People at the gym waiting next to equipment while you work out-intimidating and rude?!

[Cheeseslice7]

Does anybody else find this extremely off-putting and intimidating? A piece of equipment has finally become free, I start my workout and then hear the dreaded "how long are you going to be?". I've frequently had people literally watching me next to my machine, barely giving me any space, hands on hips waiting for their turn. The worst case was when I've literally had a bloke trying to force me off the equipment! In this instance I was assertive and said no, wait for your turn but I'm not going to lie, I went home after that even though I wasn't at the end of my workout because I felt a bit shaken. I'm certainly not an equipment hogger and I've noticed it done to other people too at my gym! I'm not sure whether to make a complaint or just suck it up?

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all - that sounds horrible!

It’s awful, they should go on another prices of equipment. Entitled idiots

Definitely complain. The gym should put up signs saying that harassment in this way is not allowed.

Jesus! Someone e tried to force you off a piece equipment. That's awful. Did he physically touch you?
That warrants a complaint.

I've been asked how long I'm going to be so I just say I've got 3 sets of 15 and then it's yours mate! It hasn't happened very often though.

You should complain if they're harassing you and/or in your space. However, if they're just hovering nearby that's probably because they don't want someone else jumping in.

Is this typically men?

I'm not a gym user but it sounds quite normal to wait next to some equipment you want to use. Obviously trying to force you off is out of line. But what's wrong with people taking turns?

I hover by using the closest feed machine lol. I was really annoyed at a guy the other day on the only leg items going a set the sitting playing I his phone for at least 5 minutes…another set and then another phone break. I only take 30 seconds to a minute between sets but he was taking forever.

I think it's OK to let someone know (nicely) that you're waiting for the machine they're using, so they don't sit around playing on their phone etc. between sets. And also OK to stay nearby indicate to others that you're next.

There's ways to do that without being rude or intimidating though..

I would be tempted to respond 'as long as I want to be' but I always wear headphones so can ignore them

@BurntO

Is this typically men?

This was my first thought.

Ironically, men are the worst machine hoggers too, I spend half my time at the gym not able to do my exercises because of it.

@Hoesbeforebroes

I think it's OK to let someone know (nicely) that you're waiting for the machine they're using, so they don't sit around playing on their phone etc. between sets. And also OK to stay nearby indicate to others that you're next.

There's ways to do that without being rude or intimidating though..

I agree with this. You shouldn't be rude or intimidating and definitely not trying to force someone off a machine... However waiting near the equipment you want is fine, if not someone else is likely to nip in. I'd also say it's unreasonable to sit on a piece of equipment to take a break while you stare at your phone. My last gym had limited cardio equipment and often it was full of lads from the free weights are using the cardio section as basically bench seating.

@3scape

I'm not a gym user but it sounds quite normal to wait next to some equipment you want to use. Obviously trying to force you off is out of line. But what's wrong with people taking turns?

I don't want someone staring at me while I'm exercising and then standing there often makes people feel rushed

Pushing you off a machine is wrong, obviously. But there's nothing wrong with forming a queue for a particular piece of equipment.

This has happened to me more than a few times to the point it's made me wonder if I'm spending too much time on one item of equipment and I get self conscious. Like are people watching me and timing me?? It's always men as well...

It hasn't happened since I've switched gyms. I'm now a member of a health club rather than a gym and I think it's a lot more relaxed and you get a lot less of those hard-core gym guys there and as a result, less harassment.

This is why I, and a lot of women, wont go to gyms

That’s really bad.

I would just ask him to move.

Well done for standing up to the man who manhandles you. Did you report to the gym?

Yeah it’s always fucking men isn’t it.

“Are you two almost done with the weights?” Sod off. You saw us just walk over here it’s not our fault you were slower.

I once said to a man "Oh! Is this your phone here?" Because I thought he had left it on a set of equipment, turned out his phone was saving it as he wanted to use that next
I wandered off muttering and he called me a bitch. Every day treatment being the fairer sex it seems. Tosser.

Tell them to fuck off

Urgh this why I go to local council gym. Older equipment but no ass hats

I've no issue with people politely waiting by a machine or indeed asking to work in with me between sets. That's fine. It's a shared bit of equipment.

Being a dick about it or physically pulling you off it obviously isn't ok.

@Hankunamatata

Urgh this why I go to local council gym. Older equipment but no ass hats

Opposite here. I splash out on a naice gym because the ass-hats are all in the cheap council one. It's all yummy-mummies and wealthy retirees at mine and I've never seen more than about 30% of the machines in use at any one time

I go to a women only gym and this has never happened to me so yeah I'm guessing it's mostly men

I used to work away a lot and had a few bad experiences with men in hotel gyms. I think I'd rather work out at home than join a mixed gym now.

I've never had this happen to me and I go to a popular budget chain gym. Although I've not gone when it's super busy to the extent of people literally queuing for machines. Yes sometimes there's people on the thing I want to use but I just go on something else until it becomes free.

I feel like different gyms have different cultures. It's there another gym elsewhere you can take your custom to? If I had to experience rude idiots like that I'd be completely put off going to the gym. Sounds horrible OP.