Gym personalities

I've been going to the gym for long enough now that I've been able to pick up on some very distinct gym personalities. Not everyone will fall into a category but I've discovered that many do. I don't know if it's an extension of a person's behavior in a "normal" setting or if just being in a gym brings these personalities out but I started pondering this today while sweating my ass off on the elliptical machine.

One of the most encountered personalities at my gym is the Nosy Nelly (or Ned). NN isn't as much concerned with his/her workout as he/she is with yours. NN is that person next to you on the elliptical machine or treadmill that wants to see what settings your machine is on. They'll stare over at the display on your machine for what seems like the whole workout just watching what you're doing. This will sometimes bring out their competitive side and they'll start trying to "out-do" you. All I know is that it is annoying as hell. Mind your own business NN! Back up off me before I squirt you with my water bottle.

The next one that I've seen a lot of is the Equipment Hog. There is one old guy at my gym who is reeeeeeaaaaalllly bad about this. I think he thinks the whole gym is just for him. Instead of moving to the side so I can get past him to get a stability ball he just hogs up the whole space and makes me wait. Then, when I get sick of waiting, I practically have to crawl on top of him to get by because he still won't freaking move. Another type EH that drives me crazy is the person that hogs up the elliptical machine. We have tons of treadmills at my gym but it seems like the equipment of choice is the elliptical. We only have about 7 of those and they're almost always full. There are people who will get on a machine and stay there for like an hour! I understand you gotta get your cardio but come on! I say 45 minutes should be the max and even that is pushing it. There are also people who will get on the machines, go for about 5 minutes and then stop, stand there, and watch the TV. Then they'll go for a couple more minutes and repeat the same routine. If you're not working out, move your fat ass!

But, I think the gym personality that annoys me the most is the Social Butterfly. SB comes in many different incarnations. The first one is the SB that practically yells across the gym to get someones attention so they can say hello. Seriously?! Wait until they see you then wave, don't be an idiot. Another SB is the type that has to go from machine to machine to say hello to everyone. I've seen the annoyed looks on some peoples' faces when an SB comes up to talk and interrupts their workout session. Some people go the gym with the actual purpose of working out! The SB's don't do much working out. They're too busy flitting around talking to people. The absolute worst SB I've seen in the gym (and I've only seen her once) has got to be the cell phone SB. I swear to you, this lady talked on her cell phone for the ENTIRE time she walked on the treadmill. It had to be for close to thirty minutes! I have no idea what is that important that it can't wait thirty damn minutes! Get over your dumb self and stop disturbing the rest of us!

There are a couple other personalities that I've seen like 80's Lady, who works out in a full face of makeup and "done" hair, and the Wanna-Be Body Builder, who grunts and flexes in front of the mirror, but the three I've described above annoy me the most. I do work out with normal people too but they don't catch my attention nearly as much.

What category do I fall in, you ask. Definitely not one of the above but I do have a pretty distinct gym personality. I guess it could be described as Intensely Silent Girl. When I go to the gym I want to get in, work out, and get on with my life. I don't have time for anybody in there but me. I am focused and to the point 100%. When I get on that elliptical machine and get my MP3 player turned on I am in the zone. For the next thirty minutes it's just me and the music. I'd love to see a video tape of myself working out though because I think it'd be pretty hilarious. I go through different phases during my work out from intense, brow furrowing concentration when that elliptical goes from resistance 3 to resistance 8, to smiling when a great get-me-through song comes on. In my head, I am an awesome cheerleader for myself. I talk myself through my entire workout. I'm like, come on Tricia you can do this... it's only 2 minutes... you could do that with one hand tied behind your back... you got this... you're half way done! It's funny but it really helps.

The music has been an incredible help too. I still don't have a set play list yet. I just set it to random and see what pops up. I think my best get-me-through song so far has got to be "U Got the Look" by Prince. I seriously smile like a big retard when that song comes on. People probably categorize me as that weird girl who smiles for no reason but I don't give a crap, it helps me. My two favorite lines are, "I've never seen a pretty girl look so tough...BABY" and "Your face is jammin' your body's heck-a-slammin". Awww yeah, good stuff. I do love Flo Rida's Low, Kanye's Stronger, and Black Eyed Peas' My Humps too. Those get me goin' so good that I sometimes have to whisper along.

All in all, I'm loving the gym. My trainer is great and has really been helping me. I've been increasing my weights and reps and trying new stuff. She even tells me it looks like I've "toned up". I don't really think so but it was nice of her to say. I'm actually thinking of increasing my workouts to 5 days a week. I've really noticed that on the days I work out that I come home in a much better mood. I'm energized and relaxed and have a clear head. I feel good about myself and what I've accomplished. It's pretty great.