Gym etiquette: How do you feel about people using their cell phones in the gym?

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  Posted by PriscillaM Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:02am PDT

  CELL PHONES, while working out is a NO! NO! unless it is an EMERGENCY!

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  Posted by Lizanne Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:02am PDT

  Talking on cell phones at gyms, the supermarket, the train (while everyone around you is trying to relax) and the car - unless it is an emergency - really irritates me. What did we all do before we weren't available 24/7 to have innane conversations "loudly"? Don't get me wrong - I have definitely answered my phone in all of these places but politely and quietly told the person I would call them back when I was in a place where I could talk. I have been on a train where women and men have LOUD annoying long conversations that could be moved to a later time. Everyone gived them dirty looks and they keep on gabbing - Incredibly rude and it should be against the law to talk in trains, stores or at the gym unless a true emergency occurs and someone has to talk to you that second!

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  Posted by Christine Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:04am PDT

  I HATE people who talk on their phones at the gym. What could possibly be so important that you need to have your phone attached to you for the hour-ish that you're working out? Can't it wait?

  I get horribly annoyed when someone answers their phone in the middle of their workout - and even more annoyed when people make a call while working out!! & when they talk loud enough for everyone to hear - over their music - it makes me want to take their phone out of their hand and smash it into a million pieces! People that use their phones at the gym are useless and hog the equipment. They keep the rest of us that actually want to get a good workout from doing so.

  What is wrong with people?! Turn the phone off, leave it in your locker, leave it in the car. I don't want to hear your conversation and neither does the rest of the world.

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  Posted by opiniononly Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:32am PDT

  I'm with Lizanne...very few of us actually have to be connected 24/7/365 via cell phone. I get even more irritated when at the beach or in a park and someone is close by who feels the need to yak on and on (usually about nothing) and ruins the quiet. It's one thing to try and tune out a talker on a train, plane or other public area; quite another when the noise is invasive into nature.

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  Posted by Sandy Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:35am PDT

  Having a communication device to make and receive calls any time and place doesn't mean it's ideal to exploit the convenience. I don't hate people who do this however, but I do feel sorry for the group fitness class instructor entitled to students' full attention. It's demotivating for the instructor to observe that what she does is secondary to non-emergent interruptions that can wait until after his/her class. The more gadgets we have the more tempting it becomes to "show off" the latest and greatest, especially among people, who are less secure with themselves.

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  Posted by Mysterious Gryphon Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:48am PDT

  I don't really mind it (as long as the speaker keeps it short) so much as I think it's sad. Who is so important that the world can't do without them for an hour? Who is so exciting that you can't let the phone ring in your locker for that hour and call them back? And, more importantly, who is so desperate to speak with you that they are willing to listen to you pant and gasp on the other line while you jog on the treadmill?

  How about using your phone in the locker room? My gym forbids it. How do other feel?

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  Posted by Tiffany Wed Sep 2, 2009 11:51am PDT

  Wow, seriously? People actually care if you talk on the phone in the gym or supermarket? I'm sorry, but if I need to talk to the phone with someone when i'm at one of these places, i'm gonna do it! I honestly dont care if you think its rude but its really no ones business. But when i do talk on the phone, i talk in hush sort of tone, not loud and obnoxious.

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  Posted by Frantastic Wed Sep 2, 2009 12:25pm PDT

  People tend to make themselves more important than they really are. I don't go to a gym but that is ridiculous. I have a rule. I let my family know that I am going out for my walk. I don't have a cell phone so don't try calling me. It is a pretty safe route that I take. But more importantly, it is my time. Whatever it is it CAN wait. The think that irks me with the cell phone thing is before you enter a meeting everyone should know put your phone on silent. Low and behold there is always someone who thinks it doesn't apply to them. this is so rude. It even happens while we are in church. This one time I turned around and gave the dirtiest look I could find. (yes I know not very Godly) But I was like ok are you that important?

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  Posted by Sheelah N Wed Sep 2, 2009 12:27pm PDT

  Talking loudly, annoyingly and excessively is EVERYONE's business because you make it their business. If you are so rude to be chattering away loudly at the supermarket while in line or at the gym or crammed next to someone on the train, then EVERYONE within earshot becomes part of your conversation whether we want to or not. Obviously SOME people think they are THAT important.

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  Posted by Whi72 Wed Sep 2, 2009 1:33pm PDT

  I was recently on a treadmill at the gym, when the woman next to me started singing along with her ipod. Trust me it loud and bad! Then she answered her cell phone and talked so loud that ALL eyes were on her. It took her 10 minutes to realize how loud she was being. Maybe I am just more self-conscious than some... but I would have been really embarrassed.

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