First off: IMAGO, SHUT THE HELL UP.

Secondly:

I will admit it: I don't understand the whole "working in" concept.

I understand that if I'm taking forever on a certain machine and someone else really needs to use the machine for whatever reason, I should be courteous and share with them by letting them take turns. THAT I understand.

Now, if there's an identical machine just a few feet away that nobody's using, I do *NOT* understand why someone would ask me to work in. Go use the machine nobody is using! Right?

I mean, is there some social component that I'm missing about the whole "working in" phenomena - is it like being at a cotillion and having someone cut in to dance with my partner? Is it some kind of social ice-breaker ritual?

EXAMPLE:

So today, I wanted to do my little hand weight exercises, but someone was using one of the two hand weights I wanted. So I waited for the person to finish. No problem. When he put the weight back on the rack and I reached for it, ANOTHER guy came up to me and said "can we work in with you?"

Now, wait. WHAT?!?

How can you ask to work in when I haven't even begun to work OUT yet? And with free weights, how the hell do you know I'm going to be doing the same thing you and your buddy are doing? And there's another free weight area on the other side of the room. I got to this weight first. WHY can't you guys go over there and find what you need?

But I did my best to take the high road: I just smiled and said "you know what, I'm not much of a worker-inner, so why don't you just take the weights and I'll mozy along."



And so I went to the other weight area, found exactly what I needed, and finished my workout.

Were these people just lazy bullies? Was I out of line for thinking they were rude? Is there a code of honor regarding working in that has some weird social component, like freemasons or something? Is there a written code of working in that I can access online somewhere? I need schooled.

If you go to a gym, do you care when people ask you to work in? Is there a point where you say no?

I just want people to leave me alone. I look ridiculous enough at the gym without having to figure out other people's weirdness.

Can I work in with your topic?

Cinnie said:

I don't know how you can handle the gym at all.

NDRU said:

usually, it's not so bad. since i work nights, i can go in the afternoon and it's relatively dead and i can do my thing in peace. there was some obnoxocil pumped into the air supply today or something, i don't know.

You selfish bastard.

Imago said:

i started this thread with a special secret message just for you! did you see it?

Anxiety said:

I'm sorry I don't know what "work in" means either.

Anxiety said:

When I think if the gym all I smell is sweat & all I see is that guy who refuses to wear a towel in the bathroom.

Actually I went to my mom's gym recently and it was pretty deserted. But the one near my house is always packed.

I've never heard of 'working in', but I have to say this whole thing sounds absurd and I feel for you. You sound like a normal, rational person and this 'working in' nonsense sounds like, well, nonsense.

People at the gym should just leave you alone.

Was he flirting??

Anxiety said:

I got you're special secret message right here:

Fauxie said:

You people are selfish bastards.




"working in" is very common.


Some guys prefer a machine over another, even if they are similar machines. If you've been working out at the same gym for a while, sometimes you just start to prefer one over the other.

And working in allows the perfect rest time between sets.


Plus, he probably wants to fuck you, as I've learned. And most guys with the balls to ask to work in with you are buff and muscular types. Fucking one of them is a lot of fun.


I'm told.

I only know the term in relation to cooking. You work in the butter or sugar. DOn't know it made it to "Working In" exercise routines

But if the gym is relatively empty, I do find it weird they have to 'work it' in with you as opposed to just doing another machine and circling around.

Imago said:

it's YOUR, you BOOB. not YOU'RE.

i know it's difficult to always express yourself succinctly when you're using a second-hand keyboard purchased at koko the gorilla's yard sale, but for the love of benji, WILL YOU TRY????

Wait. Do you have the same reputation at they gym as you do here on the org? Perhaps he was just looking for a lunch time quicky from a sure thing.

Are you sure you're not just bragging about a lunch time hookup with a buff dude?

You strike me as the type to kiss and tell.

UGH. Sometimes you gross me out.


At least make sure it's wrapped, fool.

As with many activities in life, including masturbation, my main goal is always to seek out a time to do things when the fewest number of people are around to bother me.

Imago said:

so if there's one seat on the bus that i like more than the others and someone's sitting in it, is it then acceptable for me to ask them to move, or is it just my tough luck for taking public transportation?



i don't like having "perfect rest time" decided for me by some schmoe i don't know.




imago, could ya BE any more predictable?

CarrieMpls said:

NO! i don't THINK he was flirting. he looked like a wood hippie and he appeared to be training some other guy, which confused me further because if i was teaching someone i'd use the less populated area.

Anxiety said:

UGH. Bossy bottoms
You're problem is you don't like being told what to do.



And we're not talking about buses, fool! We're talking about the gym!

Who the hell gets on a bus looking for ass?


No wait. I'm asking the wrong guy. I'll just wait to read it from your memoirs... thanks.

Imago said:

shouldn't you be busy wrapping your bangs in foil or something?

Anxiety said:

Like a park?

Imago said:

imago,

go find a copy of Amish Inches and some lotion RIGHT NOW.

go lock yourself in the bathroom for 3 minutes.

then come back and approach this thread from a less distracted perspective.

sincerely,
anx


yes. i'm masterbanning you.

I know this is irrelevant, but what exactly do you wear at the gym?


And I mean you specifically, not "you" as a generalization--so I don't give a shit about anybody else's answer but Anxiety's

Imago said:

my favorite gym outfit is an aqua terry cloth tube top with snags and a pair of kelly green velour short shorts.

OMG, I just pictured you in step aerobics sweating your ass off to Donna Summer's "Hard For her Money"




Oh God, I'm having one of my toilet fantasies again, aren't I?