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Getting cozy at the gym

Posted on Jan 30th 2008 9:52PM by Fitz K.

Filed Under: Healthy Habits, Healthy Places, Stress Reduction, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Men's Health

I'll start this feature by telling you that I love the gym. I enjoy the equipment, the options, and my fellow exercisers. I actually own my own private gym, but still attend the big one in my area. Having said that, occasionally weird things happen there.

Most recently I've experienced this weird phenomenon of 'gym cuddlers'. It's strange. I had about five silly experiences, all about the same and I wanted your input. Here's the picture. My gym has these massive lines of cardio machines. The treadmills stand about 25 in a row. I've been hitting the gym at slower times lately and often will climb on a treadmill when the entire row is empty. Usually I go waaaay down to the last treadmill in the row (next to the wall), so I can have a little privacy. Peace. Space. You know.

So, am I wrong to think it's weird when the next person to get to the treadmills passes 23 treadmills by and jumps on the one right next to me? Is that weird to you? I think it is! Kind of like the 'close talker' on Seinfeld. This has literally happened to me about five times within the past three weeks. Why would these 'gym cuddlers' do this? I'm not so beautiful, and I probably don't smell irresistibly delicious while I'm running. I think it's strange.

Then of course, I think "should I move to another treadmill"? But then I think that would be rude. I'm just very thrown off by this situation. It's certainly not enough to make me angry, or avoid the gym. I just think it's weird! What do you think?

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Tags: close, cuddler, fiend, fitz, fitzness, gym, love, odd, seinfeld, strange, talker, treadmill, weird

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dr. J 1-31-2008 @ 7:32AM

I think it's called "herd behavior!

Brian 1-31-2008 @ 10:52AM

Maybe they think it's proper to fill in all the way at the end, so that it's easier for people who come in later to see where the vacant machines are? Just a thought.

Pete 1-31-2008 @ 12:15PM

I use the 'bathroom stall' rule - I always leave one machine between me and the next guy/girl.

If the entire row is empty and someone is on the end, I'll probably take the one in the middle of the row.

jenbeth5 (JENA) 1-31-2008 @ 2:23PM

I think it's rude! If someone sees that you are all alone in the back of the gym and there's Like 20 empty mechine's then they should find anthoner mechine!

Vishaal 1-31-2008 @ 4:31PM

People have done this to me at the gym too. Here are my takes:

1. That specific treadmill is the cuddler's favorite treadmill out of the 25. I know I have my favorite.

2. Maybe the cuddler needs some constant inpiration during their workout to keep up. I know when I'm feeling like jogging on the treadmill, I glance over at a runner and go "Wow, that is so cool."

3. I also agree with the above "herd behavior" because it's nice to be around people.

4. They have a "thing" for you.

5. They feel more at ease that there is someone next to them feeling the same burn. I know when I'm next to a person that's really running, and panting, and sweating, I feel good that I'm in their company. It sounds weird, but I feel like I'm "a part of the fitness club."

Zandria 1-31-2008 @ 8:34PM

I'm the same way -- I prefer to be far away from people if possible, and it really annoys me if someone COULD stay farther away on the same set of machines but chooses not to. Arrgghhh!

Sheryl Blystone 2-01-2008 @ 8:08PM

I have the opposite effect, I run so fast and use the incline so aggressively that people are intimidated and they leave. My friend has the same effect, so we joke about how we "chase people off their treadmills," it's silly really. I witness that most people do not know how to get the most out of treadmills and they just walk which is boring, not challenging, and not promoting health very well.

Michelle Koen 2-04-2008 @ 9:18AM

I also use the toilet stall rule and try to give others space. However if I'm feeling a bit flat I might choose a treadmill BEHIND someone who's workout looks more inspiring than mine, I figure they can't see me anyway. I've wanted to switch treadmills a few times when I've been hugged but only done it onces when the 'hugger' was also noisy; I switched to an elliptical instead so it wasn't so obvious.