credit: flickr
Planet Fitness made quite a splash this past week when they kicked a woman out of their gym — banned FOREVER — because, after several warnings, she still talked on her mobile phone whenever and wherever she wanted. This despite the fact that the gym posts signs everywhere informing members of the ban AND that there was a designated area where phone calls could take place.
Did Generation Rude strike again or did Planet Fitness over-react?
This whole topic came up when I came across a discussion about it on Facebook with Heather Frey of SmashFit and her friends. There seemed to be two camps.
One side thought that unless you are expecting a VERY important phone call, don’t answer your phone in the gym. If such a call does come in, pause your workout and move to a quieter part of the gym. The other side felt it was okay to answer your phone, IF you kept it brief, especially if you run a business while on the go and you’ve got to take a call or two now and then.
I have to say I’m in the first camp. I actually prefer no phones at all on the gym floor (in my case, my Pilates studio). We request clients keep their phones in the waiting area; that said, I’ve got a much smaller space than a gym and we can hear phones ringing all the time in people’s purses. My clients, though, don’t get up to check unless they are expecting an important call and then they duck into the hallway to take it. That’s just being polite as far as I’m concerned.
Safety of Phones in the Gym
There are a couple of legitimate issues here. Although I haven’t seen studies (I searched), it’s likely that you’d pay about as much attention to a workout when on the phone as you would while driving and talking on the phone. In other words, you’ll be distracted, and one misstep on a treadmill or dropped weight on a foot hurts like heck. (Even worse, what if you drop it on someone else?)
The other major issue at play are cameras on smart phones. Yes, there are losers who will record video or snap a pic of you. Having a camera on the floor, or God forbid in the locker room, could mean candids on the internet without your knowledge. If you dare, Google “naked gym locker room” and see what you get. Made me shudder.
My Pilates studio used to be in a gym that banned all cell phone use on the premises just for this reason. For several members, who used their phones as a music player, they had to bring an additional electronic device or none at all to work out. Most didn’t appreciate this rule until the reason why was explained and then they understood even if they still grumbled a bit.
Phones in Public and Rudeness
I think all of this just comes down to common courtesy. No one wants to hear about the intimate details of your life. People go to the gym to exercise and that’s it. If you really must take a call, step out and keep your conversation private. Do you want some random stranger knowing your weekend plans or the details of some business deal anyway?
That’s what I think … but how about you? Maybe you’re in the second camp … that it’s okay to grab a call if it’s brief. The world is changing these days, so sometimes you just gotta pick up. Thoughts?
Cheers,
Lisa
Twitter
I don’t think phones should be banned from the gym floor (mainly cardio areas like treadmills, bikes, etc.), but I do think talking on them should be banned. You can always send and receive texts if something is urgent. But, I use my phone to listen to music or watch videos while I work out. If I had to buy a separate device to bring in, I would not be a happy camper.
Now places like yoga and pilates studios – absolutely turn them off. Nothing worse than being in quiet meditation and hearing a phone blaring some ring tone.
Just my two cents.
I dont think they should be banned from the gym
shoot now i finally got a droid it’s my music player too!
and yes, i do post pics of my workouts on instagram, twitter, FB via my phone
and I run my own biz so i’m attached to my phone
and honestly some of the conversations amongst people standing next to each other are more obnoxious than someone answering their phone
not to mention the ones who come into gym where tons of cologne/perfume
I mean seriously?
I get to gym at 445 a.m. why do they have to reek that early? that should be banned before phones! lol
and yes I agree though that places like yours and yoga studios, etc. no place for phone but regular gym with the music blaring, people talking, weights banging and cardio equipment humming away..who cares about a cell phone?
but that’s just me
maybe its good I go so early, hardly anyones there?!
We always put the stipulation out there “unless is an important or urgent call” let’s be honest, these aren’t and are not going to be important calls happening. You aren’t working out you’re using the gym as your escape and now you’re catching up with whomever. There is a woman in my gym that LOUDLY stays on the phone the entire time. And like most she either is so caught up in her conversation that she either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care that she’s loud and often in the way and bothering others. It’s not just annoying its rude and a distraction. Go sit in your car, go pace the parking lot, go home.
The majority of you have an excellent point which is, if we act like adults we can bring our phones in with us. As that woman at Planet Fitness showed, if you’re going to act like a spoiled brat then you’re going to get a different ending.
Malita, the obnoxious people should definitely be weeded out and you should make the staff do something about it. L–
We have exactly the same issue at my golf club. When I first joined in 2005, smart phones hadn’t yet made a big entry and most of the people at the club (over 55 yrs old) frowned on cell phones in general, so there were signs at the entrances and a policy that there were to be NO cell phones at all, either on the golf course or in the clubhouse. To use a phone you had to be in the parking lot.
In those days, texting and social media was unknown and cell phones were legitimately called “yell phones” and the prevailing attitude was that mobile phones were an unnecessary and bothersome “new fangled” extravagance only to be used by the socially retarded.
Over time, of course, cell phones became a part of people’s lives. They kept contact with their kids and businesses with them and generally carried them everywhere. And I think a new social convention emerged. Polite people, although they may have carried a phone, did not blab on their phones in restaurants, theaters, trains or other quiet places where other people could hear. Considerate people turn off or at least mute their phones when around others. The younger, or more technically astute members of the club caught on to this trend, although many of the older members chose to remain ignorant and grouchy.
I always found the NO CELL PHONES signs at the doors of our clubhouse to be fussy, old-farty and off-putting; a relic of the WWII generation that didn’t want to learn anything new. In fact, when I was on the Board of Governors of the club a couple of years ago, I made a motion to the board to reconsider the absolute prohibition of phones, citing how this might be making the club unwelcoming for younger prospective members who are the life-blood of any golf club. Ultimately the board decided to keep the policy on the books, but to act on it only if a reasonable complaint was made. That is, if someone was using a phone in such a way as to disturb others in the club house or hold up play on the golf course (the cardinal sin at a golf course!). This has worked out pretty well, but perhaps only because we’re a private club that is selective about who we admit.
It’s a tough issue because while most people have sense enough to excuse themselves to a private area to take a call and not bother anyone, a few remain inconsiderate and boorish. In my mind, our club made a very reasonable decision. Keep the rule on the books, but enforce it only if there’s a reasonable compalint. I think organizations are cowardly about calling an asshole out. They want a “rule” that doesn’t discriminate, but like the TSA, this does nothing but make life difficult for honest, considerate people.
Joe I hear you and very well put. It’s always the one or two dingleheads who ruin it for everyone else. I think there should be a sign that says. “We respect your ability to use proper decorum and judgment when using your mobile phone in areas where it might disturb other people.” or “We judge you when you have poor mobile phone etiquette” lol
Lisa