Respect in the gym

Agree.

OP, this was a you problem, not a females in the gym problem. You don't get to tie up half the gyms equipment while you complete your routine. If the gym is relatively empty, you may be able to pull it off. But that is luck, not something you're entitled to

Truth.

I don't really get how you can say you "offered" to let him get some sets in while you were doing circuits. The power rack doesn't belong to you. If you're going to use it and then leave for 15 minutes, you're done with it, as far as I'm concerned. That's as nonsensical as setting up the bar and telling everyone who is waiting to use it "Hey, I'm going to run next door and grab a coffee. There better not be anyone in this rack when I get back." Unless your name is on the outside of the building or something, who the hell are you?

Meant to agree to this.

Edited: to add quote

OP, you find the exchanges on this thread to be aggressive? Really???

I do circuits all the time. Did one yesterday, in fact. Difference is I used one piece of equipment in one area. If someone wanted that particular trx strap they were SOL, but the rest of the gym was available to use without them having to ask me for permission first.

It sounds like she was saying that the other guy wanted to kick her out of the rack, not willing to work sets in with her, and he wasn't even using it for the barbell, he just wanted to do some trx exercise that he could have done elsewhere. Maybe I misunderstood?

when i was coming up in the gym, people would agree to work in all the time. over the last 10 years people seem to hate working in. not sure what changed. maybe all the "ewwww germs" stuff or just that people are more isolated these days. but either way, it's their decision is they want someone to work in. while i have no problem with it, i also do my sets with a timer, and with 1 minute or less rest between sets having someone work in that has to change weights and such would kill my times.

not sure about what he was doing and if he could have done it somewhere else, but my personal belief is one person, one piece of equipment. if he wanted to do push ups inside the rack i wouldn't say anything, as long as he's only taking up that one spot.

Thanks for explaining. That's reasonable.

I have never felt anything but as much respect as every other weight training regular, male or female, in my gym.

I understand what you are doing with your workout, but it really is inconsiderate to expect that you can tie up or reserve an important piece of equipment for 15 minutes while you are doing other things. That wouldn't go over well at my gym either. Most people have a pretty set routine and do things in order (probably like you do), but most people prefer to do their warmup sets and their workout sets with just short rest breaks while staying on the same machine/ station.

He probably knew he was going to take longer than your 15 minute circuit time which is probably why he didn't want to work in with you. You'd probably be tapping your feet at him while he was still on his work sets. By the way, the heavier a person lifts, the longer they tend to rest between sets.

If you want to circuit train, go to "Curves".:grumble:

Sorry but I have to agree with most of everyone else. Its very unrealistic to think that you can monopolize different areas of a gym for 45 mins to complete your circuit. If I saw someone leave a station for 10 mins I would surmise that they were done with the rack and just didn't re-rack their weights. I would do it for them and then start my workout. If you came back and pleaded your case I would not be closed to letting you work in especially if you were cute :smokin: haha just wanted to lighten the thread up a bit

re-read the OP regarding the use of bands. OP wasn't specific, but I'm guessing he was doing some power work where he attaches resistance bands to the bar or to his body for extra resistance at specific places in the lift. And if he's setting that up, he's not going to break it down between sets for someone else to work in. totally legit, imo.

I was thinking that also, when I thought more about it.

But, what about him setting up and then just wandering around on his phone. Just sounds like there was a lot of goofing around going on.

It's common to wait up to 5 mins between max lifts. Or he may have gotten an important call from work or family. Or ordering takeout. Wasn't there so I can't say. Overly long rest may irk me if I'm waiting but I'll still wait. If I got there first the other guy would have to wait. Girls too.

Or he had done a set and the OP didn't notice and he did a short walk away or around the rack to walk off the burn or/and do some short dynamic stretching in between.

Or he had done a set and the OP didn't notice and he did a short walk away or around the rack to walk off the burn or/and do some short dynamic stretching in between.

walk off the burn?

really? unless i have to pee or get more water- I don't walk so far away from my stuff that someone thinks I'm done.

hell I tend to super set squats with mountain climbers or pull up/burpee combos. If I'm squatting heavy- I STRETCH. I don't leave my things unattended.

Did you notice I said short walk or around the rack? For all we know he went 5 feet from the rack for 2-3 minutes.

Agree to disagree, friends. I will be more conscious about not specifically reserving a machine. But I still think asking to alternate sets is fair. You may all continue to post but I don't like the negativity so I am out. have a good night.

Negativity? Huh?

Generally, when I make a post and realize I was wrong/missed something, I admit it before leaving the thread...

...it just seems like a better response than flouncing like you did.

Two and a half more pages even after you left? Sweet. Guess I'm...

....in...

....to see where this went.

OP: "Also I can bet you he would have never done that to a guy. Ever. "

What proof do you have of that? I'm sure he would still be just as annoyed with your behavior if you were a guy. No need to play the "gender" card here.

Agree to disagree, friends. I will be more conscious about not specifically reserving a machine. But I still think asking to alternate sets is fair. You may all continue to post but I don't like the negativity so I am out. have a good night.

People see different things in different ways. I'm sure you and the guy at the gym both saw the situation differently and meant no harm...it happens.

As someone who does circuits, you may no be able to objectively see how other people perceive it. I find it extremely annoying when people reserve a piece of equipment while they're off doing something else. When you decide to do circuit training or supersets you KNOW you're taking a gamble that you may not be able to get back and forth to every area you want. Because you KNOW you aren't the only one there. I usually do a bit of back and forth to let my muscles recover a little longer without wasting time, but I for sure do all my work at the power rack at once, take my stuff, and move on.
The answer is to either not do a circuit or take your chances. You don't get to claim the entire gym as your own and then lend parts at as you see fit.

If I makes you feel any better, that guy sounds like he was being douchey, as well. But that could've been strictly brought about by annoyance with your behavior.

Gym Etiquette Question:

Is it rude to do a circuit of two exercises / 5 sets in which the first exercise is something commonly in demand during peak hours, like a smith machine or cable pulley, and the second exercise is something quick using body weight or dumbbells (not in demand) a few feet away? Anyone can work in on the machine any time and there are no rests / delays between exercises. The full five sets take about 8 minutes.

If you walk away from the machine it is no longer yours. period.

Another etiquette question: the gym has only one squat rack- what about doing two or three different types of squats with rests in between three sets each? I recently waited almost thirty minutes - and it's hard to "work in " when you are easily fifteen inches shorter!