Etiquette - Waiting in line for occupied equipment

LadyDeadlift

QOTD:
What do you do when you arrive at the gym, have your workout planned, get all warmed up, and then find the squat rack in use?

I'm wondering - do you find out how long user thinks they'll be? try to work in along with them? bail and just use the smith machine (KIDDING!) or ___________________?

Follow up question:
What if you find out you're not really gonna get to your planned workout? You're already at the gym so... ...Do you alter the order of your exercises, have a cardio workout or some other routine that you fall back on?

LadyDeadlift

I eye the squat rack the moment I get into the gym and try to get to it quick when it's open / if it's in use I watch it and try to swoop in as soon as prior user is done.

If it's not clear - I just ask how long they'll be.

I don't see anyone else do that though... and when I'm on the rack it can be awhile especially if it's OHP day. I'm wondering if I've got bad manners?

I haven't had to totally bail on a workout yet due to gym occupancy. I need to develop a plan B of sorts....

wolfsbayne

I do the same thing as you. Like today, when I went in to the weight room, the squat rack had a loaded bar on it (which is not uncommon in my gym :grumble: ). There were 2 guys in there doing other things with the curl bar and dumbbells. I just asked if they were using it and they told me no. I've gone in sometimes when BOTH squat racks were in use, both by women. The woman in the squat rack that I wanted to use was actively squatting. When she got finished with her set, I asked her how much longer she would be and she told me. After she was done, she asked if I wanted to use the weights she had on there. I've never had to rearrange my planned workout, though. I guess if I did, I might just do cardio or rearrange what I was doing. One time while I was doing rows, a guy asked if he could work in during my rest periods. It worked out fine.

chubby_checkers

I would do what you do: snatch it up if it's free or ask how much longer they'll be. I've only ever had one dude get snarky with me and then he didn't rerack his weights when he was done.

If it looks like they're going to be a while, I'll do the workout in reverse (rows, bench, squats or deadlifts OHP, squats). That's not my favorite thing to do, but I haven't had to abandon a workout yet.

If all else fails, lurk and give death stares in the mirror.

hananah89

We have 5 racks (3 full). But its also a university gym so lots of "bros". So if I can't get there when the gym opens I try to go when I think there will be less people. But if they are full I stand there until one is empty because they get picked up quick. Not many people do a full 2-3 movements of multiple sets like we do with SLs.

Fittreelol

I feel like I need a sweet flow chart to explain my thought process ! At my normal lifting gym there isn't usually an issue with finding a powercage, but since I've been going to the Y to run on the track after lifting sometimes there are people IN MY SQUAT RACK. WTF?!

At the Y I've noticed most people don't do very many sets and/or warm up adequately. So here is my plan of attack!

If I think they're going going to be that long I just wait. If it looks like it might be a while I'll ask how many sets/how long they'll be. If it's somewhat feasible I would ask to work in. If they're going to be a while, and it's not feasible to work in I just bench or deadlift first.

girlie100

Ah I love my gym

It's a strength and conditioning gym so 3 full cages and 5 stands for squatting so never a wait for somewhere. Plus I squat on Saturdays and most members work a m/w/f schedule so sometimes I'm the only one there which is handy as squat day takes 2hrs lol :bigsmile:

lwoodroff

1. Warm up? what's that lol.. If the rack is free, I'm grabbing it ASAP!
2. ALWAYS ask how many sets left. If it's someone on their own (not 3 or 4 of them taking turns) it's not unreasonable to ask to work in. But this takes a bit more confidence! I've actually offered to work in with people waiting (we only have one squat rack and one rickety power cage), it doesn't really slow me up and it is efficient use of kit.
3. Lurk and death stares is excellent, otherwise mix up your order/do some warmup/conditioning/core shenanigans.

But if you get a reputation for being there regularly you'll get some respect PDQ

jstout365

I always warm up and then go back and see how the rack are. For the most part one is usually free, I've had to wait before and I will either ask how much longer or just start with a different lift.

I'm selfish and like to keep the rack to myself. I have worked in for deadlifts before.

I also have some flexibility in when I go so I aim for the sweet spot when there are few people there.

randomtai

I found a gym that has 3 squat racks and I no longer have this problem. Also I think this gym is full of bros who skip leg day, but that's another story. :laugh:

When I was using my old branch of my gym I just waited and did deadlifts or other things while waiting for the rack.

lilawolf

If the squat rack is in use, I'll do bench/rows and OHP (not deadlift, I always do that last). I'll also do my warmup sets with the 40 or 50lb fixed dumbbells. If the person is STILL there, I will ask how much longer. If it's forever (only happened once with a guy going for a 1RM of over 500lbs and his 3 friends) then I will use the incline leg press and/or do walking lunges with the fixed barbell.

wendypow

I think that's only happened to me once, and I use the squat rack 3+ times/week since October. I go from 6-7 a.m. and my gym has 2 full racks. Mostly men there at that time of day and I've only seen 2-3 of them actually do squats (OMG I wish I had a video of this one guy, LOL) or any leg exercise in the squat rack!

So, on that one particular day, I did hip adductor exercises while keeping an eye on the rack in the corner - and made my move as soon as the guy started unloading the plates!

ErinRibbens

This has never happened to me, too many bros doing curls and bench.

I have had to wait for a bench before, I will sit and stare and if they walk away, swoop in. One time the group of guys came back a few minutes later and said they weren't done yet. *shrug* :bigsmile: