Working out in the land of NJDB

If you don't know me by now, you know I'm a regular work out person.  I won't say athlete, because I don't really compete or try to win a marathon (just finish them with good times).  But it's been ground into my psyche from early military days to be fit, in shape and ready in case of any sort of crisis (ever have to carry an unconscious person out of a smoke filled compartment or fight a fire in firesuits and you get the idea).

I lift weights, I do plyo- and isometric exercises and I run on the treadmill.  I have developed some pet peeves about the gym.

NJDBs live around me.  NJDB (coined by my friend P. when he heard I was moving to NJ for work) means New Jersey Douchebag.  The kind you see on Jersey Shore or Growing Up Gotti, but toned down quite a bit where I live.  Actually I think I work out around their parents.  These guys talk constantly like they are 1. hard of hearing, 2. that people really care about what they are talking about, and 3. think whatever they are talking about is the most important thing in the world.  Yes, I know a few people at the gym and I make my usual hellos and greetings.  But I don't care about how your prostate is or how your daughter pissed you off by doing some usual thing that kids do or how you're going to another gym because you like to throw your large, but unimportant weight around.  I. Do. Not. Care.  I also do not care that you answer the phone when you're working out.  I need that flatbench, so stop talking to your girlfriend about her yeast infection or your newest summer bromance.  Take it outside.  I also don't quite understand the random machine user.  It could be that they are new to the gym, or they have some weird workout routine where they only use a machine once, but when you stand up from using a machine, it doesn't mean I'm done with it.  It means I'm in between sets.  Sure I'll let you work in with me on it, but a little etiquette is needed.  I think it's a neophyte thing.  You grow out of it usually.

I sometimes think it's better to put together my own home gym, but right now I like the ritual of going to the gym, like going for a run.  You put on your clothes, you get there, you get ready.

Comments

[Waterbaby]

It's been a long while since I've belonged to a gym; you're telling me that they're yakking on cell phones *while* hogging the equipment?!?! That's just inconsiderate and rude.

[Zen Ken]

They either walk around like they are on a subway (i.e. talking like they are the only person there) or they sit on the equipment and talk away.  Texting I get.  It takes a few seconds, it's not intrusive, and you can do it when you rest between sets.

[Waterbaby]

I don't understand the self-absorption of people. And I don't support texting or phone calls while hogging a machine. It's inconsiderate and selfish. The "manners" today .... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr {ad infinitum}

[Ladywise]

Oh don't even get me started on people's ill mannerisms. I would be upset too! Where have you been anyway Ken? You haven't posted in a while. How are the comics going?

[Zen Ken]

They are coming along.  I've been meaning to post some class progress updates, but I haven't gotten around to reducing the huge photoshop file sizes I'm using to something that can be posted.  I'll try that tonight.