Treadmill Etiquette?

futurestarz
futurestarz Posts: 510
in Fitness and Exercise
So I have a question... I am new to running, and really new to running on a treadmill at the gym.

Anyway, I was running tonight, and another woman was running two treadmills down from me on the right. There were about 7 open treadmills to the left of me. Near the end of my run (while i'm panting and dripping sweat) a man came and started walking on the treadmill right between me and the other woman.

Is it poor gym etiquette to choose a treadmill right next to a person, when there are several not in use? I ask this because I notice that most people at my gym use every-other treadmill, unless they are having a conversation with the person next to them while they walk/jog.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, I was just wondering! Be nice!
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Replies

  • Ladysquire
    Ladysquire Posts: 61 Member
    I will be nice.... :)

    I have to agree. I think getting right in next to someone when there are plenty of machines available is poor etiquette. Like walking into a near empty cinema and sitting next to the only couple in there.
  • n_unocero
    n_unocero Posts: 445 Member
    I hate when people do that too...but some people have a favorite machine...and maybe that was his? lol. i do the same thing sometimes. i have a favorite elliptical and bike and i always try to use them no matter what.
  • dsmboy1991
    dsmboy1991 Posts: 194 Member
    I hate this. When I run I am usually on the treadmill for an hour minimum. The gym I go to has 50 treadmills. Atleast once a week there can be more than half available, and of course someone (a complete stranger) will come and pick one right beside me. Very irritating.
  • futurestarz
    futurestarz Posts: 510
    what about when most of the treadmills are taken...like every other one is already taken. Is it bad to go in-between two people. I feel like now that the new year is coming up, that may be a situation i "run" into. haha wasn't even planning on that pun!
  • dsmboy1991
    dsmboy1991 Posts: 194 Member
    In situations like this it wouldn't bother me so much as it's just a lack of choice and not lack of etiquette.


    Nice dogs by the way.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    I have specific machines I like to use at the gym. A couple of the stationary bikes squeak, so even if it is beside someone, I get on the non-squeaky one. Ditto with the elliptical. But my gym's pretty small, and everyone avoids the squeaky stuff. We sort of group to the good machines.

    If I was in a big gym with lots of equipment, then yes, it would bug me.
  • futurestarz
    futurestarz Posts: 510
    In situations like this it wouldn't bother me so much as it's just a lack of choice and not lack of etiquette.


    Nice dogs by the way.

    Thanks! love my bullies! And thanks for the response. Your dogs are cute too!
  • morgaine108
    morgaine108 Posts: 53
    Sometimes I will pick a machine at the gym because I know that certain ones make an annoying squeaking noise....so I may purposely pass up some machines that are empty to get one that doesn't squeak.
  • felcandy
    felcandy Posts: 228 Member
    I run on the treadmill in my small gym at my condo and there is a lady who comes in sometimes and stands right behind me and huffs and puffs waiting for me to get off the treadmill. it is really awkward but i do admit, it makes me mad enough to add about 15-20 minutes onto my workout hahahah
  • rapat
    rapat Posts: 108 Member
    I feel the answer applies no matter where you are:

    Whether its at the gym, in a restaurant (tables), restroom (stalls), outdoors (picnic / walking)

    If there's plenty of space / equal things (in this case treadmills of the same model with no unique problems all having scenic view of the wall/tv/outdoors) you should go for the one that gives people space -- if there's 7 open, go to the other end. If its semi-crowded, every other. And if it is crowded, then its okay to take the one between 2 people
  • FloyMcCaudie
    FloyMcCaudie Posts: 1,132
    wth?? DUHH.. cos u hawt.. common sense:D
  • CoffeeNBooze
    CoffeeNBooze Posts: 966 Member
    I personally don't care. Get on the treadmill you want, even if it happens to be next to me.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Just start crop dusting.
  • xklofx
    xklofx Posts: 8
    What if you really have to fart? Should you stop your workout to attempt to make it to the bathroom to let it rip? And come on don't act like this has never happened to you!!!
  • manhn1
    manhn1 Posts: 137 Member
    My preference on a treadmill depends on the location of the tv that is showing my preferred station. If I have to take the "in-between" machine so I can watch my favourite program, then so be it.

