Time limits on machines..

christynek
christynek Posts: 152 Member
in Chit-Chat
I just set a new goal literally yesterday, and it was "try to run a 5k in 30 minutes" which is all well and good. BUT then I went to the gym today and it burned my *kitten* to find out there is a 20 minute time limit on the treadmills! I will rebel it out as long as it can, but I am a rule follower and will feel bad if someone is waiting.

Just sucks that I actually pay to go there and they can't have enough treadmills! Come on! How do you feel about time limits on machines? I mean I understand the purpose, but ugh.
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Replies

  • juliecat1
    juliecat1 Posts: 3,450 Member
    I'd be finding a new gym. How is a serious runner supposed to get a decent run in?? They need to be investing in some new machines it sounds like. I stay on whatever cardio equipment I choose that day for at least 45min.
  • rossi02
    rossi02 Posts: 549 Member
    Several years ago, the Y I went to had a 30 minute limit. I only followed the time limit if it looked like others were waiting. If there were other machines open and it didn't look like anyone was watching to see if I was finished, I would contiue my work out. Since you are a rule follower, you could set the machine to 20 minutes, once it's over go get a sip of water then come back and do another 20. :flowerforyou:
  • Ripcode
    Ripcode Posts: 142 Member
    How is a serious runner supposed to get a decent run in??

    You can always run outside.
  • Faintgreeneyes
    Faintgreeneyes Posts: 729 Member
    I think the extra 10 mins on the treadmill is not going to kill anyone. I hated it when the gym I used to belong to had sign up sheets for machines. So someone could reserve it at 5:30 and even if they weren't there you couldn't use it. It sucked.

    As long as there aren't copious amounts of people waiting for machines, I think doing 30 mins is fine.
  • lilpe5512
    lilpe5512 Posts: 397 Member
    Most gyms have a 30 min limit. When I start and there is at least one treadmill available for someone else to use I keep going.
  • josavage
    josavage Posts: 472 Member
    My gym has a 30 minute time limit if it's a peak time and all the machines are full. If they are not full, stay on as long as you like.
  • jennifer52484
    jennifer52484 Posts: 888 Member
    My gym has a 60 minute machine limit. But thankfully there is barely ever a wait anyway. Love small gyms!
  • GorillaNJ
    GorillaNJ Posts: 4,024 Member
    20 minutes that is lame... My gym has a 30 minute limit if people are waiting, but there are tons of machines available in different areas so I have never seen someone stop a workout short.
  • Erisad
    Erisad Posts: 1,580
    Really? The time limit on my gym's treadmills is a good 90 minutes, probably because they have a good amount of them. I use the elliptical, which has a 30 minute time limit. The machine will usually power off/restart if you go over the time limit so you gotta be careful. >.<
  • 99clmsntgr
    99clmsntgr Posts: 777 Member
    The time limit is there to keep people from hogging the machines for hours on end. The gym I sometimes go to has a 30 minute limit as well, however, if it's not busy, talk to the attendant (usually the guy in khakis pretending like he knows what he's doing, showing the ladies how to use the weight machines). My gym is always happy to unlock the limit, so long as you let them know when you're done so they can put it back on. If you go at peak times, don't expect this kind of treatment.

    Oh, and I agree with the other poster - you can always go run outside. There's no time limit there and you'll get a better workout.
  • shel1103
    shel1103 Posts: 185 Member
    Usually it's a 30 minute time limit, 20 is stupid!! Maybe if it's possible, don't go to the gym during "peak" times. That way there is no one that will kick you off and you don't have to feel terrible for wanting an entire 30-35 minutes to yourself on a treadmill.

    Grrr!!! Gyms make me mad sometimes!
  • TheAncientMariner
    TheAncientMariner Posts: 444 Member
    I'm a member of LA fitness, and they have a similar rule, but it's only if the gym is packed and someone is waiting. It has never been so full that someone has had to to wait long or at all in my experience. Then again, I go when it's not so crowded. I would just keep working out unless someone came and specifically asked me something about it, most people aren't paying that close attention.
  • softwind
    softwind Posts: 572 Member
    The Y where I go is a 30 minute limit, but it's only enforced if someone is waiting
  • christynek
    christynek Posts: 152 Member
    I do love running outside, I just have no way of tracking how far I go as it's usually a sporadic jog around the park near me. And I want to know exactly where I am at. And yup, I'll just have to go at slow times!
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    Wow, that's crazy! I've never heard of a time limit on a machine! My gym doesn't have time limits on anything.
    I'd find a different gym for sure.
  • phinphanbill26
    phinphanbill26 Posts: 574 Member
    If you're able to stick to the 20-minute limit and accomplish the 5k in that time...then your goal of 5k in 30-minutes should be easy to attain! In all seriousness, as long as there isn't someone standing next to the treadmill waiting for you to get off of it, stay on for the whole 30 minutes.
  • Cindylou321
    Cindylou321 Posts: 66
    Several years ago, the Y I went to had a 30 minute limit. I only followed the time limit if it looked like others were waiting. If there were other machines open and it didn't look like anyone was watching to see if I was finished, I would contiue my work out. Since you are a rule follower, you could set the machine to 20 minutes, once it's over go get a sip of water then come back and do another 20. :flowerforyou:
  • Cindylou321
    Cindylou321 Posts: 66
    Thats a good idea...
  • msjersey73
    msjersey73 Posts: 182 Member
    Rules are stupid. I do not follow any rules. I make my own Rules.
    Twenty minute limit on a cardio machine is ignorant....and I really hope you tell them so.

