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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be fed up with machine hoggers at the gym?

109 replies

Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:11

Every time I go to the gym there are people who sit around on machines for ages between sets , scrolling on their phone or whatever, as if no one else in the gym needs to use that machine. I always get up between sets in case someone else wants to use it or go between machines. I sometimes politely ask if I can do a set while they’re not using it , people usually say something like “ I’ve got two more sets to left to do” occasionally someone will begrudgingly get up looking miffed. On rare occasion someone has been aggressive towards me. My gym aren’t interested in fixing the problem with signage about gym etiquette. WWYD?

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:31

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 20:18

I hate the people who go on the treadmills for two hours!

Edited

That’s pure selfishness, if they want to do that they need to go at the least busiest time , even so it’s excessive , can’t they run outside if they’re training ?

OP posts:
Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 20:30

quantim · 21/04/2025 20:25

How on earth would that work?!

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Eh? Easy.

You could go online to their website and they could have a list of available times for every machine.

And then just book the time you want to use the machine at.

In my gym they actually have this in place for one machine only.

It is a really fancy advanced machine. I domt know exactly what its called. But its like a treadmill. Except it is enclosed. And it blows cold air on you while you're in it

You have to book a timeslot to use it.

PrimalLass · 21/04/2025 20:30

There's been moans about women spending too long on treadmills on here too though. To that I say ... tough.

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:27

Annoyingsquirrels · 21/04/2025 19:59

Most problems would be solved by banning mobiles in gyms, at least then people would focus on exercising rather than scrolling.

This should be the rule
if you want to use your phone you need to get off the equipment!

OP posts:
quantim · 21/04/2025 20:27

LittleBigHead · 21/04/2025 19:30

YABU

If you're lifting heavy, it is essential to rest between sets. Otherwise, you don't get the muscle strength development, and you could injure yourself.

I rest up to 4 minutes between heavy sets of deadlifts (say 90 to 105 kilo lifts) and heavy squats (anything over 560 kilos). Between warm up sets - anything up to 70 kilo deads, I rest at least 2 minutes.

Maybe you're not lifting heavy enough, or you don't understand how it works?

You can ask to "work in" with someone. But they can say no.

Agree with all this.

Just find something else to do

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:25

HunnyPot · 21/04/2025 20:22

I’ve noticed the younger generation don’t like other people working in around them.

I just do something else and wait till they are finished.

Unfortunately I don’t have time to wait & don’t much care what they like, they need to learn to share the equipment

OP posts:
quantim · 21/04/2025 20:25

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 19:12

Yeah it's annoying. It's also the gyms fault as they have a bad system.

There really should be reservation time slots for machines. So that way, everyone would rotate between machines better.

How on earth would that work?!

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:24

Titasaducksarse · 21/04/2025 20:07

I must be lucky, no dramas at my gym...just a local council run one. Some days I feel like a right old fart as it's full of young teenagers but when I'm lifting heavier than them I think I get due respect 😂

This is lucky , wish gym goers at my gym were unselfish like this. I don’t mind the teens or kids as long as they’re not hogging . They do make gym busier though. Mine used to be adults only

OP posts:
HunnyPot · 21/04/2025 20:22

I’ve noticed the younger generation don’t like other people working in around them.

I just do something else and wait till they are finished.

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 20:22

Yeah I'd say it's the women in my gym who sit and scroll more than the men.

Or spend ages filming their workouts

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:21

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 21/04/2025 20:17

Do you find it’s nearly always men that sit there for ages between sets? I do. I don’t know what they do. One guy gets up and walks back and forth though leaves all his stuff on the machine so you don’t feel you can take it. Another gets up and poses in the mirror. I’m sure I’ve even seen him kissing his muscles before now.

women on the whole just seem to do their sets and move on. With maybe 30 seconds to a minute between sets.

I have to say at my gym the women are equally as bad as the men for sitting around scrolling, there are also the kids to put up with too who are there with their parents ( or alone if they’re 12 & over I think the age rule iw(

OP posts:
Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 20:18

I hate the people who go on the treadmills for two hours!

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:18

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:58

You are still supposed to warm up if you are doing higher weights though…which will take more than the original users rest period.

And as I said, on machines it’s more likely that you can step in between sets, But I agree those who sit on machines on their phones for more than a couple of minutes can be annoying, though they are the ones that generally move if you ask them.

