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?

The gym etiquette I’ve used for about 10 years or more is that if someone is on a machine or squat rack or lifting platform, it is “theirs” for the time they’re using it. Thats not a problem.

So it’s just basic politeness to ask if you can work in.

If someone “stood aside” in between sets it would be difficult to see that actually they’re using the machine.

I think you need to be a lot less impatient and a lot more tolerant of other people’s ways of training, even if they’re different from yours. Or go to a different gym.

Oh, I wish!

A typo - I meant to say 60 kilos

But whatever = the etiquette still stands. I'm doing the workout I need to do - my main compound lift sets/reps will generally take half an hour or so, with warm up and rests between the heavy sets. If someone gets impatient with that, it's their problem.

Plenty of times I've been in the gym to do a programmed work out and a machine or station I want is being used. So I do a substitute exercise, and/or switch around the order of my workout.

None of us knows what's going on with other people. The two hours on a treadmill might be because that person needs to do a long run for a marathon training plan, & maybe it's late, it's raining, a woman who's been harassed while running outside - whatever. They are members of the gym just as much as I am.

I take your point on the racks and platforms. As for the machines, I don’t mind people taking a minute or two break between sets. If it’s really heavy weights i understand 4 mins might be needed. But there are people who sit there for unnecessarily long time selfishly scrolling. It doesn’t sound like you’re one of the types that we are objecting to.
If I ask to do a set on a machine while someone is taking a break ( scrolling) and they don’t allow it , is that acceptable gym etiquette?

@Glindaa what sort of machine - plate loaded? And when you say they "don't allow it", what do you mean? A flat out "No" when they are on fairly easily adjusted pin machines, or a "I've just got a couple of sets left" when it is a set up that will require re-rigging?

I've barely ever had to ask to work in when it was reasonable to do so, as people usually offer first, and so do I, IYSWIM (but if someone is squatting 250/300 kg I leave them be! - it does depend how much focus is needed as well as what the set up is) - what sort of a gym is it and have you used other gyms and found the same?

@Glindaa you think they’re “selfishly scrolling” but they’re doing their workout. I think you need to go at a different time or be more tolerant of other members. They have as much right as you to do the workout they need to do.

I use my phone to measure rest time and record weights and reps, otherwise I’ll forget and like to know how I’m progressing. Not everyone is on social media between sets. Also adequate rest time between sets is important.

I stopped going to my very small local gym because of this. One lady was using the cycle machine for ages, reading a book, when I finally got on it she hadn't even set the tension and was basically pedalling against fresh air. She also started trying to save one of the 2 running machines because her mate would be coming along shortly.

I go to a female only gym. Its great! And I choose the right time which is after work at 4. Plus Saturday afternoon, i get the whole place to myself.

wide range of ages frequent, but i do notice the young females are the ones scrolling the phones, like they are chilling in a cafe. I. An be there for an hour and they do some exercises, chill, move machine, chill then leave.

I work hard there and often wonder if they there just for instagram.

Don’t sit on the equipment between sets in this case 🙄

I don’t use the machines, I do free weights (not lifting heavy enough yet for racks), but I make sure I’ve only ever got the weights I need for one set instead of grabbing them all at once.

As for banning phones, I have my workout plan on mine & usually an audiobook playing, so if that happened I’d probably look for a different gym.

Speak to gym management formally- ask to make an appointment- or if there is some kind of customer forum, join it. You can make management aware of pinch points, high demand for particular equipment. They could swop lesser used kit out. ie ask them to manage.

You could request that staff on the gym floor are more proactive- just circulating, being present and more vigilant, actually watching how people use the equipment ( eg hogging 2 bits of kit ). Ask that the gym staff supervise, play a more active role in ensuring good etiquette.

And not everyone trains to lift as heavy as possible, so clearly you don’t understand how it works either!! I can do 3 sets while you’re “resting” and playing on your phone so move out of the way!!

When I used to go to the gym, I was literally doing timed 30 second rests between sets. I always had people asking if they can work in - then they were all annoyed when I politely explained that literally my whole workout on that particular machine takes about 5 mins.

So it depends. Of course nudge people when they're hogging machines. But equally be conscious that some users have very short times on each machine so it's not really efficient "working in".

