More gym no-no's

I've commented a few times already on this site about gym etiquette, mostly pointing out things you generally should not do in a gym. Doing barbell curls at a squat rack is one that immediately comes to mind. Each time I workout, I tend to notice yet another two or three examples of gym no-no's that I feel are worth adding to this list, so I think right now I will do just that.

The Talking Spotter. A few words of encouragement here and there are fine. "C'mon, dude. Two more reps," and mini-pep talks like this aren't a big deal. What is, however, is when a loquacious spotter feels the need to talk about anything and everything in the entire world while you're doing your set. As your face is turning beet red, veins are popping out of places you never even knew you had them, and the sweat leaps from your brow, this guy feels it's the perfect time to tell you about the color he's thinking of painting his house next spring or how he thinks that Rod Carew was one of the best hitters of his generation. Don't be this guy. Nobody likes this guy ... not even his mother.

Pointless Towel Man. I feel like I've mentioned this guy before, but maybe it's because I can't believe that I haven't. At any rate, this is the guy -- usually an older fella -- who feels the need to stand around the locker room and make small talk before he gets into the shower. Meanwhile, of course, he's standing there completely naked. The funniest part is that he has a towel, he just prefers to drape it over his shoulder rather than wrap it around his waist. In a word: Awkward.

Circuit Training Freak. Even though I'm a big fan of circuit training routines, I am well aware of how annoying they can be for other people in the gym. Just as you're about to get on a machine or grab a dumbell, you suddenly hear a voice from across the gym yell "I'm on that, bro." Um ... okay. So, you move onto a different machine or lay down on an incline bench, only to hear that same person pipe up with "I'm on that, too, my man." How could they possibly be using all of this gym equipment at the same time? Truth is, they're not. They're just making their way through their circuit, hoping that nothing slows them down. Problem is, about 50 other people are also trying to workout, so to take complete ownership of an entire gym is a sure-fire way to make some instant enemies.

I swear, I could go on and on with a list of this kind. But, I find your stories to be far more comical and interesting, so feel free to post your own list of people or things that drive you nuts at your gym.