Cell Phones at the Gym

[Sheila53]

Okay, I can understand bringing your cell phone to the gym. Quite a few doctors work out at my gym, and I know they get calls. Nice short calls where they bark a few instructions. I've even had to have my cell phone handy when my 90-year old father was having a medical issue.

But today, there was a guy, sitting on one of two weight benches that are used for bench presses and also calf raises. My circuit class all got to listen to this guy arguing with his wife, using the "f" word and I had the pleasure of hearing him ask, "well, do you want a divorce then?" From the comments of others in the class, he was getting into child custody issues, and other things. This went on for the entire 35 min. class.

Do people think they have a bubble around them when they talk on the cell phone? Besides being disruptive to others and hogging that particular bench, I thought it was rather demeaning to him and his wife (in absentia), especially since most of the people in the class were laughing about it, the nervous type of laughter, KWIM?

I ended up speaking to a staff member, asking if she'd go over and tell the guy to go someplace else. He was gone by the time we finished stretching.

Anybody else had any cell phone experiences at the gym?

[NemesisClaws]

Wow...talk about rude! I would never hold such an important phone call like that in public.....seems like manners and common sense has gone out of the window these days with each new technology we get....

[BlueToBlue]

Once, the woman on the elliptical next to mine was taking work-related calls all thoughout her workout. And not really short, bark a few orders and hang up calls, either. Entire conversations. I can't imagine what the people on the other end of the phone thought; they must have been able to hear her panting.

But people do all sorts of crazy things on cell phones. I participate in a monthy conference call that usually includes about 20 or so people. Once we could hear someone chewing throughout the entire call and once, I kid you not, we heard a toilet flush! Please, folks, mute your phones! I guess I should count my blessings that no one has been working out during the meeting.

[WaterRat]

Hmm, I have a friend who talks to her sister by cell phone everytime she does a treadmill workout - but that's at home. I see people at the gym with their cell phones all the time, but not actually on them.

I once heard a guy have a conversation like Sheila heard in the parking lot of a restaurant - as did everyone else coming or going. It was a warm sunny day and a long wait, so many people were outside. Twice someone from his party came out to get him and he waved them off. Must have been that bubble phenonomen.

[NotTheCheat]

My gym is in the basement of my office building and cell phones don't work down there, so we don't have that problem. The thing that drives me crazy are the women in my office building who have cell phone conversations in the bathroom. A few of them act like it is their personal office! They must not be allowed to use their phones at their desks and/or have somewhere to go to make a private call (I work in a large office building with many companies in it).

[Mel]

Ugh! That used to drive me crazy when I worked and worked out in a public gym. There were a few people who did workouts with headsets on and just talked continuously!

I totally understand a mom with a kid at home carrying it in the gym "just in case" or a doc, ar anyone expecting an important call. I've done that. But then LEAVE the public area and go have your conversation!

Mel

[Su-Bee]

My boss is always calling into the office while on the treadmill. Ugh! And Barbara, I recently heard a toilet flushing on a conference call, too! What are people thinking?!

[Renny Sue]

Cell phones are banned at my gym. The staff members will walk up and tell you to either get off the equipment or hang up.

[chessire79]

There was actually a girl next to me on the eliptical who whipped out hers to order a pizzia.

[Su-Bee]

Manners have changed. It's not just the gym, it's any public place - people simply don't feel the need to go to a semi-private area to talk on the phone.

The airport is the worst - drives me insane.

[WaterRat]

I've been guilty of the airport cell-phoning. Heck, they want you there 2 hours early now. I find it a good time to call and visit. I do, however, try to find a quiet spot away from the rest of the passengers - I like some privacy!

The worst offenders, imho, are in restaurants. We once saw a couple at a table near ours where the husband talked on his cell through the entire meal - totally ignored his wife! I would have walked out and left him!!

I work in a library, and we have signs asking people to silence their phones - they don't. We ask people to move to the entry if they insist on talking. Libraries are not quiet places anymore, but many cell phone conversations go way beyond acceptable noise levels.

[baffled111]

They're threatening to allow people to use their cell phones on planes. That will be truly annoying.

[mandalinn82]

My gym bans cell phones too - in locker rooms, on equipment, anywhere. They make you leave them in your car. Its a little irritating, but I totally support it...the one time someone broke the rule, I was ready to kill someone as she rambled on and on and on.

[ladybugnessa]

I automatically leave my cell phone in the car. gym time is MY time. I don't want to be bothered by anyone or anything. It's an hour out of my day two at the most... they can leave a message.

[buffalosister1]

Eek! Mixed emotions for me. I personally am one of those moms that brings her phone into the gym. I ONLY take calls from the schools (kids in two schools). If it even rings and is not a school, I hit the volume so it stops ringing. So, I support NOT using the cell phones in the gym. However, if my gym did not allow them inside.......I would look for a new gym.