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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:
XenoBitch · 22/03/2024 20:43

YADNBU, and the pair of women sound like entitled twats. And I am glad you stood your ground and didn't move.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:41

WrylyAmused · 22/03/2024 20:27

You did nothing wrong. They were entitled.

Women in general need to stop even doubting or questioning themselves in these circumstances - standard response to this kind of shit is basically (in sentiment, not actual words unless they're particularly obnoxious):
"no, you are not worth more than me, kindly fuck off".

This is very true.

OP posts:
BernadetteStBernard · 22/03/2024 20:41

OMG you are defo NOT being unreasonable, what a cheek!

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:40

thecatsthecats · 22/03/2024 20:32

I had minor smug triumph at the gym a few years back. Group of women standing around the cardio equipment in the women's gym - only two of everything. One on a stationary treadmill, another half-heartedly biking and a third hovering near a CT. The other CT occupied.

Women talking loudly for the entirety of my 10m warm up and stretch. Fine if you want to, but a bit annoying in a tiny room.

I finish my warm up and climb on the free cross trainer.

Woman hovering nearby: "Oh, I'm using that."
Me: "Not very well, shall I demonstrate how?"

Headphones in, and enjoyed the heat from their looks of burning resentment as I did my routine.

That's brilliant!

OP posts:
CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:39

CormorantStrikesBack · 22/03/2024 20:32

But what constitutes “hogging”. People pay their money and have as much right as anyone else to use it. What if you were training for an ultramarathon?

we have one squat rack at the gym and there used to be a girl who would use it for over an hour every single evening. People used to grumble about her but she was never asked or told to move. Thankfully she’s left now. 😁

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

OP posts:
Nots456 · 22/03/2024 20:38

If they'd asked really nicely then I would have moved. But if she was rude and really did expect you to move then I think you did the right thing.

thecatsthecats · 22/03/2024 20:32

I had minor smug triumph at the gym a few years back. Group of women standing around the cardio equipment in the women's gym - only two of everything. One on a stationary treadmill, another half-heartedly biking and a third hovering near a CT. The other CT occupied.

Women talking loudly for the entirety of my 10m warm up and stretch. Fine if you want to, but a bit annoying in a tiny room.

I finish my warm up and climb on the free cross trainer.

Woman hovering nearby: "Oh, I'm using that."
Me: "Not very well, shall I demonstrate how?"

Headphones in, and enjoyed the heat from their looks of burning resentment as I did my routine.

CormorantStrikesBack · 22/03/2024 20:32

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.

But what constitutes “hogging”. People pay their money and have as much right as anyone else to use it. What if you were training for an ultramarathon?

we have one squat rack at the gym and there used to be a girl who would use it for over an hour every single evening. People used to grumble about her but she was never asked or told to move. Thankfully she’s left now. 😁

Gensola · 22/03/2024 20:30

No you weren’t unreasonable! I’m leaving my gym because lots of entitled parents bring small children and let them play on the machines and the management won’t do anything about it. It’s a Nuffield health club and not worth the extortionate fees to have to dodge 5 year olds hanging upside down off the machines

CormorantStrikesBack · 22/03/2024 20:29

Someone asked if they could have my weights the other day and I said no. I was resting (for 1 min) between sets. Which is recommended. And I knew he’d be longer than a minute. Plus there’s spare weights about twenty steps away he could go and use.

Really annoys me when people try and take your stuff or hurry you up. I’ve been sat on the leg press before and I literally only rest 1 min between sets and someone came and asked me if I was still using it ……I never use any bit of equipment (apart from a bench) for more than 5 mins. I said I was still using it and she stood there huffing for the next few mins as I was actually using it and then flounced off.

someone snuck a hand through the back of the cable machine once and took the rope attachment while I’d bent down to pick my water bottle up. I marched over to the other cable machine and took it back off him. It was obvious I was using it.

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:28

Ah I'm pleased that it's not just me thinking I was in the right then!

I do have a time im trying to beat too but tbh that wasn't all that important

OP posts:
Mmhmmn · 22/03/2024 20:27

You were absolutely righT to stay where you were.
Why the fuck should you move just for their convenience? How bloody entitled they are, really shocking.

WrylyAmused · 22/03/2024 20:27

You did nothing wrong. They were entitled.

Women in general need to stop even doubting or questioning themselves in these circumstances - standard response to this kind of shit is basically (in sentiment, not actual words unless they're particularly obnoxious):
"no, you are not worth more than me, kindly fuck off".

Greengagesnfennel · 22/03/2024 20:26

Yanbu!

HermioneWeasley · 22/03/2024 20:26

They were outrageously entitled and I’d complain about the staff member interrupting you

toomanyy · 22/03/2024 20:26

I was afraid you were going to say you moved!

So glad you didn’t!

Entitled twats.

Sandpitnotmoshpit · 22/03/2024 20:25

They are ridiculous. And I'd also complain to the manager that you were bothered at all by the staff member.

SameSameButDeliverance · 22/03/2024 20:25

I’d have laughed in their stupid face.

Actual Jog On!

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:25

LuciaSoto · 22/03/2024 20:22

not unreasonable, but I would also been really annoyed with the gym staff member, they shouldn’t have even come up and asked you.

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.

OP posts:
AffIt · 22/03/2024 20:24

Absolutely fucking not.

I'd also have quite a full and frank conversation with the manager about why the staff member saw fit to ask me how long I'd be.

CormorantStrikesBack · 22/03/2024 20:24

They were rude. I wouldn’t have moved either. Maybe they don’t understand the concept of a pre set program thing and just couldn’t understand why you couldn’t move to a different one.

Trickabrick · 22/03/2024 20:23

MolkosTeenageAngst · 22/03/2024 20:22

Not unreasonable at all. Interesting they approached you and not the bloke to move.

Exactly my thought, well done OP for sticking to your guns!

CatamaranViper · 22/03/2024 20:23

napody · 22/03/2024 20:20

Were they (and the staff member) hassling the bloke as well, or just you?

I don't actually know tbh as I was focussed on what I was doing and he was behind me. So maybe.

OP posts:
LuciaSoto · 22/03/2024 20:22

not unreasonable, but I would also been really annoyed with the gym staff member, they shouldn’t have even come up and asked you.

BreakfastAtMimis · 22/03/2024 20:22

I wouldn't have moved either. Adults wanting to be next to each other at the gym is just pathetic.

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