Gym Hogs Vent
donjtomasco
Posts: 790 Member
My Gold's Gym has 1 incline bench and 1 decline bench. Yesterday a guy got on the incline bench right before me and the only thing I did not do right was ask him how many sets he had to go. I did not 'hover' over him waiting. I simply walked on the inside circular type track waiting for him to finish.
This guy did 6 sets, which was not the problem. The problem was after each set he would pose in the mirror, then go get his cushy ball to sit on and do individual sets of one legged sit ups, then would put the ball back in the corner after bouncing it a few times, then he would walk all the way to the other side of the gym to get his drink of water, after each set. Twice he thought it would be a good idea to take even longer to do some texting on his phone.
I could not ask to work in with him since he had two plates on each side. I did not want to skip that exercise since my next exercise was the decline bench which was also being used by 3 young guys who took equally long to laugh and talk between each set. It is somewhat important for me to stick to my routine, regardless of how long I had to weight, so THAT is my issue and not theirs.
I just really have a problem with 'meat heads' who obviously know the gym and that there might be people politely waiting for them to finish, but not making themselves obvious. It was an interesting display of absolute extreme narcissism to see this guy plant his flag on this only station for doing incline bench's while doing multiple exercises and not exercising time management for the benefit of other gym members.
I wrote a complaint to the gym last night but I doubt it will do any good. There just always seems to be "THAT PERSON", usually a dude, who is oblivious to other members wanting to just get their workout in. And enough of the flexing in the mirror. Seriously, no one is impressed with your muscles when you are hogging the only incline bench station in the gym.
This guy did 6 sets, which was not the problem. The problem was after each set he would pose in the mirror, then go get his cushy ball to sit on and do individual sets of one legged sit ups, then would put the ball back in the corner after bouncing it a few times, then he would walk all the way to the other side of the gym to get his drink of water, after each set. Twice he thought it would be a good idea to take even longer to do some texting on his phone.
I could not ask to work in with him since he had two plates on each side. I did not want to skip that exercise since my next exercise was the decline bench which was also being used by 3 young guys who took equally long to laugh and talk between each set. It is somewhat important for me to stick to my routine, regardless of how long I had to weight, so THAT is my issue and not theirs.
I just really have a problem with 'meat heads' who obviously know the gym and that there might be people politely waiting for them to finish, but not making themselves obvious. It was an interesting display of absolute extreme narcissism to see this guy plant his flag on this only station for doing incline bench's while doing multiple exercises and not exercising time management for the benefit of other gym members.
I wrote a complaint to the gym last night but I doubt it will do any good. There just always seems to be "THAT PERSON", usually a dude, who is oblivious to other members wanting to just get their workout in. And enough of the flexing in the mirror. Seriously, no one is impressed with your muscles when you are hogging the only incline bench station in the gym.
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Replies
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You should see the dirty looks I get when I am running GVT. Deep down, I am not really a bad person.1
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What is GVT?1
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It involves 10 sets of 10 reps, with some resting required in between sets because it is hard.
If you ask to work in, most people will let you if they are taking long rests. It only takes a few seconds to change out plates.2 -
Maybe see what other gym options you have in your area? With better patrons/atmosphere and more equipment? Although easier said than done if you're in a smaller town and you're locked into a contract at your current gym.
I've certainly heard horror stories about gyms and their patrons - but I am so glad joined a really good one where we don't have any real meatheads or anyone simply posing to take up time. The people are easy going and just get in and do what they have to do, no one worries about looking at anyone else, or judging anyone, or showing off.1 -
I don't consider it extreme narcissism, just a dude doing his normal workout that probably called for a 3-6min rest between sets. And he filled in that time with some ab work, getting water, some preening (yeah, that's a little narcissistic). He didn't know you were waiting.
I'm working with heavy enough weights right now that the recommended rest period is 3-4 minutes. That's a LONG time. If I see someone nearby, I politely ask if they would like to work in. Otherwise, there is nothing else to do but finish your workout.
I do feel your frustration however. My gym only has one squat rack and nothing is worse than doing your warmup with one eye on the empty squat rack only to see someone saunter over there right before you do. That's gym life.4 -
Okay, my bad. I am glad I posted this to hear these comments.5
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Perhaps if you were waitingdonjtomasco wrote: »My Gold's Gym has 1 incline bench and 1 decline bench. Yesterday a guy got on the incline bench right before me and the only thing I did not do right was ask him how many sets he had to go. I did not 'hover' over him waiting. I simply walked on the inside circular type track waiting for him to finish.
