Cell phones at the gym

Posts: 34
5/15/12 6:03 P

I use my phone for my music while I work out, but I never talk on it on the workout floor. I find that people never follow the rules at the gym, it seems. There are two posted rules at my gym: no talking on cell phones in workout area, and only use the circuit as it was intended (not as isolated machines). People break them constantly. The next person who cuts in front of me on the circuit is going to get an earful because I am tired of the rule breakers all over the place.

Posts: 482
5/15/12 4:11 P

I think that gym needs to rethink it's policies. What's the point in even having rules if there are no consequences for breaking them?

That being said, I don't really understand the people who feel they absolutely must have their phone with them every minute of every day. If there's an emergency, I surely hope the person would be smart enough to call 911 rather than my cell phone!

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5/15/12 4:03 P

Cell phones are banned in the gym I go to except in the coffee shop area. Multiple reasons, one being people were using their cameras to take pictures of other people working out or in the locker rooms - yes there are sicko's out there AND in the gym! It's a liability thing for the gym so they really enforce the rules at my gym. People may bring mp3 players but nothing with a camera - which is most cell phones! (I work out at the Y)

But really - if multi tasking and talking on the cell while working out - can you be doing either justice? Can you really be getting in a good cardio workout if you are carrying on a conversation the entire time? Are you working out to your fullest capacity? Can you really be listening to the person on the phone if you are distracted by the gym and your workout? If it is work, are you making your best decisions at that time when distracted? Why do anything half assed? Why be mediocre at anything? Make a commitment!!!! Get out of the gym and talk on the phone!!!

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5/15/12 1:55 P

Yesterday, I was on the stationary bike, when a guy came IN talking on his cell phone. He sat down on the recumbent bike next to me, yapping the entire time (seriously, who wants to listen to the other guy talk THAT much?) and sat there for 20 minutes, never stopping. Then he gets ANOTHER call, and says "Fine, I'll be right there" hangs up, and leaves.

He didn't get a workout at all, and I had to listen to him gossip for 20 minutes because I forgot my headphones. :(

Posts: 1,149
5/15/12 1:38 P

I think it's annoying no matter where you are. The gym, the store etc., I don't want to hear another persons phone conversation and I surely wouldn't want to hear someone ramble for 40minutes while working out.
I would probably have to say something..

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5/15/12 1:36 P

I wouldn't have an issue with the phone or the 40 minutes of yapping. The blatant disregard for the rules would bother me.

I often go to the gym during the course of my work day. For me to have that privilege, I need to be reachable while I'm out of the office. My bberry lives in the console of the treadmill while I'm there. If I need to take a call that's more than a few minutes, I step out.

I think it's crazy what bothers people in the gym. When I was recovering from heart surgery and plodding along like a tortoise (because, you know, my chest had been sawed open and my heart had recently been reconstructed with sutures and all), someone complained that I wasn't working "hard enough". Really? That detracted from their own work out in what way?

Posts: 62
5/15/12 12:01 P

Personally, I would hate a gym where cell phones are not allowed. BUT only because I use my phone for my music. Now, I can understand being annoyed with somebody who is just yapping away, that is just a bit rude in my opinion. But I would had it if I couldn't have my phone with me, how else would I be able to listen to my music? I have the iphone and I'm surely not going to guy by an iPod just to have some music. But I completely get what your saying about being annoyed by this woman, I would too. And who wants to talk while they are working out anyways? I can barely talk in full sentences let alone a whole conversation while i'm working out.

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5/15/12 11:01 A

Yes, it's annoying, but some people utilize their phones for music and/or reading (if your phone has Kindle capabilities). My question would be "why is the rule not enforced?". A rule without consequence is just a conversation, and nothing more. It has to get some teeth to it to be effective.

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5/15/12 10:12 A

Ugh! Leave the electronics in the car or home please! The world will survive without you for a couple hours!

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5/15/12 10:07 A

I understand the phone being there...it is the usage. She is distracted and there are rules. I do agree with the other post that people act like 4 yr olds.

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5/15/12 9:52 A

the staff should turn the machine off and tell the person in question that cellphones are not allowed as it is actual dangerous as you are distracted and can easily fall. Then the gym would get sued for not following the rules.

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5/15/12 9:43 A

She's just going to keep doing it unless there is some consequence to her actions, like having her membership revoked. Unfortunately people these days don't consider other people before doing something, so their behavior has to be ruled by punishment like a four year old. However, she also sounds like the type to sue if the gym tries to do anything about it, so I would just find another machine further away from her. The rude people win because everyone is scared to do anything about it.

There's a guy on the afternoon train who does the same thing. The whole train is quiet as people are napping or reading or listening to their iPhone, and this guy has really loud business conversations that the whole train can hear. Obviously he's VERY important.

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5/15/12 8:09 A

NO

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5/15/12 7:53 A

I'm on the fence about this. Yes, I think it's rude to have your cell out and be talking loudly. Your focus should be on exercising, not the gossip you're hearing through your phone. Sounds like the staff at your gym needs to put their foot down and tell her to either start following the rules or she's out.

Also, though...I don't think phones should be banned completely. I ALWAYS have my phone on me and it's ALWAYS on. I wouldn't turn it off when going into a gym that has banned cells either. What if there was an emergency at home and someone didn't know how to get into contact with me other than my cell? Now that, I have no problem with.

But c'mon people, lets just use some common sense here. Don't be rude with your cell phones.

Posts: 911
5/15/12 7:49 A

i couldn't care less and don't even notice. i have my ipod on full blast and i go into my own little happy place in the gym.

Posts: 2,110
5/15/12 7:47 A

Cell phone usage is becoming ridiculous.
I wonder what these folk did before it became so prevalent.

I'm sorry, but YOU'RE not that important, that everyone else needs to know/hear your business.

If you're breaking the rules - and you've been told - some sort of action needs to be taken (not even sure what the gym can do - more than continually reminding her. Jamming software in the gym floor? A little extreme/expensive.

Edited by: CMCOLE at: 5/15/2012 (07:48)

Posts: 2,321
5/14/12 6:56 P

stays in the locker room. check it after workout.

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5/14/12 6:50 P

I have it with me, but it's in my gym bag turned off. It's the first thing I check when I finish my workout.

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5/14/12 1:40 P

I don't mind if someone has or even sues their phone in the gym but if there is a rule prohibiting it then breaking that rule regularly would annoy me to no end.

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5/14/12 1:30 P

I have to take my phone with me, cause school expect me to be available all the time :(

Posts: 307
5/14/12 1:08 P

I keep mine with me in case there is an emergency, I have 2 small children, but I don't answer it unless it's my husband or the sitter. It really irritates me when someone is on the elliptical next to me talking away on their blue tooth!

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5/14/12 11:51 A

it is too much distraction

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5/14/12 9:35 A

they are a distraction when working out for the cell phone carrier and the surrounding people. You need to focus on what you are doing. Let the call go to voice mail and check after you are done working out.

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5/11/12 8:18 A

I just had to check back on this one. I totally understand having the phone on you, just in case you are needed or using it as an ipod.

It is the rule breaking and for 40 mins.

To the lovely person who is mellowing out and trying not to let people under their skin I applaud you. Rules are rules and the fact that she does this everyday shows she has no respect. That leads to no respect for laws like driving laws. I don't want to be hit by her on my bike or car by her in her car because she was on the phone.

That is where rule breaking ends up. It is ok until it all goes wrong.

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5/10/12 11:10 A

At the Y we cannot bring cell phones into the locker room. I am totally fine with that.

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5/10/12 9:22 A

Cell phones are okay but put them on silent or vibrate.

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5/10/12 9:19 A

I take my cell phone with me incase my kids school need to get ahold of me in an emergency. I keep it on vibrate and only answer if it is school and or my boss. You are at the gym to workout and get healthy how can you concentrate on that if you are on your phone. I myself need to concentrate on what i am doing to keep proper form and my head in the game!!

Posts: 523
5/10/12 9:18 A

Agree.

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5/10/12 9:06 A

cell phones should be in the gym locker not on the gym floor causing distractions

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5/10/12 7:47 A

can't stand cells period!

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5/10/12 7:37 A

As long as the individual is not sitting on a machine doing nothing while on the phone I don't have a problem, but when a person is blocking someone else from using equipment they gotta go!!!

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5/10/12 7:29 A

I don't have a problem with cell phones at the gym. I'm one of those people who like to be reachable at all times in case something happens, and I think some people need to be (parents who need to be available to a babysitter for instance). That being said, is it really necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of time on their cellphones while working out? Nope, but if the staff can't stop her, there's nothing you can do either.

