For the first time in several years I am now a member of a gym instead of an instructor. Since becoming one of the members, I now understand why some people are against joining one. In my opinion, a gym is not that much different than high school.
The members may seem to be anonymous, but they are all divided into their different cliques. When I enter those gym doors each morning, I feel like I’m entering the 9th grade all over again.
Here are the groups that I’ve run across:
1. The Jocks: these are the beefed up men in the weight training area that give you the death look if you get near their bench press. They spend the entire time working out their chest, completely ignoring their back. Notice how they can’t raise their arms above their head? Yeah, not good. Muscle balance guys, do both sides of your body.
These also include the women who look at you as if you don’t belong in this particular section. They have their routine and their gloves and their scowls. I am normally pretty happy when I’m working out, why are these women so angry?
The jocks spill over into the cardio section as well. They are the ones that insist on running a marathon on the treadmill, hogging the machine for as long as possible. In the aerobics classes, they push their way to the front and have THEIR SPOT. Do not FOR ANY REASON use THEIR SPOT. Clearly they have mastered all the moves and do not want you to compromise their level of fitness.
Last time I checked, there are no names on the bikes or aerobics floor. There is plenty of room people, please LIGHTEN UP!
2. The cheerleaders: This group of women is considered the “in crowd” and they cannot risk talking to you if you are not in their group. (remember the movie “Mean Girls”?) They will give you a really fake smile and then talk about what you are wearing or what you did behind your back. They gossip on the cardio machines and don’t seem to care who might be listening. They blatently ignore the ‘no cell phone’ policy because they are just that important.
I was shocked to see so many cheerleader types at my gym, mainly because many of them live in my neighborhood. I’ve been at events with many of them, yet at the gym they suddenly forget who I am or do their best to avoid eye contact. I guess I’m not popular enough to ask how you are doing? Well, this might sound bitter but if you don’t have the decency to acknowledge me at the gym, please don’t bring your kids to my house to pedal their crap. I won’t be buying anything this year.
4. The Class Clowns: This group includes people who want to call out things they think are funny during class. This is very annoying, please stop. Most of us are there to exercise and sweat, not laugh at your poorly timed jokes.
5. The Drop Outs: They show up, you think they are motivated, and then they are never seen again. Many of them continue to pay for a membership on the off chance they might go back again. I hate to see this happen, although I can certainly understand it. Do yourself a favor though, at least cancel the fee. Save your money, even if it means swallowing your pride.
Am I alone in this or is your gym like high school as well?
and if so, did you go to class today? Get up and get moving gang!
photo credit: CelebMuscle
{ 30 comments }
I mightcould be the ON THE SURFACE NOT FRIENDLY one?
people often tease me that they see me at the gym and Im soooo focused I didnt see them.
you’ll have that when you get an allotted 20 min or so to get in LIFT and get out.
may I have my own catagory?
I hope I am not in one of those categories!
Sabss last blog post..
The place I work is so big that it has it’s own gym. Very cool. Most of the people I work with are older male engineers or older female secretaries. The ladies are generally friendly and mostly do the classes, walking, or elliptical. The guys are often runners and fairly friendly themselves. But here’s the deal, most of us know each other from day to day work. And we if we haven’t worked together, we’re still in the same general profession.
I would be hard to join a real outside gym. I have trouble socializing when the conditions are perfect!
I, by the way, could potentially fall into the machine hog category. If I notice someone that I know is waiting for the machine I’m on, I’ll just switch to something else. But I’m sure I miss the signs from time to time.
Katies last blog post..When One Parent Travels
I definitely think it cna be like that. I was determined not to join a gym because of experiences when I was in my 20s but after some searching found one I felt really comfortable in, where the people were older, like me (wink!), and they were there to work out, not look pretty (because let me tell you, I’m not looking so good after a workout!)
Kathys last blog post..Kara Goucher Plans to Become Mom after Boston Marathon-Way to Go Kara!
I don’t think its like that at all. I love the people I’ve met at the gym – they’ve all been wonderful and a great inspiration! I’m so sorry you’re experience hasn’t been as great!!
I am thankful my gym is not this way. I go to the YMCA, so there are a variety of “types” of people and most of them are focused on their workout.
Hi, Fitness instructor here! I call the “jocks” plateheads and the “cheerleaders” I call cardio queens. There are little clicks of people that hang together but I make it a point to make eye contact with everyone and say hello. They may think they can only talk to those in their click but I don’t feel that way. I’m advertising material at the gym and feel like I should meet and greet anyone and everyone. I really encourage and try to motivate any newbies.
OMG I’m laughing hysterically here..because this is the exact way I feel about the gym! It also brought back memories of like 15 yrs ago when I was member of Bally’s and one morning I was apparently on this woman’s stairmaster! I mean there was like 6 or 7 of them but the one I was on was “her’s” LOL she didn’t want the others that were empty and she actually got into a physical fight w/me over “her” stairmaster! It was insane! Guess that’s why I like doing my beachbody dvd’s in comfort of home now! LOL
Excellent post!!!!!
