weight-room gym etiquette?

WeCallThemDayWalkers
WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just joined a new gym and also started a new weight routine. To my dismay, I have found that there is only one squat rack/olympic bar and I'm always competing with others for it in the after work rush.

Is there a proper way to share the bar? I have offered to share, but then others don't want to because they have to load and unload. If they decide to wait for me to finish my sets, then they'll be waiting for 20 minutes while I circuit around.

Alternatively, is there a proper way for me to suggest that the other guy stop looking at his ipod while occupying the bench for 10 minutes in between sets? They just SIT there for ages.

There are lots of free weights available, but since I'm trying to learn to do proper squats, I don't really want to use hand weights. Also, I don't know how feasible it is to do squats with a bar starting on the ground (hence wanting the rack) and I really don't want to use the smith.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Replies

  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    If you circuit, you don't have dibs on the rack.

    If someone is waiting that long between sets, tell them you are working in. If they have a problem with it, grab someone who works there and ask them to settle it. I can't stand people who do that and don't tolerate it.

    Also, try to figure out a time when the gym is less busy and see if you can go then. I usually don't go until around 7:30 or so to let the after-work crowd come and go.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    If you can pull it off jovially, ask if you can get a warm-up set in during their rest, and there's no need to change the bar, you'll start where they are currently. Then have a good laugh hopefully.

    You might ask if you can get in a set during their rest, you'll help change the bar for real though.

    If that doesn't work, you might ask management in all innocence without complaint yet, what is good etiquette when only 1 bar and rack and several want it? Explain what has been going on.
    Perhaps they aren't aware how much lifting is going on and the need.
    At least another bar would allow deads or shoulder press to be done.

    Change time, though that's difficult. And if several do that, same problem later I've discovered.

    Lastly, with complaint and possible, change gyms.
  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    I just joined a new gym and also started a new weight routine. To my dismay, I have found that there is only one squat rack/olympic bar and I'm always competing with others for it in the after work rush.

    Is there a proper way to share the bar? I have offered to share, but then others don't want to because they have to load and unload. If they decide to wait for me to finish my sets, then they'll be waiting for 20 minutes while I circuit around.

    Alternatively, is there a proper way for me to suggest that the other guy stop looking at his ipod while occupying the bench for 10 minutes in between sets? They just SIT there for ages.

    There are lots of free weights available, but since I'm trying to learn to do proper squats, I don't really want to use hand weights. Also, I don't know how feasible it is to do squats with a bar starting on the ground (hence wanting the rack) and I really don't want to use the smith.

    Any suggestions appreciated!

    If they decide to wait then they can wait. You offered to let them work in. Personally I dont rush my workouts for people. I want to make sure that I get it in the proper way and rushing usually hurts me. That includes taking any where between 3-5 mins between each set now that I am lifting heavy enough for me to warrant it. And yea I am looking at my phone during this time what else is there to do? Look around the room trying not to stare at people? or look at myself in the mirror? No thanks. If you ask me to work in I'd be happy to let you. But tell me to not be on my phone and hurry up. I'll tell you to go F*** yourself.

    Use the rack. It's worth waiting for. And starting with it on the floor is just asking to get hurt. At least back squats. Front squats you could clean to your chest and then do them. But eventually you won't be able to clean as much as you can squat.
  • WeCallThemDayWalkers
    WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
    hmm, so it sounds like I can't ask people to wait for me, since I'm doing a little circuit (for example, bench press, squats, then rows), but as soon as I'm off my first set and go to do my next thing, someone else will jump on and start occupying for the next however long. Is it typical to just do all your squats in succession? I was just assuming I was supposed to go in a circuit, but if it guarantees that I get all 3 sets in then I could also just occupy the squat rack for however long it takes to do that.

    Still learning, so thanks for the helpful suggestions all. I think I'll at least suggest to management that they get another rack. It's always in demand, after all! They could get rid of those awful stair-masters and make some room :wink:
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Sets all in a row, with about 1 - 2 min rest between.

    Don't do it circuit style if doing those things, get the benefit of good overload.
  • WeCallThemDayWalkers
    WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
    Sets all in a row, with about 1 - 2 min rest between.

    Don't do it circuit style if doing those things, get the benefit of good overload.

    I can do that!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    Sets all in a row, with about 1 - 2 min rest between.

