11 Reasons The Gym Is A Hellish Place

If you think about it, packing hot, sweaty, competitive people in a small room with heavy equipment doesn't sounds like the best laid plan...

Almost half of initially-enthusiastic gym goers cancel their memberships within six months of signing up. 

But it's not just laziness. Here are just some of the reasons why many of us just can't take it anymore...

Nudity

A lot of us go to the gym to get a body we want to be proud of but remember, if you have achieved it not everyone else wants to see it. And if it's a work in progress, no one in the changing room cares what stage you're at. You might blow dry your hair in the buff at home but that doesn’t make it right in the changing room.

Dressing inappropriately

There are a few distinct gymwear camps at the gym. One tribe has all the gear and no idea, making you feel more than a little self concious of your oversized t-shirt and skanky leggins, the fashionable set who know what they're doing and dress for the occasion, and the utterly clueless, who don't see the point of getting dressed up to get sweaty.

Here are a few questions that might help you pick the right clothes. Is the tiny flourescent leotard really necesary regardless of the state of your abs? Will plimpsolls really protect your feet when you're pounding the treadmill, and is there any need for the beanie while you life weights? Let's all just try to be modest and appropriate, people. Jen Selter loves a gym selfie (Instagram)

Selfies

Selfies have now firmly established themselves as part of everyday life but there is still a time and a place and posing in the mirror, phone in one hand while lifting weights is really not it. Recording the before and after images of working out is one thing, but do you really need to capture the moment during the workout? Just think about the poor sweaty man on the machine behind you who's accidentally photobombed your latest Instagram #fitspo.

Poor etiquette

Almost three quarters of those questioned in a Nuffield survey of 2000 gymgoers admitted they had witnessed poor fitness etiquette, which is another big bugbear. The worst offenders are those people who do not wipe down equipment after use, leaving sweaty patches all over the place and those who don't replace equipment when finished.

‘Resting’ on equipment

If you need to sit down and rest during a workout then find a chair. That exercise bike or bench is not there for you to take the weight off your feet.

Noisy neighbours

For many people their time at the gym is the time they can zone out and enjoy some peace and quiet. So they really don’t want chitchat on the treadmill or in the Jacuzzi, and they certainly don’t want to listen to your music.

Body odour

Sure the gym's all about sweating, but there are a whole host of deodorants on the market these days, chaps. And why does the stale smell linger so?

Unsolicited advice

Would you tell someone how to do their job? We hope the answer at this point is no, so why do some people, who are not qualified fitness instructors, insist on sharing their ‘knowledge’ and experience? ‘Excuse me, do you mind if?’ has to be one of the most feared phrases at the gym and, by the way, yes we do mind.Which fashion set are you? (REX)

Gym kittens

A trip to the gym should not be viewed the same as a night out when you’re getting ready, so tone down the makeup and perfume. A survey by myvouchercodes.co.uk found that 25 per cent of those questioned wore a full face of make-up for their workout, with 11 per cent admitting it was because they wanted to impress members of the opposite sex.

Of those who do wear full makeup, 51 per cent said they didn't work as hard because they didn't want to ruin their look.

Come on ladies, let's hit the gym to work out and dress up the results afterwards.

The beach towel effect

Remember, the gym is not the pool. You cannot reserve your treadmill for later with a towel. If someone else is using the equipment you will just have to wait – or maybe even try something different.

Jocks

For most women the last place they want to be hit on is the gym – unless you are one of the 11 per cent mentioned above. So there is nothing worse than having to walk past the one guy doing weights while his three mates eye you up and down.

Have some respect, lads.

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