To be fed up with machine hoggers at the gym?

[Glindaa]

Every time I go to the gym there are people who sit around on machines for ages between sets , scrolling on their phone or whatever, as if no one else in the gym needs to use that machine. I always get up between sets in case someone else wants to use it or go between machines. I sometimes politely ask if I can do a set while they’re not using it , people usually say something like “ I’ve got two more sets to left to do” occasionally someone will begrudgingly get up looking miffed. On rare occasion someone has been aggressive towards me. My gym aren’t interested in fixing the problem with signage about gym etiquette. WWYD?

Of course you are. And I’m sure that during deadlifts / squats you take off all the weights so someone can step in during the three minute rest 😂

As said, on machines. Maybe. But it’s not the norm

I’m talking about the machines , where you can just move a pin to adjust weight & off you go. Very easy for people to stand aside between sets & take in turns with other paying gym members. Or rotate to another machine

@LittleBigHead you are squatting 500kg plus??

This thread is about machines, not the weights. It should be the norm to take it in turns , that’s the point

You are still supposed to warm up if you are doing higher weights though…which will take more than the original users rest period.

And as I said, on machines it’s more likely that you can step in between sets, But I agree those who sit on machines on their phones for more than a couple of minutes can be annoying, though they are the ones that generally move if you ask them.

Most problems would be solved by banning mobiles in gyms, at least then people would focus on exercising rather than scrolling.

I am indeed - a self-employed Level 4 PT with additional qualifications in ante and post natal and exercise (GP) referrals, plus the usual CPDs in group exercise classes and spin etc.
I'm talking mostly about machines but also racks. In a busy gym be nice to your fellow gym goers, don't be an arse, and don't hog things. Unless you're trying for the Olympics you aren't entitled to hog stuff for 15 mins.

wow , she sounds quite rude!

That would seem to encourage people to jump onto equipment and whack on a weight without any warm up sets though. Fine if the person stepping in just wants to do low weights / high volume. But the person already on the machine doesn’t know that.

Gym assholes are the worst assholes.

#notallgymgoers

But some men I've had to talk to in gyms, are so pumped up with arrogance and self importance. And see that their workout is more important than anyone else's. That we should all bow to their amazing workout.

And some of the women I've met have shouted at me to get out of their way.

Yes I guess that is probably why people don’t let others on. I think the only solution is just to ask to do a set while someone is resting. If they’re annoyed about it at least it reminds them not to sit & scroll while others are waiting

Yes there are some real assholes at gyms, kind of puts me off going

In a busy gym you take your chances on the rack. No one doing 3 by 3 of a heavy weighted squat is going to take off the weights in between sets. 3 by 3 with a warm up will easily be 15 minutes - that’s life :)

I must be lucky, no dramas at my gym...just a local council run one. Some days I feel like a right old fart as it's full of young teenagers but when I'm lifting heavier than them I think I get due respect 😂

I'm happy to let someone use the equipment in between my heavy sets providing they re-rack the weight and wipe their sweat off by the time I am ready to do my next set.

I watched someone sit on a leg press for over 25 min in the gym today, it was ridiculous and selfish, she spent most of that time scrolling and about 5 min actually using the equipment

I know what you mean , I wonder if the aggressive people are that way so they can get their workout done, but I am not aggressive & avoid confrontation, the most I’ll do is politely ask to take in turns but people usually won’t and say they’ll be “another 15 mins” I don’t have 15 mins to wait !

They can have a rest standing next to machine or keep it to one minute or max two mins. Not the five / ten mins the selfish ones in my gym do!

So selfish & inconsiderate of her! How can she not realise others are waiting to use that machine & have to leave to get back to work or home without using it because she’s hogged it. These people are the WORST!

This is funny. Totally take your point but rest between sets is how o got into Mumsnet!

Do you find it’s nearly always men that sit there for ages between sets? I do. I don’t know what they do. One guy gets up and walks back and forth though leaves all his stuff on the machine so you don’t feel you can take it. Another gets up and poses in the mirror. I’m sure I’ve even seen him kissing his muscles before now.

women on the whole just seem to do their sets and move on. With maybe 30 seconds to a minute between sets.

I see what you mean about the heavy weights etc,
as for those on machines , I feel uncomfortable asking ,and if I do they usually tell me they’re “using it!”

I hate the people who go on the treadmills for two hours!

I have to say at my gym the women are equally as bad as the men for sitting around scrolling, there are also the kids to put up with too who are there with their parents ( or alone if they’re 12 & over I think the age rule iw(

Yeah I'd say it's the women in my gym who sit and scroll more than the men.

Or spend ages filming their workouts