Homesteaders

digistyle

One of my pet peeves at the gym are the people that I call "Homesteaders." Homesteaders will unnecessarily monopolize equipment. Homesteaders are usually carrying on conversations, endlessly fiddling with their phones, or taking long rest breaks in-between sets, without moving away from the equipment that they are "using."

I saw a Homesteader today who took homesteading to a new level. He was using the Smith machine (which, luckily, I didn't need.). I was loading a bar nearby while he was sitting, engrossed in his phone. I'd finished two sets before he started his next set. Then it was back to his phone. I finished two more sets, unloaded the bar, re-positioned it, reloaded it, did four sets and unloaded the bar as a courtesy to the next user. At this point, he began another set. I moved on to a machine, where he was still in my line of vision. I finished four sets and still he sat, playing with his phone. I lost track of him after that. For all I know, he may be there still!

SunofaBeach14

So you got upset at someone and vented on here about it even though you didn't need the machine? Did you ever think to ask if you can work in when someone is sitting on a machine or rack? It's amazing how few times someone has said "no" to me when I've asked and it's usually some new person. Most people, in my experience. let people work in.

I take about 20 minutes in the squat rack every time I do squats, and much of that time is rest time between sets, during which time I enter my lifts into my iPhone app, text with my wife and friends, and chat with other people in the gym. Today, there was a guy in the rack starting his workout with whom I've worked in a few times before. I asked if it was better to work in with him today or just wait. We worked in together, and we both spent a good deal of time typing away on our phones in between sets.

ETA: I like the shirt, BTW, I just got a Captain America one for an upcoming super heros race. Should be fun.

besaro

so

ASH2038602

I am often on my phone between sets. Gives me something to do besides be paranoid about people staring at me

PikaKnight

If he wasn't bothering anyone and no one was waiting for the equipment...what's the big deal? What if he needed longer rests between sets than you due to an injury or such? Maybe he was looking up about form (yes, even on the Smith Machine that matters).


I'd be more wondering how you were able to really put that much effort into your own workout when you obviously spent a lot of time and energy keeping track of a stranger.

digistyle

I guess I just think gym etiquette (or simply be considerate to others) is important. Someone else may have wanted to use the equipment, but may have been hesitant to ask.