Yes, There Is Such a Thing as Visual TMI
Back in the day (OK, waay back), I worked out at a real gym – one where you would often see professional bodybuilders. We were serious about our lifting, those big boys, ripped girls and I. So when a woman came in one day in full make up, wearing matching workout togs, we all just stared. She was an anachronism. I bet she didn’t even own a ripped, sweat-stained Rolling Rock T-shirt. Obviously, she didn’t know our culture.
I’ve never had the privilege of working for a company that provided an on-site workout facility. Personally, I admire those folks who take the time during the work day to squeeze in a session on the treadmill. But do corporate gyms have their own etiquette? To find out, I asked my friend and former colleague, Rhonda Burnaugh, RN, a wellness director who ran the gym program at her last job. Here are some tips from Burnaugh:
Things NOT to do at the Company Gym
1. “Dress like a sumo wrestler or Dog, the Bounty Hunter’s wife and wonder why people are staring at you. This includes Speedos and Daisy Duke pants.”
2. “In the sauna or steam room, use a towel to sit on. Ever heard of ‘hot cross buns’?”
3. “Sing out loud with your iPod. Nothing better than an off-key Michael Jackson rewind…”
4. “So you think you can dance? Practice at home, first, OK? Not on my feet in Zumba class…”
5. “Use the free weights, bands, etc. and not put them back. That way other people get a little extra workout picking up after you!”
6. “Got gas?” ‘Nuf sed. (Burnaugh recalls a guy who received threat of banishment from the elliptical machine for his “expressive” nature.)
“Other than that, have a great workout!”
So, keep the above in mind as you admire your buffed magnificence in those full-length mirrors.
This is a guest post by Nancy LaFever. You can read more from her at the Centre for Emotional Wellbeing blog.
Leave a Reply