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.

I can’t run - snapped ACL, so knee not stable. I walk 5kph at 15 incline for 40 mins after 40 mins each erging and spinning. Deal with it.

Judgy as f**k. Just don't.

This is a fair point. I really hate the gym and see it as a totally functional means-to-an-end and my objective is to get in and get out. But it’s clearly not what it is about for them.

And still with the sexist ageism.

Just own it @crinklechips you are very unreasonable, and you've made some posters feel worse.

Why not be the bigger person and just apologise on this thread?

@crinklechips

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.

All irrelevant, they're paying the same as you for the same access to the gym and it's equipment. If they want to pay a few hundred per year just to chat to others, then they've every right to do that. Your complaint/argument should be to the gym management who are the only ones who can change things, which presumably they would do if enough people were bothered about it.

I don’t run on a treadmill because I’m frightened of falling over. I lose my footing easily and so I prefer to power walk.

I get plenty out of it and running gives you lines so I’m told

Yes! My gym is moving to bigger premises in the summer, with a sauna, a dedicated stretching area, and a café. I've said to the owner I'm just going to bring my laptop and live there after my heavy lifting sessions. I may never go home ...

Of course it's a great place to hang out. I have the most interesting conversations with other women in the change room.

It's a different group of people than my work colleagues, and I like the variety and friendliness.

It’s still entirely their choice 🤷‍♀️

it’s clearly made some people feel worse about using the gym - which wasn’t my intention and I am sorry.

What did you think was going to happen when you started telling people that they're somehow lacking if they're not exercising the way you deem acceptable?

My frustration is basically with young people using the gym as a hang out and sort-of-barely using the gym equipment.

I absolutely 100% do not believe that there are no middle aged or older people who chat and don't go for the burn. You possibly don't notice them because we all get invisible as we get older, or because they aren't scrolling social media so there's no klaxon, but they are definitely there.

However, now that you're aware that accusing people of "dicking around" and being selfish and useless and not meeting your standards and determining their stories by looking at them is actually upsetting and off-putting for many - and, ironically, won't remotely bother the small percentage of gym goers who actually fall into your category of unacceptable, not that that gives them any less right to exercise how they choose - what are you going to do?

Do you go to PureGym op?

Not only are you rude, entitled and patronising.

You’re also fucking clueless 🤣🤣

I think @crinklechips should apologise unreservedly on this thread, @ThatCyanCat and give her head a wobble.

Would you feel the same about someone training for a winning position at the marathon des sables and spending hours upon hours on the treadmill? They might be looking at your workout and thinking ‘pah, what are you getting out of this?’

You’re all paying the same membership. If you don’t like it, pay a bit more for a more exclusive gym.

Do a different exercise? If you are resting legs then do arms / abs?
I don't have any patience to sit there.

No because that would mean I’d lose my spot and my work out would be disrupted. For the reasonably short time I’m resting in between sets, I’ll scroll my phone.

I remember commenting on this years ago at a rather well-known and expensive gym. My male friend was surprised I didn't realise that some of the girls were errrmmm looking for work (not sure how to express this). Now that OF is a thing, floating around the gym not doing anything might (not in all cases, obvs) be a kind of advertising, and might explain their need to keep scrolling their phones! 😬

You need to learn a bit more about strength training. The rest is essential.

Unless you're deliberately doing a super set, but you programme those after the main compound lifts.

When I'm deadiifting I really need at least a 2 minute rest (generally 4 minutes) between 3 reps at 100 kilos. I need to catch my breath at the very least!

And it's when I'm resting that my muscles are responding to the way I'm stressing them, so they grow stronger.

you are going to get thrush the way you have those judgy pants hoiked up

The experienced gym-goer in me says the January people will have dropped off by February.

Change your gym routine/time if you can't get on the equipment

I do gym 5 days a week. I don’t find this at the gym I go to. If people think it is their turn on a piece of equipment they simply ask “ are you nearly done?” If not the person says no and all is good but often they will step off and do something else. If it is a no the asker does another activity. I think if you only focus on one piece of equipment you will struggle.
I swim 5 days too, that is way worse as groups of people swim slowly along together talking, even if it is a lanes session. Even when the life guard ask they refuse to swim on their own, they could easily chat in the jacuzzi area or cafe.

OP I do get what you are saying. There are lots of young people who use the gym as a hang out and are constantly on their phones clogging stuff up. I see a few people who are clearly beginning their fitness journey and perhaps one or two recovering from injury and I didn’t perceive your post as aimed at them. My daughter just started a new martial arts class and was unimpressed by the attendees not trying or intending to work hard. It all looked rather performative - and this was mainly boys.

“I can barely call that exercise, it's below a normal walking pace.” It is exercise, not perhaps to your standard but it’s more than just sitting on the sofa or lying on their bed. This post screams entitlement.

Sorry OP but YOU are one of the reasons I don't join a gym.

What do you mean do you walk on a treadmill?

Tbh, it's because of attitudes like yours that I don't go to gyms. I have a broken spine, but still want to keep my cardio up and weight down. I can walk a maximum of 4.5 but on most days can only pace at 3 due to pain.

I'd see people watch me on lower weights, or slow cycle speeds or walking on treadmills. I feel bad enough about myself without feeling worse due to other people.

I bought my own treadmill and now happily watch Gossip Girl whilst walking at 3 and no one giving me looks.

So yes, I think YABU

Surely your issue is with the Gym, they have clearly oversold subscriptions for the amount of equipment they have.
Look for a more serious athletes gym, rather than a posy, Instagram one.