Hilarious. Love it and so very, very true. Although I am not quite sure which category I belong to.
It’s a good thing I workout at home most of the time! I don’t have to run into these characters! Hi there, I’m doing a little tour of the best fitness blogs. Why? This month my blog, Momtrends is focusing on fitness. I’ve nabbed an exclusive interview with Gabby Reece:
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/01/exclusive-interview-with-gabby-reece.html
and I’ve got tons of posts with tips, trends and of course FABULOUS contests. I’ve got more than $500 of prizes like a Kelty Jogging stroller and two hot workout outfits. I hope you will check it out, leave a comment and maybe learn something new.
Here’s a link to win a workout outfit from Lands’ End:
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/01/lands-end-fitness-giveaway.html
That is hilarious!
Pamela Kramers last blog post..Aloha Friday #27
Don’t forget the stoners/wasteoids/druggies
They have just replaced pot with supplements and steroids.
DRs last blog post..CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO CHOWDER
Ah ha! No wonder I don’t like going to the gym!
Merrys last blog post..Raw Broccoli: Crabby Draws the Line
Omigod that is so funny and right on! I’m the on-the-surface not-friendly one, too, because I’m so focused. But I often wish I went to the gym with someone else just so I could compare notes afterward. “Did you get a LOAD of that jock’s muscles!?”
LOL. When I first started going to the gym I made the mistake of being overly friendly like I am in real life (aka outside of the gym), and I complimented one of the jocks on his new hairdo. Note to other newbies: No talking unless you’re talked to first. 
syds last blog post..the sleep puzzle
You must find another gym! Seriously, I think it’s important to feel “at home.”
So rude of your neighbors. Whatever snobs. Buy your own kids’ stuff. Ha!
FatFighterTVs last blog post..Kellogg pulls peanut butter snacks over salmonella concerns
This kind of post makes me glad I work out at home.
Though I’d love to have the gym option sometimes. I already see enough cliquishness at the school bus stop, actually.
Lainie (Fitness Fig)s last blog post..demandFITNESS
I think I’ve been lucky with the gyms I’ve been to… the Y was never like that, nor was my university gym. Or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention hehe.
Anyways, am sure glad I don’t belong to a gym! Too much drama.
Sagans last blog post..Ba(rac)king an Obama Cake!
Next time you need to come up with a list of all the good gym types! Either that or move here so you can work out with me & all the old people at my Y. You’d love it here:)
charlottes last blog post..Friday Fun: The New Body Image Woe Plaguing Young Girls
That is so right on, for so many gyms!
I work at two gyms right now, and they’re very different from each other. But I’m lucky: one is a family/community oriented place, and everyone there is pretty mellow. The other is a bit more “high end,” but the clients are VERY friendly. (One fellow interrupted his weightlifting in order to help me set up the Pilates reformers when I was having trouble.)
This is so true. I think some people are only cool at the gym sadly for them. One woman does a handstand during all the Body Jam classes to show off – puh-lease!. Thanks for the opportunity to vent
that’s so funny! I do not belong to a gym but I can see how that could be the case
The gym I go to is pretty laid back considering its a national chain. We don’t have the cheerleaders or the jocks that just bench. Guess we are lucky. Great post though.
We have on local gym that is very much a High School. Everyone refers to it as the meat market.
I pay a little extra to go to a gym that is closer to my home, and because it is smaller and more expensive, it seems to discourage a lot of the clicks, and just a attracts people who are serious about getting fit.
I love it, and it’s so worth it. I don’t do meat markets, even if i was single.
You are right on. I just canceled my membership this week. Although I didn’t really have all of those problems at the Y – but I did at the other main store chain gyms like 24 Hr and LA Fitness.
Fit Mommys last blog post..How to thoughtfully prepare for your next big event…A note from Coach Al
I am so glad I am home schooled (heee)…I would totally be the geek at the gym. Doing my own thing my own way, trying to be nice but not get in any one’s way
Hannahs last blog post..Sound Advice
I would consider joining another gym.
SO TRUE! I LOVE that I quit my gym because I don’t have to deal with the politics. But, I do teach yoga at a gym…. Would love to be in a yoga studio. One day…. When I don’t have to bring my kids with me!
Haley-Os last blog post..Two Things: BLOGGIES, ME!? and Tricks of the Cleanse Trade
I used to belong to a chain gym where I could point out people like that. Now I belong to a gym that just has a few locations, and it doesn’t seem so bad. Definitely a lot of weight-serious guys, but they never make me feel uncomfortable.
I must be lucky with the gym I go to no drama’s or mean people. Most of the members are focussed on improving their fitness but we still have time for the odd chat or laugh. Maybe its an Australian thing but our “Jocks” do their upper body including backs but forget their legs, very funny looking at all the chicken legs!
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }