Page 5 | To be fed up with machine hoggers at the gym?

Glindaa · 2025-04-21T18:11:41+00:00

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?

Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 19:37

Kellybonita · 23/04/2025 08:50

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!!"

Edited

If I had space but I live in small flat.
that guy sounds quite boring 😅

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GraveAndQuiet · 23/04/2025 19:48

I hate it when people ask to work in. I wipe down all touch points- seat, handles, pin... everything before and after. It's an hangover from covid days- and i don't want to catch any cold or bug, so I'm not going to do that between every set.

Also, if annyone asks how many sets I've got left, I always say "3" with a blank expression, regardless of the real number. Then I just carry on doing my thing.
I never have my phone out though.

Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 20:56

AlpacaMittens · 23/04/2025 08:15

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.

Edited

It’s more the ones on the pin adjusted machines that aren’t necessarily lifting heavy but taking excessively long rest breaks . After ten mins goes by I might be brave enough to interrupt their scrolling or whatever they’re doing & ask to do a quick set. The typical response is they look offended and say “ but I’m using it ! “ then jump up and start using machine.
Agree people shouldn’t ask when you’ve just got the machine & adjusting it

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Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 20:57

LittleBigHead · 23/04/2025 13:15

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.

But I wasn’t questioning any of that

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Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 20:59

GraveAndQuiet · 23/04/2025 19:48

I hate it when people ask to work in. I wipe down all touch points- seat, handles, pin... everything before and after. It's an hangover from covid days- and i don't want to catch any cold or bug, so I'm not going to do that between every set.

Also, if annyone asks how many sets I've got left, I always say "3" with a blank expression, regardless of the real number. Then I just carry on doing my thing.
I never have my phone out though.

That’s fine unless you’re taking excessively long rest breaks between each set.

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Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 21:01

LlynTegid · 23/04/2025 13:18

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

I might have to 😬

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Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 21:08

MsMartini · 22/04/2025 22:20

@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?

Pin adjusted machines , people are surprised if I ask to do a quick set while they’re. “ resting” after they’ve sat there for ten mins or more. They jump up and say “I’m using it !!”

it’s a well known lifestyle kinda gym , a mix of people from proper training and those who I think “why bother” with the ratio between a bit of half arsed working out & mainly just sitting around

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AlpacaMittens · 23/04/2025 21:29

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 20:56

It’s more the ones on the pin adjusted machines that aren’t necessarily lifting heavy but taking excessively long rest breaks . After ten mins goes by I might be brave enough to interrupt their scrolling or whatever they’re doing & ask to do a quick set. The typical response is they look offended and say “ but I’m using it ! “ then jump up and start using machine.
Agree people shouldn’t ask when you’ve just got the machine & adjusting it

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Ten minutes!!!! Some people are ridiculous.

A new thing at my local gym was people doing a circuit on several machines and essentially reserving them by placing stuff on them - a water bottle here, a towel there, a keyring further down. I just pushed the stuff away and used the machine. Only got "told off" once by a very intimidating dude and I never tried it again. Some people are just morons and it's not worth the stress.

Original poster

Glindaa · 23/04/2025 21:41

AlpacaMittens · 23/04/2025 21:29

Ten minutes!!!! Some people are ridiculous.

A new thing at my local gym was people doing a circuit on several machines and essentially reserving them by placing stuff on them - a water bottle here, a towel there, a keyring further down. I just pushed the stuff away and used the machine. Only got "told off" once by a very intimidating dude and I never tried it again. Some people are just morons and it's not worth the stress.

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Yes, I actually time them sometimes , I’ve seen longer than ten mins, one woman on one machine for the entire hour I was there - she was on a work phone call. Every now and then she’d do a few half arsed leg reps. not many seem familiar with concept of working in,
yes there are people at my gym who try to reserve multiple machines with a water bottle or towel. I just use the machine but have had a guys storm over and tell me “ hey! I’m using that !” . Probably not worth the aggro .

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