    If more people complain about the time limit then having to wait for a machine, then majority rules.....they should remove the rule of time limit.
    At least democracy used to rule.....not sure anymore.
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    I'd be finding a new gym. How is a serious runner supposed to get a decent run in?? They need to be investing in some new machines it sounds like. I stay on whatever cardio equipment I choose that day for at least 45min.

    A serious runner would run outside.
  • NNsMomma
    NNsMomma Posts: 18 Member
    If you are able, try going to the gym during less busy times. No one enforces those rules when there is no wait for the machines.
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    our gyms only restrict time on the cardio machines in the busy hours. :) If no one's waiting then you shouldn't have a problem.
  • teeley
    teeley Posts: 477 Member
    I do love running outside, I just have no way of tracking how far I go as it's usually a sporadic jog around the park near me. And I want to know exactly where I am at. And yup, I'll just have to go at slow times!

    There is a website called walkjogrun.net...it is basically like google map, but you can lay out routes to run. I use it ALL the time...I plan out new routes almost every time I go... I compared the distance to my friends GPS phone app for running and it was spot on...
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    I'd be finding a new gym. How is a serious runner supposed to get a decent run in?? They need to be investing in some new machines it sounds like. I stay on whatever cardio equipment I choose that day for at least 45min.

    A serious runner would run outside.

    running outside? That's just crazy talk!
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    It doesn't mean you can't continue to use the cardio machines, you just need to reset the time.
  • La_Amazona
    La_Amazona Posts: 4,855 Member
    What in the world??

    For some reason, I thought this was about time machines.. I read the subject line totally wrong.

    Take it outside!!! I can't run on a treadmill.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I'd be finding a new gym. How is a serious runner supposed to get a decent run in?? They need to be investing in some new machines it sounds like. I stay on whatever cardio equipment I choose that day for at least 45min.

    A serious runner would run outside.

    running outside? That's just crazy talk!

    You mean running outside, where races take place? Nahhh I rather feel like a hamster on it's wheel, going no where and breathing filtered air
  • LindaCWy
    LindaCWy Posts: 463 Member
    I just set a new goal literally yesterday, and it was "try to run a 5k in 30 minutes" which is all well and good. BUT then I went to the gym today and it burned my *kitten* to find out there is a 20 minute time limit on the treadmills! I will rebel it out as long as it can, but I am a rule follower and will feel bad if someone is waiting.

    Just sucks that I actually pay to go there and they can't have enough treadmills! Come on! How do you feel about time limits on machines? I mean I understand the purpose, but ugh.

    DO 20 mins, step off for a second and do another 20 mins? That's what I'd do (if there was no one waiting).
  • enyo123
    enyo123 Posts: 172 Member
    I'd be finding a new gym. How is a serious runner supposed to get a decent run in?? They need to be investing in some new machines it sounds like. I stay on whatever cardio equipment I choose that day for at least 45min.

    A serious runner would run outside.

    Not where I live. It's not safe to run outside for months of the year. (Excessive snow, ice, and -40 C/F, plus wind chill at times.)
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    At the gym I go to, it's a rule that any cardio machines have a 30 minute limit unless marked otherwise on the machines themselves. Two of the treadmills have a 60 minute limit and those are usually the ones used least unless by someone who honestly needs the time. Though really half the time no one pays mind since the machines themselves don't have the maximums set in (not that I know of anyway, the other day I accidentally programmed 98 minutes into a machine and it was accepted, so) but it's just a courtesy thing since there's only so many to go around.

    I think if I needed more than the allotted time I'd be bothered, but considering the time of day I go I'd simply finish the limit on one, then wipe off the machine and go to another one. I've seen others do it with the stationary bikes, or whatever version of them involves an actual seat instead of a crotch-numbing bike seat, but those people tend to be more leisurely and use it to watch TV and do a bit a movement or to read a book.

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