Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 20:00

Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:55

This thread is about machines, not the weights. It should be the norm to take it in turns , that’s the point

Edited
Show quote history

That would seem to encourage people to jump onto equipment and whack on a weight without any warm up sets though. Fine if the person stepping in just wants to do low weights / high volume. But the person already on the machine doesn’t know that.

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:59

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 19:25

What's even worse is when I'm asked to get out of the way when I'm not even using the same equipment as them.

Twice recently I've been asked to move by women at the gym.

I was doing sit ups on a mat on the floor. The woman behind me was doing something on a piece of equipment and asked me to move as I was too near her, and she wanted to see herself in the mirror! She was very aggressive

wow , she sounds quite rude!

OP posts:
Insertfootnote · 21/04/2025 19:59

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:54

Of course you are. And I’m sure that during deadlifts / squats you take off all the weights so someone can step in during the three minute rest 😂

As said, on machines. Maybe. But it’s not the norm

Show quote history

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.

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.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:58

Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:54

I’m talking about the machines , where you can just move a pin to adjust weight & off you go. Very easy for people to stand aside between sets & take in turns with other paying gym members. Or rotate to another machine

Show quote history

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.

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:55

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:54

Of course you are. And I’m sure that during deadlifts / squats you take off all the weights so someone can step in during the three minute rest 😂

As said, on machines. Maybe. But it’s not the norm

Show quote history

This thread is about machines, not the weights. It should be the norm to take it in turns , that’s the point

OP posts:
ringoutsolsticebells · 21/04/2025 19:55

@LittleBigHead you are squatting 500kg plus??

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:54

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:49

In any decent gym where people actually go to train not just faff about it’s entirely normal to stay on the equipment during the rest periods. In the case of a bar and rack, it’d take a couple of minutes to take off the weights, re-adjust the bar and put on the weights, and that’s before the next person does a warm up. There’s no way that the original user could continue their set in 3 minutes, which is a normal rest time for a heavy weight. 3 sets does take around 15 minutes; watch any PT and they’ll have their clients rest at the equipment. So I think I’ll go with the approach of a qualified instructor than in impatient gym goer. If you want free access to equipment at a time to suit you, you need a gym at home.

if your are just using machines, then generally the rest periods will be lower, as weights are less, but not necessarily. But again, no point someone ‘jumping in’ as their warm up sets will take more than the 3 minutes anyway.

Show quote history

I’m talking about the machines , where you can just move a pin to adjust weight & off you go. Very easy for people to stand aside between sets & take in turns with other paying gym members. Or rotate to another machine

OP posts:
Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:54

Insertfootnote · 21/04/2025 19:50

I am a PT!

Show quote history

Of course you are. And I’m sure that during deadlifts / squats you take off all the weights so someone can step in during the three minute rest 😂

As said, on machines. Maybe. But it’s not the norm

Kitchensnails · 21/04/2025 19:53

Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:23

A minute rest between a set is no problem , although in my gym people literally sit there for ages like they’ve got all the time in the world. I saw one woman hog a machine while she had a work call one day. It’s so selfish of people

Show quote history

Yeah that is annoying i agree, if it's not a timed rest people should move.

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 19:53

Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:51

But why not just stand aside between sets so someone else can do a set ? Why should they ask politely to be granted access by you ? It’s not your machine is it?

Show quote history

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.

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.

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:51

LittleBigHead · 21/04/2025 19:35

if someone asks me, politely, if they can work in, I'm usually happy to do so.

But I also understand that if I go at a busy time at my gym (anytime from 5pm to 8pm) all the squat racks may be in use, and I'll have to wait my turn. Ditto with the deadlifting platforms.

But why not just stand aside between sets so someone else can do a set ? Why should they ask politely to be granted access by you ? It’s not your machine is it?

OP posts:
Insertfootnote · 21/04/2025 19:50

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:49

In any decent gym where people actually go to train not just faff about it’s entirely normal to stay on the equipment during the rest periods. In the case of a bar and rack, it’d take a couple of minutes to take off the weights, re-adjust the bar and put on the weights, and that’s before the next person does a warm up. There’s no way that the original user could continue their set in 3 minutes, which is a normal rest time for a heavy weight. 3 sets does take around 15 minutes; watch any PT and they’ll have their clients rest at the equipment. So I think I’ll go with the approach of a qualified instructor than in impatient gym goer. If you want free access to equipment at a time to suit you, you need a gym at home.

if your are just using machines, then generally the rest periods will be lower, as weights are less, but not necessarily. But again, no point someone ‘jumping in’ as their warm up sets will take more than the 3 minutes anyway.

