Fitness Faux-Pas: 5 Gym Habits We Hate

Everyone knows that a trip to the gym can relieve stress, boost mood, increase confidence and encourage total body fitness, but whether you’re an exercise enthusiast, weekend warrior, or once-a-quarter gym-goer, you know there are certain…ahem…habits that can really put a damper on your workout experience. Here are a few you should take care to avoid:
 
The Lazy Lady
This is that girl (or guy!) who sits-on-the-bike-sort-of-peddling-but-is-actually-just-reading-US-Weekly-and-casually-drinking-Gatorade. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not judging! Maybe she had a really hard day. Maybe she ran a marathon yesterday and is recovering. But, hey. If you’re the one with a 45-minute window to get in your workout and are waiting in a line winding out the door to use the elliptical, Lazy Lady makes you want to strangle someone with a sweat towel.  
 

Mirror Maniac
Hey — hey you — Mr. Narcissist 2011. I don’t know if you know this, but we can all tell you are checking yourself out in the mirror. Oh, you’re checking on your form? Okay. So you wink at yourself when you do each rep? Riiiiiight. No really though — it is pretty obvious when people are doing bicep curls and when they’re inspecting their own reflections in the mirror. Quick glance at how your butt looks in your yoga pants? Totally fine. 5-minute stare-down next to the free weights? Maybe a little excessive…
 
Bro-dor
Most of you have probably been in this situation: running on the treadmill, minding your own business, mouthing the words to a Ke$ha song, when some guy in a tank top sets up shop next to you. Business as usual. Until he starts his jog. [Nose tickle]…casual side-glance…sniff yourself…it’s not you…oh my GOD what IS that? Not to discriminate, but it’s typically the guys who bring the B.O. Maybe they just forget to put on deodorant, or maybe they found the shorts they’re wearing sitting atop of 5-day-old Indian take-out inside their laundry hamper — I don’t know. All I know is that there’s nothing worse than toughing out your last 5k in a cloud of some random guy’s stink. Lesson? Pop some deodorant in your gym bag or backpack — just in case.
 
The Sprinkler
Some of us (myself included!) are endowed with slightly more…active…sweat glands. It’s not our fault — let’s just blame genetics. It’s especially important for all of us Super Sweaters to be extra conscious of wiping down equipment. Bottom line? If your elliptical is experiencing evaporation, spray it down!!
 
Right now you might be thinking — woah. Keep it in the courtroom, Judge Judy. But hey, I’m just stating the facts. Hold those nasty habits and help all of us have a great workout!