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.

Factual.
But not judgemental...........

OP you are the exact reason why sooo many people don't have the confidence to step foot in a gym.

Well as it's a 'fact' you may as well let EVERYONE know about it 😉

Going out on a limb to say the issue might be more to do with them being "young" in "fashionable gym wear" and presumably appearing quite fit and healthy (since you can judge that apparently)....

At my gym it's the young women who piss about on the treadmills and the middle aged women (like me) who put the work in.

By 'piss around' I mean walk at 3km p/h with no incline while playing Candy Crush on their phones or blethering to their mate on the next machine for 30 minutes. What is the bloody point of that? That pace doesn't even increase your heart rate, it's slower than walking around the supermarket. These same girls (and yes, I class them as girls as they're under 20) then go on to hog the weights machines as they're too busy watching Tik Tok or scrolling through Instagram in between sets.

People with injuries and health conditions (I have many) of course can't run 5k on a treadmill but it's the ignorance, entitlement and lack of awareness in some that's infuriating. No one judges gym users that are new or struggling or limited in any way, only people who see it as a social club to hang out with their mates.

anyone joining a gym, honestly people won’t be judging you most of the time they just doing their own thing.

I will judge you if you don’t re rack your weights though (which is ALWAYS MEN)

I mean yes you are being unreasonable as anyone can use the equipment as they please and you are not anymore important than they are. HOWEVER personally I would not be going to the gym to walk on a treadmill, I would much rather go for a walk outdoors in the fresh air so I do understand your confusion with the situation.

@YelramBob but why isn’t it a social club to see your friends? There isn’t anything wrong with this. In fact I am envious of this myself as I think this would be something I would enjoy, I would like some gym friends myself

Have you considered using the cross trainer instead of the treadmill?
They may well be doing more good for themselves than you are longer term, walking is healthy whereas running causes knee damage over time. Cross trainers allow for a higher intensity workout with lower impact on the knees.

Yeah, you’re the reason I don’t go to gyms.
judgy af.

No one judges gym users that are new or struggling or limited in any way, only people who see it as a social club to hang out with their mates.

How fabulous for those who can always tell just by looking, huh!

My gym markets itself this way. It's a place to get fit, strong and sexy, but it's also a place that holds numerous social events and encourages you to get your friends to join and come with you.

But tbh your judgement is worthless anyway. They don't need your approval to use the machines how they wish and they probably don't like you either. If they're actually not using the equipment, ask if they're finished and if you can jump on; they won't say no but if they do, you can just flatten them with the muscles you gained with your superior workouts while they were wasting time.

It’s so cold and wet though. I run outdoors and it’s expensive and annoying this time of year, I had to buy special gortex trainers to stop me getting wet feet and my running clothes are always damp or soaked and muddy it’s a lot more admin. Plus I want to wear a hi vis cos it’s always bloody dark but then I get too hot in it.. but my hands freeze so I am always running and adjusting all my clothing!

People with injuries and health conditions (I have many) of course can't run 5k on a treadmill but it's the ignorance, entitlement and lack of awareness in some that's infuriating. No one judges gym users that are new or struggling or limited in any way, only people who see it as a social club to hang out with their mates.

People are just as entitled to use the machines and talk to their friends if they pay their way as those "working hard". They're still up and moving and social interaction has positive health benefits too. People scroll, play games, listen to audiobooks or watch a movie, they're still moving and making the time pass on a way that's pleasant for them. It's not a space just for the fit. It's an inclusive space and your attitude isn't.

That’s you though! Others may not want to walk in the cold, wet or dark.

Equally the OP could run outside.

That's actually a bit of a myth.

Each member pays fees and are therefore entitled to use the equipment equally as you. How fast or far they are going on the treadmill is none of your business! That’s like saying someone shouldn’t be allowed on the leg press machine because you deem the weight they’re using to not be heavy enough. If it bothers you that much, buy your own treadmill and you can go as fast and as long and as often as you like.

Well we’re only just into February. Give them a few months and most of these slackers will be gone

Are you for real??? Go and run outside then! They pay the same fees as you. You sound like a massive knob head

I power walk on a 15 incline for 45 mins. Why am I less important than you

Nothing wrong with this! The gym is a great way to connect with people and make new friends with similar interests but there's an unwritten rule you don't hog machines - biggest gym faux pas 😯

Gym classes are good for meeting people as you tend to get chatting before and after classes and there are always newbies who are nervous. Plus you can speak to the instructor before the class who can advise and reassure you.

Exactly. I read OP's post and shrugged and wondered why she doesn't do her intervals outside like I do. I'm sure she has her reasons. Just like the walkers on the dreadmills.

is this a joke? You really need to mind your own business. You have no idea why others exercise as they do and have no right to be judgemental. I personally use them as a fast walk, I can’t walk on an incline due to knee pain and can’t run due to other reasons. This sort of comment is what makes me so self conscious of using gyms. Also, I assume they pay to use that gym as do you, so you don’t get to decide how they use it

Sounds like a gym issue, you pay your fees as do they, if you feel like your gym doesnt have enough treadmills you should bring it us.

People go to the gym for varying reasons, I train but nursing a back injury just now but will go and "plod" along on the treadmill to get my steps. The reason i go to the gym is its dark when i can get out a walk, sometimes the weather is shite and honestly it overall improves my mindset.

These people on the treadmill could have done a 1 hour workout and doing a one our walk as their cool down, or that may be the only excerise they want to do.

Its not a them problem, its a you problem.

This is the kind of thing you should think and not say. In my head I’m furious that someone else has the audacity to be in the space I want to use. I’d love to tell them to get out of my way, but I don’t. I smile and nod because they have every right to use the gym however they want.

YANBU but then I don't get either treadmills or stationary cycles for exercise for the majority of people - just go outside an exercise and save yourself some money...