Gym Faux Pas: Guilty As Charged {A Three Things Thursday post}

I was listening to the Jillian Michaels podcast this morning on my way to meet my run date. I was sort of zoning out, the way you would in a large group conversation at a party, when Jillian mentioned an article about gym etiquette. {that may or may not be the correct article}

Apparently, there's things you should not do at a gym - like leave sweat on the equipment, rest for too long and leaving weights out.

OK. We all know not to do those things but it doesn't stop some of - Jillian and me - included from doing them.

Here are my crimes.

1. Using a cell phone. While the article was more focused on talking, I developed a bad habit of playing music on my phone and not using ear buds when I ran on the treadmill this winter. I just couldn't get the ear buds to stay in but wanted the motivation for hard workouts. I tried to be mindful to keep the volume low, not play offensive music and only do it when those surrounding me were wearing headphones.

2. Invading personal space. I never understood why someone just had to have a certain piece of equipment at the gym ... until this winter. I totally crushed on one treadmill at the YMCA and would be disappointed if it was occupied. I would claim it for a run, even if someone was using a machine right next to it and there were 10 others open.

Note: One of y'all mentioned this very thing on a post earlier this year, and it clicked about two weeks later. I could go lock but I'm tired and don't have the brain power - I'm currently in a caffeine detox of sorts.

3. Scoping out the displays. Yep. I do it. I love to know how fast the person near me is running and at what incline. It helps to spark my internal competitiveness ... which is why I do it. It's like running a race.Without a bib and an entry fee. I also find that it helps me stay on task during a workout.

After a winter in the gym, I will now give you my three pet peeves in terms of gym etiquette:

1. Prancing around the locker room with very little clothes on for no real purpose. I am sorry but it is possible to blow dry your hair with more than a bra and underwear.

2. Lifting irresponsibly. I can not tell you how many times at the BBG that I saw guys just throwing up weights and grunting as if they were filming a video for Muscle & Fitness. Their form was poor, the weights appeared to be too heavy and the timing was rushed. Hyperextending your shoulder to bring a weight up in one second is doing you no good! Gah!

3. OK, not related to people but vending machines stocked with crap. If I just got done working out, I'd like at least the option of getting something healthy.

Weigh in: What are you guilty of? What do you hate?

By the way, Jillian hates the gym selfie and, well, selfies in general. I am not super big on these but will do it for the sake of social media/ambassadorships/boredom.