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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:
WannaBeRecluse · 30/07/2023 04:59

321user123 · 30/07/2023 03:45

I’m very confused by this.. maybe my treadmill is “special” (don’t think so) but treadmills aren’t that noisy??
I do mostly walk in it and don’t go above 5 speed (so probably that’s what it is lol)

PLENTY of people have converted their garages into home gyms and there’s more machinery than one treadmill.

Personally I’d ask if there’s a specific time they’d like me to avoid, other than that they can shove it.

They are noisy when someone is running on them. I'd imagine a downstairs unit might get quite a lot of noise from it but above shouldn't be so bad. I think the neighbour just wondered what the unfamilar noise was so checked it out.

MintJulia · 30/07/2023 05:22

If I were your neighbour, I'd be pretty fed up. Garages are for parking cars in, and storage, and so normally quiet.. They are not intended as gymnasia.

Why do you need to run/walk on a treadmill anyway? Why can't you run/walk outside, especially in summer?

I'd expect a letter from the council if you carry on. A compromise on timing sunds a better idea. Is there a time of day that neighbour always walks their dog or is at work when you can exercise without upsetting anyone?

IveHadItUpToHere · 30/07/2023 05:45

Your house will have better insulation, move it in there. It will also make it easier to watch your DC at the same time.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 30/07/2023 07:03

It's not a crime to use a noisy machine regularly in a place where it might have an impact on a neighbour, but it is a bit thoughtless. Now that you are know it's a nuisance, you're doing what you can to mitigate it. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

Similarly your neighbour just let you know how noisy he found it, that's perfectly reasonable too.

I would speak to him along the lines of 'I'm sorry I didn't realise how noisy it would be for you but I do need to continue using it. Can we talk about a solution that works for both of us? I've had some ideas, what are yours?'. There is probably a win/win solution there somewhere but you won't find it if you don't discuss it.

LT2 · 30/07/2023 07:11

YANBU.

A bit of noise is expected. It's not for long periods and/or at an unreasonable time.
I live in a mid-terrace and I hear DIY (very rarely). It's not really any different! It's what I expect to hear in the daytime.

hereistopositiveenergy · 30/07/2023 07:28

I personally wouldn't bother with anti vibration mats etc because I can see this becoming expensive as he'll no doubt make a comment about something else.

Garages, as people have stated already, can be used for anything. Primarily now people use them for storage and vary rarely cars as the cars are now bigger than garages in some cases. My DP has always had high performance cars and the last two went into the garage to be parked. When he started them up in the morning it would echo and I'm sure cause more of a vibration than you on a treadmill for 30 mins. Fortunately our garage is detached from any house but even now with his current performance car, it's too long to fit in the garage but on starting it up, it's not quite.

Keep going on the treadmill, 30 mins during the middle of the day isn't an issue. If you were doing it say 4am or 10pm might be different. Couch to 5k is also good for your running fitness if you wanted to mix it up so in time you move away from the treadmill altogether.

Itsmeeloise · 30/07/2023 07:37

Don't say you'll only be using it half an hour a day. That's very limiting as you may eventually want to use it for longer periods.Juat look into anti vibration mats and avoid unsocial hours as far as possible.

Colingirth · 30/07/2023 07:54

RitzyMcFitzy · 30/07/2023 02:34

bad for her neighbour's mental health? because anything that irritates us is now bad for out mental health? it's half an hour out of an entire day. get a grip.

people should become a Trappist monk if they want 24 hr silence.

No need to have a fit Ritzy. I meant that in the same sense that exercise is good for your mental health and because the OP was whinging about the neighbour preventing her doing something that was good for her mental health. Yes I am aware there is a big difference between bad for mental health and triggering mental health problems.

JMSA · 30/07/2023 08:23

I could put up with most things for half an hour a day! That's nothing.
Just reassure them that you won't take longer than that.

CantFindTheBeat · 30/07/2023 08:49

Goodness.

It can't be THAT loud. Also people often use garages as workshops - you'd be quite within your rights to work on a car, use tools and the like.

If you live over a garage/shop/business or whatever, you've got to expect more noise than a typical residence.

Crack on, OP.

Alphabeta123 · 30/07/2023 08:53

They are lucky they don’t live over ours… my son’s tap dancing mat is set up in there :)
its only about 30 minutes per day as well, but tap is noisy, even with padding under the mat. The houses have wooden floors, so tap is a no-go in the house.
other neighbours do car maintenance in/in front of theirs which is a lot noisier and longer every day.

chaosmaker · 30/07/2023 09:11

Olive19741205 · 29/07/2023 17:14

Your neighbour is being ridiculous. It's half an hour during day time. How on earth do they cope with people cutting their grass or something similarly loud?

They probably don't live above a garden being mowed with a metal floor?

BlastedIce · 30/07/2023 09:13

Carry on, it’s life and it’s half an hour a day.

BlastedIce · 30/07/2023 09:15

Colingirth · 30/07/2023 07:54

No need to have a fit Ritzy. I meant that in the same sense that exercise is good for your mental health and because the OP was whinging about the neighbour preventing her doing something that was good for her mental health. Yes I am aware there is a big difference between bad for mental health and triggering mental health problems.