Show quote history

I see what you mean about the heavy weights etc,
as for those on machines , I feel uncomfortable asking ,and if I do they usually tell me they’re “using it!”

OP posts:
Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 21/04/2025 20:17

Do you find it’s nearly always men that sit there for ages between sets? I do. I don’t know what they do. One guy gets up and walks back and forth though leaves all his stuff on the machine so you don’t feel you can take it. Another gets up and poses in the mirror. I’m sure I’ve even seen him kissing his muscles before now.

women on the whole just seem to do their sets and move on. With maybe 30 seconds to a minute between sets.

ClaredeBear · 21/04/2025 20:15

This is funny. Totally take your point but rest between sets is how o got into Mumsnet!

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:15

Goballistic · 21/04/2025 20:10

I watched someone sit on a leg press for over 25 min in the gym today, it was ridiculous and selfish, she spent most of that time scrolling and about 5 min actually using the equipment

Edited

So selfish & inconsiderate of her! How can she not realise others are waiting to use that machine & have to leave to get back to work or home without using it because she’s hogged it. These people are the WORST!

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:13

dollyblue01 · 21/04/2025 19:28

Have you not thought that people who are on their phones need a little rest in between sets, that’s what I do and don’t have an issue or judge anyone else doing it neither, maybe go when it’s quieter if you don’t like to wait.

They can have a rest standing next to machine or keep it to one minute or max two mins. Not the five / ten mins the selfish ones in my gym do!

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:11

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 19:52

I hate going to the gym lately.

People are so aggressive.

Either I can't use the equipment I want to use as they're taken.

Or i get asked to move off the equipment, just after I've started.

I know what you mean , I wonder if the aggressive people are that way so they can get their workout done, but I am not aggressive & avoid confrontation, the most I’ll do is politely ask to take in turns but people usually won’t and say they’ll be “another 15 mins” I don’t have 15 mins to wait !

OP posts:
Goballistic · 21/04/2025 20:10

I watched someone sit on a leg press for over 25 min in the gym today, it was ridiculous and selfish, she spent most of that time scrolling and about 5 min actually using the equipment

Espressosummer · 21/04/2025 20:09

Insertfootnote · 21/04/2025 19:33

Then get off the machine for your rests so someone else can use it. If you do 3 sets you'll be hogging it for 15 mins!

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I'm happy to let someone use the equipment in between my heavy sets providing they re-rack the weight and wipe their sweat off by the time I am ready to do my next set.

Titasaducksarse · 21/04/2025 20:07

I must be lucky, no dramas at my gym...just a local council run one. Some days I feel like a right old fart as it's full of young teenagers but when I'm lifting heavier than them I think I get due respect 😂

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 20:04

Insertfootnote · 21/04/2025 19:59

I am indeed - a self-employed Level 4 PT with additional qualifications in ante and post natal and exercise (GP) referrals, plus the usual CPDs in group exercise classes and spin etc.
I'm talking mostly about machines but also racks. In a busy gym be nice to your fellow gym goers, don't be an arse, and don't hog things. Unless you're trying for the Olympics you aren't entitled to hog stuff for 15 mins.

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In a busy gym you take your chances on the rack. No one doing 3 by 3 of a heavy weighted squat is going to take off the weights in between sets. 3 by 3 with a warm up will easily be 15 minutes - that’s life :)

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:04

Yes there are some real assholes at gyms, kind of puts me off going

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 20:02

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 19:53

Because if they stand aside to let someone else do a set, how do they know how long that second person will be on the equipment?

People are territorial. They won't give something up if they got there first.

It's the gyms that need to fix this. They need to set time limits on machines. Or booking slots.

But the gyms don't care , as long as they are making money.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes I guess that is probably why people don’t let others on. I think the only solution is just to ask to do a set while someone is resting. If they’re annoyed about it at least it reminds them not to sit & scroll while others are waiting

OP posts:
Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 20:01

Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:59

wow , she sounds quite rude!

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Gym assholes are the worst assholes.

#notallgymgoers

But some men I've had to talk to in gyms, are so pumped up with arrogance and self importance. And see that their workout is more important than anyone else's. That we should all bow to their amazing workout.

And some of the women I've met have shouted at me to get out of their way.