Why do people have to check their phones in the gym?

[lucydogz]

This happens all the time at my gym - someone settles down on a piece of kit, takes out their phone and just sits there for ages, like they're in an armchair, looking at their screen. Or does a bit over exercising, but then goes into their phone. Half the people in the gym were at it today. I 'n just thankful that you can't text and swim. Seriously though, what's wrong with people that they can't do an activity without having to look at their phones every few minutes?

I never get on a machine unless I'm ready to start, but damn right I go on when I rest between sets.

I’m with the op. A breather between sets should not be the length of time you need to get your phone out and text or fiddle with playlists. Get your 3 sets done, move on to different set by all means but get off the equipment and move out of the way if you want to play with your phone. Equipment hoggers are a pain in the backside. My headphones are wireless and my phone stays in my bag at the other side of the gym. If I happen to get a call or text I need to check, I put my weights back and move out of the way to do it. One text isn’t too annoying but continuously between every flaming set is bloody frustrating.

When I do it it’s to mark off my sets and reps on my fitness tracker and see what I have left to do.

I might be checking my saved workout videos to remind myself of technique especially if it’s a new exercise.

Or just checking my list to see what I should be doing next.

I have my training plan on my phone. A pretty intense one. I'll record the number of reps on my phone, number of sets, the weights I'm using, rests between sets. I need decent music in the gym and if something comes on that kills my mood I have to stop and change it. I'll occasionally send a text or answer a call if I'm waiting for something important.

If I was having a 60 second break between reps , I would stay on the machine. If I got off and let someone jump on in between they might end up taking 3 minutes throwing my routine off. I see no harm in looking at my phone for that minute.

I am setting interval times and checking off exercise I have done but I try not to take up kit someone else is using.

I watch a film on my phone while I exercise so you would hate me

Exercise is really boring

On heavy lifts, like squats or deadlifts, I need at least a 3 minute rest between sets. On the less intense sets, about 2 minutes. I do sets of 5 to 10, which never takes more than 30 seconds. So, I am literally resting more than I'm lifting.

Incidentally, long rests and shortish sets are the norm in bodybuilding gyms. Nobody bats an eye if I'm on the same squat/power cage for an hour.

Lots of people have their programmes on their phone or they use different aps to record their sets and reps. I used to but I was getting my phone all chalky so I use an old-fashioned notebook and pen now.

Of course, some people probably are just texting or on facebook or whatever. I don't see the problem if they're resting between sets and not hogging equipment.

"I’m with the op. A breather between sets should not be the length of time you need to get your phone out and text or fiddle with playlists."

As Just says, a breather can be easily this long if you're lifting heavy.

I check mine between reps or if I’m on the bike I’ll check out Instagram or something so I can zone out and forget about the fact I don’t want to be in the gym. I wouldn’t just sit there though (unless in between reps)

@MaggieAndHopey I've had sets that have been incredibly heavy that require me to have 90-120 second rests (usually deadlifts) so I second this!

• music

-record workout stats

• emails/text -I’m able to do this whilst running 10kmph so it’s a good way to check through work stuff whilst getting steady cardio in

I do some sets of five reps, 90 seconds rest. If someone wants to jump in they can and I will get off. I record what I do on my phone and change weights between sets so I need it out after every set.

As long as they aren't doing anything like photographing other gym goers it doesn't bother me. I pay no attention to others in the gym (unless of course they are doing something which impacts on me!)

Drives me crazy too OP and in my experience it is usually men. Just sat texting on the machines and hogging them when I need to use them. I check my phone quickly to check the time or skip s track but if I needed to email or text someone I'd have a bit of courtesy to get off the machine and let someone else use it.

Using the stopwatch to time interval sessions.

Yes, usually young men.

If it's a machine - the kind you just adjust the seat and move the pin in the plate stack - and you need to use it, just ask to work in.

I’m doing couch to 5k so the first thing I do when I step on a treadmill is faff with my phone, and all the equipment at my gym is linked to an app so I log in to everything I use to record my stats.

I’m not checking my emails or playing on Facebook but it can take a minute to get it all set up before I actually do anything.

I have my exercise playlists on Spotify, record reps etc in an app & store my workouts on it.
I'm more than happy if someone wants to alternate on the equipment with me between sets, less so if they're just going to roll eyes and judge without knowing what I'm doing.

If they've got headphones in they are probably sorting music.

Music, podcasts, anything to relieve the boredom.

Changing music seems OK to me, but not checking messages, texting etc. Not that you can usually tell.