This is the one thing you should have done. How's the guy supposed to know someone else is waiting to use the bench if either: A) Nobody asks him how many sets he as left, or B ) Nobody is waiting by the bench for him to finish? You made an assumption that he'd be done relatively quickly and then got frustrated when he was taking his time between sets, without stopping to consider how much rest between sets his workout called for. People are often in their own world when working out so you can't expect them to be aware of the guy walking on the track who might want to use the bench next. A bit of assertiveness on your part undoubtedly would've helped.5 -
You won't get much sympathy, if you don't even say anything to try to get access to the equipment, especially if using that gear is so critical to your workout.
The only possible solutions would be to: 1) say something, 2) join a gym w/more equipment that you need/use so that you will be less likely to have to wait or 3) if you have the $ and space, set up the equipment that you need in your house.
I chose to do the latter.2 -
Ugh, I had just jumped on the treadmill yesterday and this pouty thing was staring at my like I had just stolen the only available treadmill (okay, maybe it was the only one), and continued to stare at me like I had kicked her on my way. Through the whole workout! She never once said anything to me, not a peep about how long I would be, just stared. It was rather uncomfortable. I should perhaps mention that my treadmill is in my living room, and I did teach my dog to use the treadmill, so she seems to think it's hers. OP, do you think this guy might be telling a different story to his friends today? You didn't ask. This is on you, not him.33
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Next time carry the shotgun with you, it will probably go further than the letter.
Honestly I would have asked to work in, but not everyone likes doing that, but the gym is a community. Unfortunately if you are lifting solo it is too easy to lose track of time. Because four to five minutes between sets is NOT normal no matter how heavy you lift. (Obviously he does not have a life outside of the gym to get back to.) Muscle grow based on the amount stress put on them, not the amount of rest between sets, so you would probably be doing him a favor pacing him.0 -
This is why I don't get what the appeal of a gym is. Much better having my own weights at home.2
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Soccermavrick wrote: »Next time carry the shotgun with you, it will probably go further than the letter.
Honestly I would have asked to work in, but not everyone likes doing that, but the gym is a community. Unfortunately if you are lifting solo it is too easy to lose track of time. Because four to five minutes between sets is NOT normal no matter how heavy you lift. (Obviously he does not have a life outside of the gym to get back to.) Muscle grow based on the amount stress put on them, not the amount of rest between sets, so you would probably be doing him a favor pacing him.
Rest periods of 4-5 minutes (or even more) is very common for powerlifting. In which case the goal is not muscle growth. When I dink around for that long in between sets, it's not because I've lost track of time or have nothing better to do (I actually look at my watcher several times in between sets to keep an eye on my rest time), that's actually what my rest period needs to be to fully recover for my next set.
I have seen people who appear to be blatantly wasting time at the gym, but that's not always the case for everyone.6 -
hellobaconplease wrote: »This is why I don't get what the appeal of a gym is. Much better having my own weights at home.
Because not everyone has enough free space or the financial resources to create a gym at home?16 -
donjtomasco wrote: »What is GVT?
German Volime Training, I believe. As the reply stated, 10 sets of 10. A lot of work!
I would certainly be resting between sets on that.
Its fairly accepted that if you go and ask how many sets someone has, they will happily let you work in.
I did exactly that yesterday morning, someone wanted to know, I offered they share the bench.
The weights he was using were different, so we just switched them between sets, really no big deal.
However, without him coming over to ask, how am I to know he even wanted the bench? Generally Im too focused on what I am doing myself to notice someone patiently waiting over the way...2 -
Soccermavrick wrote: »Next time carry the shotgun with you, it will probably go further than the letter.
Honestly I would have asked to work in, but not everyone likes doing that, but the gym is a community. Unfortunately if you are lifting solo it is too easy to lose track of time. Because four to five minutes between sets is NOT normal no matter how heavy you lift. (Obviously he does not have a life outside of the gym to get back to.) Muscle grow based on the amount stress put on them, not the amount of rest between sets, so you would probably be doing him a favor pacing him.
Rest periods of 3-5 minutes is not only common but also prudent when lifting in the 3-5 rep range as is common in training for powerlifting. This allows for heavier loads and greater strength gains than the more volume oriented routines used to focus on hypertrophy.
I think getting bent out of shape about a guy taking rest periods between sets (and saving time by remaining productive during those rests) is unreasonable.7 -
Back when I had a gym membership (a while now) it was a smaller mom and pop owned outfit that regularly had 15-25 people at a given time. I made it a point to get to know folks, and everyone with the exception of the owners son lol, was pretty willing to work sets around each other.
