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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell my neighbour I won’t stop running on my treadmill?

200 replies

Oldhag5 · 29/07/2023 14:14

Following on from the thread about the piano teacher where the consensus seems to be she can teach and play piano in her own home…..
I am trying to lose weight and bought a new treadmill which I have put in my garage. The garage is in a block and there are two flats above the block. I was running/walking on it and the neighbour from upstairs came down and said ‘that’s a very noisy machine you’ve got there’. The neighbours have lived there about a year and we get on ok, pass the time of day etc but this has made me feel really uncomfortable. It was during the day and I’d only been on it for about 15 minutes. I wouldn’t plan to use it for more than half an hour a day. Surely if you buy a flat above garages you would realise there would be some noise? Just like I live in a terraced house, one side the neighbours have a treadmill and they use it for about 2 hours a day (couple both very into fitness) and whilst it can be annoying I accept they are entitled to use a treadmill in their home. So should I just carry on using it, should I stop or should I just face him out and say I’m not going to stop running on it? Maybe ask if there is a specific time he would like me to avoid but other than that use my own treadmill in my own garage?

OP posts:
girlfriend44 · 29/07/2023 14:16

I would, your fitness is important especially as its only half an hour a day.

pippinsleftleg · 29/07/2023 14:17

Half an hour a day is fine.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 29/07/2023 14:17

They can be incredibly noisy machines.

Do you have a full anti vibration mat or flooring? Is the garage soundproofed?

Ordinarily, garages only have the noise of being opened a couple of times a day and a car being moved in and out, so the sound of a treadmill going would be considerably different to that.

Invisimamma · 29/07/2023 14:18

I can see her point as treadmill noise would be really annoying, I mean those things are noisy! But for half an hour in the daytime, I think you're fine. It's just part of the parcel of living alongside people.

MoonLion · 29/07/2023 14:19

Half an hour in the daytime is absolutely fine. Maybe reassure her that it won't be more than that?

MajesticWhine · 29/07/2023 14:19

I think asking if there is a specific time that causes them a problem would be a kind and neighbourly approach. But you are entitled to use your treadmill. They will get used to it. Many people have crying babies, barking dogs, leaf blowers etc. your noise is no worse than any of that.
We have neighbours practising the saxophone and also some quite yowly singing. My view is we just have to live with it.

Original poster
Oldhag5 · 29/07/2023 14:20

We’ve put the treadmill on carpet to try and absorb some of the sound….maybe an anti vibration mat would be better.
or I could move it to the house but then that could potentially annoy 2 sets of neighbours….surely treadmills aren’t the preserve of those who can afford detached houses??

OP posts:
NillyNoMates · 29/07/2023 14:20

Why don’t you put it in your house?

Original poster
Oldhag5 · 29/07/2023 14:22

Thank you for your replies. I really don’t want to upset my neighbours but then I think they have upset me by making me doubt whether I can use my treadmill. I really need to lose the weight for my mental well-being and I can’t go out walking and leave the kids alone…I wish I didn’t care so much what other people think….

OP posts:
SayingwhatIreallythink · 29/07/2023 14:23

Sounds like they didn’t actually tell you to stop though.

TheCrystalPalace · 29/07/2023 14:23

Half an hour's exercise a day gives the neighbour a full 23 and a half hours noise-free.
You could ask them if there is a specific time of day they would like you to avoid (if possible) but otherwise you will continue to use it.

Original poster
Oldhag5 · 29/07/2023 14:23

I could put it in my house but there’s not really room without it taking up the whole of the lounge and then other neighbours would hear the noise…

OP posts:
Olderandolder · 29/07/2023 14:23

Oldhag5 · 29/07/2023 14:14

Following on from the thread about the piano teacher where the consensus seems to be she can teach and play piano in her own home…..
I am trying to lose weight and bought a new treadmill which I have put in my garage. The garage is in a block and there are two flats above the block. I was running/walking on it and the neighbour from upstairs came down and said ‘that’s a very noisy machine you’ve got there’. The neighbours have lived there about a year and we get on ok, pass the time of day etc but this has made me feel really uncomfortable. It was during the day and I’d only been on it for about 15 minutes. I wouldn’t plan to use it for more than half an hour a day. Surely if you buy a flat above garages you would realise there would be some noise? Just like I live in a terraced house, one side the neighbours have a treadmill and they use it for about 2 hours a day (couple both very into fitness) and whilst it can be annoying I accept they are entitled to use a treadmill in their home. So should I just carry on using it, should I stop or should I just face him out and say I’m not going to stop running on it? Maybe ask if there is a specific time he would like me to avoid but other than that use my own treadmill in my own garage?

Use it.
Maybe think about putting in sound proofing?
If you do, tell the neighbour you plan to do that and see how she responds.

HarrietJet · 29/07/2023 14:24

NillyNoMates · 29/07/2023 14:20

Why don’t you put it in your house?

Indeed. It's actually quite reasonable to expect a garage not to be used as a fitness studio, if you're living directly above.

Original poster
Oldhag5 · 29/07/2023 14:24

They didn’t tell me to stop. But have made me feel uncomfortable by the fact they specially came downstairs to comment

OP posts:
h3ll0o · 29/07/2023 14:26

They made a factual comment. They didn’t ask you to stop using it. Carry on running in the garage.

DinnaeFashYersel · 29/07/2023 14:26

As long as you aren't doing it at anti social times YANBU

Lavender14 · 29/07/2023 14:27

I would try to get an anti vibration mat but I'd also ask if there's certain times that they'd rather you didn't use it. I'm guessing that the noise is echoing more in your garage than it would in a fuller room with more soft furnishings to absorb noise so it might be quite loud for them. I think it's neighbourly to say it's the only place you can use it and you're trying to get fit but you can be considerate if there's certain times they sleep etc and won't use it then. Better to go down that route incase they decide to take up the tuba and then you've set the precedent to be considerate. Some people are more noise tolerant than others.

Chipsahoy · 29/07/2023 14:27

I don’t see why it’s not reasonable to use it as a gym? I lived above a garage once. I knew there would be noise. They could have used it for anything they wanted, they owned it, why should I any rights to tell them they can’t do it?! It’s good to be neighbourly but honestly I’d not say it’s unreasonable to use your garage as a gym.

TonTonMacoute · 29/07/2023 14:27

I think your suggestion to agree a specified time for half an hour a day is perfectly reasonable.

Neighbours ABU to expect no noise. You could be using the garage to tune car engines!

Fraaahnces · 29/07/2023 14:28

Use a couple of yoga mats underneath maybe. Let her know you have done everything to mitigate noise. If she persists, remind her that it is used for no more than it for half an hour a day and during legal, civilized hours. If she doesn’t like that response give her the council’s environmental health contact details and tell her to do her worst.

JumbledE · 29/07/2023 14:28

I think you’re fine. Ask them if there is any times they’d like you to avoid but at the end of the day it’s your garage and unless your running on it at midnight I can’t see the issue.

HaventTheyGrown · 29/07/2023 14:28

I have mine in my house, on wooden floor, it's not that noisy. I use mine when my neighbours are at work, l know that's not possible for everyone.

HaPPy8 · 29/07/2023 14:31

I think it’s fine. And garages are noisy. My neighbour is out tinkering with car engines all the time and it’s noisy … but they aren’t doing anything wrong! As long as it’s not midnight or something …

Ponoka7 · 29/07/2023 14:31

Anti vibration mat and ask them about times. Sometimes there can be restrictions about what garages with accommodation above, can be used for. Better to work with them than have environmental health involved.