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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Asked to move at the gym

336 replies

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:16

Firstly, the way our gym is laid out, you walk in and all the cardio equipment is either side of you, facing the walls. The equipment is all in pairs so it goes two treadmills, two rowing machines, two cross trainers, two bikes, two treadmills etc on each side.
When I came in, all CTs were free so I hopped on one. I usually do a 40 min program which is customised on my profile. All the cardio equipment has a big screen and you can watch netflix etc if you want. I usually do watch something.

So I was on the CT with my headphones in, facing the wall and about 10 mins into my workout. A lady taps me on the shoulder which made me jump and asks me to move machine. I gestured to the one next to me (I was a bit out of breath) and told her that it was free. She then told me that her and her friend like to do it side by side so I'd need to move for them. I was only 10 mins into my workout and I was quite settled where I was and she was rude. I said no, I'll be 30 mins or so, you can use it then.

One of the other pairs of CTs had a bloke on one so there weren't any two free together, but plenty other equipment was available and in pairs.

She demanded I move again and I just put my headphones back in. A few mins later a staff member comes over and asks how long I'll be. The screens shows I have about 25 mins left now, he sees this and off he goes. Next thing I hear a bang and one of the ladies has stormed out the gym. The other one is glaring at me and saying something I can't hear.

I mean, I could have moved to another CT but i always find it difficult if I stop and start again on those machines and there were other free CTs, just not two together. I don't think I did anything wrong but thought I'd ask on here. So WIBU to stay on my machine?

OP posts:
LuciaSoto · 22/03/2024 21:36

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:25

I presume they told him I was hogging the machine. The staff are usually really good at asking people to free up equipment if they're hogging it.

The screen has a bar on it which shows how far into the workout you are so I presume he could see id only been on for 15 mins or so when he looked to see how long I had left.

I kind of get that when people are sitting and relaxing on it with a towel round their neck between sets, but actively running on a machine, seems to be an obvious acceptable use!

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 21:35

Malarandras · 22/03/2024 21:25

Have those two women never been to the gym before?! You do not ask someone mid-exercise to move. You were completely right OP good for you.

I honestly have no idea. I'm not much of a people watcher, especially at the gym. I'm a head down, in and out sort of person. I don't even use the changing rooms

OP posts:
Sneezingdust · 22/03/2024 21:28

YANBU, I’ve rarely went to the gym with other people - prefer going solo - but on the rare occasions I did back in my early 20s, I wouldn’t have dreamed of asking people to move so I could be next to my mate. Are they like 6 years old!? How entitled, bizarre and rude of those women!

Well done for sticking to your guns!

Malarandras · 22/03/2024 21:25

Have those two women never been to the gym before?! You do not ask someone mid-exercise to move. You were completely right OP good for you.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 21:21

CormorantStrikesBack · 22/03/2024 21:05

I agree with that. I don’t think two machines should be allowed and no more than two sets of dumbbells/weights. I can understand two different sets of dumbbells because you might be doing supersets. Or start with one weight and then drop down.

Yeah I mean I often take 2 sets of dumbbells or 1 set and a kettle bell if I'm doing supersets. But I do try and be mindful.
I never really go on the weight machines anymore because I find it too difficult to plan a workout around what equipment is free.

OP posts:
Frozensun · 22/03/2024 21:20

Honestly I’d have told them to bugger off. If they need company, they can go to the coffee shop. I find these type of people half-heartedly exercise while chatting continuously. You were there first, they can either wait or get on something else!

AngryLikeHades · 22/03/2024 21:13

Christ, is she 4 years old???
Yes good for you for not moving.

BobbyBiscuits · 22/03/2024 21:08

@Gensola I can't believe they allow little kids into the gym, at a posh one as well. Surely all machines have an age and or weight limit/minimum?
I used to have to politely excuse children who are just lingering on the rusty old CT at the park gym, haha. Wouldn't complain as it's free but I wouldn't want that at Nuffield or other expensive place.

CormorantStrikesBack · 22/03/2024 21:05

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:39

So like if someone is 'using' two machines (hopping between the two) they'll tell them they can't do that if someone is waiting. Or if someone takes 5 different size weights and won't let others use them

I agree with that. I don’t think two machines should be allowed and no more than two sets of dumbbells/weights. I can understand two different sets of dumbbells because you might be doing supersets. Or start with one weight and then drop down.

byteme1011 · 22/03/2024 21:05

So so glad you stayed put! So many folk use the cardio machines to warm up so presumably someone else would have finished using one (so a pair free) before you

MamaToABeautifulBoy · 22/03/2024 21:05

Ha. I’d have taken a good deal of pleasure in telling them to get to fuck.

The audacity of some people is astounding. How dare they interrupt your bloody work out. Fucks sake. I’m wound up on your behalf now 🤣

hugely relieved you didn’t move, I don’t think I’d have coped otherwise!

