What’s the gym etiquette of asking for a spot?

Phoenixsunflr
Phoenixsunflr Posts: 78 Member
edited 11:20AM in Fitness and Exercise
I keep to myself when I workout and I hate asking for help. Once in a while I ask for a spot from people who look like they know what they’re doing and they’re always kind enough to help me out and I always thank them afterwards. My question is once they give me a spot do I go back to ignoring them like I do every other day or do I acknowledge say hi and talk to them every time I see them? It’s a lot of effort for me because I’m already a socially awkward person and I’m super shy and probably come across as a snob. What do you guys do? Is it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making coversation. Thanks 🙏🏻
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Replies

  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    I think you are fine to not say hi every time, unless it looks like they are trying to engage with you. The truth is they would probably think small talk all the time was tiring and would distract from their workout
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    It doesn't matter. Ignore or talk. I prefer to train and not talk during training Though I find myself grunting good morning more than I use to when I walk in.
  • lifeisgood6447
    lifeisgood6447 Posts: 4 Member
    If you happen to make brief eye-contact, just give a nod up with the good ole loose right hand holding up the thumb and next two fingers. That is a good nod for anyone you know that you are just greeting and don't intend on talking to.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Each gym seems to have its own culture. The last one I belonged to had a pretty regular group of 6AM users and being a smallish town the norm was to spot for each other and exchange "good mornings" (it's also the norm when I'm out for a morning run to acknowledge other runners and dog walkers etc - it's a friendly little place)

    Most people are there to work out and probably don't expect to engage in chit chat but common courtesy requires at least a nod & a smile or a quick good morning.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I think it goes without saying, but it should be an exercise that definitely requires spotting...don't make things awkward AF asking someone to spot you on say...bicep curls

    But the seated cable row machine is ok, right? Don't tell me I've been doing it wrong.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    [[ don't be a creep.

    drat.


    .... how 'bout just a lowercase 'C' in "creep" ?

    I can live with that.



  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

    if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

    if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.

    I'm objecting to the part I bolded, where you imply there's something wrong with not, at least, offering a nod.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    " I don't owe you a response just because you want one" No you don't and no I don't necessarily want one. If I get a kindness in return for mine, a friendship might ensue. If I get nothing, nothing lost in the effort. Again, if a nod, or friendly greeting, offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone. What about this aren't you getting? I don't understand why everyone wants to ignore, or be ignored by, their fellow gym members.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

    if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.

    I'm objecting to the part I bolded, where you imply there's something wrong with not, at least, offering a nod.

    There is. I don't think I implied it, but came right out and said it. We are a social being. One of the problems with the world is all of us not recognizing that fact and becoming more and more separated from each other. No feeling of togetherness, no sense of community, no bond, no mutual aid, assistance or support. Loners are under no obligation to join in society, but I feel we are all obligated to at least try and get together to get along . If a nod offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone. Ignore your fellow gym members, ignore your neighbors, ignore all other members of the society in which you live; I maintain that that is wrong.

    So again, if a nod, or friendly greeting, offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone.

    If ignoring all the members of my society is wrong, I don't wanna be right...
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    grimendale wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

    if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.

    I'm objecting to the part I bolded, where you imply there's something wrong with not, at least, offering a nod.

    There is. I don't think I implied it, but came right out and said it. We are a social being. One of the problems with the world is all of us not recognizing that fact and becoming more and more separated from each other. No feeling of togetherness, no sense of community, no bond, no mutual aid, assistance or support. Loners are under no obligation to join in society, but I feel we are all obligated to at least try and get together to get along . If a nod offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone. Ignore your fellow gym members, ignore your neighbors, ignore all other members of the society in which you live; I maintain that that is wrong.

    So again, if a nod, or friendly greeting, offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone.

    That's kind of ableist of you, to be honest. I'm autistic and have massive social anxiety. It takes massive effort to be social, which is effort that I need to put into my workouts instead if I'm at the gym. I don't owe you a response just because you want one. Not everyone draws benefit from random interactions with strangers. There is nothing wrong with my doing what I need to do to maintain my mental health. Don't judge everyone based on your assumptions.

    Ditto.

  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    edited August 2019
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

    if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.

    I'm objecting to the part I bolded, where you imply there's something wrong with not, at least, offering a nod.

    There is. I don't think I implied it, but came right out and said it. We are a social being. One of the problems with the world is all of us not recognizing that fact and becoming more and more separated from each other. No feeling of togetherness, no sense of community, no bond, no mutual aid, assistance or support. Loners are under no obligation to join in society, but I feel we are all obligated to at least try and get together to get along . If a nod offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone. Ignore your fellow gym members, ignore your neighbors, ignore all other members of the society in which you live; I maintain that that is wrong.

    So again, if a nod, or friendly greeting, offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone.

    If ignoring all the members of my society is wrong, I don't wanna be right...

