In previous columns, the universality of odd gym behavior, along with pointing out bizarre practices that appear to be exclusively Filipino, have been already expounded upon. On a recent visit to the gym last week, and making the unavoidable observations – given equipment faces a mirror and the only thing in sight is other activity within the vicinity – was reminded of a line from the 1996 movie “The First Wives Club,” when Goldie Hawn’s character Elise Elliot notes, “I get my best ideas when I’m working out.” 

Had a though while using the preacher curl machine, in the same way many choose not to express kindness or extend polite gestures to others, perhaps the behavior in the gym is not just a matter of eccentricity, but a side effect of arrogance.

Have found it difficult to make connections at the gym and have deduced it may be based on one’s appearance and attitude. Never been one to find some matching gym outfit and usually opt for a ratty t-shirt and shorts; plus, not being one who draws attention to one’s self, would much rather focus on the workout itself then seeing who in the immediate area took notice of the said workout. This creates a chasm with the majority of local gym goers.

Without some new gym outfit, there is nothing to show off to others, as exhibited in the multitudes of occasions where somebody stops another person from working out to show them some new gadget they use for their tepid exercise routine. In addition, for somebody who dresses fairly shabbily to the gym, such appearance would likely be considered worthless to waste breath on bragging about some new product or outfit.

Back in October, penned a column where the issue of people yelling to each other in gym, not in an angry sense, but carrying on a conversation for everybody else to hear was discussed. In the piece, quoted Daily Burn and Equinox trainer Anja Garcia, who said, “If you’re able to carry on a full conversation while on the treadmill, you aren’t doing it right” – how much more if that conversation is done at higher volumes?

There was one recent occasion of a guy using the treadmill furthest away from the sitting area, located just in front of the entrance. A pair at the table were having a chat when, all of a sudden, the guy on the treadmill interjects himself and yells from the treadmill. Oddly enough, it went on for a minute or so, with the three yelling to each other. Later in the week, the same guy was using the pulley row machine, situated towards the corner of the gym floor and yelled across the room to a friend who was also working out. Even when they were both taking breaks, neither one budged to moved closer to chat, they just continued yelling – a primary reason why the column “The nightmare of being at the gym sans headphones” was written a couple months ago.

Dianna Booher wrote a blog last year for The Huffington Post entitled “7 habits of highly obnoxious people,” where she discusses people who talk loudly.

“Their modus operandi to get attention is with volume rather than brain power,” she explained. “As long as they hold the floor, no one else can be heard.”

A piece by Scott Barry Kaufman in a 2011 issue of Psychology Today also discussed loud talking as a symptom of narcissism.

Citing Psychologist Anita Vangelisti of the University of Texas at Austin, he wrote, “Tactics in the narcissists’ toolbox include bragging, refocusing the topic of conversation, making exaggerated hand movements, talking loudly” – all things uttered amid the ever-audible discussion of the loud gym goer.

In regards to cleanliness at the gym, have been very vocal, both in columns and on social media, on the filthy nature many choose to leave their environment. In a column written back in July, noted, “In the gym, when clientele leave a mess, as in sweat where their hands and body have made contact with the equipment, many do not bother cleaning up after themselves.”

Went on to surmise, “Can only deduce they believe cleaning up is ‘below them’ and should be left to somebody they inferior to them or they are just filthy people who would not clean up after themselves at home.”

The Booher piece notes, “Obnoxious people consider themselves ‘above’ rules.”

“These people consider guidelines, laws, or policy statements for other people,” she wrote. “Either they blatantly disregard them, plead ignorance of them when caught violating them, or find endless loopholes and exceptions about why they’re inappropriate for their situation.”

In a separate Huffington Post article, Michelle Roya Rad wrote about self-centered people and noted, “Arrogance can indicate an excessive need for self-importance and wanting to be the center of attention.”

This also likely speaks for gym goers who refuse to return weight plates or dumbbells to their proper place when finished.

“Obnoxious people offend with thoughtless, uncaring actions,” noted Booher. “They give little or no thought to how their words or actions might affect anyone else.”

The gym also appears to be a status symbol. With the basic idea of the gym being a place to exercise and get in shape, by the way many utilize the space, it would appear it is just to make an appearance at such a facility; pretty pathetic to pay a monthly membership and spend most of the time sitting at a table texting or slowly strolling on a treadmill.

One such individual comes to the gym wearing stereotypical gym attire. She plops her belongings down, which occupies an entire table, preventing others from using it, and proceeds to the treadmill, where her stretching routine looks more like yoga, but on a conveyer belt. However, many times, she has to have conversations with others while standing on the idle machine, discussing what new things they purchased for their workout and so on.

She proceeds with finally turning on the machine after some time – at a slow pace – but when her attention is drawn by an acquaintance, she gets off the machine and leaves it running while she has her chat. Have observed on many occasions, after the machine logs eight to ten minutes on its own, she returns to shut it off – presumably she’s including those last minutes as part of her workout.

It explains why she and so many others usually leave the gym without losing a drop of sweat.

While celebrities with slim figures and washboard abs are displayed all over the place (usually utilized in place of actual talent), it typically acts as a primary motivator for people to step into the gym. However, once there, it seems to be, by virtue of paying a gym membership, one earns a certain esteem and by being “granted access” to such a facility, one has already reached their goals – they immediately move into “show off” mode.

Beyond the selfies, there are also the scores of people who ask others to take pictures of them, which turns into a full photo shoot without much of a workout before or after the vanity portion of their daily routine.

The reason why earbuds and headphones have proven to be major lifesavers is justified by advice from both Booher and Roya Rad.

“The first piece of advice for dealing with such people is to try to stay away from them,” says Roya Rad. A sentiment echoed by Booher, noting, “Stand clear until they get help.” Probably a good thing such connections have never been established./WDJ