I can understand how not having phone access at the gym would be an issue for moms or others who need to be contacted in an emergency. I make an exception for cases like that...but blathering on to your friends about who is dating who is irritating.
I use my phone in the gym, I'm not loud and if someone wanted me to be quiet I'd respect that but really and truly 70% of people are either watching the tvs, talking to friends or listening to music.
I think my biggest question is HOW can you talk on the phone when you're working out? I can barely talk when working out, so my opinion is anyone who is talking on the phone is either not pushing themselves hard enough (in the case of cardio) or risking injury (in case of weights)
