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.

What does their “fancy gym gear “ have to do with anything?

How do you know the aren’t returning from injury? I regularly outdoor run but have what see to be alternating hip or knee things playing up and occasionally when really bad I can’t run but keep things ticking over with a treadmill walk as I can go a little faster

This has to be a joke. No one. Would really be this much of a twat!

You keep saying the same thing but it doesn't matter. You'd have to wait for the treadmill even if she was at a flat out gallop for 30 minutes. Good on her for getting some exercise. If you're having trouble sharing a gym space then go when it's quieter, get your own treadmill at home, or run outside.

Why do you think you deserve the treadmill more because you are running on it and others are walking?

People can do what they want on it, walk, stroll, run, sprint, whatever.

There could be loads of reasons why someone is choosing to walk on it and it could simply be someone getting their daily steps in because they have been sat in an office all day long and don't want to, or feel safe, walking outside at night (or first thing) in the cold and dark, and this is the only chance they get to do that. It could simply be a way for someone to unwind after looking after their kids all day, or they have a stressful life and like to take some 'me time' strolling on the treadmill and getting away from their lives for a while.

You don't know the reasons why someone is walking but its people like you that judge others in the gym that make it an unpleasant experience and make many people not want to go.

Go running outside then? Do you think people that use the small handweights or sit on a mat for too long are also lazy bastards not worthy of a proper gym?

You sound a tiny bit like the people who get frustrated generally with people walking slowly in front of them on the pavement, driving slightly below the speed limit when they are in a cracking hurry to get somewhere or who just generally take life at a slower pace.

I can be the same at times, but I do try to pull myself up and label it what it is: impatience.

Walking is exercise. I agree 3km/h isn't top speed, but they are still moving and perhaps have different workout goals.

cou can still do that via many fitness watches

You really can’t tell sometimes. You’d never guess with me.

I know my niece (early 20s) has a lot of friends who go to the gym to get in their steps because they don't feel safe just taking a walk outside in the dark. It's so sad.

that I'm not judging the people who are using the treadmills for recovery, developing fitness from a low base etc and I think broadly speaking you can tell where this is the case

That's so not true though. I am old now, so you might think that, but I have never been able to run, even at my peak fitness, slim, teen self. I have a congenital knee defect. So do my young adult daughters. They can't run either. One also has Pots. She can lift extremely heavy weights, she wears teeny tiny gym wear, but you know what, she can't run, because she would collapse. Go figure.

Oh let’s keep this going….
dont go to the supermarket if you’re not
buy a trolley load, you’re taking up the space and time of people who are buying more…

You need a bigger gym with more equipment. I used to laugh (internally) at people sometimes, they never broke a sweat on the bikes and treadmills, going so slowly, reading a magazine. (This shows how long ago I last went gym) 😂

They would always be there when I arrived, and still be there an hour later when I was leaving. I'd just think, you must actually like this environment to hang out in. Because you're not burning any calories whatsoever!

I always wanted to burn the most in the least time. Like it's not fun being in a sweaty basement really is it?

But luckily I only really used X trainer and the slow people didn't seem so keen on that.

Peleton sell treadmills and exercise programmes. Why not buy one and use it at home. You can then use it as often as you want without feeling inconvenienced

I’m sorry.
OP is not concerned about how vulnerable some people might feel.

Broadly speaking... there must be 20 different examples posted on here that are hidden reasons why some people can't go as fast as you want them too. So no, you can't. You've just decided to pick a certain "stereotype" and hate on them tody.

Also, just F off and let people live their lives... but your own treadmill of you want to make the rules. Honestly, 6 pages into the thread and you are STILL judging.

I left the gym after the second time trying it out. Far too much competitiveness, posturing, best gym gear, hogging, side eyes, judgement and all the rest of it. Not from everyone for sure, but enough to make me feel a bit uncomfortable. Yes, you may say I am paranoid, shy or whatever, no it was real for me, and that's the way it is now. BTW I'm older but I still want to keep fit as possible. Gym is definitely not for me.

So I use dumbells at home, do squats in my living room, run up and down the stairs, and go for long walks out in the fresh air - and often in the rain! No judgements from anyone and no special gear or travel to and fro required. It works for me.

If you like the gym and thrive there, that's great. It doesn't work for me.

My friend has MS, she looks stunning, has a fit toned and slim body, long beautiful hair and is always made up, even in the gym, which she attempts to go reguarly. You would think she is the epitome of health if you saw her.
You can not tell why people are walking on the treadmill. So get off your high horse.

YABU

I can only do low impact exercise- so no running.

If there isn't enough treadmills find another gym

It's not the woman in a fancy gym gear (?relevance) that is a source of frustration. You are your own source of frustration.

As usual , everyone giving out 🙄.

I don’t OP , can you change your time to a quieter time ?

I think you are being a bit unreasonable! I walk a lot, daily, it’s my main form of exercise but when the weather is horrendous I will do that walk in the gym. Everyone has the right to use equipment how they wish if they are a paying customer.

I know what you mean as someone who used to use the small gym at work, there was only 3 treadmills and sometimes all 3 would be taken by people walking slowly whilst scrolling on their phones. I only ever went on my break to get a run in so this meant I’d have to waste time on a bike or similar until one got off. It is annoying so I feel your pain.

I think people do it to warm up or cool down usually, or sometimes it might be recovery if injured I guess.

That person strolling on the treadmill might be the kindest, least judgemental person in the room. Who is the more worthy person? You with your running skills or the stroller?

People can use the equipment in any way they like, provided they are being safe, at the gym that they pay to use. Hope that helps!

I think this is probably it, if you look at it that way it makes sense. I've been a bit baffled by what they think the point is, but if they're just trying to hit a step goal but it feels more comfortable to walk indoors that probably makes sense to them.