JayAlfredPrufrock · 22/03/2024 20:59

My DD was bullied off a machine at her gym recently. She’s only young and needs to find her balls.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:58

BobbyBiscuits · 22/03/2024 20:55

Why didn't they 'make' the man on the other bank of machines move?
I used to go to a small gym with only 2 CTs and if it wasn't free I'd just do weight machines or other stuff until it was. If anyone tried to make me move I'd have been mortified. Maybe at a push politely ask how long they'll be.
I reckon they just wanted to socialise else why not just hop on any free machine. It's sounds so childish.."I need to sit next to my friend' and if not they storm off.
Their loss. It's a gym not a social club/cafe.

They possibly did approach him. As the machines face the wall, he was behind me facing the other way and I was very absorbed in an episode of Schitts Creek so I have no idea if he was approached first.

OP posts:
CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:56

Also, if you ever do need to interrupt anyone on those sorts of machines, don't tap them on the shoulder. Especially if they have headphones in. It really made me jump!

OP posts:
Brotherstogether3 · 22/03/2024 20:56

Why should you move ? Absolutely not ! And please complain about the gym member. I absolutely hate my workout being disrupted it totally puts me off and they should NOT be asking you how long you’ll be. You’ll be how long you’ll be

BobbyBiscuits · 22/03/2024 20:55

Why didn't they 'make' the man on the other bank of machines move?
I used to go to a small gym with only 2 CTs and if it wasn't free I'd just do weight machines or other stuff until it was. If anyone tried to make me move I'd have been mortified. Maybe at a push politely ask how long they'll be.
I reckon they just wanted to socialise else why not just hop on any free machine. It's sounds so childish.."I need to sit next to my friend' and if not they storm off.
Their loss. It's a gym not a social club/cafe.

XenoBitch · 22/03/2024 20:53

DutchCowgirl · 22/03/2024 20:51

yanbu, but … my gym has a rule you shouldn’t use one machine longer than half an hour, because otherwise some people occupy machines like poolbeds at a resort. So maybe check if there is such a rule at your place because 40 mins sounds like a long time to me. So last week at my gym i tapped a guy on the shoulder who was already running for 40 minutes and i was waiting for a treadmill. He was annoyed by it , but i believe i was in my right to do so.

The ladies in the OP wanted machines next to each other. There were free ones they could have used albeit apart from one another.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:52

DutchCowgirl · 22/03/2024 20:51

yanbu, but … my gym has a rule you shouldn’t use one machine longer than half an hour, because otherwise some people occupy machines like poolbeds at a resort. So maybe check if there is such a rule at your place because 40 mins sounds like a long time to me. So last week at my gym i tapped a guy on the shoulder who was already running for 40 minutes and i was waiting for a treadmill. He was annoyed by it , but i believe i was in my right to do so.

Definitely not a rule at my gym. The staff actually set my custom program on my account as part of my fitness goal after my most recent consultation.

OP posts:
toomanyy · 22/03/2024 20:52

DutchCowgirl · 22/03/2024 20:51

yanbu, but … my gym has a rule you shouldn’t use one machine longer than half an hour, because otherwise some people occupy machines like poolbeds at a resort. So maybe check if there is such a rule at your place because 40 mins sounds like a long time to me. So last week at my gym i tapped a guy on the shoulder who was already running for 40 minutes and i was waiting for a treadmill. He was annoyed by it , but i believe i was in my right to do so.

But these women interrupted OP at just 10 minutes in!

DutchCowgirl · 22/03/2024 20:51

yanbu, but … my gym has a rule you shouldn’t use one machine longer than half an hour, because otherwise some people occupy machines like poolbeds at a resort. So maybe check if there is such a rule at your place because 40 mins sounds like a long time to me. So last week at my gym i tapped a guy on the shoulder who was already running for 40 minutes and i was waiting for a treadmill. He was annoyed by it , but i believe i was in my right to do so.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:48

RagzRebooted · 22/03/2024 20:46

I can't believe people actually behave like this. WTF?

Ha, I've worked in hospitality for years and honestly, it doesn't shock me anymore. I vividly remember a group taking chairs from a decorated reserved table because "only the table is reserved".

I feel like these people are those people.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 22/03/2024 20:48

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:46

DH reckons I've now got a pair of enemies at the gym.

Stuff em. You are at the gym for you, not anyone else.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:46

DH reckons I've now got a pair of enemies at the gym.

OP posts:
RagzRebooted · 22/03/2024 20:46

I can't believe people actually behave like this. WTF?

AngelQuartz · 22/03/2024 20:44

Good for you OP, I would have done the exact same as your! I can’t believe the entitlement of some people nowadays. Some adults are worse than children when it comes to “being next to a friend”.

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