Gym Etiquette Is Of No Interest To Jerks

Circus stunts have no place in the gym.

On a regular basis I see articles online about gym etiquette. Those entitled jerks who lack gym etiquette have no interest in such articles or the practice of basic good manners, because, well…they’re jerks.

The definition of the entitled is that society’s norms do not apply to them because they are special, so it’s really a hopeless battle. The cell phone addicts are addicts like any other. They will sit on a machine and spend many long minutes swiping, texting, playing games. Somehow they’ve convinced themselves that their actual “workout,” such as it is, is producing hoped-for results. It ain’t. The list of infractions committed by entitled gym-goers is long and boring. So how best to deal when you are locked into to a schedule and these people show up at the gym the same time that you do every time?

Ignoring people is a test of strength in itself. When I find myself focusing on one or more of these people, I have to make a concentrated effort to channel the disdain into building muscle. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that their co-opting of a desirable machine didn’t force me to use another — which turned out to be a pretty good move, actually. It’s not easy I know, and it’s harder to do at some times more than others, but unless you’re going to waste energy acting as Gym Police, it’s the wise and productive thing to do something else. We all have had neighbors, coworkers and family members we can’t get away from who get under out skin. The only way to handle these mundane gym people is by developing a thicker skin along with our muscles. 

Think of it this way: by allowing them to irk or rattle you, they are winning. They are controlling you, and little feels worse than falling under the control of a jerk or idiot. It’s in our best interest to refuse them power over us and over our workout. There’s nothing wrong with approaching the worst offenders to request they stop, but the majority are just thoughtless nincompoops wasting your time—and their own.

For solace, watch a few “gym fail” videos on youtube for some outrageous examples of clueless gym idiots and count yourself lucky these examples don’t go to YOUR gym.