AIBU to expect gym staff to stop people blocking machines?

[XXAHF]

I'm having undue hassle getting through my obligatory workout at Nuffield Gym in the Barbican, London. I'm finding it so difficult to get onto seated machines as people sit there texting ad infinitum, with a few token interspersed reps. Last week, there was a guy who sat on one for 15 minute and did 10 reps. In fact, 3 machines that I use were simultaneously blocked by people doing similar. I suppose I could challenge them, and did manage to get someone to move off on one occasion, but it's difficult and confrontational.

There's a notice in a side corridor saying that people have complained, requesting users not to block use of the machines by texting. Yet the problem is definitely getting worse.

I asked a manager to place staff on the floor to have a quiet word with the worst offenders, but was told that there was nothing they could do and it was the customer's responsibility to challenge the rule-breakers. I find this refusal to manage the gym floor so that customers can access the machines to be unreasonable. People are not getting the service they are paying for; they're not getting fair access to equipment, and Nuffield refuses to take responsibility. AIBU?

@Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice
I don’t need to work on anything thank you,😂
Just to clarify things for you, the poster you were replying to was clearly expressing their annoyance with selfish gym users just as the OP was. They also mention the fact that people claiming to have done a 60 minute workout have probably only really done 20 minutes. Even the most basic comprehension skills would tell you this means they are wasting the other 40 minutes. It’s reasonable to assume that the poster thinks these people are hogging machines for longer than necessary given that this has also been witnessed by others on this thread.
You also seem quite dismissive of those of us who want to get our workouts done quickly. I don’t really see how this impacts you in any way. The selfish behaviour of those hogging machines does impact others who are waiting to use them. You seem strangely defensive of what is clearly selfish behaviour!

Rest time between sets is normal particularly when strength training. I do 6-8 reps 2 min rest x 3 so probably 5 min at the machine in total. I don’t want to leave as I won’t get back on after the rest.

The staff should be managing this better.
Otherwise ask the person sat on their phone if they will be long. Then wait close to them.
Or, find a better gym.

I also need my workouts to be efficient, so I do my sets with rest in between and get out. If anybody has timed their workouts, the recommended 60-90 seconds is very short.

I don't think anybody is complaining about those rest periods, but about people who hog the machines way beyond for what is needed for a reasonable rest. Sure, if you prefer to have 15 minutes between each set, so you can scroll or walk around chatting with your friends - up to you, the social aspect of gym is also important. But then let others work in.

Learn to use free weights. This gives you lots of options to hit the same muscle groups. If someone’s hogging a piece of equipment that I want I usually just think of a different exercise to do

OP you described approaching a machine hogger as 'difficult and confrontational' but it doesn't have to be at all. It's normal gym etiquette to ask someone how many sets they have left/how long they will be or to ask to work in. Some equipment is popular but people generally share if you ask them.

If they have got distracted on their phone it can be a subtle reminder to get a move on, and even if they are timing their rest periods (as I do) there is generally enough time to swap in and out.

Because I work early mornings, I usually go to the gym in the early or mid afternoon. It's a lot quieter than peak times.
However, the treadmills do go pretty quickly and you could be waiting indefinitely to use them. Gyms should just invest in more treadmill

I find a polite “excuse me do you mind if I jump in while you rest between sets” normally works as people get the hint