(no subject)

[rozk]

I am more or less fascinated by the story in e.g. the Guardian and here
http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4457828.stm
about the guy who was told by his gym to cover up his hairy armpits. Aside from the aesthetofascism aspect of the situation, there is the bizarre lie involved in the statement that his sweat might damage the equipment.
I mean, who on earth designs gym equipment that could be damaged by sweat?

Comments

[oursin.livejournal.com]

And surely the problem, if it is a problem could be dealt with (since even people with covered armpits tend to drip while doing strenuous stuff on gym machines) by notices asking people to wipe down the equipment after use, with provision of paper towels?

Not that they necessarily do even if reminded - have been icked by sweat-slippery handles on gym machines more than once.

[abostick59.livejournal.com]

The sweat argument is absolute nonsense. Even if it were the case that exposed armpits resulted in more sweat being left on the equipment than otherwise, the patron should simply mop it up with his towel, exactly as he should if he were wearing a T-shirt.

[themongkey.livejournal.com]

Sounds a bit like the suntan lotion that says on the bottle "keep in a cool dry place away from bright light..."

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

Wrong question. Here's a better question. Who designed people so that they'll give you any bullshit excuse sooner than say "this is my arbitrary rule and I intend to enforce it"?

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

The link's broken.

[(Anonymous)]

AIUI most gym equipment manufacturers do, as do many sports equipment manufacturers. Not as some bizarre conspiracy against gym users, but because (for reasons of cost) most gym equipment is at best covered with pleather, and sweat and pleather do not mix. Sweat wins everytime. Wiping down at best delays replacement.

Can't say what sweat might do to the metal or plastic parts, but IME sweat and metal don't necessarily mix well either. I have no idea what it is in the chemical composition of sweat that does this, but whatever it is, it's strong enough to have a deleterious effect on bikes when used on indoor rollers. The damage done by, um, drips to raw metal *or* on three coats of enamel plus four of paint is enough to have me (frex) prepare the bike for its winter life indoors on rollers by swaddling the bike in enough layers of J-cloths to look like an extra for a Pre-Frayed Blue and White Mummy movie.

Which would go straight to DVD, natch.
Lin

[no-absolutes.livejournal.com]

grrr, body fascism makes the baby Jesus cry.
just fyi, thete1 tells me you're writing a book? go you! i'm friending you, feel free to peek in at my userinfo or to remain aloof to my lurkage.