What's Up at the Gym?
 

When it's too cold for cycling, I go to the Y.M.C.A. I usually start with some time on the LifeCycle--they have a few uprights and many recumbents, both kinds the most uncomfortable machines I've ever planted my keester on, but that's a different issue. As long as I've been going to gyms I've noticed that a lot of people climb on the exercycles and cover the displays with their towels. What's up with this? Are they, in some kind of reverse vanity, hiding that they have the things set a a level they consider embarassingly low, or does covering the display somehow help them with their workout?

I do this all the time. It must be a psychological thing, I can't bear to see how much time is left. I need some type of distraction.

I do it to cover up the time, and to keep my sweat from dripping all over the display.

I'm with hotch on this one.

When I ride outside I never go less than 1:30 and prefer to go 2:00 or more. I couldn't do that on a gym bike if you paid me. I watch that stupid clock roll and want to die. 20 minutes seems like an eternity on those things. I hate to admit this, but I will plan to be on the exer-bike to coincide with a sitcom, Pardon the Interruption, whatever else...just to keep me on the seat for 30 minutes.

I just don't care. I don't use a computer and I don't want to know my hr, my miles, my rpms or anything. The style riding I do relys on balls, power and then conditioning :)...Those computer give me too much to analyze and end up costing me a good workout instead of helping me.

Then again, I don't ride stationaries any more. Ecliptic all the way when I hit the gym :D

well i rarely ride the gym bikes -- i usually ride (or run) TO the gym, lift and RIDE home, so no need for cardio at the gym... also a great way to get mor training into your day!

but when i do use the cardi machines i ALWAYS watch the time closely. otherwise, what else is there to do? or else i will quit early - have to have a goal...

hi!.. i noticed the ppl covering the displays with their towels also.. figured they just didn't really want to look at numbers.
i tend to use a bike for about a 20 minute warmup before doing an hour of weights.. then on the eliptical or treadmill for 30 minutes.
yeah i look at the display..makes me keep my heart rate up and not slack off... sometimes do a few sprints for fun... usually there is nothing on thetv monitors to watch anyways.. lucky for me my club plays good music to work out to. :)

It's interesting, the different things we do for motivation. I couldn't ride an exercycle without looking at the display clock counting down so I can think, "Only ten more minutes on this awful thing."

That's the issue I think. If I can do something other than watche that number tick down, things are usually better. I try to watch the tv's they have on the wall. But still it's hell.

I far prefer the spinning class. Being engaged with the music and a good instructor makes if far more enjoyable than the cardio bikes in the other room. Additionally, the feel of the bike is a little close to a real bike.

Dito fubar.
I just cover the time up and go. I know what 100rpms feels like and how long 35min is with out looking. If I can see the time it seems to take forever to go by. It also keeps my sweat off the machine.

Actually, there was a funny article about "how to be a jerk at the gym" about people's rude behavior. Some people cover the display so no one can see if they're over the time limit! I don't cover it, though, I could care less. It was a pretty funny article, though.

But there are things people do at the gym that drive me nuts. I was just posting about this on usenet. Like people, especially women who come to the gym REEKING of perfume. Peeeyew!

The only thing worse is guys reeking!

:eek:

One lady at work even told me about the horrible,
"man-smell..."

:cry:

I do that all the time also. I dislike either setting or standing and watching the digital read out of progress...it's boring. I could care less as to what others think because my elliptical rpm's are around 75-80.

You're probably right, some are probably embarrassed to some degree and that's sad.

When I use any of the CV equipment at the gym I like to see the display. I tend to set myself a target I want to acheive and use the display to make sure I'm on track and to push myself along.

the one thing that does demoralise me is the TV it is so boring during a workout. Give me a CD player anytime.

I don't know about you guys sometimes...;) ...I don't ride the gym bikes, but I ride trainers. I find it motivating to look at the time and say to myself, "Alright! 15 minutes down, only 15 to go! That's halfway! Yeah!". I enjoy seeing the time tick away, and knowing I'm making progress with it.

I know, it must sound weird...

Velo, I don't think it sounds weird.... I forgot to mention that I wear a Polar 710 all the time, including while at my desk. I get a buzz knowing my pulse and how many calories I've burned or how far I've traveled during a long hard sweaty ride... or a stressful day at work. What I don't like is excessive digital feedback.

I have to admit, that the tv at the gym can get boring- at that that time of day has nothing worth watching, except on weekends they have sports (except football yuck). At least during spinning classes you get race videos!

Know what annoys me? People who yammer incessantly- you're trying to work out or count your reps and they come over and start blathering about stuff you don't care about! ONe lady at the gym, she's very nice actually, but is always yammering on about how jesus makes her happy. I don't wanna hear about it! She's a very nice lady and I am always nice to her but I run the other way when she starts preachin' about jesus and the lord.