Edited by: LISHWA at: 5/10/2012 (07:30)

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5/10/12 6:20 A

If they keep the cellphone on vibrate -- then I am okay with it

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5/10/12 5:42 A

I have no issue with people who keep their cell phones with them at he gym...and I don't believe the gym takes issue with it either...your allowed to use it in the lobby and I have seen people who get calls and walk off the floor to either the locker room or lobby.

This woman gets on the elliptical and makes a call every day. It is that the rules don't apply to her that aggravates me. People like that get under my skin, which is something I need to let go of. I need to mind my own business, my peace of mind depends on it. I must admit I have mellowed, because there was a time that I would have marched right up to her and said (with all my superiority and attitude) Excuse me but the rules don't apply to you! Now I am the person who bitches online. I want to be the person who doesn't even see these infractions happening or doesn't care when they do. I look at this way...If I want to be this healthy person, it has to be in all areas of my life not just physically. My success depends on it.

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5/10/12 12:17 A

Cell phones can be very distracting.

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5/9/12 11:51 P

How about separate rooms where cell phones are permitted? I don't think people should be allowed to use them expect in an emergency.

Posts: 762
5/9/12 10:25 P

There's no rule at my gym but courtesy is expected. I keep mine with me at all times because it's also my ipod. I only answer if I have to and if it's more than a quick question I leave the main area and go into the locker room.

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5/9/12 9:39 P

People like that are clueless and never going to change. Rules are for other people. She believes she is exempt

Posts: 50
5/9/12 8:32 P

I have to keep mine with me at the qym just in case my son's school calls or there is an emergency, but I think talking on one while I was at the gym would be extremely rude. Then again, I think talking on one in public is rude anyway and try to avoid it if I can. :)

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5/9/12 8:18 P

A couple of times in my gym I have seen someone using their cell phone on the floor but luckily it has only been a couple of times. It is distracting.

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5/9/12 7:15 P

Jastamper...I love your style...I think I am more annoyed with the fact that she doesn't think the rules apply to her than the actually talking on the phone. I don't think...It is what annoys me the most. I am contemplating your corrective action plan!!! LMAO

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5/9/12 7:09 P

I am getting back to swimming, so no problem there - no pool phones yet!

I am happy about this thread though, the evolving phone edicate is a constant irritation for me.

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5/9/12 7:03 P

To me my pet peve here is that the rule doesn't apply to her. Really? There is a rule and you have been asked. What would be funny is for two people to get on either side of her and talk non stop very loud so she can't hear her conversation. It would really be great if the staff would assist in this little project and look at her and say 'you don't why should they?"

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5/9/12 6:02 P

I hate cell phones. To me if you're out and about, doing your thing, you don't need to be talking on the phone. Especially if you're with someone else.

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5/9/12 3:50 P

Most people have no manners when it comes to the usage of cell phones. It's worse when people leave their cell phones on in church and answer them and carry on a conversation like they aren't disturbing anyone!
What is wrong with people?!?

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5/9/12 3:42 P

it's not just you. I get irritated by the loud talkers at the gym (some who are just talking to their workout buddies). I'm trying to focus and they are yammering away at the top of their lungs.

I just close my eyes for a second, listen to MY music, take some deep breaths, and give thanks that I only have to endure them for a short period of time. Don't you feel sorry for their significant other?

you'll never change them, so try your best to choose a different reaction.

I read an online article about a flight attendant whose passengers were all being annoyed by a loud cell phone talker as they waited to board the plane. The flight attendant took out his own cell phone and faked a call, "WHAT??? NO, I'M SORRY I CAN'T HEAR YOU. SOME IDIOT WHO THINKS HE'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVERYBODY ELSE IS YELLING INTO HIS CELL PHONE. I THINK HE'S TALKING TO MARLEE MATLIN."

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5/9/12 3:23 P

I belong to a gym where cell phones are not permitted...A rule I like, to me it is only common sense and common courtesy...but there is this woman at my gym who get on the elliptical machine for 40 minutes and talks non stop. I can hear her through my head set. She has been told several times that there is no cell phone use at the gym (by staff) yet she continues. Is if me...am I just cranky from missing my chocolate or is this annoying?