How to deal with people just taking up space in the gym?

Nurse_krissy

This is an issue that has come up recently and I would love to know how to handle it. I go to an overcrowded YMCA and spend the majority of my time in the weight room. Lately, there have been a ton of teenage girls just hanging out there (presumably gauking at the boys). They are in the way, they're sitting on euqipment, congregating in areas where I can't lift without hitting them, etc. I can handle busy, everybody needs to get their burn in, that's fine. People to USE the gym tend to know the etiquitte required to make things run smoothly. However, the girls who are just in the freaking way are really starting to piss me off! Any suggestions on how to handle this without being the b*tch?

So far, I've used "How many sets do you have left?" when they are on equipment to communicate that I'd like to use it. Sometimes it works, other times they look at me all confused like I just spoke to them in a foreign language. Other (less than gracious times), I've just started lifing and allowed my weights to JUST BARELY miss them and they usually step back. I'd really like to yell "Just get the eff outta here if you're not going to do anything, anyway!" but I'm guessing since the YMCA is a Christian organization, that won't go over so well! ;-)

IveLanded

If someone is not using equipment and you need to use it, just tell them to move. I know it's not the socially normal thing to be direct but......try it. Especially if they are teenagers, they will probably just do it. I'm a mom of a teenager so if it were me I'd just be straight and said "Hey....you guys are taking up space and I need to use this equipment, can you go sit somewhere else?"

Of course, you also have the option of going to the staff and asking them to be the heavy.

BrianSharpe

You sound a lot more patient and diplomatic than I would be.....

Maybe have a word with someone at the front desk, if it's bugging you I'm sure it's an annoyance for others too (except maybe for the gawkees)

When addressing the teenage female remember, you cannot use complete sentences - this only confuses them, and everything must start with "Like, how many sets....." (as the father of a teenage daughter I know this to be true! :laugh: )

Jeff92se

"You using this?" or "you want to work in with me?" Usually his gives them a clue. If not, then "if you're not using it, then I'd like to" will work.

chachadiva150

Just get the eff outta here if you're not going to do anything, anyway!" but I'm guessing since the YMCA is a Christian organization, that won't go over so well! ;-)

Have you spoken to the staff? That's their job to deal with people who are not behaving properly.

dad106

I encounter this all the time at my gym and it's not even teenagers! It's people my age or older just ****ing around on the weight machines while their friends watch.. and it's freaking redic!

I either walk up to them and ask how much longer or give them a really *****y look that clearly says"I need this equipment and you better move!". For the most part that works really well.

UponThisRock

how about "excuse me, I need to use this"

SinIsIn

You could also try blasting Ludacris - Move B!tch on your phone.....?

str8bowbabe

If you are paying to use the equipment then contact the attendant and let them deal with it. If you have tried being nice, drop a message to the attendant. If they do not take care of the problem...continue up the ladder until its handled. Or you could just be a B***ch and yell get the hell out of the way!

ninerbuff

This is an issue that has come up recently and I would love to know how to handle it. I go to an overcrowded YMCA and spend the majority of my time in the weight room. Lately, there have been a ton of teenage girls just hanging out there (presumably gauking at the boys). They are in the way, they're sitting on euqipment, congregating in areas where I can't lift without hitting them, etc. I can handle busy, everybody needs to get their burn in, that's fine. People to USE the gym tend to know the etiquitte required to make things run smoothly. However, the girls who are just in the freaking way are really starting to piss me off! Any suggestions on how to handle this without being the b*tch?

So far, I've used "How many sets do you have left?" when they are on equipment to communicate that I'd like to use it. Sometimes it works, other times they look at me all confused like I just spoke to them in a foreign language. Other (less than gracious times), I've just started lifing and allowed my weights to JUST BARELY miss them and they usually step back. I'd really like to yell "Just get the eff outta here if you're not going to do anything, anyway!" but I'm guessing since the YMCA is a Christian organization, that won't go over so well! ;-)

Tell them you're embarking on a Crusade and jesus wants you to get fit.

A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

I promise you, the best way to clear the area is this: FART OUTLOUD.

A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Nopedotjpeg

"I need to use that." If they don't move, move them. Everyone loves a cat fight.

sarahrbraun

If it continues to be a problem, you could *try* pointing out the posted GYM RULES...or you could go narc on them to the fitness monitor. It is the fitness monitor's job to make sure that the equipment is being used properly and that no one is hogging the equipment--my Y has a "teen hub" where the teens can hang out...

