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Original poster

Why go to the gym to sit on your phone

32 replies

SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/05/2023 18:10

I looked around and the majority of people at the gym were sitting on the equipment on their phones. They might occasionally do a little exercise but then it's back to phone scrolling for quite a while. Aside from taking up equipment that someone else is waiting for, what is the actual point of going to the gym to sit on your phone? Granted it's more younger people but is it a sign that as a society we are just completely addicted.

OP posts:
EVHead · 30/05/2023 18:11

Presumably they’re resting between sets?

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 30/05/2023 18:11

Music and audio books are on my phone. I also look at my phone while waiting for a class to start.

Original poster
SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/05/2023 18:13

EVHead · 30/05/2023 18:11

Presumably they’re resting between sets?

I'm not sure the amount of time spent on any exercise could count as a set. There's certainly more sitting and scrolling.

OP posts:

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Kanaloa · 30/05/2023 18:13

Sounds like an odd gym if the majority of people were doing no exercise but only playing on their phone.

But then I think constantly scanning around at other people (as you must have been doing to state confidently that they did this for extended periods and did small bits of exercise) is equally odd. I tend to just do my bits of exercise then leave. I mean who cares what someone else does? If they’re using a machine you want then ask ‘excuse me are you using this?’ If they are then you wait. It makes no difference if the person you’re waiting for is exercising to your liking or not.

Kanaloa · 30/05/2023 18:14

But I do find many people look at their phone when feeling awkward/out of place somewhere unfamiliar. Perhaps your staring and judging made them feel awkward or embarrassed.

Yetisrus · 30/05/2023 18:14

I have my routines on my phone, so I probably look like I'm just sat scrolling my phone but I actually make notes next to exercises (weights, how many reps etc). As I've a long term injury that flairs up I like to know what I'm managed.

Truestorypeeps · 30/05/2023 18:16

A thread on another forum... While I'm logging the weights and reps I've just done on my phone while I'm waiting between sets, also quickly messaging people/browsing, choosing music, I've noticed this older woman looking around the gym judging us all, what's her issue? 😆

Alloveragain3 · 30/05/2023 18:16

If they're on weights / weighted machines, they're just resting between sets.

Original poster
SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/05/2023 18:16

I'm not staring it's just an observation, as soon as you walk in so many heads down on their phones. You have to wait and see are they mid set or resting. Perhaps it is this gym.

OP posts:
Tayegete · 30/05/2023 18:18

This is my bugbear too. It is always younger people. It drives me crazy when I’m waiting for a mat or a specific bit of equipment. My gym published an article on “are you the gym goer everyone else hates” and this was no. 1.

Rampantukulele · 30/05/2023 18:18

I lift heavy and my actual set might take 30 seconds with a 4 minute rest if its a compound exercise close to my 1 rep max, maybe even 5min if it's a really heavy deadlift. I don't really have much else to do but use phone in that time.

statetrooperstacey · 30/05/2023 18:19

Possibly updating fitness apps checking their heart rate etc,
saying that I used to go and sometimes spend 10 minutes on the cross trainer ( though not always) then a sauna shower hair wash make up blow dry . Crèche was £1 for 2 hours!!!! 😃 used to look a lot better walking out than I did going in.

Original poster
SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/05/2023 18:20

@statetrooperstacey That sounds amazing Smile

OP posts:
drpet49 · 30/05/2023 18:21

Tayegete · 30/05/2023 18:18

This is my bugbear too. It is always younger people. It drives me crazy when I’m waiting for a mat or a specific bit of equipment. My gym published an article on “are you the gym goer everyone else hates” and this was no. 1.

Yep this. Just use the equipment and piss off.

WeeOrcadian · 30/05/2023 18:23

I watch YouTube when I'm on the treadmill, it helps me hate exercise a little bit less

I don't actually scan around to see what other people are doing though, you do you.

jenandberrys · 30/05/2023 18:24

Rampantukulele · 30/05/2023 18:18

I lift heavy and my actual set might take 30 seconds with a 4 minute rest if its a compound exercise close to my 1 rep max, maybe even 5min if it's a really heavy deadlift. I don't really have much else to do but use phone in that time.

this. if you actually weight train, your rest periods are pretty long. its easier to look at your phone than just stare at people for 3 or 4 minutes!

Thelobsterisinthejar · 30/05/2023 18:25

Rampantukulele · 30/05/2023 18:18

I lift heavy and my actual set might take 30 seconds with a 4 minute rest if its a compound exercise close to my 1 rep max, maybe even 5min if it's a really heavy deadlift. I don't really have much else to do but use phone in that time.

This!

Gymmum82 · 30/05/2023 18:27

if you’re weight training to properly build muscle or power lifting your sets will be like 30-40 seconds with 4-5 minutes rest. If you want to use the equipment ask if you can work in with them

LlynTegid · 30/05/2023 18:30

I think some people go to a gym with little intention of doing much exercise. Either they feel good because they went, or it is to get out of the house/away from someone. I remember about 20 years ago two people who would sit on exercise bikes pedalling slower than a slow bicycle race, and having a conversation.

Meeting · 30/05/2023 18:31

Resting between sets.
Changing the song.
Reading / updating their workout plan.

Riapia · 30/05/2023 18:35

Why go anywhere to scroll on your phone.
Do it before you leave home.

gettingoldisshit · 30/05/2023 18:50

SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/05/2023 18:10

I looked around and the majority of people at the gym were sitting on the equipment on their phones. They might occasionally do a little exercise but then it's back to phone scrolling for quite a while. Aside from taking up equipment that someone else is waiting for, what is the actual point of going to the gym to sit on your phone? Granted it's more younger people but is it a sign that as a society we are just completely addicted.

This seriously gets on my tits op!! Its so annoying when you are waiting to use a piece of equipment and some div is just sat on it scrolling through their phone!

Sparkletastic · 30/05/2023 18:54

It's teen boys that do this at my gym. They mainly confine themselves to the weights benches bless them.

TokyoSushi · 30/05/2023 18:54

If it's David Lloyd in a North West town OP then you're right, come in top to toe in Gymshark, sit about using the machines as chairs on your phone and then leave. These people look pretty fit though so they must do something! 🤷🏼‍♀️👵🏻🤣

shelbabab · 30/05/2023 18:55

Drives me insane! Especially if I'm wanting on the machine when they r sitting fannying about on their fone and then doing like 3-4 reps then 2mins on phone and so on. May as well not bother!