There are two main problems with going to the gym: 1. Exercise is hard. 2. Other people go there, too. Here, we zero in on a specific annoyance regarding the latter. Take, for example ... people who watch the Food Network.
Recent research (aka, every time I go to the stupid gym) has shown that many people enjoy tuning those cardio-machine televisions in to the Food Network. I'm all for maximum media stimulation to distract me from the agony of physical exertion -- that's why I simultaneously watch TV, listen to my iPod and read magazines on the exercise bike. But the Food Network is just too much.
Seeing all that food during the one sliver of time I've set aside to not eat seems cruel and unusual, like Netflixing "Sideways" in rehab or watching a marathon from your iron lung.
Tell us! Does a glimpse of Giada while you're trying to sweat drive you crazy? Or does the sight of goat cheese in cream motivate you to run faster, like some high-tech carrot-and-stick? Please explain, either way.
Laura Gilbert is an editor at Lemondrop. Rage Against is your chance to talk about what's ticking you off. Do you have something that sets you into a rage? Tell us about it in the comments, or e-mail editor@lemondrop.com, and we might publish yours.
Also on Lemondrop: Check out this collection of crazy fitness equipment. And then remember why you steer clear of exercise in the first place!
Weirdest Fitness Equipment
10. The Bullworker
This strange device works on the principle of resistance, and with some effort and a little ingenuity, could be fashioned into a murder weapon.
Bullworker.com
9. Rock 'n' Roll Steppa
Thank ponytailed fitness guru Tony Little for this one. The Rock 'n' Roll Steppa tests your balance by making you rock and roll back and forth. Sounds nauseating.
TonyLittle.com
8. GyroGym
The world's largest hamster ball.
GyroGym.com
7. Aquavee Portable Swim System
What is the Aquavee Portable Swim System? A rubber band. That's it. A rubber band you tie to your waist to provide resistance while you swim. Someone is making money selling people a glorified rubber band, people.
Skymall.com
6. Hoopnotica
We're pretty sure this is just a hula hoop, but the creators of the Hoopnotica workout swear it's a revolutionary exercise device. Nope, it's a hula hoop.
Hoopnotica.com
5. Thighmaster
Who doesn't love the Thighmaster, Suzanne Somers' revolutionary muscle strengthening device? Sadly, the Thighmaster is no longer in production, so if you've got one, hold on to it (and squeeze those thighs tight).
Thighmaster.com
4. Velcro Shoes
Jog with these velcro shoes to provide added resistance -- and lots of additional velcro-y noise -- to your work out
http://website.lineone.net/sobriety/
3. Slendertone Flex Belt
The Slendertone Flex Belt emits electrical pulses to your abdomen that cause your muscles to contract. So if you're too lazy to do ab crunches (like us), you can shock your muscles into shape!
Slendertone Flex Belt
2. Hula Chair
The Hula Chair was invented by "Alexander Innovation Wizard" and as the demonstration video shows, it operates kind of like a hula hoop, except the chair does all the difficult work.
GadgetUniverse.com
1. Barbell Phone
It's a phone with a barbell attached. It's a work out phone. It's a really really bad idea.
Chindogu.com
Comments:
Add a comment
Friday 31 October
By Adam
Watching Food Network at the gym reminds me of how many calories I need to burn to make up for that fried bologna. Mmm ... motivation.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By dan
The worst is wearing sleeveless shirts and putting your slimy armpits on the machines
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Robin
There is nothing wrong with watching Food Network. I enjoy cooking and after a 6 mile run on the treadmill I like to go home and cook something new and tasty. I run 30-35 miles a week. I deserve a good meal!!