My absolute pet peeve, even worse than the machine hoggers, was when I hadn't even started on my set - clearly still only setting up the machine etc - and someone pops to ask how long I'll be. Just go do something else and come back. Are you training for the fucking Olympics or are we all in the local PureGym paying the exact same membership? Just chill.

OP, you're focusing your 'rules' only on the equipment you use. Even your proposed restriction of 30 minutes on a treadmill. You seem to expect people to work around your routine.

I've not been to a gym for a while, but I'd be tracking my progress via my garmin app on my phone etc while resting. And unless you work with a partner you know, it would be just as irritating having someone 'work in' and then eat into your time when you need to step back in.

In response to pp, it absolutely is the etiquette at all the gyms I have used to sit on the machines (if you want to) between sets. It makes clear who is using the machine, and means you don't take up floor space that someone else might want. Other people can ask to jump in if appropriate and no-one has ever been rude. Some people go to the gym to be alone in their own headspace so they may answer briefly, which is totally fine.

It sounds like some of the gyms described here could do with some education posters about different sets/reps and rest ranges? It seems obvious to me that you can't work in with someone doing 3 sets of 15 with 30 sec rests, any more than you can (easily) with someone benching 120kg if you are on 30 - tho it is possible to swap weight plates as you need decent rest for bench, a lot of people prefer doing the big compound moves alone, or with someone they are used to training with, as you do need to focus, prepare mentally and own the space. It is important to understand the different ways of training IMO and recognise that you do need to stick to the programme for progressive overload and strength building (not using light weights for cardio and conditioning, but heavy weights at low reps) and for most people a gym is the only place they can do heavy lifting, and it is one of most gym's functions. That really doesn't necessarily make them inconsiderate, and those people tend to do fewer exercises per session.

I use my phone in the gym to record sets and reps, my overall programme, and also record and watch videos about form etc.

Could you use a home gym. You can buy machines quite cheaply online now. I bought a small treadmill and weights.

Depends what you want to use. But I much prefer it. No weighting times.

I feel like a lot of people who go to gyms go there to show off. A lot of the men go to show off their bodies to women that go. A lot of the people also go to film their workouts and post it on social media for content.

I'm friends with one man I work with on instagram.

He films every single workout. He posts how many calories he's burned. He writes about it all like he's a hero returning from war.

Like "one hour done on the stairmaster. 500 calories burned".

Next day "now it's leg day at the gym. Let's go!!"

That's quite rude.

OP, you're focusing your 'rules' only on the equipment you use. Even your proposed restriction of 30 minutes on a treadmill. You seem to expect people to work around your routine.

Exactly. This is such a good observation.

There are different ways to work out. People have different needs and different programmes. I need my three minute rest after sets of 3 deads at 90 kilos when I'm doing 5 sets. I need to sit down. That part of my work out takes 30 minutes. It's entirely legitimate, even if it's different from your workout.

But if a deadlift platform isn't available (my gym has 3), I'll do something else. Indeed, I know that if I don't get to the gym unto 6pm, there won't be a lifting platform or a squat rack free! Same as if I come in to use the sled, but someone else is (we only have one sled track). They were there first & I can wait or do something else.

I'd find another gym if they won't do anything.

No aggression at our gym, but hogging machines for ages is common. I watched a young lad go to a weight machine, sit for 10 mins on phone (I was on a cardio machine opposite), then did 1 set and scrolled for 5 minutes again. I wanted to use the machine so asked if he'd finished, he said he had 1 set left. Then he chatted to his friend for another 5 minutes before doing that set!
Unfortunately the friend then went on the machine so I didn't get on it!

some people act like going to gym is a place to go and relax and mooch and sit about or even do work calls & emails. Those people stop others from getting their workout done. I like to get in and out , no messing around

Yep they’re the worst ones, I sometime wonder why some people bother going to the gym if they’re just going to mess around. Nothing better to do with their time I think !

The bloke on the treadmill next to me today continually air drummed throughout his run. That was nothing to do with the thread but I thought I’d drop that in!

I emailed them and they said I need to ask to work in. But people don’t want to do that . They’ll look offended and say “but I’m using it!”, then quickly start using the machine, after they’ve just sat there 15 minutes doing eff all. These are the quick pin adjusted machines.
The only staff are PTs and receptionist . Manager probably around somewhere but they would never circulate and upset members by asking people to stop hogging equipment

Exactly!!