JNick77

I promise you, the best way to clear the area is this: FART OUTLOUD.

A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yes it is. I use it even when I don't need to.

ninerbuff

I promise you, the best way to clear the area is this: FART OUTLOUD.

A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yes it is. I use it even when I don't need to.

Works EVERYTIME...........................unless you're around of meatheads. Then they try to guess what protein powder you're takin'.


A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

meshashesha2012

i just saw an argument at my gym start over this very thing. 2 guys couldn't work out to share a weight bench.

anyway, i just ask to alternate sets with them. that's what i do when our power racks are full and i need to share one with a guy who needs to do pull ups.

i would only tell a staff member if the other person was a d*ck about it. the way i see it i'm an adult i shouldnt have to immediately go running to someone official to resolve something so simple

cyncetastic

There were two dudes sitting and talking near one of the machines I needed to use last weekend. I stood around for a few minutes to see if they were going to continue using it or just sit and talk. After about 5 minutes of hovering, I asked one, "Are you still using this?" He replied yes, yet went back to his conversation. I stood and waited for another minute and when he didnt resume using it, I told him, "Look, I could have had two sets done by now - I'm going to use this and when you're ready, you can work in with me" as I adjusted the weight and began my set. They walked away and didn't come back. LoL

mbts08

There were two dudes sitting and talking near one of the machines I needed to use last weekend. I stood around for a few minutes to see if they were going to continue using it or just sit and talk. After about 5 minutes of hovering, I asked one, "Are you still using this?" He replied yes, yet went back to his conversation. I stood and waited for another minute and when he didnt resume using it, I told him, "Look, I could have had two sets done by now - I'm going to use this and when you're ready, you can work in with me" as I adjusted the weight and began my set. They walked away and didn't come back. LoL

HEHEHEHE

elg1982

Ask if you can work in, or stare at them passive aggressively.

This is one of my pet peeves, only at my gym it's usually a guy on a piece of equipment I want to use just sitting there texting people and not lifting. *UGH* I checked the clock one time and the guy was there for 40 minutes! My gym time is precious to me, why would you waste it?

kadins_momma07

LOL. I'm sorry, I don't really have any advice here toher than speak to the YMCA managemtn about it so they can keep an eye out and maybe make announcements if they see people just sitting on the equipment. Your post cracked me up though...perhaps if nothing is done then the last resort is to just tell them get the eff out of the way, haha. Sometimes being nice just doesn't work

kadins_momma07

LMAO, wow! Yeah, that would do the trick!

RachelsReboot

Ask if you can work in, or stare at them passive aggressively.

This is one of my pet peeves, only at my gym it's usually a guy on a piece of equipment I want to use just sitting there texting people and not lifting. *UGH* I checked the clock one time and the guy was there for 40 minutes! My gym time is precious to me, why would you waste it?

Well duh, then he couldn't text those girls and tell them he spends 4-6 hours a day at the gym!

Nurse_krissy

When addressing the teenage female remember, you cannot use complete sentences - this only confuses them, and everything must start with "Like, how many sets....." (as the father of a teenage daughter I know this to be true! :laugh: )

Like, OMG, this is like hilarious!

Nopedotjpeg

i just saw an argument at my gym start over this very thing. 2 guys couldn't work out to share a weight bench.

anyway, i just ask to alternate sets with them. that's what i do when our power racks are full and i need to share one with a guy who needs to do pull ups.

i would only tell a staff member if the other person was a d*ck about it. the way i see it i'm an adult i shouldnt have to immediately go running to someone official to resolve something so simple

"Hey man, can I work in with you?" "Sure." This works with the normal population. Curlbros are not normal.

fearlessbetz

I use, "How long do you have left on this?".

reneegee23

Off topic, but I really don't understand people who are glued to their phones at the gym. It doesn't affect me in any way and is absolutely none of my business, and yet..... I feel annoyed. Also, I usually do classes, and even in some classes I see people on their phones! What in the what?!

Lozze

Off topic, but I really don't understand people who are glued to their phones at the gym. It doesn't affect me in any way and is absolutely none of my business, and yet..... I feel annoyed. Also, I usually do classes, and even in some classes I see people on their phones! What in the what?!

I'm glued to the phone at the gym. I'm checking my program, adding what I e done in. Checking how much time left.

Lab2809

You could also try blasting Ludacris - Move B!tch on your phone.....?

Love this!

BuckeyeBoi

I would say Justin Beiber is shooting hoops in the gym go quickly!