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.

Buy your own treadmill , problem solved

Incline walking will build an endurance base.
Edited to add: Sorry! Was posting in reference to what pp had said, not you. You were right in saying it wasn't true x

Yeah you're more than unreasonable!

This. Stop judging and leave people alone. The worst kind of gym etiquette is judging others. If they're walking and scrolling so what.

I used to look at the treadmills and think "why don't you just go for a walk?" To be honest, though, I can understand why they don't. The countryside round here is being covered in new houses, and the country lanes now have the traffic of a flippin motorway. It's actually depressing to go walking in the Essex countryside – plus you're likely to be run over.

Walking straight after weight training is very good for you and helps burn maximum fat.

That’s what they’re “getting out of this”.

Just as valid an exercise as your interval runs.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/a65346185/walking-after-strength-training-fat-burn/

Oh no I don’t run. I only use treadmills for warm ups, I only use the normal ones. But people come in and are running and they should be able to use that. Rather than him having a flat walk and a chat on it. And there are treadmills free.

@redannie18 Same here, I actually can’t run for medical reasons but I need to walk to help with the health issue and I do use my phone on occasion too. I can’t see why it’s an issue for you or anyone else @crinklechips

Personally when I go to the gym I couldn’t give a hoot what anyone is doing or watching. It’s my time and I focus on myself.

Of course if it bothers you that much you could always buy a treadmill and exercise from home where there is nobody to “annoy” you.

Why not go for a run and run intervals outside with a timer? Just as easy for you to do that as it is for someone to walk.

YABU. Why should they walk in the cold when they can do it in the warm?

I have a treadmill at home, I use it everyday and very helpful for non-active days when I am WFH.

Leave people alone, why do you care what others do?

I can understand why it’s frustrating for you. But they are as entitled as you are to use the machines. If you’re that good a runner, why not go for a run?

Ironically I am reading this whilst planning a walk on a treadmill later tonight, luckily I have one at home so I won't be judged. For reference I am fit, I run it strength training most days. I did a strength training session earlier today and fancy a walk as I have sore legs from snowboarding yesterday.

The only thing you reasonably get to have an opinion on is the amount of time they are using the equipment for. Some gyms put a half hour usage time limit on treadmills at busy times. What they choose to do with that time is none of your business.

If you are regularly having to queue for key equipment for long periods then your gym does not have enough equipment for the number of members they have taken on and you should take it up with them.

Quite, OP could go for a run outside first and then come back to the gym to use the other machines and weights. But then she’d probably complain that other people were using them too!

Just to add to this, many strength programs will direct a person to 3-4 lifting days per week, maybe 2 days of cardio and a step count of anywhere between 8-15000 steps so that your NEAT is increased. Exercise calories alone aren’t going to shift fat or recomp your body, but increasing your step count increases your NEAT (the energy you expend just existing) and is highly recommended as part of a training program.
Given so many more women are following strength programs now, that’s a good reason why so many are increasing steps on treadmills - it’s the reason I do it, all my actual cardio I do outside.

Who are you, the exercise police?? There may be many reasons people 'walk ' on a treadmill...none of which are your fecking business 😒

This is why people are scared of going to the gym- judgement!
YABVVVVVVVVU

What a horrible entitled post!!

You are being ridiculously unreasonable! Who are you to judge what anyone is getting out of exercising whether that be a gentle stroll or not!! They pay to use the gym too, just because you run doesn’t give you more entitlement to use it over someone who walks. You don’t know their circumstances so be a bit more gracious and wait your turn

I walk on the treadmill as I have a long term health condition

People kept asking why I was bothering to go the gym to run and this is why I go to the gym to run?

You’re being totally unreasonable and naive.

People with hip problems, just as one example, find it much less painful to walk on a treadmill as opposed uneven paths. They need to exercise too, it’s not just all about you!

You are right tbf. same with people on the exercise bikes cycling with no resistance... literally no point unless you are massively overweight.

better to push yourself hard for a shorter time rather than half ass it for an hour.

however it's a free world and they've paid their membership like you so they are perfectly entitled to do so 🙂

You'd be waiting whether they were running, walking or hopping.

I go the gym and walk on a treadmill

1. because if I run other people will be swimming in my piss
2. the time of I want to go out walking it’s dark and I’m afraid it’s just not safe.
3. I pay my gym membership therefore I can!

Yes I guess so - but the whole thing is a bit intolerant.

I do get annoyed with gormless phone use, so can sympathise up to that point, but I do think the emphasis on them being slow is a bit off.