Gym Etiquette and Sharing Equipment

giusa

Please a little advice…I used to workout at home, and last month for a change joined a local gym. So I’m not familiar with gym etiquette, sharing equipment, etc. What to do when you arrive and the squat rack is being used, it seems that there are about 4 people who use it in the morning. Monday, the squat rack wasn’t available so did the assistance work than used some of the cardio machines (yuk! me and all the cardio bunnies!). Today, same thing but couldn’t even do the accessories...
I get a total of 45 min and 5/3/1 fits my time perfectly - boom, 45 min I’m in and out.
They only have 1 squat rack, 1 smith machine, and dumbbells. They don’t have a bar under 45# so on OhP day I work out at home. This week had to lift at home 4 out of the 5 days and it’s been a little frustrating.
I realize there really isn’t anything I can do. Simply hoping others have been in this situation and can help on how to work around it…

Fittreelol

Am I correct in thinking if you're doing 5/3/1 that you're only squatting 1 day a week? Some of his templates have squatting more days which is why I'm asking. If you're only squatting 1 day a week then maybe you could try to find a day where the squat rack is available, and plan on that day being your squat day. Or if that doesn't work you could be flexible with your training plan, and if you see the squat rack open squat on that day and re-arrange your other workouts. Is there a reason why you joined a gym when you have equipment at home?

amyinthetardis1231

If the only squat rack at my gym is occupied, I ask whoever is using it how many sets they have left, when they're resting. If they say only a couple, I'll hang around the rack and do some extra stretching while they finish up. If they're just starting, they'll often offer to work in and if they don't I'll ask if I can work in. Most of the time people are pretty nice about it. If there's a line and it's OHP day, I'll do seated OHP on a bench so I'm not monopolizing equipment.

giusa

Fittreelol wrote: »

Am I correct in thinking if you're doing 5/3/1 that you're only squatting 1 day a week? Some of his templates have squatting more days which is why I'm asking. If you're only squatting 1 day a week then maybe you could try to find a day where the squat rack is available, and plan on that day being your squat day. Or if that doesn't work you could be flexible with your training plan, and if you see the squat rack open squat on that day and re-arrange your other workouts. Is there a reason why you joined a gym when you have equipment at home?

Unfortunately I'm not a morning person, so I have my workout planned out from a to z on my phone so I can just run through it. I'm running the 4 day upper/lower split BBB template. I planned for accessories work just in case those are occupied but not for the core lifts.

There's several reasons why I'm trying a gym; one I needed a change and most of all wanted to try different equipment (inclined bench, assistant pull ups, leg press, cable kick-backs, etc). Also since MFP is my only resource, I wanted to see what other lifters are "doing." It's been a good experience for me, IF I can past the "sharing," lol.

giusa

amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »

If the only squat rack at my gym is occupied, I ask whoever is using it how many sets they have left, when they're resting. If they say only a couple, I'll hang around the rack and do some extra stretching while they finish up. If they're just starting, they'll often offer to work in and if they don't I'll ask if I can work in. Most of the time people are pretty nice about it. If there's a line and it's OHP day, I'll do seated OHP on a bench so I'm not monopolizing equipment.

Thank you, I think I'll try that, it'll be a good way to interact and possibly learn something!

canadianlbs

i do 5/3/1 in a busy public gym where the rack's always in high demand, so i feel you.

+1 to the way to approach it, but i usually just say 'can you let me know when you're done? unless someone else is already waiting'. asking 'how many sets' is too meta for me, since i don't usually care how many sets


however, it can be useful to know it as well. if i learn there's no realistic chance of me getting the [fill in] on that day, then i usually shuffle and do one of the other lifts. if it's a lift that i've already done or that i have coming up on my trainer friday, then i might do it in bbb form. i'm doing the spirit of bbb, but without the letter part where i necessarily 'have' to do the accessory 5x10 sets on a given day.

amyinthetardis1231

You can also use dumbbells in place of the bar for OHP, and you can do dumbbell chest presses on an exercise ball or the floor for benchpress. My trainer showed me how to set the ball up, making sure your back is arched and your toes are pressed up to the wall so you don't roll away. So far I haven't had to do that but I am fortunate to be able to go when the gym is fairly dead.

giusa

canadianlbs wrote: »

i do 5/3/1 in a busy public gym where the rack's always in high demand, so i feel you.

+1 to the way to approach it, but i usually just say 'can you let me know when you're done? unless someone else is already waiting'. asking 'how many sets' is too meta for me, since i don't usually care how many sets


however, it can be useful to know it as well. if i learn there's no realistic chance of me getting the [fill in] on that day, then i usually shuffle and do one of the other lifts. if it's a lift that i've already done or that i have coming up on my trainer friday, then i might do it in bbb form. i'm doing the spirit of bbb, but without the letter part where i necessarily 'have' to do the accessory 5x10 sets on a given day.

This morning was going to use this approach and thankfully no one was using the squat rack. But I agree, it would be useful to know the sets. With time management, I'm limited to 3x10 on the accessories.

giusa

amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »

You can also use dumbbells in place of the bar for OHP, and you can do dumbbell chest presses on an exercise ball or the floor for benchpress. My trainer showed me how to set the ball up, making sure your back is arched and your toes are pressed up to the wall so you don't roll away. So far I haven't had to do that but I am fortunate to be able to go when the gym is fairly dead.

I use dumbbells, kettlebells and other machines for everything but the one primary lift.