in a minute.
Thanks for the laughs, Love ya..Debbie
Ha Ha Ha! There were some older ladies that went to the gym I used to go to—they wore there Sunday church clothes and dress shows—and the staff let them! I called corporate and told them—I mean, that can’t be safe… They acted as if they were SO suprised… And jump rope guy, he hasn’t lost because, for his workout “efforts”, he treats himself to more food afterwards. I bet you. Sad, but true. And, I agree with you, I would not say anything either. If they wanted to know, they would ask!
dress shoes that is…
Oh how you crack me up…. loved it. I too watch people (I hope I don’t look like a creaper) the ones that hold on, even the gym owner does!! The ones that sit on the weight machine for 2 seconds and hop off never to return to it for more. Mostly the ones that don’t stretch before during or after! I can’t believe them…. I like to watch people and their form on the machines so I know what to do.
I was at the gym one night and I took my sister she was doing a leg workout using a weight machine and I was on the elliptical. Well the personal trainer happened to be there working out and he came up to me and was telling me he would give me some training for free since he is a long time family friend. I of course said yes and he continued talking about how he doesn’t come into my work and start hoping onto registers ringing people up because he doesn’t know how and he said he doesn’t like it when people come into the gym and not ask for help because they don’t know how to use the equipment. Yes this is true I can understand, but he then looks over my shoulder and says “see that lady she’s using that leg machine wrong her form is all wrong” I laughed because it was my sister, but he didn’t know cause he hadn’t seen her in a while.
I just thought of that as I read your blog. Have a great day hun!
I just realized I wrote you a novel hehehe :op
I enjoyed reading your musings from the gym! Pretty funny stuff!
Have a great Monday, my friend!!
Hey Nancy…left you a comment…it disappeared.
Just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your MUSINGS FROM THE GYM!
I saw the same situations in my Gym:).
And I really like to use elleptical, some of your commentes can be useful for me.
No offence, but if I saw somebody make a wrong use of a machine, I’d talk to them rather than just sit there and laugh.
Pls at least talk to Lat Pull lady! This sounds like some serious misconduction. You’d be suprised how much newbies appreciate your help.
Once I was in the gym I saw these super packed two guys, kinda Hulk Hogan alikes. One was working out on some arms machine, growning and moaning like he was giving birth. I heard the other one saying something like ” I know this doctor, he could prescribe you these painkillers. This way you’ll be able to push even harder”. O_O
Kalina,
I never said I sat back at laughed at the lady using the lat pull down machine. I said I feel bad for her back!
And also, these people - note if you did in my writing, are people I’ve seen in classes and working out in that gym for the whole 9 months I’ve been there.
I have said this once and will say it again, I mind my own business because I’m not going to be walking around the gym trying to correct people’s mistake.
As I am here and in life, I am the most supportive and one to encourage others to do things, especially work a machine, properly.
But I’m not going to go up to a stranger and make an ass of myself.
So, please, don’t mistake me for someone who won’t lend a helping hand. You don’t know me well enough to make a statement like that.
The most annoying people in the gym to me are the ones who just won’t try. The ones in an exercise class who just give up and make a big show of how they aren’t going to try. I know people are at different fitness levels, but without ever pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, you will never progress.
The funniest people at the gym are the ones who are there to scope out dating partners
It’s too bad the people who work at your gym don’t help the exercisers who are just doing it wrong! Seems like that what gym members pay for.
Nancy!
I don’t mean to offend you. I course don’t know you, neither your relationships with classmates. I truly can’t stand some of my yoga classmates myself, like the french lady that that won’t let me put any of my stuff in 3 meter radius because it invades her “personal space”, or the “all knowing 10 times better” elderly. I’m also aware that some people just give that look on that faces that they might be as well caring a plate on they neck that says “KEEP AWAY”.
You’re right about me not reading the whole of your post. And of course you’re not a trainer, and your not obliged to help anyone. You don’t have to do anything that makes you feel uncomfotable.
In my gym there are some friendly, smiling people. Besides the trainer, he does the head rotation for most of the time (the watch and plasma tv routine). Anyway for me it would feel like a shock to not lend my helping hand to them in case of trouble.
Take care,
Kalina
“I know people are at different fitness levels, but without ever pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, you will never progress.”