Reply
Monday 03 November
By kate
The worst at the gym is leaving machines/ equipment/ floors wet with your sweat after your workout. Clean it off, folks! That's what GymWipes are for! Along the same lines: smelling like someone's aftershave/ perfume after using the equipment.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Susan
I have no problem with what people watch at the gym because they're listening to it through their own headphones and I don't have to hear it. The major offenders at my gym are the ones that talk on their cell phones while they're working out - I go to the gym to escape from the incessant yapping of people that I would never want to talk to, and then I'm forced to listen to their brainless phone conversation while I push through my workout. I have an iPod, but it doesn't quite drown them out.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Amy
As a self confessed gym rat for 20 years...here is my list: 1.) wipe the equipment down when done. 2.) unload the machine and return your weights. 3.) do NOT spray your cardio equipment when someone is on the machine next to you...we are trying to breathe!!! Spray the rag, papertowel..whatever..first and then wipe your equipment. 4.) heavy perfume, cologne, deodorant on the person on the machine next to me...again, we are trying to breathe! 5.) slamming and dropping weights..if you have to drop them..you arent strong enough to lift them.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By blah
RANT - this "Article" is ridiculous. The economic future of this country is in turmoil and your biggest problem is that someone wants to watch the food network while they work out. Here's an idea, figure out where the television displaying the food network is, and don't look there. Problem solved. But no that won't solve your problem because you did not get a chance to make everyone watch what you want, which might irritate others much like the food network does for you. How do I get a job like yours? I can easily come up with this nonsense.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By BUSH
The sight of Giada always helps me move faster....especially if she is choping or wisking something up!!!!! Go Food Network!!!
Reply
Monday 03 November
By jdbruin
Things that annoy me most at the gym: People who grunt and groan while lifting, thinking that they're impressing other members with how hard they are training and also thinking that they will get stronger by making loud noises.
The other is people who just come up to me and start chatting while I am training. I don't mind answering a question, but I hate it when they start babling and slowing down my lifting routine. It's no coincedence that the talkers at the gym don't make have any muscular development at all.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By blugnu155
You know what I hate at the gym? People who look at what I'm watching on my machine's tv.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Kathy
I agree with Amy 100% I am a personal trainer and group exercise instructor at a gym and all those things Amy says and the cell phone are annoying. One woman complains about how hot it is all the time
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Jusus
Oh boy don't get me started,
1) Woman who come to the gym, but don't want to sweat,
2)Cheer Leader types, who just want people to see how good they look
3) Miss Hard body, (see cheerleader types) who spends more time walking in front of the guys instead of working out.
4) Overweight people, who don't seem motivated, especally obese woman who find sweating offensive,(how else are you gonna get the lard off lady)
5) Woman who wear reveling out fits, but get upset. ,
because when they sweat you can see a nipple or a cameltoe,
Tight cloths have no place in the Gym
Oh I could go on and on.........
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Jusus
Oh boy don't get me started,
1) Woman who come to the gym, but don't want to sweat,
2)Cheer Leader types, who just want people to see how good they look
3) Miss Hard body, (see cheerleader types) who spends more time
walking in front of the guys instead of working out.
4) Overweight people, who don't seem motivated, especally obese woman
who find sweating offensive,(how else are you gonna get the lard off
lady)
5) Woman who wear reveling out fits, but get upset. ,
because when they sweat you can see a nipple or a cameltoe,
Tight cloths have no place in the Gym
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Just Me
I think the law should change about men having no shirt on... the most disgusting thing to look at is a (usually) overweight man who needs a man bra with no shirt on. As far as men who aren't overweight, I don't need to see them with no shirt on either. Nipples are nipples and not much to look at.
At the gym I go to, it makes me wanna puke to look at that
Why is it ok for them to have no shirt and women have to wear one? There's nothing so great about looking at a sweaty man in summer with no shirt on
Reply
Monday 03 November
By J
The most offensive thing is having to watch ESPN2 when it's a hunting show and they're gunning down animals. If you want to go hunting, that's your right but I reserve the right to not have to look at people killing animals.
Reply
Monday 03 November
By Kevin
what annoys me is listening to people who bitch about what other people do in the gym.... i go to work out, not pay or give attention to other people who may be there working out, walking around, or shootin' the s#$@.... but yeah, cell phones are really annoying, like anywhere! :)
Reply
Tuesday 04 November
By RONIN
I have my walkman on when I work out at the gym. No time for TV or chatting with woman. After I'm done then we can chat.
Reply
Wednesday 05 November
By Kathryn
Pet Peeves:
#1 Those folks who are soooo tired after lifting they simply cannot possibly rack their own weights, leaving them everywhere on everything. Seriously are you helpless or simply lazy? #2 Those who feel the need to slam the machines and/or weights around. If you cannot lift that much weight, no lighter, if you cannot there is no need to slam things around. You are getting noticed...just not in the way you wish you were getting noticed. Women don't think your hot-they think your a big jerk. Enough said.
Reply