Frustrated at the gym and waiting.
EmmaReed84
Posts: 263 Member
I am generally a patient person, when I go to the gym I am in no hurry to get finished, the evening is mine so if I have to wait, then so be it.
However it is getting increasingly frustrating when you are wanting to use a machine and the person on it is fiddling around with their iPod/Phone music for several minutes before even actually getting started. The Leg Press for example, it was my last thing to do, I went to the machine and someone was on it, so I went to the side of it where there is space to do floor-work and started on some crunches. He finished and I got up and this bloke practically jumped on the machine, then sat there for over 4 minutes (I managed to do 3x 1 minute planks) just fiddling with his iPod. He did one set, then sat there again for ages playing about, did another set, sat there again for ages, then got up. In total he must have been at least 10 minutes and in that time only did two sets.
I know people say things like "stop looking at other people workout concentrate on yourself" and all that stuff, but seriously, why do people spend so much time playing about on their gadgets, especially when the gym is busy and people are waiting. And before anyone says "he probably didn't know you were waiting" there are loads of signs saying "Do not hover" so I wasn't going to do that, but also on the flip sides there are signs saying about being considerate of other user and not to "hog" the machines etc.
*pointless thread really, just needed a bit of a moan*
However it is getting increasingly frustrating when you are wanting to use a machine and the person on it is fiddling around with their iPod/Phone music for several minutes before even actually getting started. The Leg Press for example, it was my last thing to do, I went to the machine and someone was on it, so I went to the side of it where there is space to do floor-work and started on some crunches. He finished and I got up and this bloke practically jumped on the machine, then sat there for over 4 minutes (I managed to do 3x 1 minute planks) just fiddling with his iPod. He did one set, then sat there again for ages playing about, did another set, sat there again for ages, then got up. In total he must have been at least 10 minutes and in that time only did two sets.
I know people say things like "stop looking at other people workout concentrate on yourself" and all that stuff, but seriously, why do people spend so much time playing about on their gadgets, especially when the gym is busy and people are waiting. And before anyone says "he probably didn't know you were waiting" there are loads of signs saying "Do not hover" so I wasn't going to do that, but also on the flip sides there are signs saying about being considerate of other user and not to "hog" the machines etc.
*pointless thread really, just needed a bit of a moan*
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Replies
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You can always say "Can I work in with you?". They will either say "Sure" or at lease will say "I've only got X number of sets left" but they are on notice that you would like to use the machine.0
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You know I have found that a polite hey do you mind if I get a set in real quick they will politely hop off and let you have a turn0
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In that situation, if he did a set, then sat, I think it's perfectly acceptable to ask to work in with him.0
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My problem is, I get a bit shy. Going up to a stranger and asking to join them is like my idea of hell LOL.0
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Watch him stand up and directly watch him the pressure of knowing your waiting will encourage him to speed up and move on!!!
I find it incredibly frustrating too. And quite often leave the gym without finishing because I cannot be *kitten* to wait!! Or people use extremely high weights then take ridiculously long to recover do another two reps then take another five minute break!! It's really annoying because its holding others up and completely pointless!!! Xx0 -
My problem is, I get a bit shy. Going up to a stranger and asking to join them is like my idea of hell LOL.
I get annoyed by people doing this too but if you can't be assertive enough to ask if you can work in, then it's really your problem not his/hers. (S)He can't read your mind.0 -
My problem is, I get a bit shy. Going up to a stranger and asking to join them is like my idea of hell LOL.
That's really your problem not his. He can't read your mind.
Never said it was his problem did I? Still doesn't stop it being frustrating when someone hogs a machine without thinking or taking notice of the several signs dotted about the gym.0 -
I would have went over to the guy who jumped on it and told him that I was waiting for that machine and then tell him that he can work in his sets in between yours.0
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I would have went over to the guy who jumped on it and told him that I was waiting for that machine and then tell him that he can work in his sets in between yours.
LOL, I like that!0 -
If you're not willing to ask to work in, then you really don't deserve to be mad when they take as much time as they'd like on the equipment. If they don't know you want to use the equipment they're not going to hurry. Plus, a lot of people record their workouts on their phones. I use the "notes" section on my iPhone to track my sets, weights, and reps so they might be scrolling to see how many reps they need to do and a what weight. Especially since so many programs go off of a certain percentage of your 1RM for each set/exercise/day/etc.My problem is, I get a bit shy. Going up to a stranger and asking to join them is like my idea of hell LOL.
That's really your problem not his. He can't read your mind.
Never said it was his problem did I? Still doesn't stop it being frustrating when someone hogs a machine without thinking or taking notice of the several signs dotted about the gym.0 -
I have no problem approaching people and asking when they'll be finishing up. Just be polite and smile and wait patiently, and they'll finish up quicker for you.0
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I am generally a patient person, when I go to the gym I am in no hurry to get finished, the evening is mine so if I have to wait, then so be it.
