Cell Phone on the Treadmill

This probably sounds like a pet peeve, which it kind of is, but it's actually more of a puzzling inquiry. Why do people talk on their cell phones while exercising at the gym? Does it make any sense to be huffing and puffing away on the Elliptical machine while trying to carry on a conversation? Would you want to be the person on the other end of that conversation?

It's actually a sad commentary on the life of the person guilty of this act. You take time out of your schedule to exercise your body (which is commendable) but you cannot pry the phone away from your ear for even 20 minutes? Granted, the gym is a noisy place to begin with; there's the rock music playing on loud speakers, the hum of dozens of machines, and various other activities that create noise. But even with all this noise, it's still a good idea to take 20 minutes for yourself--not just physically, but mentally. I just do not understand this need to have a cell phone plugged into your head every waking hour--even when you're out of breath on the treadmill!

One of my favorite forms of exercise is Yoga. Yoga focuses not just on the body, but on making the body/mind connection. It's important to focus on the mind/body connection so that each exercise is effective, not just repetitive movement. I suppose in certain instances, some people do need to have their cell phone with them when exercising. But I believe that in this increasingly fast-paced, stressful life so many Americans pursue, it's also important to take care of yourself physically and mentally. A good first step would be leaving the cell phone in the locker room.