Space Invaders at the Gym

It’s as predictable as it is unpleasant.

The gym in January is not a pretty place to be.

For regular gym-goers, it means two things: it is going to be extra-crowded until people give up on their resolutions, and there are going to be many people lacking gym etiquette.

I keep the bar low when it comes to manners at the gym. Talking on your cellphone? I can tune you out with my iPod. Hogging the treadmill? No problem, I’ll do the elliptical today. Not wiping down your machine? I clean it before I get on.

No, my biggest pet peeve at the gym is probably so trivial, I’m embarrassed to admit it with all that there is going on in the world. Here goes: It’s unbearable to me when there is a row of open machines and someone picks the treadmill right next to mine.

Call me the territory police, but I like not feeling smothered when I’m working out. I'm sweaty. I don't want to feel like I am racing the person next to me, and, in general, I like my space. Is that so wrong?

So, just askin’, what bothers you the most at the gym?