So you’re trying to get fit and healthy and you decide to pick up weight lifting at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC). As a girl, strength training is great for building lean sexy muscle that ends up burning extra calories when your body is at rest. Sounds great, right? 

The bottom floor of the ARC has the largest selection of strength training machines and free weights, but also the largest selection of meatheads and bros. Great.

1. Why is everyone grunting?

The grunting level on the bottom floor is so constant. Okay, I get it bro, you’re lifting some heavy weight and you’re pushing out your last few reps. That’s totally cool. But when you’re making so much noise that I can hear you on the other side of the floor, I’m going to need you to stop. 

2. Why are you slamming your weights?

Related to our first thought, slamming weights is just as annoying as excessive grunting. Again, I understand that you’re trying to push yourself and hit your max, but I really would rather hear my music instead of your plates smacking against each other. 

3. Why are you looking at me?

Listen up bros. Girls are sick and tired of the creepy stares and occasional thirsty pick up attempts. We just want to go to the gym, knock out a killer workout and get out. No one is going to find their next hookup at the ARC (that’s what Tinder is for). So all I ask is just focus on your own workout. Please and thank you! 

4. Why are there so many stairs, holy s#!t, I hate you stairs.

Leg day is my best friend and worst enemy. If you’re not familiar with the sensation of a good leg day, it’s something like walking around on painful peg legs while your sore butt feels like it’s being attacked by a swarm of angry bees every time you sit down or stand up. It’s fantastic and also debilitating. Yay squats! 

5. Why are you on your phone/iPod?

This is my biggest gym pet peeve—if you’re on your phone or iPod, just scrolling around and sitting on a machine that I’m waiting for, I hate you more than the stairs after leg day. If you’re in the gym, you should put all your focus on your workout, not on your electronic devices. Do yourself a favor and leave the phones at home or in a locker, your workout will be so much better. 

So if you didn’t know, now you know and I hope you decide to venture down there some time because strength training should have a part in everyone’s workout. And if you’re an ARC veteran, keep up the good workouts and may the gains be ever in your favor!