Gym Class Personalities

Let me preface this by saying, I don't generally incorporate at-the-gym classes into my workout schedule these days, especially during the summer when it's just too nice not to be outside. But, I've been getting a little bored of my regular schedule lately, and it's warmer out right now than my preferred running temperature (I know, I know... I'l get over it). Also, this particular class just happened to be scheduled during my lunchtime, so it doubled as an escape from the hellish document I had been working on all morning.

If only the document I was working on looked this easy to fix.

Anyhow, back to the story.

It's been awhile since I've been to a gym class, so I checked with the front desk to make sure there was actually one happening. Naturally, the front desk gal had no clue (not to knock front desk people, because I've been there, too). So after she looked it up and assured me there was a class, I headed through the weight area (I hate walking through there... AVOID EYE CONTACT) and up the stairs to the studio.

The thing I love most about mid-day classes, is that I can get lost pre-class wondering what all the people (read: women) there do for a living. I'd imagine many of them were on a lunch break, but this particular class seemed to have a fair amount of women whose life-partners obviously "bring home the bacon", allowing them to do whatever they want during the day (including, but not limited to, wearing too much makeup to the gym).

There were a few college-aged girls, and about a dozen "older" women (for lack of a better age gauge) who looked a little feeble, but sure enough, powered through the class like it was easier than a game of bridge.

Pretty sure the ladies in my class could easily do this. In their cute workout skirts.

As a mentioned before, no men. Not sure if that's because it was a "Body Works plus Abs" class, or maybe the time, but this was an all-women event.

I always try to get in somewhere in the middle of the room so only half the people in the class have to witness my mess-ups, and there was a huge spot to the left of the room left open. RED FLAG. Well, at least I should have realized this was a red flag.

This would probably be a good time to tell you I have a few pet peeves when it comes to gym classes. One, being the instructor that assumes you know everything before class, and doesn't bother to tell you what the hell a "leg lift pull kick switch" means (don't worry, I bought the Step Class for Dummies since that experience). This instructor was nice enough to come introduce herself and welcome me to the class; I was impressed.

My second pet peeve are the people who talk through the class, in a manner that makes it hard to hear the instructor, and yet at the same time, making the rest of the class feel alienated from whatever they're talking about, because they're not actually talking loud enough to be able to make out the words.

(They were also the ladies who appeared to be wealthy via their spouses. Surprised? Didn't think so.)

Another pet peeve I have is poor form. I definitely understand there's a lot of reasons for this. One being, that the instructor is so distracted by the chatty-Cathys, she doesn't notice. But, I also think poor form breeds pain, which means that person isn't going to keep coming back to this class. :(

The lady to my right was doing rows and dead lifts with a back more rounded out than a freaked out black cat decoration on Halloween.

This is an exact drawing of that woman.Except she had weights. And no whiskers.

I DESPERATELY wanted to say something to her, because it was obvious she was struggling with the moves, but I've also learned most people aren't super receptive to suggestions made by some other participant in the class, unfortunately.

So, besides the fact I could practically hear her back and spine screaming for help (perhaps I could have if those RUDE women hadn't been chatting about handbags shoes makeup application God-knows-what), the class was a great workout.

I really like the instructor. She was high energy, positive, and pushed us just a few reps beyond where you really wanted to stop. The music was also a super plus for me - I struggle in classes where the music is flat - but she had a great mix of danced-up music from sometime in the early 80's. The ladies behind me (no, not the chatty ones) kept singing, and it put a huge smile on my face.

They were working really hard, too.

All in all? Great class. I woke up this morning with a sore chest, and I could feel it in my back, too.

Now, going back and reading through this entry, I realize I sound a little judgy. That's not really fair of me, because those ladies who were incessantly talking over the instructor could have had a SUPER good reason for it. Like, they were planning their daughter's wedding, or they are joint owners in a business and they were making up their annual budget. Who knows.

But for a 60 minute class? Either don't be rude to the instructor, and the people newer to a class setting, OR talk loud enough to include everyone!

Do you go to classes at your gym? What are the "personalities" you always see there?

The profusely sweaty guy? The woman with too little clothes and too much makeup? The person who leaves 25 minutes early? Chatty-Cathys?

Comment below and add your gym personality experiences!