Show quote history

I am a PT!

Tryingtokeepgoing · 21/04/2025 19:49

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!

Show quote history

In any decent gym where people actually go to train not just faff about it’s entirely normal to stay on the equipment during the rest periods. In the case of a bar and rack, it’d take a couple of minutes to take off the weights, re-adjust the bar and put on the weights, and that’s before the next person does a warm up. There’s no way that the original user could continue their set in 3 minutes, which is a normal rest time for a heavy weight. 3 sets does take around 15 minutes; watch any PT and they’ll have their clients rest at the equipment. So I think I’ll go with the approach of a qualified instructor than in impatient gym goer. If you want free access to equipment at a time to suit you, you need a gym at home.

if your are just using machines, then generally the rest periods will be lower, as weights are less, but not necessarily. But again, no point someone ‘jumping in’ as their warm up sets will take more than the 3 minutes anyway.

Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:49

WutheringTights · 21/04/2025 19:35

In my gym I genuinely don't think people realise how long they're resting for. I usually intend to rest for around 2 minutes between sets, but I know that if I get my phone out it will be longer because I'll lose track of time. The people I see taking ages between sets generally have their phones out. And don't get me started on the people hogging two or three machines to do super sets but then taking massive rests (on their phones) between each machine. I get it, we all have to multitask at times, but if I need to take a work call at the gym I at least go into the cafe.

Show quote history

I think you’re right people lose track of time on their phones between sets!

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:47

cramptramp · 21/04/2025 19:36

Sitting for a very short time between sets isn’t a problem. It’s the sitting for ages, phone scrolling, chatting to their mate who has walked past etc. I’ve cancelled gym memberships because of this.

100% agree, I don’t want to have to cancel but if I can’t get my work out done then I may have to

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:46

InfoSecInTheCity · 21/04/2025 19:40

I was watching a group of gym goers this morning on the weight benches, 5 reps then 10 minutes sat chatting with each other before the next set. Multiple people walked over stood a little awkwardly near them then walked off while they were doing it. They did 4 sets in the 40 minutes that I was there on the treadmill and looked like they were settled in for a long session.

That is so unbelievably selfish, it’s not their own personal gym! Others paying membership while their little group hogs the machine.
I saw a father & son hogging machines this way today, yes, kids are allowed to go to my gym , this kid was probably about 13 . Both he and his dad resting for ages between sets, chatting , scrolling.

OP posts:
Original poster
Glindaa · 21/04/2025 19:41

Yougetmoreofwhatyoufocuson · 21/04/2025 19:29

Funny how those that take the longest between sets inevitably have a phone. They must believe that excercising their thumbs will give them bigger muscles!

So true ! I don’t have time to waste waiting for these people who think gym is sitting around scrolling on phone !

OP posts:
InfoSecInTheCity · 21/04/2025 19:40

I was watching a group of gym goers this morning on the weight benches, 5 reps then 10 minutes sat chatting with each other before the next set. Multiple people walked over stood a little awkwardly near them then walked off while they were doing it. They did 4 sets in the 40 minutes that I was there on the treadmill and looked like they were settled in for a long session.

cramptramp · 21/04/2025 19:36

Sitting for a very short time between sets isn’t a problem. It’s the sitting for ages, phone scrolling, chatting to their mate who has walked past etc. I’ve cancelled gym memberships because of this.

WutheringTights · 21/04/2025 19:35

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.

In my gym I genuinely don't think people realise how long they're resting for. I usually intend to rest for around 2 minutes between sets, but I know that if I get my phone out it will be longer because I'll lose track of time. The people I see taking ages between sets generally have their phones out. And don't get me started on the people hogging two or three machines to do super sets but then taking massive rests (on their phones) between each machine. I get it, we all have to multitask at times, but if I need to take a work call at the gym I at least go into the cafe.

LittleBigHead · 21/04/2025 19:35

if someone asks me, politely, if they can work in, I'm usually happy to do so.

But I also understand that if I go at a busy time at my gym (anytime from 5pm to 8pm) all the squat racks may be in use, and I'll have to wait my turn. Ditto with the deadlifting platforms.

Insertfootnote · 21/04/2025 19:33

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.

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!

Kellybonita · 21/04/2025 19:31

In my medium sized gym, any time I wanted to use the running machine, they were all taken.

I've found it better to go to a less popular gym. Where not a lot of people go