Gym Grunting is Annoying

[HotelMinion]

After my fiasco with my previous gym, which scammed me (my bank's intellect won aganist it's brawn, BTW--score one for the good guys) I swore I wouldn't join another, but lo and behold, I did. This one, however seems better. I am not so green anymore, dealing with gyms. WHen I cancel, I plan to get name, number, address, blood type of the canceler next time.
Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.... anyway...
My new gym seems fine. I was working out one day when it was practically empty, except for a few people. BTW, in my gym, there's a "Female" section of the gym. Do they have it so ladies won't feel self conscious while working out? IDK. Well, whatever.
I was on the rowing machine, rowing, when this lady took the one next to me, and her friend, a male, took the one next to hers. THey both looked like like for in their late 40s. Now she was built like a body builder, and he was in shape too, but not is much as her. Their conversation, mind you, was really loud so I had no mistake in what they said even over the music and TVs.

SHe: HEY YOU KNOW WHAT?

He: WHAT

She: WE SHOULD HAVE A CONTEST! SEE WHO GETS 500 MILES FASTER!

He: OK!!!!

(They began rowing really fast)

She: HUNGH!

He: OH

She: EEGH!

He: UH

She: HOOOOF!

He: HEE!

And so forth like FOREVER. Grunting and groaning at the tops of their lungs, going super fast. I was like....WTF on a Stick.

I moved away far as I could from them, but wherever I went, I could still hear them.
They didn't bother to wipe down the machine after they finally finished either. Gross.

[Evannah]

I know I shouldn't laugh...

Poor you for being stuck there while they held their little contest.

[MoonCat]

Be glad those noises were only because of the rowing machines....

[raudf]

Next time, start rating their performance. "I think she's a little faster than you!" "Lady, he's putting more effort into than you are!"

If you're forced to deal with it, why not have fun with it?

[Monterey Jack]

Be glad those noises were only because of the rowing machines....

I can't stand it when I'm stuck next to a "groaner" while using a public restroom...nothing more awkward than hearing traumatic straining and relief noises from the next stall. Hey, sometimes the elimination process takes a little more effort, I've been there, but for God's sake, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!!

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

Uuuuck! That's the worst. In my gym, which is really cheap for the area, the entire lower level is free-weights and weight machines and the upper is cardio stuff: treadmills, bikes, etc. And it's all one, big, open room. So when some nitwit hefting more than he can handle opts to make a big vocal deal of it, you can hear it even through your earbuds and music loud enough to drown the speakers.

WHY?!?! Doesn't make you look cool or badass. Grunting like that just makes you look like you're biting off more than you can chew, so you look weak and boastful.

Most of the bodybuilders are as quiet as one can reasonably be, just breathing heavily because they're working hard. No different than the runners.

Also, once there was this guy LOUDLY cheering his team while he was jogging and watching a football game on the treadmill screen. Wanted to hit that guy. Who's that self-involved?

[Kheldarson]

BTW, in my gym, there's a "Female" section of the gym. Do they have it so ladies won't feel self conscious while working out? IDK. Well, whatever.

Or so they feel safer. There's issues occasionally where guys decide that showing off and disturbing gals is what they're really there for so a separate area helps.

[fireheart]

Or so they feel safer. There's issues occasionally where guys decide that showing off and disturbing gals is what they're really there for so a separate area helps.

And then you get the "female-only" gyms. Cue the comments from men demanding to know why. (Coupled with some Fratching-worthy comments)

Usually my response to that is "When you start calling out the asshole men for harassing women in gyms, then we might start reconsidering."

I'm only aware of two gym franchises that do this: Curves and Contours, both of which run on a similar concept. A few other gyms will run womens-only classes, have womens-only sections or have a women-only branch with co-ed branches available elsewhere.
I've experienced all three: the womens-only section was run more like a circuit and was actually pretty awesome.

[bhskittykatt]

To play devil's advocate, research studies have shown grunting can improve performance.

Doesn't mean it isn't annoying as hell. Most gyms I've seen have rules against grunting and yelling.

I don't mind the occasional one from someone really pushing themselves on a last rep or whatever, but from two people having a contest on the rowing machines and being noisy about it? That would be hella obnoxious. You have my sympathies.

[Silent-Hunter]

I can't stand it when I'm stuck next to a "groaner" while using a public restroom...nothing more awkward than hearing traumatic straining and relief noises from the next stall. Hey, sometimes the elimination process takes a little more effort, I've been there, but for God's sake, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!!

In their defence, sometimes it can actually be painful.

[Sapphire Silk]

Next time, start rating their performance. "I think she's a little faster than you!" "Lady, he's putting more effort into than you are!"

If you're forced to deal with it, why not have fun with it?

Absolutely, and that's really the way to handle it. Make lemonade.

Or so they feel safer. There's issues occasionally where guys decide that showing off and disturbing gals is what they're really there for so a separate area helps.

Some women feel really self conscious, or are there to work out and not get picked up. Some people (both genders) seem to view the gym as a place to get a date.

I like the Oatmeal's take on the gym

In their defence, sometimes it can actually be painful.

Well, some people just need to express themselves to work everything out.

[dalesys]

New gym rules, madame and sir. All patrons are required to wear bark collars.

[Monterey Jack]

In their defence, sometimes it can actually be painful.

I know that from experience...I suffered from a HORRENDOUS bout of constipation about a year-and-a-half ago where trying to poop felt like what I imagine giving birth feels like. That said, poop in your own damn house if you're going to be so obnoxious about it. I don't even like farting in a public restroom.

[notalwaysright]

Since this is going in that direction, I'll make a comment about bathrooms. In Japan they often had white noise machines in public restrooms. It was awesome. I don't really have a shy bladder, but traveling throws my digestion off so I did appreciate this.

Back to the original post, I haven't been in a gym for years, but I used the women's section. It was smaller, and less populated. My face turns raspberry-red when I work out, so I just want to be left in peace.

[LesserSouthernFroglet]

I know that from experience...I suffered from a HORRENDOUS bout of constipation about a year-and-a-half ago where trying to poop felt like what I imagine giving birth feels like.

I first read that as 'constipation for a year and a half'.