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But OP can’t live her life on the premise that she may have an influence on someone’s mental health? That’s ridiculous, that’s up to the neighbour to sort their MH issues, because noise half an hour per day should be no problem at all

chaosmaker · 30/07/2023 09:19

Carpediemmakeitcount · 29/07/2023 18:12

There is no law against what she is doing and I loved in a flat as well. I used to exercise to Davina's workout video noone said nothing to me.

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Did your video make the neighbours' house vibrate? If not, then it's hardly the same.

Colingirth · 30/07/2023 10:01

BlastedIce · 30/07/2023 09:15

But OP can’t live her life on the premise that she may have an influence on someone’s mental health? That’s ridiculous, that’s up to the neighbour to sort their MH issues, because noise half an hour per day should be no problem at all

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Keep, up do I need to explain the context a third time!

Original poster
Oldhag5 · 30/07/2023 11:43

So I’ve spoken to him encouraged by the overwhelming view on here that I wasn’t being unreasonable. I said to him I was sorry it had made a noise, I have ordered an anti vibration mat and won’t use it again til it arrives and was there any time he would prefer I didn’t use it. He said it makes a noise any time I use it so I asked him if there was a regular time he often went for a walk or something, he said he didn’t want to plan his life around me using a treadmill or feel he was tied to a particular time. I told him I totally understood that I was just trying to inconvenience him as little as possible. I then said maybe there was a particular time of day he wasn’t in the room above the garage so I could try and fit in, again he didn’t want to be tied to particular times not to use a certain room in his house. Again I told him I totally understood that, I was just trying to be reasonable as I didn’t think half an hour a day is unreasonable at all so I would make sure I used it only during daytime hours (would never have used it at other times anyway), to please let me know if he does decide there is a time that is particularly inconvenient and I will make sure I avoid that. Also again that I hoped the mat I have ordered would make it less bad. He was sort of ok, did make a bit of polite chit chat afterwards so I think it will be alright. I see his point of view he would rather not the noise and I think he sees mine that half an hour is not the end of the world. Like he CAN choose to go in another room, not saying he should but there is that option and it’s not like my garage is beneath his main living area. Still feel a bit awkward but I think I have to try and forget it now because I really have tried to be reasonable with him and other than just not using there is no way to keep him completely happy….
Thanks again for all your replies

OP posts:
WannaBeRecluse · 30/07/2023 11:50

The noise of treadmills is really the thump thump thump as someone runs. He sounds like he's accepting of it. I get him not wanting to commit to times and live around your treadmill use. I wouldn't do that either. Half an hour isn't really a big deal and he seems to realise that, while acknowledging the noise it makes. Good that you talked to him though.

Original poster
Oldhag5 · 30/07/2023 11:56

WannaBeRecluse · 30/07/2023 11:50

The noise of treadmills is really the thump thump thump as someone runs. He sounds like he's accepting of it. I get him not wanting to commit to times and live around your treadmill use. I wouldn't do that either. Half an hour isn't really a big deal and he seems to realise that, while acknowledging the noise it makes. Good that you talked to him though.

Yes I totally get he doesn’t want to commit to times either, I only mentioned that to him as maybe that could have helped but I did say to him I totally understood he didn’t want to.

OP posts:
Agnes12 · 30/07/2023 12:04

I think you’ve done the right thing talking to him about it. If you both feel you can communicate with each other in a neighbourly way, and you are respecting his view, rather than “ forcing” it on him, he may be prepared to just put up with it if it’s not hours every day which I’m sure you wouldn’t be doing anyway.

Sewingdufus · 30/07/2023 12:12

Oldhag5 · 30/07/2023 11:56

Yes I totally get he doesn’t want to commit to times either, I only mentioned that to him as maybe that could have helped but I did say to him I totally understood he didn’t want to.

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He sounds a little grumpy and unreasonable. HE doesn’t want to be tied to a particular time but you’re offering to do that to help him! OP you have tried, run on!! Seriously, you have tried to accommodate and he is not reciprocating, you’ve bought the additional mat now use it without guilt.

TappingTed · 30/07/2023 12:15

You’ve done all you can and he can choose to not be so bloody grumpy. Enjoy your running x

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/07/2023 12:17

That sounds like a very good outcome on both sides.

He probably wasn't expecting you to be reasonable about it and was half anticipating you ripping his head off about how you can do whatever you like in your garage and it's his fault for choosing to live above one without guessing a treadmill would be bought in the future.

WannaBeRecluse · 30/07/2023 12:17

I don't get where he's been grumpy? Has he actually asked OP to stop? It sounded more like he went down to check what the unfamiliar noise was and commented on it being loud, not that he's come to complain. Saying he won't commit to times to live around treadmill use isn't grumpy, just stating his position, which is fair enough. At no point does OP say that he's asked her to stop, just commented on it being noisy. I take it he's retired or something that means he doesn't have a regular work schedule?

Carpediemmakeitcount · 30/07/2023 12:45

WannaBeRecluse · 30/07/2023 00:24

Playing music in the garden is inconsiderate though.

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I spoke to a friend who is an officer and she has children herself said don't live near children if you can't take a little noise.