AIBU to find it odd when someone chooses the treadmill next to me?

[Icelolly101]

I was at the gym yesterday and there are around 20 treadmills all lined up next to each other very closely. Only two were being used. I got on one that left four empty treadmills on either side of me, so there was loads of space.

A few minutes later, a man came over and got on the treadmill directly next to mine.
I thought it was a bit odd but didn't think much more of it. Then exactly the same thing happened again today. Only all the treadmills were empty except the one I was using and a lady chose the one right next to me.

They’re all the same brand and make of treadmill. No TV’s over head and the air-con was on the other end so it’s not like they chose the treadmill due to that.

I genuinely can't work out why, especially when there are so many empty ones available I just find it uncomfortable being so close when it could easily be avoided. If it was busy and had no choice but to be next to someone then that’s fine but that wasn’t the case.

Why do people do it?

(pic is not the gym I go to but an example of how close together the treadmills are and today I was about where the pink line is and the lady came where the blue line was)

I would find it weird. It’s like when there are plenty of seats on a train or bus but someone still chooses to come and sit right next to you.

I guess people go there to exercise with other people, company etc.

Why not go for a run in the park if you want solitude? Cheaper too.

perhaps they feel a bit self conscious being on a machine with no one either side. safety in numbers

There might be something about it that you haven't clocked - my husband has a favourite treadmill. It doesn't automatically switch off after an hour when the others do. There'll be something like that I expect

It's particularly distracting having just one person thumping away next to you and can ruin your stride. For some reason it's less of an issue when the gym is full.

Instinct.
We are herd animals.
Amuse yourself by getting off and moving one down 😁

Are you wearing Lynx?

Someone did this to me in the doctor surgery once, there were around 40 empty seats, nobody else in the waiting room and they came and sat next to me. Didn’t even speak which might have made more sense. Weird.

I have a favourite treadmill so if you were on the one next to it and there were still 20 others free, I’d be next to you

This did cross my mind. Maybe people feel they stand out less and blend in more next to someone.

Exactly. I have a favourite crosstrainer that just has a slightly better action, despite being the same brand as the others. I choose a treadmill for the exact view. I wouldn't not choose either because someone was on the adjacent one. I mean, you're not that important, OP. You don't get to erect a cordon sanitaire. Move if you don't like it.

I have a favourite cross trainer - it's under the air con vent and the resistance is perfect. Probably something as simple as that.

This is the weirdest response and proof that some people just like to argue on the internet. I bet if she’d made the post saying she was at the park running, why did someone have to run close to her you’d say that the park is for everyone (as it is), join a gym 🙄

It is odd! I’m not here for anyone’s company or entertainment

For the same reason you can park in an empty car park and the next person will come and park right up beside you so you have to slide in and out your car. I don’t actually know the reason as I don’t do it but many do 😆

My FIL always goes mad because he retreats to the furthest most deserted point on a campsite in their campervan and someone invariably parks next to them 😂

I have a favourite cross trainer as it says I'm going at 6 when the others say my max speed is 3.5. One might be set at kph and the other at mph but given I have no idea how to change it, I'm going to imagine I'm running very, very fast if I can.

agree! It doesn't take much to engage brain and realise there are a number of very good reasons why someone (particularly women) might prefer to use the gym rather than running outside.

Just of the top of my head: safety, can go at any time, less chance of abuse or nasty comments, usually climate controlled, can do other exercises/weights at the same time, save money using gym shower, treadmill has less impact than the road, distraction (i.e. can watch tv while exercising), close to a loo if you suddenly need to go (very normal with running!), don't have to worry about what happens if you get a stitch or fall over half way through your loop at the furthest point from your house, can control hills etc at your preference for different types of run....

OP I agree with you. Gym equipment should be like urinal rules - you leave at least 1 gap between you if possible and only fill them in once there aren't enough. It annoys me when someone comes next to me too.

I imagine you’re the type that will wait and linger next to the machine tapping your watch for someone to move off your cross trainer as they are ‘not that important’ compared to you.

Yeah that's a bit odd really. I'd probably move myself to the one at the end to halve the chance of someone going next to me. If it's nearly full then fair enough, but with several free on each side why would you want to be so close to someone if you don't have to?

My guess is they always use the same treadmill (if it's free) and they just jump on their regular one regardless of where other people are in relation to it.

Or the safety in numbers thing.

@MaPoitrine

'OP I agree with you. Gym equipment should be like urinal rules - you leave at least 1 gap between you if possible and only fill them in once there aren't enough.'

Yep, spot on. I want as much room as possible while I'm sharing a space with others!

I think this really annoys some people (me included) while others don't get it at all and are oblivious. I wonder if people who do this are also the people who watch videos on their phones out loud while on public transport 🙄

I only have a choice of 5 and "my" one is the end one as I have a view over the hills and not at the mirror.
But in a long row like that I would at least leave one empty as a gap
Perhaps hes overly competitive and felt he needed to "race " you. Or its his favourite