Respect in the gym
svanhoecke
Posts: 266
Hey ladies (and gents)!
I went to my college gym today to do a leg circuit. My circuit is squats, deadlifts, lunges, leg extensions, abductor, adductor, leg press, and calf raises. Every move 10-12 reps, 3 sets total. Since I do circuits, sometimes I have trouble getting back onto the power rack for my second set of squats. Today a man walked up to me after my first set of squats, while I was dead lifting (as in, he interrupted me completely) and asked if I was still using the power rack. Yes I was and my weights were still on there to show that. I kindly explained my routine and that I would be coming back to it 2 more times every 10-15 minutes or so. I offered to let him work in a set while I worked on the rest of my first circuit but he shook his head and proceeded to say how he had bands and things to set up. I looked at him with a "what do you want me to do" face and he just kept staring back. Ok....I told him "let me finish my deadlifts and I will do all my squats now, then."
I assumed he screwed up my workout routine because he was in a hurry. No. Once he got on the power rack he stayed there for at least 30 minutes, wandering on his phone and talking to people.
Seriously?
I was doing fast circuits, straight through, no stops. And this guy felt like his workout was more important than mine and even told me that "you can't really do circuit training at gyms." BS!!! Also I can bet you he would have never done that to a guy. Ever.
Ladies, do you ever feel like guys don't take you seriously at the gym?
I went to my college gym today to do a leg circuit. My circuit is squats, deadlifts, lunges, leg extensions, abductor, adductor, leg press, and calf raises. Every move 10-12 reps, 3 sets total. Since I do circuits, sometimes I have trouble getting back onto the power rack for my second set of squats. Today a man walked up to me after my first set of squats, while I was dead lifting (as in, he interrupted me completely) and asked if I was still using the power rack. Yes I was and my weights were still on there to show that. I kindly explained my routine and that I would be coming back to it 2 more times every 10-15 minutes or so. I offered to let him work in a set while I worked on the rest of my first circuit but he shook his head and proceeded to say how he had bands and things to set up. I looked at him with a "what do you want me to do" face and he just kept staring back. Ok....I told him "let me finish my deadlifts and I will do all my squats now, then."
I assumed he screwed up my workout routine because he was in a hurry. No. Once he got on the power rack he stayed there for at least 30 minutes, wandering on his phone and talking to people.
Seriously?
I was doing fast circuits, straight through, no stops. And this guy felt like his workout was more important than mine and even told me that "you can't really do circuit training at gyms." BS!!! Also I can bet you he would have never done that to a guy. Ever.
Ladies, do you ever feel like guys don't take you seriously at the gym?
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Replies
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Well, circuits CAN be inconsiderate of other gym members, but I do think that offering to let him set in while you were on other stations was the right thing to do. Even with setting up bands, it sounds like it could have worked out just fine.0
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There were only 3 people there otherwise I would have taken my weights off the power rack and asked to set in if someone was on it. I have found that it is hard sometimes to get guys to let me get a set in. Come on guys. It takes me less than 5 minutes to get a set in. Lets share please. And to me, setting up bands and monopolizing a machine for 30 minutes is way more inconsiderate than doing circuits and letting people set in if they need to.0
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At my gym, squat racks don't get used alot and very rarely for squats. So when I'm using it and somebody asks, I always offer them to work a set while I rest and then I do a set while they rest. Its kinda nice, makes it go faster imho.
If you don't wanna do the in between set, thats fine, theres other equipment you can use. But don't expect me to leave my workout just for you. If you're busy, don't come. Easy.0 -
If I understand your post correctly then I think he took advantage of the situation but I'm not sure you were doing much better. Are you saying you expect the squat rack to stay reserved for you while you leave and go do other exercises that are part of your circuit? At my gym if you tried that you would get called out by any number of people.0
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It's considered rude to do circuit training in the free weight room when others are waiting for the equipment. You are basically 'hogging' the gym.
except that she was hogging and she offered to let him work in between.0 -
It's considered rude to do circuit training in the free weight room when others are waiting for the equipment. You are basically 'hogging' the gym.
except that she was hogging and she offered to let him work in between.
And that is the key part. I wouldn't mind at all if someone were doing that but didn't have a problem with me working between their circuit. I'd even load/unload the bar for them as needed.0 -
How many power racks are there in your gym?
Was he lifting and taking breaks between sets? When I lift really heavy, I take 2-3 minute breaks.
10 or 15 minutes between sets is a lot of time to leave weights set up on a rack. You are complaining that he used the rack for a total of 30 minutes when by your own admission, you intended to use it 3 times for a total of 45 minutes.0 -
My points is, I had no problem removing the weights so he could get a set or two in before my next circuit. I am not sure how that option isn't fair. It wasn't good enough for him.0
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Again, I don't usually leave them on at all. But I am glad I did or I wouldn't have been able to get back on it. He was still on it when I left.0
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OP, this was a you problem, not a females in the gym problem. You don't get to tie up half the gyms equipment while you complete your routine. If the gym is relatively empty, you may be able to pull it off. But that is luck, not something you're entitled to0
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Why was he allowed to use it for so long then? How is a circuit any less valid than whatever he was doing with his bands. And why couldn't we just share?0
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How many power racks are there in your gym?