However it is getting increasingly frustrating when you are wanting to use a machine and the person on it is fiddling around with their iPod/Phone music for several minutes before even actually getting started. The Leg Press for example, it was my last thing to do, I went to the machine and someone was on it, so I went to the side of it where there is space to do floor-work and started on some crunches. He finished and I got up and this bloke practically jumped on the machine, then sat there for over 4 minutes (I managed to do 3x 1 minute planks) just fiddling with his iPod. He did one set, then sat there again for ages playing about, did another set, sat there again for ages, then got up. In total he must have been at least 10 minutes and in that time only did two sets.
I know people say things like "stop looking at other people workout concentrate on yourself" and all that stuff, but seriously, why do people spend so much time playing about on their gadgets, especially when the gym is busy and people are waiting. And before anyone says "he probably didn't know you were waiting" there are loads of signs saying "Do not hover" so I wasn't going to do that, but also on the flip sides there are signs saying about being considerate of other user and not to "hog" the machines etc.
*pointless thread really, just needed a bit of a moan*
I've noticed that increasingly people are becoming too distracted by technology (ipod, ipads, iphone's, smartphones ect) at the gym and they're pace is slowing down. I agree with you it's frustrating! The other day the woman next to me on the treadmill must have received and replied to 20 texts in the half hour we were there. She never even broke a sweat while people waited for treadmills. Grrrrrrrrr :grumble:0 -
I rest 3-4 minutes pretty often between sets of heavy squats, and often play on my phone while waiting...0
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Sometimes just opening your mouth and asking if you can work-in with them is all you need to do. I used to not feel comfortable doing this, but I've come to realize that if I don't speak up I won't get to use the equipment that I need to. You're paying the exact same price as they are to use it.0
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I'm sorry I did this to you. Let me explain: I do very heavy, high rep leg presses and it usually takes me 2-3 minutes to recover for my next set. During this rest period, I input my set info into an app on my phone to keep track of progress and to psych myself up for the next set. However, if you ask to work in, I'd be more than happy to help you set the weight to what your needs are and have my rest while you do your set. You might even get in two sets in while I rest my legs! And about being shy, I don't bite. Neither does anyone else in the gym. But again, I apologize.0
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I rest 3-4 minutes pretty often between sets of heavy squats, and often play on my phone while waiting...
it's a tough situation because you often gotta guard your machine or someone will snatch it up. asking to work in is the most effective way to help alleviate your waiting time. but 2 sets on leg press in 10 minutes? come on, i know he didn't need to rest that long. lol0 -
I rest 3-4 minutes pretty often between sets of heavy squats, and often play on my phone while waiting...
THis and I also track every aspect of my work out on my phone, so this "fiddling" is me tracking the work I did.0 -
I am generally a patient person, when I go to the gym I am in no hurry to get finished, the evening is mine so if I have to wait, then so be it.
However it is getting increasingly frustrating when you are wanting to use a machine and the person on it is fiddling around with their iPod/Phone music for several minutes before even actually getting started. The Leg Press for example, it was my last thing to do, I went to the machine and someone was on it, so I went to the side of it where there is space to do floor-work and started on some crunches. He finished and I got up and this bloke practically jumped on the machine, then sat there for over 4 minutes (I managed to do 3x 1 minute planks) just fiddling with his iPod. He did one set, then sat there again for ages playing about, did another set, sat there again for ages, then got up. In total he must have been at least 10 minutes and in that time only did two sets.
I know people say things like "stop looking at other people workout concentrate on yourself" and all that stuff, but seriously, why do people spend so much time playing about on their gadgets, especially when the gym is busy and people are waiting. And before anyone says "he probably didn't know you were waiting" there are loads of signs saying "Do not hover" so I wasn't going to do that, but also on the flip sides there are signs saying about being considerate of other user and not to "hog" the machines etc.
*pointless thread really, just needed a bit of a moan*
If they are just sitting there doing nothing (or fiddling with their ipod) just ask them " excuse me, are you still using this machine?" They will say yes, continue their reps as quickly as possible since they know someone else is waiting OR they will go to another machine and then come back since they do not want someone hovering over them. I used to do this when customers bought their teenagers to the gym and they would play around.0 -
I am generally a patient person, when I go to the gym I am in no hurry to get finished, the evening is mine so if I have to wait, then so be it.
However it is getting increasingly frustrating when you are wanting to use a machine and the person on it is fiddling around with their iPod/Phone music for several minutes before even actually getting started. The Leg Press for example, it was my last thing to do, I went to the machine and someone was on it, so I went to the side of it where there is space to do floor-work and started on some crunches. He finished and I got up and this bloke practically jumped on the machine, then sat there for over 4 minutes (I managed to do 3x 1 minute planks) just fiddling with his iPod. He did one set, then sat there again for ages playing about, did another set, sat there again for ages, then got up. In total he must have been at least 10 minutes and in that time only did two sets.
I know people say things like "stop looking at other people workout concentrate on yourself" and all that stuff, but seriously, why do people spend so much time playing about on their gadgets, especially when the gym is busy and people are waiting. And before anyone says "he probably didn't know you were waiting" there are loads of signs saying "Do not hover" so I wasn't going to do that, but also on the flip sides there are signs saying about being considerate of other user and not to "hog" the machines etc.
