Hubs and I decided to join a second gym...second for now until we see if we want to let go of our work gym...so that we had access to a heated pool (for his ankle rehab), sauna, all of the amenities and more class and machine variety.
There's only one true downside to that for me: toolbaggery at the
Globo-Gym.
Ah, the ever-so-toolbagtastic-Globo-Gym. With variety comes more gym patrons. No bigs. With more gym patrons, comes more gym etiquette. Okay, if followed. With Gym etiquette, comes rule-breakers. Dang!
Let me backup by commenting on what toolbaggery is. To me, it's similar to being a meathead, or someone who goes about the gym in such a manner that it can appear to resemble the traits of a toolbag. Yes, I like to define definitions with another definition. There are specific behaviors that contribute to being a meathead but namely someone who wants lots of attention and is not suited to be working out as hard as they are. Bad form doesn't even begin to touch this guy.
(Now, nothing I ever write is meant to offend anyone, but I've just seen so much of this #1 gym offense of mine that I had to write about it. I'm all about being an individual, but I'm also all about just going to the gym to get my workout on, using proper etiquette - kind of like we did as kids with sharing - not looking to gain attention or silliness in anyway.)
1) Carrying a GALLON JUG of water and drinking out of it whilst working out - We all know the importance of water. I drink it like a mad woman and always encourage proper hydration throughout the day. However, I use a 'regularly-sized-human-hand-held' bottle and pour from a gallon. A gallon jug was not meant for convenience nor to be devoured in the hour you're at the gym. Besides, I tend to almost trip over those that are left in the aisleway. I think I've seen 5 gallons in one gym visit - that's a lot of liquid for leg day.
2) Wearing long black dress socks - unless you are box jumping or doing crossfit-eqsue exercises, Business dress socks are a no-no. Those are for important meetings about TPS reports. If you forgot your socks at home, roll these babies dowwwwwn.
3) Grunting OBNOXIOUSLY loud when lifting weights making those around you uncomfortable - I mean, I've breathed heavy and made noises here and there - sometimes you have to when doing hard work yo! BUT if your grunting is to get the attention of every gym patron in sight - Scale it back. I can hear you over my iPod and no one messes with me when I'm jammin' to some Macklemore!
4) Dropping heavy weights while doing said grunting - as with the above-mentioned scenario, why drop it? Place it down unless you're using rubber weights in a crossfit gym. At least there, everyone's doing it. In a Globo-gym, it's no bueno to scare the pants off of everyone around you.
5) Being in a Wolf Pack - this makes me giggle which is the only reason it's in the list. I'm all for going to the gym with friends or partners. However, I think that when pacts of guys stand around talking more than working out, usually following one main 'trainer' of the bunch, it's obnoxious. You might have gone from a one man wolfpack to 4, but you should separate for good measure.
6) Walking around the gym - and not working out. It's annoying. Go workout, stop interrupting other people's workouts. Or go sit in the sauna. Or at a bus stop.
7) Wearing a bandana instead of a headband - the Hulk could get away with it. This is only okay if you're a Hulkomaniac. brotherrrrrrrrrr.
I'm all about everyone being their own person in the gym, but we should all also be there for a common reason - health AND fitness - keep it safe and keep it appropriate ya'll ;)
Have you noticed this or any other Meathead behaviors at your gym?
