First of all, does this really need to be explained, seriously???
I'm thinking that it does after dealing with yet one more indignant, insistent person trying to come into my fitness class more than 10 minutes late, and not just graciously taking "no" for an answer as I tell them they're too late to participate.
A woman tries to come in 17 minutes late and when I tell her she's too late to participate, she, instead of just walking away, begins questioning that and challenging me about it. Like, going into such a thing that late should be the norm. We clearly come from different planets....
I'm from EARTH, by the way. Don't know where YOU came from, honey. But down here, we have a thing called "the clock", and most of us at least try to follow it.
What the hell?? I'm always astounded at the pure selfishness, self absorbedness and pure lack of consideration that some people have. It happens TOO often, by the way.
First of all, YOU'RE late. It was traffic, you had to do X-Y-Z, you missed the train, you had to pick up the kids, etc etc etc. I get that. But guess what? Stuff happens, and when it does, you sometimes have to just go ahead and change your plans. Life as you know it will not end if you don't get to do exactly what you want to do all of the time. If I'm telling you that it's too late to come into the exercise class, accept that, don't argue with me (while I'm trying to teach and keep roughly 40 people engaged, by the way), and graciously make your way over to the treadmill, the elliptical or the weight room, and work out on your own. The gym has a TON of equipment just waiting for you to use. You miss the class this time, no biggie. Because you are late, and I can't allow you to come in and disrupt everyone else in the room, and also not just jump into my workout without being properly warmed up, you will just have to apply your own workout methods today. Sorry!
Once again, NOT the end of the world!
Reasons why it's not practical for you to jump into a class that already began 15, 20, 25 minutes ago:
1- It's not fair to all of the people who came early and waited on line to get in here
2- It's not fair for others that got here on time to have to stop their exercising as you step around, past and in front of them trying to get your weights and set up your spot.
3- It's not fair for those that got here on time to have to move their step, weights, mat and various other equipment to make a spot for YOU, the one who is late.
4- Once the class has begun, parameters have been set: everyone knows how much room they need to move in each direction. You come in out of the blue and throw EVERYBODY off.
5- You did not go through the proper warm up to prepare you for the exercises that we are now doing.
6- You distract the instructor and the class participants by trying to come in so late.
7- There is actually a sign posted outside the door that says "do not enter the studio more than 10 minutes after class has started"
8- An exercise class that has a specific start time is not something you can just come into at any point and anytime you feel. Do you show up at work whenever you feel like it?
9- It's inconsiderate, and darn it, IT'S JUST NOT POLITE.
Standing there and trying to 'discuss' it with me while I'm clearly trying to teach just adds to the complete rudeness of the whole thing even more. Why do it? Just accept and walk away.
I personally would never have the audacity to stand up at an aerobics room door and insist on being let in late EVER. Whatever happened to respect and humility? When you're wrong, you're wrong. You should be humble about it, not indignant. You are NOT entitled to run roughshod through the place just because you are paying a membership fee. EVERYBODY pays that fee, and they follow the rules. You should, too.
Okay. I hope I've helped a few of you (and you know who you are) on the road to proper gym etiquette, considerateness for your gym peers and environment, and all around polite behavior. If no one else ever took the time to teach you these things, I certainly will! ;)
Until next time..... try to be just a bit nicer at the gym!
Fitness Diva
Add to del.icio.us♦
DiggIt!♦
Reddit♦
Stumble This♦
Add to Google Bookmarks♦
Add to Yahoo MyWeb♦
Add to Technorati Faves♦
Slashdot it
