What were they thinking?

What were you thinking?  Did you get dressed in the dark today?  Have you ever found yourself asking these questions while at the gym? As someone who frequents the gym I ask myself the two questions above almost every time I am there.  Every time I answer either one of the two questions to myself I get a little surprised.  I am not normally one to say something about what a person is wearing because it is a sign of expression but at least be appropriately dressed when exercising.  Continue reading and you might be just as surprised as I am when I walk in the door.

• Button down shirt - The gym isn't the office.  Go out to the store and buy yourself a t-shirt for a couple of dollars.  Go to Target and get a package of plain white shirts.  I am a proud owner of a few of them so that I can wear them to the gym.  If they get worn out or dirty they can be thrown away without much monetary loss.  If you do not want the plain white go to Old Navy and get an inexpensive shirt in a different color.  Heck, if you like something a little more pricey go to Victoria's Secret or a department store for a top to wear to the gym.
• Jeans or flannel pants - Yes, I have seen this many times as well.  First off, jeans, really??  There is no way that a person can really move while wearing constricting bottoms.  Yes, you can take a nice walk in a pair of jeans but you can't run or get the full "workout" with them on.  The other bottom I see frequently is flannel pajama pants.  I do not care how old you are go to the store and buy a pair of leggings, yoga pants, sweat pants, shorts, anything else that is a comfortable bottom.  There are so many different stores you can go and buy bottoms in.  My favorite pair of exercise pants come from Victoria's Secret.
• Boat Shoes - This type of shoe is one that is on my list of a style I want.  I want a pair but I do not want to see them on your feet at the gym while you are running or walking on the treadmill.  You do not have to spend over $100 on the latest style of running sneaker or anywhere near that amount.  I only wear sneakers to the gym so for me to invest in a pair that cost over $100 I do not really see a point.  If you are an athlete or someone who wears them around go ahead and spend the money.  I tend to be one to purchase my sneakers at either DSW or Famous Footwear.  At either of these locations I can get the name brand shoe for much less than other stores.  There are so many different styles I do not see you having a problem finding something you like.
• Clothing that is too tight - Please, for the love of all things that are bright and cheerful get clothing that fits you!  Maybe someday you will be able to fit into that tight shirt or pair of pants but not today.  Going to the gym frequently will allow for you to wear it in the future.  You do not have to wear a shirt or pant that is extremely large but please wear something you are not hanging out of.  Stores listed above have a great selection of items to wear.
• Really short shorts - One item that is maybe okay to wear to the beach and certainly in the privacy of your own home but not at the gym.  I do not care to see your "bits and pieces" while I am walking in your direction or while you are in front of me on another cardio machine.  Is it that difficult to wear something that is, I don't know, larger than a pair of underwear?  Yeah, I did not think it would be that difficult.

There are a few other things that I notice every once in a while that has nothing to do with gym attire but I feel need addressing.

• Smoking - If you are going to smoke a cigarette before working out at least try to not smell of it.  I do not need to be 30 minutes into cardio when you hop on the machine next to me and now I have to breathe in the after effects of the cigarette.  Another thing on the topic of smoking is do you really need to light up as soon as you leave the gym?  Doesn't it defeat the purpose of trying to be healthy and spending at least the past hour exercising?
• Drinking coffee while exercising - Starbucks cup or a hot thermos do not belong in the cup holder of the bike, treadmill, elliptical, or in your hands while you are walking to the weights.  Water of its many varieties works best or even a Gatorade or sports drink.
• Smelling - If you come into the gym smelling bad while you exercise that smell is not going away. In fact, it will probably just get worse causing me and the other people around you to have to hold their breath in fear of passing out from the terrible B.O. you cloud yourself with that is if we do not pass out from holding our breath first.

What are some of your gym pet peeves?  When do you ask yourself the two questions I opened with?  Share some with me.