New Year Gym Goers upsetting the equilibrium

[NewYearStillFat]

I'm a regular gym goer - usually putting the kids in clubs and using the gym is an opportunity to relax at the weekend. Everyone gets some exercise and I can workout, have a decent shower and maybe grab a coffee.

But it was utter chaos today, it was a nightmare getting on any equipment - people hogging several sets of dumbbells whilst on cable machines, maybe doing supersets or whatever but looked like they were just reserving them.

Changing rooms so busy - people occupying space they weren't in - so on changing benches but also at dressing table etc rather than move their stuff so someone else could use. I was waiting for the straighteners as a woman was literally half chatting on the phone and half straightening her hair - in the end I had to ask if she was still using them as it wasn't clear and then realised there were two other people eying them up after me.

Chaos! What's usually my place to relax was so stressful.

Good to vent, everyone starts somewhere but it would be better if they could also be considerate to other users.

However, @ListenDontJudge is correct, it's the people who join up and then stop coming frequently who subsidise the cost for everyone else, so should be thanking them really!

'If there are multiple machines of the same type free, go to one on the end, or at least one further away, rather than jumping on right next to the only other person using them.'

er, why ?

I do walk to the gym but bring as I live next door it doesn’t really count!

'Wear whatever clothes you want to exercise, but bear in mind that some (jeans/crocs) are not optimal gym wear,

There was a guy in my gym the other day wearing jeans with shorts over them, an outdoor bomber jacket, boots and a beanie hat. I thought he was a workman in fixing something at first but no.

Why? Do what you want when you get there. Aslong as you’re being respectful.

'urinal rules' innit

same as if there are lots of completely empty seats on a bus or train you sit on them first, and only sit next to someone when there aren't any more spare ones. Not be the creep that sits next to a stranger on an otherwise empty bus.

e.g. in my gym, all the treadmills are lined up right next to each other in a long row with no gap at all between them. If there are people either side of you there's very little room, you can hear their music, arms are swinging within an inch of you, it gets hot with people either side and you can smell their sweat/farts/etc.

Obviously if it's busy then there's nothing you can do, but if you're literally the only person on the entire row, as I was the other day, it's incredibly annoying when someone jumps on right next to you, rather than any of the other 17 empty ones!

yeah the guy with crocs realised they weren't ideal once he started using the machines so just took them off and exercised in his bare feet 🤮
h&s issue as well as being just grim

It seems bit odd to complain about treadmils being too busy to use when one could just go running on a real road

Can I? Thanks for that brilliant insight. No I can’t. First reasons which I frankly can’t be bothered to explain to you but it involves arthritis.

Ive never not been able to use a treadmill so it’s not an issue I’ve had - but I use the treadmill to warm up and cool down, plus my kids are in the creche or kids club whilst I work out which precludes me running outside. I know there’s other people who will be able to run outside but there’s a myriad of reasons to incorporate the treadmill into your workout that would make it impractical to simply run outside - HIIT style workouts, interval training, injury…

um, because treadmills are indoors?
in a safe space that's well lit, warm and AND DRY
with people around who could help you if you got injured
where you don't have to worry about being harrassed and shouted at by men driving past?
where you can just keep going rather than having to stop to avoid dogs/cars etc
where you can also do other types of exercise at the same time and place?
the ability to control your route, i.e. how many inclines and how steep
not to mention, as the pp said, the better cushioning for people with injuries, arthritis, who are just starting out, overweight, etc
if you suddenly need the loo you can just get off and go rather than desperately trying to find a tree to squat behind
you don't have to carry your keys, water bottle, tissues, towel etc with you

I mean, seriously? Do you really think that people, what, are too stupid to realise they could run on a road if they wanted to? Is it that hard to understand that some people have very valid reasons for preferring to use the gym?

This is a very angry thread 😅 Just reminded me I need to go to the gym. But I’ll go later on when the rush has subsided.

That unbelievably glib comment also got me riled up @latetothefisting

As well as all the reasons you give, plus the dangers of running alone in the dark at this time of year, I run on a treadmill because I have arthritis in both my knees. The treadmill is a more forgiving surface than the road, plus I can always run on a slight upward incline to help my poor creaky knees.

My gym has been quite quiet although I do go at 6am. What I have noticed which is driving me mad is people going from the treadmill to another piece of equipment but leaving the treadmill running I assume so they don’t cool down waiting for it to speed up. It’s so dangerous imo, some poor sod is going to step on one not noticing. It makes me worried!

According to this thread, there seem to be multiple problems with using gyms

Just signed up for my exercise class. I've been a bit unwell so didn't put on the notification so signed up last minute. Last time I was number 27 in the queue when signing up within minutes. Now number 8 eventhough I signed up 3 days after it was possible. Normalcy has returned.

il report back tomorrow. I changed my times as it was nuts after nyd as i couldnt get on a treadmil and the weight area was rammed as soo the cool down area with people laying down on the mats playing on there phones /chatting (local council gym) So il go this week after work and see if its returned to normal.

Are You bring purposely obtuse @VoodooRajin ?

I've just checked my app and my gym is still busier than normal. And I was going to go back this week.

Will see how busy it is tomorrow, as I'm off it doesn't matter what time I go. Otherwise it looks like 5am wake ups for me.

My gym is still rammed, especially on Monday & Tuesday evenings - not looking forward to getting there tonight and not being able to get parked!

I don't mind it too much, I'd prefer a busy gym to a quiet one but the lack of dumbells is annoying, I'll give heavier ones a go but I can't shoulder press 28kg which were the lightest ones left on Saturday!

Well said 👌🙏

yes, multiple problems with people using gyms incorrectly and inappropriately
I'm sure if the thousands of new gym runners all took to the roads instead there would also be people doing that 'wrong' too
in fact I nearly ran over somebody running on the road (not the pavement) in the dark, without any colourful or reflective clothing the other day