Morning Gym Talker Guy....

It always baffles me how people are so concerned with other people.

If it's not your thing to talk at the gym, just politely inform the guy trying to strike up a conversation with you and leave it be.

Some people use the gym as a social club - might not be your thing, but that's what they're there to do.  There is no specific purpose to a gym.

That's why I always wear my Shuffle at the gym, even if I'm not actually listening to it.  It's my excuse to ignore obnoxious people.

My locally-owned gym just got bought out by a big national chain and now they have perky little personal trainers chasing you around all the time, trying to get you to sign up for zumba, spin classes, boot camp or personal training sessions.  All I want to do is get my workout done and get out. 

Mark

Seriously.

at 5:10 AM my hair is sticking straight up, my shirt is inside out and my shorts backwards. I barely notice anyone else in the room. I just sit on the rowing machine and go.

I don't even think I'm capable of conversation.

I did say "Hi" to a rabbit when I was running home this morning though.

Yeah I had evening social talkers the other night.  9:30 at night and I had to wait for a lane in the pool because people in all the lanes except one were doing everything but swimming laps.  There was a couple in one lane alternating walking laps and sitting on the edge of the pool while the other one walked a lap.

Finally the one guy who was actually working out finished his set and I got to swim.  Not really a big deal except the rest of the gym was empty.  Everyone had decided to play in the pool at 9:30

Interesting that you assume the pool walkers were not "actually working out" - ever consider the fact that people are different than you and might have different goals?

Did you ask if you could share the lane? And then don't take no as an answer? That is what polite people do.

BTW I have split a lane with a walker works fine. I they were alternating laps you should have been able to split.

Um, actually the purpose of a gym is to work out...Granted plenty of people use the gym for anything BUT working out, however the specific purpose is to work out...

Personally when I have a talker wanting to chat I engage them between sets then when it's time for the next I just do it and stop all communication while I concentrate on what I'm doing....If they're going to wait around until I engage them again then I'm usually ok with it....It's a little annoying but I figure the individual must really need to talk about something...

Now, in fairness, most people are pretty darn good. The 5:00 AM crowd is usually just there to do their thing and get to work. It isn't social hour.

I guess that makes the one person who does keep asking you questions stand out even more.

Now, the kicker: It was cool out yesterday morning and kind of misty so I wore a lucky shirt over my t-shirt to run to the gym. So my lucky shirt is kinda old-ish. I take my long sleeve lucky shirt off when I get to the gym and put it on a chair near the machines I was using. The lady in the gym cleaning the place grabs my shirt and throws it in the trash. Bonus: My keys were in the shouler pocket.

Fiddlesticks.

Luckily she fished it out after I asked what happened to it.

Not specific to triathlon or gym-going but I feel this way when people are having full-on cell phone conversations at these ungodly hours in a public place like the gym or the bus. 

I often wonder 'who on earth are you talking to at this hour?! If someone called me even at 8:00 am, I would tell them to call me back later because I don't want to talk!

Seriously, who is making just 'conversation' type calls full of gossip and whatnot at that hour! Sure, call to say you're on your way or confirm some plans but just chatting away - i don't get it.  And i see it all the time.

There's no ROWING in triathlon!

"There's no ROWING in triathlon!"

You don't think so?

Keep thinking that and I will always beat you on the bike.

(Using a Concept II rowing ergometer helps develop the stabilizing muscles in your back to maintain a more comfortable, powerful aero position on the bike. At the same time it provides an aerobic benefit without exactly the same motions from swimming, cycling or running. Ancient Chinese Secret.)

Amen.  It's 5am.  The place just opened.  I have to run an hour on the treadmill and then get some lifting in.  Leave me alone.  

Also, for the weirdo who likes to sing while he's on the elliptical, read my lips...

^This.

iPod & ear buds. problem solved.

The cleaning guy cleaned up my backpack yesterday also. Same thing, keys in the backpack. I had a slight moment of panic while I worried someone stole it. Lucky for me I left my clothes in the locker and not in my backpack or it could have been a little embarrassing to walk around the Y in my swimsuit looking for my stuff!

There is a gym jokester at our Y. Most of the time the jokes are not really very funny.....

I got a guy that loves to talk to you in the changing/shower room butt naked and up close.

What about the creepy "brain doesn't filter what I say" guy--who has a twin brother who actually has a brain!

There's a set of twins...one is creepy and doesn't know how to filter his thoughts (always coming up to me saying "you still lookn' good" or "I bet your husband is proud of you" or "I bet your still eating healthy". I feel bad because I totally ignore both of them because I can't tell them apart. As regulars, I at least give people the 'wassup' nod but these guys get the 'avoid eye contact' move!