Shut UP at the Gym!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

filed under: karyn bryant

Karyn Bryant: When I hit the gym, I hit it hard. That's the point in my mind. But not in Betty Bringdown's: apparently she goes to the gym not to run laps but to yap yap yap. And she's ruining my 90 minutes of me-time.

I know you've met Betty -- she's the one on the phone on the treadmill next to you who tells everyone within earshot about her crappy day, complains about her husband/boyfriend and whines about work. I was recently having a crappy day myself, and went to the gym to shake it off. I set my Nano to Justin Timberlake, cleared my mind of all the mama drama and proceeded to do my hills and sprints. Betty, meanwhile, wouldn't shut the hell up. I tried to drown her out with Jane's Addiction instead and that barely worked. Thanks Betty. Thanks for being the ridiculously garrulous hurricane that rained all over my mental vacation.

What I really wanted to do was snap Betty with my towel and inform her that:
A: It's not really a workout if the only thing sweating and cramping is your tongue.
B: Holding a cell phone to your ear does not count as lifting weights. It's a lame isometric exercise at best.
C: If she ran her legs half as much as she ran her mouth maybe her husband/boyfriend would pay her more attention. (Harsh, but you know it's true.)

I like to wind down my workouts with a sauna session. At 160℉ I seem to be able to solve any remaining problems and sweat the stress of motherhood away. But as I lay there mentally organizing my office, Betty strolled in still on the phone!!! Is that even safe??? I beg you Betty Bringdown, please stop yapping at the gym. Because you're making me and my blog sound just like you, and that's a real drag.

Join Karyn Bryant in the COMMUNITY!

Karyn Bryant is a television personality who's hosted shows on networks such as CNN, TNT, VH1, and MTV. She's currently a reporter for Showtime Championship Boxing and CBS' Saturday Night Fights, and the EVP/Director of MMAheat.com, an online destination for fans of MMA and pop culture. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.

6 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

100% agree. At the gym or even when sitting alone at a coffee shop. I am there for a reason. And if I wanted to chit chat with you “Miss Betty” I would have called and invited you.

- Amy

Posted 04/05/09 09:08 AM

if you want to say something then just do it, at the very least she will leave the area your in so you don’t have to deal with her.

- N

Posted 04/05/09 10:02 AM

tell her to shut the f*** up!

- Anonymous

Posted 04/05/09 11:20 AM

you get 90 minutes to yourself? Maybe you should be the one to shut up.

- Anonymous

Posted 04/05/09 11:49 AM

I totally agree…I never take my head phones off or make eye contact. Im there for me not to listen to other people. Next time make it a point to not get friendly with people at the gym, once you make it a social thing you’ll waste the whole hour chatting.

- Leslie

Posted 04/05/09 05:52 PM

Go to a new gym. How simple is that? Don’t like where you are at? No one is forcing you to stay! It’s a public place, get used to it. It happens EVERYHWERE…… not just your Gym.

- amused

Posted 05/24/09 08:10 AM