What’s your biggest pet peeve when you go to the gym?

I asked people what kinds of things hinder a good workout or trigger a pet peeve; here is what a few of them had to say:

When someone steals the equipment or weights I’m using without asking first if I’m done.

Really, I see this all the time and it’s simply a matter of good manners. Does it bother you when a person budges in line at the grocery store? It’s just common courtesy to wait your turn or ask if they’re still in line to use the equipment.

Kids (people) that tie up machines and stand around chatting while I want to do my workout and get out. I do things in a particular way and I hate deviating from my routine. I just got to the point where I would just ask if I could squeeze in and do a set.

This patron obviously found that the younger generation tend to be likely to socialize at the gym and hog machines more so then the majority of older patrons. Everyone socializes or has socialized at the gym; it’s just important to be mindful you are there to work out, isn’t that what a gym is for?

When the TV/music is so loud I can’t even hear my own music.

Focus and concentration on what you’re doing can prevent injuries. Plus, research proves distractions lead to poor workouts and poor results. Consider this, even though you enjoy the news, the person next to you might not want to hear it over their iPod, or vice versa, your iPod might be driving someone insane. Furthermore, a high pitched laugh can also influence someone’s decision to hurl a dumbbell at a face. Let’s not get to that boiling point. Yes, a facility should be mindful of volume but it’s also a patron’s responsibility to speak up and ask someone else to lower the volume as well. Chances are it’s probably too loud for someone else too.

When someone doesn’t put away the equipment or weights so I have to spend extra wasted time changing it or doing it for them.

Are we in kindergarten? I’ve seen five-year-olds that know how to put stuff away better too. Sure if someone steps in to use it before you get the chance to put it away then that’s different but do the employees at the gym look like they can lift your heavy weights or do you enjoy seeing them struggle to drag it across the room? Consider this, it may not be heavy for you, but it might be heavy for someone else.

When guys don’t wash their gym clothes and they smell really bad.

Come on guys you may have muscles, but she won’t want to come near you if you smell. That being said, some people can wear too much cologne or perfume too. Easy fix, control your stench. However, I am curious about your thoughts — is it mean to tell someone they smell too strongly and that they are affecting your space and mood? Should you just move away from them and complete something else until they leave because you may hurt their feelings?

At least these are all things easily solved by simply speaking up because most of the time people won’t even realize that they’re triggering someone else’s pet peeve until it’s mentioned.

So next time you’re at the gym, you might want to be mindful of your own actions at the gym, you might be triggering a pet peeve, and if someone lashes out at you irrationally don’t forget, I told you so.

Dan Swedberg is a registered personal trainer. Send your fitness questions to dmimageconsulting@gmail.com.