At the gym, using the Cross-trainer...

[FindItStrange]

There are about 10 other machines available, all cross trainers. But a woman comes and starts working out on the one next to me.

If you do this can I ask why? Especially when others are free?
Surely you don't want to be next to a sweaty mess like me!

I also want to watch Too Hot to Handle on my phone and don't want to be judged...or maybe they want to watch it too?!

YES I'm aware I don't own the gym, it's a public place blah blah blah, but I feel the same on busses if someone sits next to me when there are tonnes of seats free. Don't like it.

Most people to that to keep pace or go faster than the person next to them.

@MorganKitten I suppose that could be it. But couldn't that be done from a bit further away? Haha

Some people have "their" machine. It is the gym equivalent of the regular bingo goers always sitting at the same table.

It might seem like it makes logical sense to use them up one by one in order.

You make her look better? Mask the smell of her own sweat? 🤣

YANBU, it is definitely weird/lacking in social awareness.

I hate this. I have no idea why people do it.

@Gizacluethen That could be it! That made me laugh.

I can see the favourite machine / use in order explanation. But I still think it's odd!

I do have a preferred machine, but if someone is using the one next to it and there are others free I will just use a different one.

So glad that people understand MY PAIN!

This is a thing because people are pack animals. I can't remember what it's called but it's why if you go into an empty restaurant they will want to seat you at the window to attract other people.

Not good gym etiquette!

I hate this, happens when I'm on the treadmill. I have a favourite machine but wouldn't use it if others are free and not next to someone.

This is like carparks too. I was in a virtually empty car park and someone decided to park so close to me that they struggled to open their door and had to get out sideways. Totally bizarre

The gym layout perhaps? Some machines are far from the windows or facing other equipment or feel claustrophobic because they’re in a corner etc.

@Comedycook

This is like carparks too. I was in a virtually empty car park and someone decided to park so close to me that they struggled to open their door and had to get out sideways. Totally bizarre

I have an irrational hatred of this in car parks.

Especially when I go somewhere with no parent and child parking, I often park far away from the entrance to somewhere so its empty enough that I have space to get DD in and out the car and I return to find someone parked right up against the car door syrrounded by available spaces.

Makes me fume

Its the same reason why people start swimming at exactly the same time as you when they're waiting at the end of the lane. Also the same reason why some people will park next to your car in an otherwise empty car park.

I don't know what the reason is but I'm sure it can be explained in biological instinct terms. I wish its one that they could override though!

I’m worried this was me. I go early in the morning and I’m not fully awake.

Sometimes when I am nervous I dont look properly and can end up doing things like this. I get a kind of tunnel vision. And then feel like I cant move to another machine because that will be a bigger weird deal.

I have a favourite machine but there are only three in my gym. If there was a big row it would be different

Yes to the car park situation too! Although this annoys me slightly less than the bus / gym one.

@Franklyfrost There are no windows in this gym, just rows and rows of machines pretty much.

@HermioneWeasley Just don't make it a regular occurrence :)
(I go in the afternoons)

It perplexed me too OP.
These gym people are as bat shit as the knobs that park in the space right next to my car in an empty car park, just why??????

I'm keen to hear from the people who do this so I can understand why!

Why do you work out next to me?
When there are loads of machines free?
I just don't get it
I don't understand
It makes me want to crush my hand
Please stop it now
And give me space
Just please
Choose another place
We can both work out and smile
And I'll be on that machine for a while

@FindItStrange

I'm keen to hear from the people who do this so I can understand why!

Why do you work out next to me?
When there are loads of machines free?
I just don't get it
I don't understand
It makes me want to crush my hand
Please stop it now
And give me space
Just please
Choose another place
We can both work out and smile
And I'll be on that machine for a while

Have it put on the back of a t-shirt, and wear it every time you go to the gym.

Because it gives me the best view of the guy I like to watch on a Tuesday morning

I'd be annoyed with you for already being on the one next to mine.

A woman at a regular BodyPump class I go to used to have a spot that she took every single week. It was a really handy spot and I got there first one week. She never came again I still feel bad about it.