Most folks are fairly easy going and might enjoy the banter you can have.0 -
Gym life is hard. You have to find a way to insert yourself in there in order to get a consistent work out. I say try early morning or late night and avoid the gym rats. Can't be mad at them.0
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This sounds entirely like your fault for not open on your pie hole and just asking.
He isn't a mind reader.
He doesn't know why your standing around especially if you weren't near the machine.
Two plates is nothing. If you want to work on you help strip plates and put plates back on. I squatted Monday with a guy doing four plates to my two. So what. We both out plates on and off. Not a crisis.
I have no sympathy. Sorry. You just sound like you're complaining to complain because he was inconvenient for you.7 -
Soccermavrick wrote: »Next time carry the shotgun with you, it will probably go further than the letter.
Honestly I would have asked to work in, but not everyone likes doing that, but the gym is a community. Unfortunately if you are lifting solo it is too easy to lose track of time. Because four to five minutes between sets is NOT normal no matter how heavy you lift. (Obviously he does not have a life outside of the gym to get back to.) Muscle grow based on the amount stress put on them, not the amount of rest between sets, so you would probably be doing him a favor pacing him.
My rest periods are usually 4 to 5 min. Sometimes upwards or ten.
Also I am married and have five jobs in top of 15-20 hrs a week training on the dance floor in addition to my powerlifting. Tell me again how I don't have a life because I rest between sets.
Sorry not sorry.
Kindly keep your snap judgements about other people's lives and how they live to yourself.8 -
You didn't ask to work in. That's on you.4
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I bet the OP is sorry she asked.
Sometimes people just need to rant?2 -
comptonelizabeth wrote: »I bet the OP is sorry she asked.
Sometimes people just need to rant?
I get that but calling someone a 'meat head' (in what seemed to be a derogatory manner - but that might just be me reading into it) and putting down someone who is doing something perfectly acceptable when the OP didn't use proper gym etiquette is like saying 'I didn't get what I want. But I didn't ask for it'.6 -
Soccermavrick wrote: »Next time carry the shotgun with you, it will probably go further than the letter.
Honestly I would have asked to work in, but not everyone likes doing that, but the gym is a community. Unfortunately if you are lifting solo it is too easy to lose track of time. Because four to five minutes between sets is NOT normal no matter how heavy you lift. (Obviously he does not have a life outside of the gym to get back to.) Muscle grow based on the amount stress put on them, not the amount of rest between sets, so you would probably be doing him a favor pacing him.
You must lift at a non-gym such as Planet Fitness. 4-5 minutes between sets is perfectly normal for many routines, and would even be considered a short rest period for a lot of powerlifters. I've seen some powerlifters in my gym rest for 10-15 minutes between sets when they're doing heavy singles.10 -
samanthaluangphixay wrote: »comptonelizabeth wrote: »I bet the OP is sorry she asked.
Sometimes people just need to rant?
I get that but calling someone a 'meat head' (in what seemed to be a derogatory manner - but that might just be me reading into it) and putting down someone who is doing something perfectly acceptable when the OP didn't use proper gym etiquette is like saying 'I didn't get what I want. But I didn't ask for it'.
Yeah, fair enough - meathead is pretty derogatory.
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(I didn't quote anvil head but yeah what you said)
One does not squat unwrap then rewrap and belt up and squat again in under ten minutes. It's not happening with traditional wraps.2 -
comptonelizabeth wrote: »samanthaluangphixay wrote: »comptonelizabeth wrote: »I bet the OP is sorry she asked.
Sometimes people just need to rant?
I get that but calling someone a 'meat head' (in what seemed to be a derogatory manner - but that might just be me reading into it) and putting down someone who is doing something perfectly acceptable when the OP didn't use proper gym etiquette is like saying 'I didn't get what I want. But I didn't ask for it'.
Yeah, fair enough - meathead is pretty derogatory.
That depends - some would take it as a compliment.
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comptonelizabeth wrote: »I bet the OP is sorry she asked.
Sometimes people just need to rant?
I bet OP is sorry you called him a she.4 -
donjtomasco wrote: »What is GVT?
German Volume Training0 -
Just call me Donna, it's all good!4
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donjtomasco wrote: »I don't think I will complain about being called a she, I might upset JoRocks again. JoRocks, I don't recall saying that you don't have a life. Are you looking for a gold start sticker? The only thing that impressed me about your comment was that you take upwards of a 10 minute break between sets. I bet you are popular at the gym.....maybe you do that for attention, seems a little extreme. You definitely get the Participation Ribbon today!
Read her post again. Did she quote you as the person she was replying to?1
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