Talk Much?

There are lots of ways to be rude in a fitness class, but one of the most annoying situations is a group of chatty people discussing their lives or whispering together as they run on treadmills or lift weights. How about the group of guys who are obvious at class together and each one tries to out “grunt” the other? Even more irritating are the class divas.

There are social “norms” to being in a fitness class. Trying not to throw dirty looks at two people chatting about their fresh laundry or baby bottles, or what about the girl who stops midway between workout sets to send a text? Nothing is as annoying as two people chat about the others in the rooms as they do yoga poses.

Not so long ago a cat fight ensued over, of all things, a spot on the floor. First the talking and whispering was okay, then it escalated to loud talk and then it turned into a cat fight. Two women came to class. One woman took a spot on the floor, and the other attendee whispered, “That’s my place.” A verbal argument started and turned physical. The entire session was ruined for everyone. Rude? Yes and thoughtless. Result? They are not friends anymore. Hope they never come back to class.

Recently while in the gym, exercisers were doing lunges and cardio workouts at full speed, but a group of twenty something's ran, giggled, and laughed out loud. Were they laughing about the other patrons? Seemed like they were. The talking got louder as the workout class carried on. Now everyone in the room knows about what a “b… so and so boyfriend is,” the “wonderful sex” from another exerciser, and how someone is just not ready to “move in.” Ick. You don’t go to class to vicariously live through someone else.

The social butterfly who uses the gym as get-together time. They spend work out stretches talking to anyone within shouting distance. Choosing you as a talking partner ruins your focus. The cure? Plug in your MP3 player or headphones and zone out. If you put your headphones on, you are signaling you are not in the mood to talk. Mentally check out and hint to others that you are not at class to discuss politics.

The ultimate rude act? The know-it-all person who is a friend of the instructor and corrects all your moves and postures. This happened recently in a yoga class where one of the participants and the yoga instructor were obviously very well acquainted. No attention was paid to the rest of the class unless the “friend” gave her obnoxious advice. The entire time the instructor and his “friend” chatted about their latest dinner date and what they were going to do later. The flirting was obnoxious. One very brave yoga student went up to the instructor, gave him a rude look, and walked out of the class.

Tips for good fitness class etiquette mean staying focused. Leave the technology at the door and restrain from chatting. Fitness class is supposed to be a quiet time. Chatting and joking while in class throws off others’ workouts.