Obnoxious Gym Member: Would You Confront Him?
Hidden cameras roll as WWYD actor seriously annoys people at a gym.
March 9, 2011 — -- Good manners at the gym are sometimes hard to come by. With more than 45 million Americans belonging to fitness centers across the country, many get a little too close for comfort with people who simply don't abide by gym etiquette.
We wondered what would happen when we pushed the boundaries of what people find acceptable at a gym, to the point where it actually interrupted another's workout.
We set up our hidden cameras at the East Islip Health and Fitness Center in Long Island, N.Y. Dan, an actor, plays our rude gym member, oblivious to any of the unspoken rules of the gym.
"Got one more on that…" he says to John Bilello, a longtime fitness center member who wants to use a Nautilus machine Dan's just worked a set on.
A few seconds later, Dan's cell phone rings. But instead of taking the call outside and allowing someone else to use the machine … he simply carries on with his conversation right then and there. It's a classic case of ignoring gym etiquette. You know the other types too: the loud talker, the sneezer, off-key singer, and of course, the over-the-top grunter. Today, Dan is going for the Royal Flush.
"Yeah, I'm at the gym… It's a good workout today," Dan says into his cell phone.
"Hey, can I work in there while you're on the phone?" asks John once more when Dan stops his conversation.
"I'm sending a text, sorry," replies Dan, without missing a beat.
"I just want to bang three sets out… You are not supposed to monopolize one piece of equipment!" says John, becoming more and more irritated.
"It's just one set," Dan says.
But, despite John's protests, Dan will not let go of his machine. His one set has become many more, and time just keeps ticking away for our agitated gym member.
"I never saw anyone do a hundred sets on their abs before," John says.
"That's 'cause nobody works out like me…" boasts Dan, and then, as if he weren't pushing it already, he adds, "Can you help me count?"
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