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.

As a a former marathon runner but with permanent hip injury I walk. It's boring. It's very boring. I don't get dopamine from it but I have to do it to stay fit and healthy.

Be grateful.

As much as you for their own health, without impact damage to joints.

Gentle w gealking has many benefits for a few systems.

Its people like you why i was scared to go to the gym for half my life.
I've got over it now. People can think what they like.
But its awful being that judgemental.
Those people have a right to use that equipment however they want as long as it's safe. You've no idea what fitness level they have or what injuries or limitations they may have. Whatever excercise people can regularly manage is beneficial

You sound really mean and entitled honestly
Buy your own treadmill then you wont have to share it with the public wo dont excercise how you want

Regardless if someone is walking for 30 minutes or running for 30 minutes you are still going to be waiting to use the treadmill. Just because you only have an hour doesn’t mean your time is more valuable than any other user. If it annoys you so much change to a gym that has more equipment or invest in a home treadmill

Moving slowly is more activity than not moving at all. They're getting something out of it or they wouldn't be doing it.

She pays the same as you to use the equipment. Maybe she just wants to get her step count up. Walking burns calories, even at slow pace. No it might not get your heart pumping in same way but maybe she wants to reach a certain number of steps daily to help with weight loss. I do the same, though I walk up and down my lounge. It makes all the difference for me in terms of weight loss doing 15k steps a day instead of the 5k i’d do without doing the indoor walking. Ultimately anyone using a template could do it outside, but they pay the gym to use the treadmill and there’s no rule you have to run or walk up an incline. So yes, YABVU.

Second post @crinklechips

You all pay to use it. Some run faster and done walk. Its not up to you to decide what speed someone should move.

Yep all of this.

Shitty attitudes like yours OP about what constitutes a ‘proper’ workout are the reason so many don’t even get started, there’s a fear of judgement and it appears it’s alive and well here!!!

Also, last year I was a slow treadmill walker at the gym, for months - I was in cancer treatment including a mastectomy and some days just needed the gym for a change of scenery for getting my steps in. Everyone there is paying their membership so they can do whatever they like.

It's thanks to judgemental oiks like you that I've had to buy my own treadmill to be able to gradually try to improve my mobility.

Just maybe it makes HER feel good about herself and that is just as important as anything else. Maybe her putting on her “fancy” gym gear and getting out to do something is simply to make her feel good. The state of this world we are living in I’d rather have gyms full of women walking and moving than feeling trapped at home because they don’t feel safe walking the streets, especially in the dark of winter.

I prefer walking outside and a bit of rain doesn't worry me. I can shower after and freshen up if I need to I am not frightened of water.

It's the fit looking women who are wearing make up while they are lifting weights with ease or the bodybuilder men flexing their muscles. The gym intimidates me because I am not as mobile as I once was. That's my issue no one else's.

I went and walked on a treadmill after major surgery, firstly to get out of the house and secondly to get my body just moving after 3 weeks of bed rest. I think it’s kind of up to everyone what pace they go at!

Meh give it a couple of months and you'll have no problem getting on one. It was one of the reasons I went to a 24 hour gym as nobody could judge me and I didn't need to wait for any equipment at 5am.

I just want to put a big banner on this thread to say “No one is judging you at the gym. The OP is a weirdo.”

Go buy a treadmill and run at home or in a park and get a life too... you don't own the gym everyone has an equal right to do what they want in there. Ps slow ratio cardio aka walking burns more fat

I always wonder why the trendy youngsters are walking on the treadmill. Especially on a nice day. They're not as annoying as the people who leisurely do the equipment in-between staring at their phones "resting" between sets. I forget some people have all the time in the world though.

TBH I am regretting posting this now - not because I am getting a pasting (which I anticipated!) but because it’s clearly made some people feel worse about using the gym - which wasn’t my intention and I am sorry.

Loads of people of all ages, sizes and fitness use this gym.

My frustration is basically with young people using the gym as a hang out and sort-of-barely using the gym equipment. Which is still no doubt unreasonable but it wasn’t intended as a broader comment on people walking.

Walking is really good for you. I'm an injured runner and love to walk on the treadmill. It's winter and I can't do my walks outside all the time. Honestly I love to watch TV, scroll tiktok or do my sainsburys order while walking on the treadmill at an 'easy' heart rate. It's literally just killing 2 birds with one stone to get a bit of gentle exercise in and burn more calories than sitting on the sofa doing the same.

You should try going for a walk- it might make you less grumpy!

Torn, of course people can use equipment to walk or run.
But I always think if im walking Id rather outside in fresh air.
But if course you could equally say that about running.
What I dont like is equipment hoggers no matter what they are doing -during busy periods there should be a time limit on machines

In the winter a lot of us women feel scared to walk for a long time after dark.

I rest between sets because you should rest between sets. I also scroll my phone whilst I’m waiting. What am I supposed to do? Stare into space?

It's strange to me that you don't think the gym should be used as a hangout! I used to be a powerlifter and a key part of training was the social aspect. Lots of people don't socialise in the pub.

YABVU. It sounds like the gym doesn't have enough treadmills if the one(s) they have is constantly occupied. Feel free to complain to their management -suggest they buy more treadmills or impose a time limit for everyone. Or just vote with your feet and find another (bigger) gym with more treadmills. You certainly can't "police" other gym members and the equipment they use.

What they are getting out of it, is none of your business.