Dealing with Gym Jerks? How do you handle it?

WakkoW · March 2014

I always lift first because my focus is on technique and strength. My current goals revolve around the Olympic lifts and I'm simply too tired after cardio to perform them properly.

If you're seeing the results that you are after then don't change is up.

I don't know what to tell you about how to handle these guys. The only time I ever had any trouble was when I first started lifting in my 20s and had no idea what I was doing. I just ignored the guy and he finally quit the gym or just stopped coming. But then, I'm a female who is very comfortable around a weight room.

Cherimoose · March 2014

Because 1) it may unsync your schedule with theirs, and 2) It can be harder to lift safely and with the proper effort level after doing 35 minutes of HIIT.

The purpose of lifting isn't to keep your heart rate up - that's what's cardio is for. It's perfectly acceptable for the HR to go down between sets. The difference in calories burned is negligible.
By the way, fit people have a lower resting heart rate, not an elevated one. I would suspect a lack of sleep, but that's getting off topic..

Inmates workout in prison cells with no equipment, so you can certainly workout in that gym without ever waiting for anyone. You just need to diversify and learn new options. For example, weighted push-ups, bodyweight rows, goblet squats, and other compound movements. If you're a creature of habit, you will encounter lots of frustration in gyms.

Laquincy · March 2014

I dealt with this the other day as well. Not only was he curling in the squat rack...he would sit down after 1 set for like 5 minutes and mess with his phone. I wanted to break him.

JMoore221979 · March 2014

I can't say I have ever had this problem. If the gym is worth going to the manager/owner would be on them about it. I tend to agree with a previous poster and switch over to free weights if they are using the machines you want and vice versa. I usually have a backup plan if certain things are being used but maybe that's harder for newer people. Unfortunately in the end the guys are just being jerks and it doesn't sound like anything then quitting and paying off a early termination fee or switching your routine will work. If you do quit and go to another gym I would talk to the owner and tell him exactly why you are leaving and that you tried to work it out with him/her.

stryder77 · March 2014

My wife goes in the evening so I'm stuck at home with the kids and can't leave.

It is like anytime fitness but there is only 1 gym of theirs in town at this time. I heard they might build another but i'll hopefully be out of my contract with them by then.

Madame_Goldbricker · March 2014

OP if you are wanting to switch gyms & get out of the contract you could; explain to the manager its not fit for purpose as you can't use the equipment. If its a franchise get in touch with the HO & say the manager didn't help you resolve the issue. Or go to your Dr with an injury & ask for a letter stating you have the said injury & can't work out for 3-6mths (most gyms have this in the cancellation clause)

*The last option may technically not be that ethical - but if you can't find another resolution its an option.

Gearjammer71 · March 2014

I would challenge them to combat! No I really wouldn't... I would just find something else to do until they were done snuggling and moved on. If you feel the gym is not able to provide the services that they've outlined in your contract start complaining in writing. Make sure your complaints are specific and detailed and state your expectations and give deadlines. State that your intent is to terminate the agreement if the deficiencies are not met. Terminating deficient contracts is part of my responsibility at work and I have never failed provided that our complaints were legitimate, documented, and an attempt was made to remedy the deficiency.

JoRocka · March 2014

WOWO back up boys.
You do realize EVERYONE rests between sets. That's really normal. Lots of people sit down or on stuff between sets.
I sit down between my sets- so what- I'm not holding any body up- and if I am- they can come ask me how much more I have.

The guy next to me deadlifting pulled 345 for several sets of several reps.... after he finished his deadlift sets- he did his curls. In the squat rack- no one was waiting. I gave him some mild ribbing (he offered the rack to me if I needed it) but we had a fun joke about it and moved on. Seriously- get over it.

OP- you were wrong. Instead of handling it politely- you blew up at them with no prior conversation (least the way I read that)- you should have asked first.

Besides- it's not YOUR equipment- it's the gyms. They have a right to use it to. Either find a way to play nice or get your own gym.

ahamm002 · March 2014

A few benches and dumbells are more than enough to get a great workout. In fact, it'll probably be a better workout then you're getting with the machines. You can easily do supersets or circuit training with the benches and dumbells. Those college morons might be doing you a favor by nudging you away from machines.

You could also try exercising before work. I now get up at 5am to hit the gym in the morning b/c I can't do it after work anymore. There are FAR less people at the gym in the morning and the crowd is much more mature.

WakkoW · March 2014

Yeah, I was just about to reply to this.

If you're not in need of the squat rack, why get all bent on how someone else uses the equipment?

And if you do want it to do squats, just nicely ask the person using it how long they will be and let them know you want to do squats. I have never once had anyone refuse this type of request before.

madhatter2013 · March 2014

It's not this simple when you have people giving generic answers like "I'll be done when I'm done". These guys are being very disrespectful. You do pay dues just like everyone else and you deserve to be able to work out just as everyone else does. The idea of changing up your routine may be your best bet. I know you said what you're doing is working for you but switching your cardio and strength won't hurt that progress. You mentioned that one day you essentially "butt" in when you had the chance. I'd keep that up to let them know that you're not gonna just sit back and take their crap. Let them be the ones to complain to the manager. He'll either tell them that you all need to get along or he'll kick you out, in which case, you'll no longer be under contract.

stryder77 · March 2014

even if those dumbells & benches are taken up by these guys hogging the weights? they will literally take the pairs of 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50lbs dumbbells to their bench and switch off between whos lifting the different weights for up to or over an hour.

I'm seriously going to take pictures of it on my phone next time it happens.

JoRocka · March 2014

blowing up on them for your first encounter was wrong.

period.

there are ways to share a gym. There is always one douchecanoe who hogs stuff- it happens.

Solutions include
asking about using a weight
working in
waiting till they are done
getting there before they do to get the weight you need
working out a different time
or finding a gym

yelling at someone is not going to solve anything- esp when there are 3 of them and one of you.

mjudd1990 · March 2014

Seeing as you're in college station this doesn't surprise me...Aggies. I'll just echo what people above said, just learn to do different exercises to hit the same muscle group. Between machines, free weights, cables, suspension trainers, and pure body weight exercises you can almost always find another way to do the exercise. More than one way to skin a cat.

dixiewhiskey · March 2014

LOL it's called common courtesy. We all pay for the equipment and use of them. Resting is not sitting ON the squat rack itself for five minutes. Not only disrespectful to people who want to use the equipment in a timely manner but it's also disrespectful to the gym. I don't care if people are that exhausted that they need to rest for five minutes but don't sit on the equipment. The gym I go to also provides olympic bars for curling, deadlifting, stripping.... just kidding about the last one but they are provided for a reason.

Glad you had this amazing experience where someone curling shared with you and laughed with you but in a lot of cases, that doesn't happen. I think you need to "back up" and think about that possibility.

dixiewhiskey · March 2014

I wouldn't be complaining about it if I wasn't in need of it.

And FYI, I personally have tried all of this... there has been the oddball who doesn't get the hint when you ask how many reps but for the most part, people are cool. How dare I vent about the idea of it on a fitness forum... what was I thinking? :huh:

somefitsomefat · March 2014

Is that not a valid use of the curl rack? Just kidding

dixiewhiskey · March 2014

:laugh: :laugh:

eric_sg61 · March 2014

I thought it was the shrug rack..........................I mean god forbid you have to pick the barbell up off the floor to shrug

wolfsbayne · March 2014

Oh yeah. I've seen guys do that, too, in the squat rack. It doesn't really bother me unless I need the squat rack. We also have a power rack. Not my first choice, but I'll use it if it's the only one available.

Dealing with Gym Jerks? How do you handle it?

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