I’m inspired, I’ll go do my elliptical on 8 (+1) right away.
Thought your blog was funny. I think the same people work out at my gym
There is this one lady she comes in in “normal clothes” her dress shoes goes on the bike and watches TV, barely moving at all. Making some phone calls in between and than she writes the minutes on our cardio board we have. I am sure there a people looking at me trying to figure out what the hell I am doing, but hey, at least I try. If people are there for so long I am sure they should know by now how to use the machines. If you don’t ask, that’s how I got my answers.
Okay…So…Here are my thoughts…Lol…
I am PROBABLY one of those people you laugh at…Okay, Maybe not, because I did have progress…Here is the thing. I dont know any better. Until last week, I had never met with anyone who knew anything, so all of my gym stuff was self taught…
So i would DEFINITELY have wanted you to approach me with some helpful advice!!!
On the other hand, if I were obese and working out for nine months and not losing weight, I would be smart enough to seek out some advice from others…
With that said, I have met a lot of people here, on my other websites, and even two good friends that used to be body builders and trainers, and the one thing they all say is SWEATING is the key. YOU MUST BREAK A SWEAT…Its the MOST IMPORTANT thing in a workout…
So I use that as my guide…
All other things aside, I enjoyed your blog because you know what?? ALL OF US have had these thoughts about people…
I used to have a mom at my gym who would commandeer my beloved elliptical for an HOUR…AN HOUR…Even though the limit was 20 minutes. She would get on, half heartedly elliptical, get off, run to the restroom, get a drink, chit chat with the pretty boys, change the t.v. channels, etc…
She was cute, and skinny, and all the gym rats loved her…
And I hated her. She ALWAYS tried to talk to me even with my headset on…UGH…
I have no idea why she even bothered…
P.S. I will also say this…
My old gym was just part of my condo association, so there were no professionals around…
So I learned about the elliptical and that was my machine of choice. I LOOOOVE my elliptical, just like you…
But, you are soooo right. It was not until I joined a real gym last week, and went outside my comfort zone, that I realized there are sooo much more I could be doing with other gym things…
I want to do classes eventually too, but thats a step for another day…
Forcing ourselves out of our comfort zone is a HUGE thing…But it sure takes time!!!
Rock on lady…You are my gym inspiration…
reading all of these comments just made me remember something that drove me CRAZY at the gym. I used to regularly go with someone. While I was working my butt off on the elliptical I would watch her do something like this: 3 min. on elliptical, then jump to the treadmill for 5 min., then grab a jump rope and play with that for a minute, then wander around chit chatting, then on to the weight room to do one rep on every other machine. I couldn’t stand to watch it anymore so ended up changing my schedule. Don’t even try to tell me I should have talked to her about….she’s not that kind of person. Nancy, thanks for a refreshingly honest blog. (that reminds me; my hubby and daughter and I used to often pass this guy jogging on the street ,it seemed like every evening . After about 2 months of this I finally said, “why hasn’t he lost any weight?” Hubby and daughter let out a chuckle and said they had been wondering the same thing.)
Oh my goodness, I totally swish my hips on the elliptical! I had no idea I was doing it wrong, thanks!
Haha you’re funny!! I am a people watcher at the gym and notice things also. The only reason i know about the eliptical is because i used to work out with a trainer and i got in trouble when i started going everywhere! Man it burns 10 times more if you actually do it right!
Oh Nancy!… You make me want to go to the gym. I think I’m too old for it, arthritis makes it hard to use the machines properly and I know from past experience ‘form is everything’. I used to go to a ‘no frills’ workout gym about 40 years ago. Most of the guys that worked out there were professional body builders and they were very helpful, I actually got down to a very toned size 4, they were all so proud of me! Then I got pregnant… much to everyone’s dismay, not least of all mine! It was all downhill (actually uphill) from then on. But I remember the satisfaction of a good workout, and how proud I was of my body as it changed. Yes, you make me want to go to the gym, but I’m afraid I’ll have to settle for water aerobics and Tai Chi. Thanks for the funny and insightful blog.
You crack me up! Although I was probably one of these people when I used to have a Y membership LOL I never could get the elliptical to go forward-only backward…oh gosh it was a sight to see! Now only my hubby and kiddo ever see me work out…and hubby never minds telling me I’m doing something wrong- which I appreciate but only because it’s coming from him! LOL I love your blogs!
Good grief! Perhaps these people need someone to take them around and show them the correct positioning, etc. for the machines. Not that the guy giving me my tour told me the correct way to do the Elliptical, but I got tips from friends so I’m ALWAYS holding my stomach in and trying to stay straight to help my core. Makes you wonder about some people, doesn’t it?? I love ya, Nanc, and know that you wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone…okay, maybe if they hurt you first!
sounds like you need to be a personal trainer! YOU GOT IT GOING ON! i know that i can feel really self conscious at the gym and intimidated by the machines, doing it “right,” etc, so i think i would love to have someone like you give me some smiles and help - even if i never asked - it wouldn’t even dawn on me to ask anyone. that said, i have had trainers and i do watch people as well. there is a confidence thing that can be hard on people! i remember when i first started taking pilates years ago and i would watch everyone and all the bad form out there…later i had a physical therapist whose attitude was “something is better than nothing” that helped me get over the doing it perfect hurdle. have fun watching!
Girl you sound like Jillian!! I LOVE it!! You should soooo be a trainer!! Isn’t awesome that we now do things the right way and really care about results?? You rock!
I gotta add one… There is this guy at my gym, gets on the calve raise machine, (on nothing but the heaviest weight of course), then bends his knees and bounces up and down for 30 reps, and 4 sets. He does it every single day! LOL! And he acts like he’s Arnold or something! GOD LOVE ‘EM! That’s what I say! LOL!
lmao you crack me up!! I have witnessed similar things myself. One thing that drives me mad to no end…the kickboxing program I attend at my dojo..we pay on a tier system. I only pay $25 a month for me because I am the fourth member in my family on the tier. BUT…the majority of the women in my class are not on the tier because they are the only one in their family that attends. So, they pay $99 a month. Okay, that’s not what gets to me lol…what gets to me is that the vast majority of them rarely attend! Why in the world would so many people be willing to pay $99 (we sign a one year contract and the monies DO come out of your account every month whether you come or not) and yet not come to class but maybe once a week? Not only are you wasting your money, but you are completely wasting your time if the only workout you’re getting is once a week for an hour. Yes, I know, I know…something is better than nothing, right? Oh please…come on! One hour a week? They are wasting their time lol. You simply cannot expect results on one hour a week! LOL They drive me INSANE!
lmao!
uh oh…did you know that I am like that obese guy with the jump rope? haha
In fitness class we were forced to work out in the weight room and do sort of like a circuit training thing. I had just wanted to do the stationary bike because I knew how to use that machine. But the teacher expected me to do the circuit.
I had a hard time with the jump rope…haha!
oh and had no idea what I was doing on the treadmill when it started going way too fast. But because I read all this stuff about exercise I remember one thing about the tread mill-the skid rails at the sides, and so I jumped on those to escape my runaway treadmill.
I wish I knew how to use the elliptical though…the teacher said she would teach me but never did…
Poor exercisers…lol reading on a treadmill? I can’t even imagine doing that…
I LOVE THE JUMP ROPE GUY, WHY EVEN GET A MEMBERSHIP, I HAD TO PAY 70$, A MONTH TO UTILIZE THEIR EQUIPMENT. I MEAN JUS PURCHASE A ROPE, LOL.SO SOONER THAN LATER, ILL BE BACK, THERE AT THE GYM, AND I WOULD HATE TO COPY SOMEONE, THAT FORM ISNT CORRECT. NANCY I KNOW WHAT YA MEAN, EVERYBODY DOES NOT WANT HELP. SO AMYBE WHEN YOU GET ON THE SAME EQUIPMENT, YOU CAN BE, ONE OF THOSE LOUD TALKERS, AND BE LIKE, WHOO, LET ME MAKE SURE MY FORM IS CORRECT!! DONT WANT TO WASTE MY TIME!!! DONT WANNA GET HURT ETHIER!! THEN YOU CAN GIVE A WINK, WINK..LOL.
Very entertaining! I do similar things too and I always wonder if anyone else does it too. I think that is part of the charm of going to the gym haha. I wish I had a membership again because it’s so fun to see who makes progress and who does not.