Asked to move at the gym

Tbh generally speaking, sadly a lot of people have anxiety or depression in todays society so arguably in any public place you’ll find people who match that description.

But I said this about the gym because I’ve got talking to a few regulars at the gym (in the changing rooms etc) over the years as I go alone, additionally I know irl and follow online a lot of people who post about their mental health and their struggles going to the gym despite how much it improves their mood when they’re actually there - and I see heaps of comments agreeing.

Exercise is a common thing that’s recommended for people with mental health issues so it makes sense. Obviously I can’t prove it by doing polls at randoms gyms and asking for “hands up who has mental health issues” or anything, but I don’t think it’s particularly unbelievable or surprising to think this could well be the case across many gyms.

I could feeeel rage bubbling as I read your OP. I genuinely thought the staff member was going to ask you to move. The fact they didn't should be all the validation that you need.

Their request would've been okay if you hadn't started, but it's basic gym etiquette to not interrupt someone's workout. Firstly it's annoying as it disrupts your flow and could be dangerous, especially if you had been using weights or on the treadmill.

In other gyms I have known people to 'jump in' on bits of equipment in between sets, effectively sharing the equipment. This wouldn't be applicable here obviously.

They sound like entitled idiots who have obviously got away with it a few too many times. Good for you for sticking to your guns.

I think they probably lied to the staff member and accused OP of machine hogging/blocking. That’s why when he came over to chec, he backed off as he could see she was fine. Then he’s obviously told the two idiots that he can’t ask another member to shift for them. I don’t think he crappy at fault as he was just checking the situation (to probably pacify these two wallopers).

In what universe is it kind to interrupt someone else's workout twice, send a manager over, to harass and bully her into moving, just so you can cross train beside a friend? Do you really think this sort of bullying, intimidating, demanding behaviour should be indulged?

They could have rowed together or run together until OP had finished.

@ThursdayTomorrow by that standard, why was the woman not thinking of the op and being kind to her ? 🙄

YANBU. They are being staggeringly unreasonable. The world doesn't revolve around their desires.

Not this Be Kind rubbish.

The OP was mid workout, there were other free machines just not next to each other. You can bet your life they didn't approach the man on the other bank of machines. To then go running to a member of staff just shows how entitled they were.

YANBU how dare she??

Cheering for the OP not having moved.

It blows my mind that they would
even ask, how ridiculous! Forget about those two nutters and enjoy your workouts.

YADNBU - they were ridiculous

@CatamaranViper so glad you stood your ground! I have been a gym member for years and it’s only in the last 18 months or so that I have started to see this level of entitlement creep in.

In my case, I have been asked how long I’ll be but have noticed that person won’t ask the man on the equivalent equipment to me! On the last two occasions I have challenged the person over this, assertively but not rudely, and they quickly skulked away. I won’t tolerate it, I put 100% effort in, mostly work out alone and once I am in the zone, I just want to be left to get on with it! Quite frequently I have to wait to use a particular machine and just adapt my workout accordingly. I would never have the audacity to harass someone over their time on a piece of equipment!

I've had people hover before, it's really off putting.

As for these two they can use machines that aren't next to each other it won't kill them, but to then storm out making a scene is just pathetic.

😃

A firm abrupt "no I am in a session" was in order here. If people want to chat while exercising they should go for a bloody walk.

You should make a formal complaint about her and the member of staff. They should be told NOT to interrupt members when they are training, especially if other equipment is free.

@SoupChicken that's great! I'm going to try that: "Now I'm using it".

Wow they were completely rude and I can’t believe they got a member of staff to speak to you. Unbelievable

A gym is a place where you work out, and get fit, not a coffee shop to chat to your friends. There is no way I would've moved. What's more, I go down the gym to work out hard, with my headphones in. If you interrupted me once I'd be annoyed, the next time I would lose it. I would've also had a go at the gym staff for coming over too.

I have had a few men thinking they are more entitled to be on the machine/ use the weights I am on and ask me, "how Long are you going to be", to which I always reply, "as long as it takes".

So maybe check if there is such a rule at your place because 40 mins sounds like a long time to me

If there are free machines, you can stay on yours for as long as you like.

Women in general need to stop even doubting or questioning themselves

Obviously the woman (& her friend, also female) who asked OP to move didn't doubt selves. And OP didn't move. I'd say that's minimum 67% of women in this situation did not doubt or question themselves.

generally speaking many people at the gym are very depressed or anxious, and it’s taken a big effort for them to come to the gym
Interested to know how you know that? It doesn't seem credible to me.

I’ve only had this once at my gym, a man came over to me and said he was using the weights machine I was on, I said ‘well I’m using it now, I’ll tell you when I’m finished’ and he looked astonished that I didn’t give it up for him, but as I’d had time to change all the settings and the grip he couldn’t have been using it or he would’ve seen me. Some people are just rude.

What an odd woman, it’s really not on to ask someone to move so you can be next to your friend, it’s really quite pathetic.

You were fine, first come first served on the gym machines.

Don't get me started on men who leave their towels on machines they aren't presently using but want to use shortly. One day I'm just going to move the towel.

No way would I have moved, it's rude and entitled for them to expect you to.

You did the right thing OP, F*ck em!

This. It's very unprofessional for a gym staff member to have disturbed your workout. They should have directed them to the free machines or advised them to wait for adjacent machines to become available.