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.

What do you got in that bag?: A vlog

These days, I sort of feel like I live out of my gym bag.

I teach three classes a week and, more and more, I've been going to the YMCA for treadmill runs between daycare dropoff and work. It's always overflowing with workout wear, some sweaty and some formerly sweaty but now frozen. Earbuds dangle dangerously near doors, and one pair of shoes is always to be found there.

After seeing a video post by Sarah Fit about her gym bag essentials, I thought I'd do the same. Except with lower quality, toddler interruptions and a mischievous dog. It's a tad on the long side but it's possible you have 8 minutes to spare.

Products featured:

Lug Life Puddle Jumper bag
Naawk lip balm
Lemon tea Nuun
Old Navy Graphic Tank
Old Navy Cross-Front Panel Yoga Pants
Sportline Cardio Heart Rate Monitor
Manduka eQua Mat Towel

Three Things Thursday: Observations from the gym

Between the hours of 9 and 10 this morning, I had to be at the YMCA. It wasn't to teach a class or to attend required seminar but an appointment with my sanity.

While Miles is breathing easier today, a toddler on steroids makes for some interesting days and more interesting nights. The shenanigans last night included hammering (with a toy hammer) an hour past bedtime, stripping down to color all over himself (his feet are still orange) and pile every toy into his bed.

So, this morning -- after a fight about staying downstairs, being told that I don't tell him no and being roared at because I informed him that, yes, I can tell him no -- I decided he needed to go to daycare early and I needed a good sweat session.

1. I ran Tuesday and Wednesday thus making today a cross-training day. I hopped on the upright bike and warmed up for 10 minutes before getting into the work.

• 1 minute at a hard resistance, RPMs max out at 50
• 2 minutes recovery at a moderate resistance
• 1 minute at moderate resistance with high RPMs, no lower than 100
• 2 minutes recovery at a moderate resistance
• Repeat as needed

The workout mimics a plateau, the geological one. You climb, spin on the flat and speed out on the downhill. Ride a bit to the next one. While it plays with resistance and speed, the workout was more about the intensity.

Note: While I am ACE certified personal trainer, I am not your trainer. Performing any workout on this page is at your own risk. Please consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.

2. If Judgy Wudgy was a bear, I am sad to say that I am the mama bear. I noticed several people walking at severe inclines on the treadmills but only being able to do so by holding onto the rails. I am not sure about you but I've never walked up a hill and got to support half my weight while doing so. A more effective workout would have utilized the maximum incline the exerciser could walk unassisted. The same goes for speed. It's the one time it's OK to say no to help.

3. Maybe I'm an antisocial asshole but if there are eight open pieces of equipment, please choose one that is not right next to me. I find it so odd that people cluster up. I can see where it would draw some competitive spirit to see someone go harder or faster than you but I find it distracting. I end up reading the person's magazine rather staying in the zone of my workout.

What's your gym pet peeve?