    Don't do it circuit style if doing those things, get the benefit of good overload.
    This.
    Circuits usually don't let you use the overload you can actually do. Also, there aren't any other OLY bars in the gym?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    Look into Stronglifts or Starting Strength.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    can you make it early in the morning?? i hate competing for the squat rack, but i know if i get to the gym at 6am when it opens, i have it all to myself. and i love my early morning gym sessions.

    or find a gym with a number of squat racks?
  • WeCallThemDayWalkers
    WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
    Sets all in a row, with about 1 - 2 min rest between.

    Don't do it circuit style if doing those things, get the benefit of good overload.
    This.
    Circuits usually don't let you use the overload you can actually do. Also, there aren't any other OLY bars in the gym?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I just re-looked at my source for my little circuit and realized that the author was NOT suggesting a circuit at all. I just read it wrong. Oh well... at least I've only been at it a few weeks. Not doing anything heavy and I can get onto the right track now.

    I was starting with this (http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/the-beginner-weight-training-workout-routine/). Guess I should have read more closely.

    And, nope! no other Oly bar in the whole place! They have a bunch of those little plastic ones for doing body pump, but those aren't on a rack, so I'd have to lift them up over my head for doing a squat like I've been trying to. They also only have a 20 lb and a 30 lb barbell. I didn't really have a lifting "plan" when I joined, so wasn't on the lookout for such things. Live and learn, I guess.

    But really, it won't be such a problem anymore if I'm not doing circuits. People can just wait for my to finish! So there.
  • WeCallThemDayWalkers
    WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
    can you make it early in the morning?? i hate competing for the squat rack, but i know if i get to the gym at 6am when it opens, i have it all to myself. and i love my early morning gym sessions.

    or find a gym with a number of squat racks?

    Is there time in the morning? yes.

    Am I going to go to the gym in the morning? ... probably not. Unfortunately, I'm a night owl (as evidenced by my late night posting on forums) and I feel energetic and alert in the late afternoons.

    Always wanted to be better at mornings. The best run I've ever had IN MY ENTIRE LIFE was at 5:30 am and on a whim while traveling in New Zealand. I swore that I would make that feeling a priority. Then proceeded to come back to the US and back to my job and life and late nights on the internet.

    Maybe that will be my next big goal (after learning to lift correctly).

    i really appreciate all the feedback... Thanks all, and goodnight! :flowerforyou:
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    can you make it early in the morning?? i hate competing for the squat rack, but i know if i get to the gym at 6am when it opens, i have it all to myself. and i love my early morning gym sessions.

    or find a gym with a number of squat racks?

    Is there time in the morning? yes.

    Am I going to go to the gym in the morning? ... probably not. Unfortunately, I'm a night owl (as evidenced by my late night posting on forums) and I feel energetic and alert in the late afternoons.

    Always wanted to be better at mornings. The best run I've ever had IN MY ENTIRE LIFE was at 5:30 am and on a whim while traveling in New Zealand. I swore that I would make that feeling a priority. Then proceeded to come back to the US and back to my job and life and late nights on the internet.

    Maybe that will be my next big goal (after learning to lift correctly).

    i really appreciate all the feedback... Thanks all, and goodnight! :flowerforyou:

    trust me, you'll love going to the gym in the morning. when you're ready, you'll be there.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    And, nope! no other Oly bar in the whole place! They have a bunch of those little plastic ones for doing body pump, but those aren't on a rack, so I'd have to lift them up over my head for doing a squat like I've been trying to. They also only have a 20 lb and a 30 lb barbell. I didn't really have a lifting "plan" when I joined, so wasn't on the lookout for such things. Live and learn, I guess.

    But really, it won't be such a problem anymore if I'm not doing circuits. People can just wait for my to finish! So there.
    Lol, it's not Planet Fitness is it?
    Anyway, yeah it's yours to use till you're done with the exercise you're doing.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    I just ask. You can ask to do sets in between or if they're done. I'm generally a very self conscious person, so any confrontation I try to avoid, but... some high school yolo's were goofing too hard and they randomly left an easy bar in the middle of the gym (it's a VERY small gym) weighted and all.

    If I ever see them again and they act retarded (sorry no offense) I'm going to talk to them... hopefully respectfully.

Categories