People walking on treadmills in the gym

[crinklechips]

OK to start with I know I'm being a bit U but I need to have a mini-rant.

I use currently use the gym mainly for running intervals and speedier sessions which are easier to manage indoors.

Every time I go in all the treadmills are taken, and mostly by people walking.

Now I can totally understand that people have different fitness levels, might be using the treadmill to warm up or for recovery and that's absolutely fine.

But there seems to a growing number of people (actually, exclusively younger women in my observation) just using the treadmills for a gentle stroll while messing around on their phones.

I ended up next to a young woman last night who spent the entire half hour I was on the neighbouring treadmill walking at 3kph, no incline, while scrolling instagram. I can barely call that exercise, it's below a normal walking pace. If that's how you want to kill time then I guess it's up to you but it just seems selfish when there's a queue of people waiting for a treadmill.

Yeah, you are being a bit unreasonable.

You don't get to dictate how other people exercise. What they're doing is no more or less 'important' than what you're doing.

You know you are BU. Gym members have the same access to the same equipment.

Of course YABU.
They pay to use the facilities just as much as you do. They have every right to use them as they wish.

They pay the same gym fee as you and have as much right to use the equipment as you. Yes, sometimes you have to wait. I also sometimes have to wait in a busy gym for equipment. So what

It's a bit like saying I find it annoying when people run on the treadmills- they are there for anyone who pays the subscription.

I walk on a treadmill for a medical reason that you'd not know about by looking at me. I would hate to think someone was glaring at me thinking I was wasting "their" space.

How does this affect you?

I don't see the point of it but what other people do is none of my business

They pay to use the facilities, they get to use those facilities at whatever speed they choose.

There are many women who would rather go for a "walk" in the gym on a treadmill rather than walking on dark streets, especially in winter when nights draw in early. Not even to mention the weather!

I'm a walker on the treadmill. Didn't realise that important speedy people like you were judging me.

Maybe I don't like your sweaty pounding?!

I walk on a treadmill due to injury. YABVU

I mean they're also paying so it's upto them how they use their gym time. If there's not a treadmill available you could just ask someone to let you know when they're done with it and use something else while you wait? It's a non issue

You are one of the reasons why some unfit people don't use gyms. The judgement is horrific.

Those people paid to use the service... just because you would use it differently doesn't mean they are wrong.

Not everyone needs to fit into your gym standards.

They pay their membership the same as you. You don’t get priority just because you have the treadmill set at 15kph.

Many people have hidden disabilities, such as neurological conditions, or knee/ligament injuries, and walking might be their rehab.

Even if they don't, it's ok for them to exercise however they see fit.

I wouldn't care if it wasn't affecting me but it is because I can spend so long waiting for a treadmill I can't actually complete a workout.

It's frustrating when you're looking at people moving at a gentle stroll thinking 'what are you actually getting out of this?'

A family member has a rare heart condition and can only do gentle exercise. So keep your judgements and opinions to yourself op.

This. Your run isn’t more important than their walk.

There's all that open space and fresh air outside; you could use that.

Safety and security? A dry walk in a lit room rather than getting wet in the rain?

I’m in year 2 of recovery from a serious back injury. I have just been told by my physio I can start to use the gym again. 10 minutes on the cross trainer and 10 minutes walking in the treadmill. It’s judgy pricks like you that make me dread going. Perhaps you’d like me to wear a T-shirt explaining my medical history because you can’t tell by looking at me.

They pay their gym fees like you and they can use the equipment as gently as they wish. It doesn't matter why. You don't get priority because you think you're doing a worthier workout.

I've found early morning midweek in the gym to be a very busy time. Lunchtime, late evening and early on weekends seem quietest to me. Try those.

That’s like saying that people who lift heavy weights have more right to be in the weights area than people only using light ones! Everyone pays the same membership fee so has as much right to use the equipment as anyone else.

DON'T actually voice this to anyone you know in real life OP.

Because you're being a fitness princess "I'm better than other people" and it would be really embarassing.

Go and run outside, if you don't want to wait. Your workout isn't more important than theirs so you'll have to wait your turn.

I walk on the treadmill purely as a warm up while I wait for my next class to begin , that could be 5 mins or 15 mins depending on how the traffic was or parking etc. I don’t complain when you sweaty pound next to me so please give me the same courtesy