Was he lifting and taking breaks between sets? When I lift really heavy, I take 2-3 minute breaks.
10 or 15 minutes between sets is a lot of time to leave weights set up on a rack. You are complaining that he used the rack for a total of 30 minutes when by your own admission, you intended to use it 3 times for a total of 45 minutes.
And he could have jumped on during any of that time.0 -
in my opinion both you and the guy were selfish.....how can you offer him to work around your training? If I'm understanding it correctly? yes its polite but really its not your place and could seem offensive considering he pays to be there just as well as you do...you should have just done your workout after he was done or put together another suitable routine. Not everyone plays together well its a fact of life.0
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Guys. When there is one machine it's pretty common to take turns. Also, pretty sure I wasn't selfish because I went and did all my squats so he could have the machine. I am just saying I wish he would have respected my work out too and taken turns with me. That's all.0
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OP, this was a you problem, not a females in the gym problem. You don't get to tie up half the gyms equipment while you complete your routine. If the gym is relatively empty, you may be able to pull it off. But that is luck, not something you're entitled to
^This. Totally this0 -
Circuit training belongs somewhere other than a free weight room. I don't know where and I honestly don't care, but just not there. People are there to lift heavy weights and you don't do that jumping from station to station and interfering with other lifters.0
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Circuits in the free weights would get me excommunicated from my gym. That's just the way it is.
ETA, many gyms offer circuit training classes, and so do crossfit gyms.0 -
OP: We hear what your saying but I don't think the majority here agrees0
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Guys. When there is one machine it's pretty common to take turns. Also, pretty sure I wasn't selfish because I went and did all my squats so he could have the machine. I am just saying I wish he would have respected my work out too and taken turns with me. That's all.
you both have the same membership, right? if so, i'm pretty sure you're both equally entitled to use the equipment.0 -
Happens everywhere. Itsnnwhy I stopped using most machines.0
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So why are you circuit training, out of curiosity?0
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I asked him if he wanted to take turns and offered to take off my weights for him. You guys are all super aggressive. Yikes. I am going to keep circuit training because its good for my body, and continue to think it is rude for people to be on one machine for 30 minutes. Sharing is caring ya'll.0
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So why are you circuit training, out of curiosity?
It decreases rest time which increases cardio value. More bang for the buck for me.0 -
I asked him if he wanted to take turns and offered to take off my weights for him. You guys are all super aggressive. Yikes. I am going to keep circuit training because its good for my body, and continue to think it is rude for people to be on one machine for 30 minutes. Sharing is caring ya'll.
No one here is being aggressive, they are just giving their opinion.
Why is circuit training better for your body than doing all 3 sets of a particular exercise before moving on to the next? I can see some benefit of alternating upper/lower/push/pull exercises as it allows a set of muscles to recover while working a different set and keeping your heart rate up, but you were doing all lower body, right?0 -
I'd suggest doing your circuit in the rack, or keep your towel wrapped around the bar0
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So why are you circuit training, out of curiosity?
It decreases rest time which increases cardio value. More bang for the buck for me.
That's why everyone disagrees with you. I got to the gym to lift not do cardio. I do cardio out on the pavement. If you want to do both at the same time then go somewhere where that is appropriate, like a crossfit box.0 -
Ladies, do you ever feel like guys don't take you seriously at the gym?
I have never had that experience. People are busy doing their workouts. Yes there are some *kitten* but that is everywhere. Most guys like me working out around them.0 -
OP, this was a you problem, not a females in the gym problem. You don't get to tie up half the gyms equipment while you complete your routine. If the gym is relatively empty, you may be able to pull it off. But that is luck, not something you're entitled to
Truth.
I don't really get how you can say you "offered" to let him get some sets in while you were doing circuits. The power rack doesn't belong to you. If you're going to use it and then leave for 15 minutes, you're done with it, as far as I'm concerned. That's as nonsensical as setting up the bar and telling everyone who is waiting to use it "Hey, I'm going to run next door and grab a coffee. There better not be anyone in this rack when I get back." Unless your name is on the outside of the building or something, who the hell are you?0 -
As a female, I've never had an issue with guys in the weight room. If I ask politely they usually let me work in if they're planning on being a while with the equiptment and their rest allows for it.
On the odd occasion I circuit train with weights I do it out of the way and it's usually lighter weights and lots of reps (more of a cardio workout).
I don't think I'd respond well if anyone, male or female, wanted to reserve the squat rack while they went and did a number of other exercises. I'm not sure why that guy wouldn't let you work in though0
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