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.

You often cannot tell by looking at someone what medical conditions they have.

My DH has a degenerative, life limiting neurological condition. It isn't outwardly obvious at present (though that will probably change). If he used a treadmill he would have to walk on it as he wouldn't be stable enough to run. I would hope that people would not sit in judgement on him for doing that.

The walking would really just to keep actually being able to move for as long as possible. How would you be able to tell that from just looking at him?

Also, these other people have paid to use the gym just as you have. They are allowed to use the equipment in a manner that suits them.

I was a walker following spinal surgery, now back to running. I think gyms should have a maximum time you can use cardio equipment at busy times, maybe 20 minutes. It’s isn’t what they’re doing, it is how long they’re using the equipment.

I do run near my house for this reason unless the weather is so dire I can’t face it and I tend to use the gym for weights. I prefer outdoor running but it’s just not always practical.

Being time poor is just a life phase, usually late 30’s-50’s then you get some of your time back again.. I am just adapting to my time poor life and just look on enviously to all the younguns who have so much freedom.. no point judging them over it, but also no point judging me as to ‘what’s the point’ I’m trying my best the same as everyone else! If I want to ram gym into my crazy life then that’s my own issue and not your concern

I have knee issues so would be walking on them rather than running but the gentle exercise would be important to my joint health.

I do run outside all of the time unless it’s icy but during that period it made more sense to do it in the work gym so I could access the lockers, changing rooms and showers. It was the only way I could fit it in around work. I’d do it on my lunch break or if I had a gap between lectures.

I think you are reasonable op. It's not like you are elbowing them off, just a bit miffed that they are hogging treadmills. I think it would be annoying if Paula Radcliffe herself came in and ran a marathon. People are waiting Paula!

It makes not difference whether it is deadlifting own weight or doing 0.5kg lateral shoulder raise. If the load is challenging for the individual, they need to recover properly before the next set. I don't know what you do that you only need 20second rest. I say, you are probably not working at the right intensity.

This is my point better expressed - I think it's a reflection of poor gym etiquette.

Poor gym etiquette is thinking other people have to pass your purity tests on the machines to be worthy of using them when you're there too.

And if you really think that poster is expressing your thoughts but better, that's no good thing; she thinks people shouldn't socialise at the gym nor use the machines at a speed or incline that doesn't meet her approval. Don't look there for gym etiquette.

I've been at both ends of the spectrum too and TBH I'd find it a bit frustrating whether I was there to do physio-mandated rehab or to run flat-out.

I've been at better gyms before that have more active management but this happens to be where my DC have lessons so I just use it for convenience, and I'm following a specific training plan for an event at the moment so I'll just grumble to myself until it's done and then I won't need to worry about it again!

Would you criticise people for not lifting heavy enough weights if you were waiting for that equipment?

If there aren't enough treadmills available at you gym when you want them, either try a different gym or try a different time.

Would you think it ok for someone waiting for the treadmill you were using to be annoyed at you, because they wanted to use it faster?

Cross post!

I do have some degree of sympathy for OP - in a busy gym it can be frustrating if it looks like people are just fannying around on machines - but everyone has paid for access to the gym and so it is what is, and of course what is low intensity for one person is high intensity to another. At busy times people do need to know to limit their time though.

There is, however, a special place in hell reserved for users of weights machines who hog the machines for ages between sets and refuse to let others work in.

If you know you're being unreasonable, why did you even post this in the first place?

There’s a guy on mine that does a walk whilst on the phone. Whatever. Except he goes on the specialist running treadmill to do it, there’s only one! He is just doing a slow flat walk, it’s a waste of equipment.

Theres also a pair of sisters who come to basically socialise and chat. Which would be fine but they are the rudest people alive, pressurising people to come off equipment (and then not really using it) huffing because people are using the cleaning spray. I don’t know why they don’t just go to a cafe.

It annoys me when people sit on the equipment talking to their pals or wherever, taking it up for someone wishing to use it. When people are actually using the machines, I couldn’t care less they do. Jeez 🤦🏻‍♀️

Completely agree- what's mad is these people drive to the gym and then just walk. Seems a bit daft to me...

I agree with you OP.

There is gym etiquette, especially when the gym is busy.

In the same way, you don’t sit on a popular weight machine scrolling on your phone, treadmills are for meaningful exercise over a sensible period of time.

I have every admiration of an unfit person pushing themselves by walking hard and improving their fitness. Everyone has to start somewhere!

However, having a slow walk and playing on your phone isn’t working out and isn’t what a gym membership is for.

It's more like if someone was just dicking about on the equipment between sets rather than letting someone else take a turn.

I've said right since the first post that I've got no issue with people walking slowly because that's what they need to do for their health, but it's a bit irritating if it feels people are just doing it to fill time hanging out in the gym - not that I object to people hanging out in the gym but there's loads of equipment they could use to hang out on which doesn't have a queue waiting to use it).

Walking at 3km ph is not 'dicking about'. It's still movement.

It's VVU to complain about people moving too slowly on the treadmill as many others have already said. However, it's not U at all for a gym to limit total time on cardio equipment at busy times to e.g. 20 minutes, I've been a member of a gym that did this and it helped quite a bit. Perhaps talking to the gym management might be a way forward for you?

I’d love to see this research. Can you link?

I empathise (I run on them too) , but equally at least they are doing SOME exercise and taking some personal responsibility !

I find it bizarre how people can not take a break from the socials for such a brief time though . This is worrying !

I suspect the January NY resolutioners will quit soon though and the queues will be less !

A thread bashing people who go to the gym and don't meet your high standards. How original.

I walk on the treadmill to warm up and cool down. I also look at my phone, I'll watch tennis or rugby. I'll do what I want and mind my own business, maybe you should do the same.

Yes, basically this. And I completely understand that appropriate exercise for some people isn't going to look like they're pushing themselves and I haven't got insight into who has an invisible disability or health condition. But I don't think that there are so many young women in my area with health limitations to account for the number who only stroll-and-scroll.

It's more like if someone was just dicking about on the equipment between sets rather than letting someone else take a turn.

It isn't, they're active. Unless you're saying some people are just using the treadmill as a leaning post and not moving at all.

I'm sure the big strong people wish I'd piss off when I take a prime position in their preferred area, lifting my unimpressive weights. But it's tough shit isn't it? That's what I want to do and I won't be intimidated or made to feel like I shouldn't be exercising in a way that I'm comfortable with.