    I think treadmills are quite different from a bus seat or movie theatre seat. There is enough distance between two treadmill for there be room for everyone.
  • futurestarz
    futurestarz Posts: 510
    My preference on a treadmill depends on the location of the tv that is showing my preferred station. If I have to take the "in-between" machine so I can watch my favourite program, then so be it.

    I think treadmills are quite different from a bus seat or movie theatre seat. There is enough distance between two treadmill for there be room for everyone.

    That's actually a really good point that I never thought about!
  • faceoff4
    faceoff4 Posts: 1,599 Member
    I think it's poor etiquette for sure.....
  • macncapn
    macncapn Posts: 1
    My preference on a treadmill depends on the location of the tv that is showing my preferred station. If I have to take the "in-between" machine so I can watch my favourite program, then so be it.

    I think treadmills are quite different from a bus seat or movie theatre seat. There is enough distance between two treadmill for there be room for everyone.

    Yerp, agreed. If I've decided to suffer through the agonizing monotony of a run on a treadmill, I'm going to do anything I can to reduce my boredom, including violating your 3 foot bubble.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    It definitely is poor etiquette. Yeah, I wouldn't want a squeaky one..but..if you are in a large enough gym, I'm sure you can find one not right up next to someone that doesn't squeak..

    I have to laugh though. This reminds me of the conversation guy friends would have about if there are a lot of urinals open, how awkward and rude it is for another guy to use the one right next to them.

    *As for the favorite program thing - I tend to listen to music when I workout. Also, my preference is to just go home and watch tv. I do it there anyways...lol. Also, I'm kinda clutzy so me staring at the tube while running would just equal disaster.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    What if you really have to fart? Should you stop your workout to attempt to make it to the bathroom to let it rip? And come on don't act like this has never happened to you!!!

    No, you try to make your shoe do that rub and squeek noise to cover it, just hoping you don't judge wrong, foot grabbed under you, and in stumbling to stay upright you are farting the whole time since you were trying.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    It's sort-of poor etiquette- but there's enough reasons (like TV and favorite machine) that I don't think anything of it.

    If it's Sunday, and the Eagles are only on one TV in the place, you better believe I'll be up in your grill if I need to be to see the game. Also, I have a favorite machine- there's something wrong with the electronics and it doesn't auto shut-off after an hour and all the other ones do. Bonus, it electrocutes you a little if you get lazy and try to lay your hands on it while it's on. So basically, its everything I dream of in a treadmill. I'll go next to someone for that one too.

    Also, there's a lot of treadmill racers out there. I LOVE treadmill racers, but I never do it to other people. These are folk who run somewhere around your speed, get on the machine next to you, and through an unspoken agreement, you race. Most people hate racers- I find it amps up my workout a few degrees, but to be clear....I don't do it TO people...but I'm generally one of the faster runners at my gym and I get a lot of challengers.

    ETA: The only thing that REALLY bothers me is when there's a bunch of treadmills open, and someone with really bad BO gets next to you. Farting I can forgive. Overwhelming BO makes me feel like I can't breathe. So what do you do? suffer it out? Move to another treadmill (which is SO obvious that you're moving away)? Never figured out the protocol for this one.
  • Jkmumma
    Jkmumma Posts: 254
    When I'm picking a cardio machine THIS is what I'm looking for:

    A machine that doesn't clunk, squeak or catch at weird spots.
    A good view of a TV playing a show I like to watch, AND a functioning sound system.
    I'm weird and I don't like air blowing directly in my face, so I avoid the spot by the doors, the fans, or under vents.
    I like the machines with working heart rate monitors. I'm a data nerd, I like seeing numbers.