*pointless thread really, just needed a bit of a moan*
I've noticed that increasingly people are becoming too distracted by technology (ipod, ipads, iphone's, smartphones ect) at the gym and they're pace is slowing down. I agree with you it's frustrating! The other day the woman next to me on the treadmill must have received and replied to 20 texts in the half hour we were there. She never even broke a sweat while people waited for treadmills. Grrrrrrrrr :grumble:
LOL, Yesterday the gym was really quiet and the trainer was working with me I was doing a set of BB squats then a set of 45 degree rows on the TRX, then back to the squats (I did 4 of these sets) by the end my heart was pounding out my chest and I was dripping, it felt good!
The two lads on the machine next to me arrived while the trainer and I were discussing the sets that I was about to do. One guy then did a set of squats, then they started chatting about some funny videos on facebook and were playing them and proper laughing, by the time I finished me my whole set, they were still laughing at facebook.
The trainer was saying they were known for being like this, and they have had several complaints about them, but as the gym was quiet that evening he just let it slide. I often wonder why people would come to a gym to do something that could easily be done at home on the sofa, but that is a different things altogether LOL0 -
I had an armband for my iPod that I could change songs with on my arm. I had no pockets. Where are people putting their phones? lol0
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My problem is, I get a bit shy. Going up to a stranger and asking to join them is like my idea of hell LOL.
I get annoyed by people doing this too but if you can't be assertive enough to ask if you can work in, then it's really your problem not his/hers. (S)He can't read your mind.
this
maybe he needed that 4 minutes of playing his ipod because he was doing legs on other machine before and he needed to rest? you are SUPPOSED to take rest between sets. I rest 2 to 5 minutes. I always let people to work in.0 -
I rest 3-4 minutes pretty often between sets of heavy squats, and often play on my phone while waiting...
THis and I also track every aspect of my work out on my phone, so this "fiddling" is me tracking the work I did.
I get what you are saying, but at the gym we have this key thing that you plug in to the machine and it reads exactly what you do then you log out at the end and it give you a breakdown of everything.0 -
Find a new gym that has more equipment and space. It may cost a little more, but if it means better workouts and you can afford it, it's worth the investment.
I just switched to a new gym and I'm like a kid in a candy store...0 -
I'm with you on this one, if people are going to rest for that amount of time between sets it would be nice if they could at least stand next to the machine so others can use it in that time. If there resting for 5 minutes between each set, thats enough time for someone else to complete all their sets assuming they don't rest that much.
Alternatively if you don't feel comfortable going up to them and asking, you can always look into an alternate exercise that works the same muscle group as a 'back up' if the machine is out of use. Machines are good, but in my opinion free weights, and floor work is much more beneficial :-)0 -
ummmm......so you didn't look at the 2nd guy, point at the machine, and say "I was waiting for that?"
As for how long he was in between sets, it takes as long as it takes. Some days I rest more and some days less and no matter how long I'm resting I'm going to play with my phone if I want to. But if you are waiting for a machine and standing close by it's totally your fault if you let someone jump the line.0 -
ummmm......so you didn't look at the 2nd guy, point at the machine, and say "I was waiting for that?"
As for how long he was in between sets, it takes as long as it takes. Some days I rest more and some days less and no matter how long I'm resting I'm going to play with my phone if I want to. But if you are waiting for a machine and standing close by it's totally your fault if you let someone jump the line.
I'm sure you and Randy share the same "station steal proof" thing I do in that nobody else wants to unrack that **** when you're doing legs.0 -
It's totally your fault if you let someone jump the line.
Put your big girl pants on.0 -
Thank you for all the replies. I know I need to just get out my comfort zone and be confident about doing it. I just hate the thought of pestering someone (I am a childminder and when a parent is late paying I HATE reminding them as I feel like a pest, I just can't help it)
As for the resting and super heavy weights thing. The machines use a key which have the number of set and reps to be done and also has a "rest" period. When I did get on after him he was set at 60kg, which is the same as me, so I can't imagine it would have been that hard for him as he was pretty buff.
But anyway, I just need to learn to speak up a bit more.0 -
It's totally your fault if you let someone jump the line.
Put your big girl pants on.
LOL I was laid on my back and getting up and the guy sort of came up from the side of me and beat me to it. I would have literally had to jump and run to dash in front of him, like a child pushing in the queue to get sweets LOL0 -
you don't have to run and dash and place hands upon the equipment first. that would make you look like a crazy person. just point at the machine and say calmly "I was waiting for that". 90% of the time the line jumper will apologize, get up, and take off any weight they put on the machine. 9% of the time they will ask if it's okay if they work in (I am pro working in and always say yes but it's your call). 1% of the time they will pull out a Bowie knife and stab you to death and kill as many people in the gym as the can before the cops show up and blast them.
just kidding. there is no 1%. so stop ranting on the internet and speak up for yourself.0
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