    You're under no obligation to respond. You don't have the right to foist your solitary ways upon me. So again, if a nod, or friendly greeting, offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone. Good day.

    Nobody expressed offense at someone's nod in their direction. What I expressed offense at was you saying that those who choose not to initiate social interaction are wrong. You expressed a view that anyone not like you is what's wrong with the world today.

    I'm not what's wrong with the world. I can say that bigotry, that intolerance of difference, is a lot of what's wrong with the world. Perhaps you should spend less time pointing out the motes in others eyes.
  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    edited August 2019
    I think it goes without saying, but it should be an exercise that definitely requires spotting...don't make things awkward AF asking someone to spot you on say...bicep curls

    But the seated cable row machine is ok, right? Don't tell me I've been doing it wrong.

    I think you're going to have to explain/rationalize the need for a spotter on that one...injury/some sort of mobility issue/etc.? Or are you just flat out joking/trolling?
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    "it socially acceptable to just go back to your workout everyday without saying hi and making conversation" I don't think this should be "socially acceptable" under any circumstances. After a while, going to the same gym at the same time you will see the same people on a regular basis. How can you not, at least, offer a nod of acknowledgment to someone you see regularly? Nod, say hi, try a short conversation, you just might become friends, at the least you'll become acquaintances. Of course, if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.
    I hate this thinking. People have lots of reasons for choosing not to, or being unable to engage. If it's somewhere you go for solo activities, they have no reason to feel obligated to.

    if after that nod, you get no favorable response, don't be a creep.

    I'm objecting to the part I bolded, where you imply there's something wrong with not, at least, offering a nod.

    There is. I don't think I implied it, but came right out and said it. We are a social being. One of the problems with the world is all of us not recognizing that fact and becoming more and more separated from each other. No feeling of togetherness, no sense of community, no bond, no mutual aid, assistance or support. Loners are under no obligation to join in society, but I feel we are all obligated to at least try and get together to get along . If a nod offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone. Ignore your fellow gym members, ignore your neighbors, ignore all other members of the society in which you live; I maintain that that is wrong.

    So again, if a nod, or friendly greeting, offends you, don't respond; you'll be left alone.

    How about you do you and let others decide for themselves how much or what social interaction at the gym they would like and stop trying to impose your sociability value on others.

    OP, I don't typically need a spot because I'm rarely lifting to failure. Those rare occasions that I do, I just pick someone who looks reasonably like they'd know what they are doing and ask them at an appropriate moment, like not in the middle of a set. I also tell them what I want and how eg. what cue I'll give them to grab the bar. No biggie.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I think it goes without saying, but it should be an exercise that definitely requires spotting...don't make things awkward AF asking someone to spot you on say...bicep curls

    But the seated cable row machine is ok, right? Don't tell me I've been doing it wrong.

    I think you're going to have to explain/rationalize the need for a spotter on that one...injury/some sort of mobility issue/etc.? Or are you just flat out joking/trolling?

    The smart money is on the later.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I think it goes without saying, but it should be an exercise that definitely requires spotting...don't make things awkward AF asking someone to spot you on say...bicep curls

    But the seated cable row machine is ok, right? Don't tell me I've been doing it wrong.

    I think you're going to have to explain/rationalize the need for a spotter on that one...injury/some sort of mobility issue/etc.? Or are you just flat out joking/trolling?

    Joking. I read your good advice and tried to think of the lift that's least likely to require a spot.
  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    I think it goes without saying, but it should be an exercise that definitely requires spotting...don't make things awkward AF asking someone to spot you on say...bicep curls

    But the seated cable row machine is ok, right? Don't tell me I've been doing it wrong.

    I think you're going to have to explain/rationalize the need for a spotter on that one...injury/some sort of mobility issue/etc.? Or are you just flat out joking/trolling?

    Joking. I read your good advice and tried to think of the lift that's least likely to require a spot.

    Ok, bro, I seriously need your help, can you spot me on back squats? I'm only doing 135lbs...and I'm like totally not trolling you just to cop-a-feel
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    I think it goes without saying, but it should be an exercise that definitely requires spotting...don't make things awkward AF asking someone to spot you on say...bicep curls

    But the seated cable row machine is ok, right? Don't tell me I've been doing it wrong.

    I think you're going to have to explain/rationalize the need for a spotter on that one...injury/some sort of mobility issue/etc.? Or are you just flat out joking/trolling?

    Joking. I read your good advice and tried to think of the lift that's least likely to require a spot.

    Ok, bro, I seriously need your help, can you spot me on back squats? I'm only doing 135lbs...and I'm like totally not trolling you just to cop-a-feel

    ..... so my motives are evident when spotting her wrist curls ?


    dang.
  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    edited August 2019
    @motorsheen = type of guy asking women @ the gym to spot for good mornings & machine abduction ("bad girls")...
This discussion has been closed.