    Note that no where in my preferences does a human fit into the picture. If you happen to be next to a machine I want, I don't really care. If you don't want to be next to a person, and it bothers you to the point where it's disrupting your workout, move. And relax, I'm not staring at your monitor, I couldn't see it if I tried, given that I take my glasses off when I get sweaty. And also: I'm not going to try and race you. I could give a snot less. Usually, to entertain myself, I'm adjusting my own hills and speeds to make pretty pictures in the little dots on my screen. Worrying about you ruins my simple entertainment.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    So....commercial treadmills cost $1000 plus, and you pay $30 a month for your membership, and the other person pays $30 a month for their membership, and somehow you feel entitled to more than one treadmill at a time? like you get your treadmill, and all the treadmills that can be connected in a straight line to yours are now off limits to everyone else?

    Is this like the Chinese Checkers Rule of Treadmills or something?
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    So....commercial treadmills cost $1000 plus, and you pay $30 a month for your membership, and the other person pays $30 a month for their membership, and somehow you feel entitled to more than one treadmill at a time? like you get your treadmill, and all the treadmills that can be connected in a straight line to yours are now off limits to everyone else?

    Is this like the Chinese Checkers Rule of Treadmills or something?

    It's more like the dude-next to-dude movie theatre rule. I forget what that's called- an ego seat or something.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    what the hell man. if you are so concerned with space when you're on the treadmill then get your own and work out at home.

    i know all the machines and equipment in my gym like the back of my hand now. i know which treadmill is my fave, 2nd fave, 3rd fave etc. same goes with the bikes, stairmasters, etc. you better believe if my fave one is open then i'll take it. i dont care if a family of 5 is one side and an entitled gym goer is on the other side of me.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    So....commercial treadmills cost $1000 plus, and you pay $30 a month for your membership, and the other person pays $30 a month for their membership, and somehow you feel entitled to more than one treadmill at a time? like you get your treadmill, and all the treadmills that can be connected in a straight line to yours are now off limits to everyone else?

    Is this like the Chinese Checkers Rule of Treadmills or something?

    It's more like the dude-next to-dude movie theatre rule. I forget what that's called- an ego seat or something.

    Whatever for that too. I have a favorite spot to watch a movie just like you have a favorite treadmill. Especially with the stadium seating in theaters these days, that sweet spot is small. So the theater can be dead empty except for you and your SO, but If you sitting in my row or sitting above or below my row by 2 seats to the right of center, you best believe I'm coming your way.

    But I'm cool about it. I'll share my popcorn
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I had 2 chicks once get on treadmills on opposite sides of me walking and carry on a conversation over me while I was trying to run. THAT was rude. Initially there were no open side-by-side treadmills, but one opened adjacent to one of them within the first few minutes. After a while I asked them with enough politeness as I could muster to have the one girl move next to the other one. You would have thought I kicked her puppy. She moved though, after making an exaggerated scene of writing down the calories and mileage like I was really cramping her style.
  • emmagreenie
    emmagreenie Posts: 11
    I tend to agree with most of the others, as you go to the gym more often, you will learn which specific pieces of equipment are your favorite. At my old gym, half of the bikes and treadmills faced out a window, and half didn't. I loved looking out the window while I worked out, so I would stick to those machines every time (and I had one or two favorite machines that I would try to take no matter who was working out next to them!)
  • futurestarz
    futurestarz Posts: 510
    So....commercial treadmills cost $1000 plus, and you pay $30 a month for your membership, and the other person pays $30 a month for their membership, and somehow you feel entitled to more than one treadmill at a time? like you get your treadmill, and all the treadmills that can be connected in a straight line to yours are now off limits to everyone else?

    Is this like the Chinese Checkers Rule of Treadmills or something?

    no. i was just wondering if this was an unspoken rule at the gym, because I noticed the trend of people not grabbing treadmills next to the other. I don't think it is like Chinese checkers, but thanks for inferring.
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    For me, personal space is arms length. I wouldn't expect more than that. You are in a public space. On the other hand I have moved to different equipment when someone was next to me that smelled like a goat.

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