Protocol in the weight room

myurav
myurav Posts: 165 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Good morning, MFPals! Here's a question about a situation that I came across last night.

Background: I've been lifting weights for about six months, so I'm pretty comfortable in the free weights section and usually have a set plan of the exercises I'm going to do that day. I travel for work, and try to take advantage of hotel gyms to keep some sense of sanity lol.

So yesterday, I went to the hotel gym and there was only one heavy bar with weights and it was my squat day. I got to the gym and there's a dude bench-pressing heavy with the bar, so I did some cardio and did bench presses (making up for some missed days of lifting). More than half an hour passed before he got up from the apparatus, and he was literally there the entire time.

My question is what's an appropriate amount of time to be on a weights machine? I don't mind 15-20 minutes, but over half an hour seems excessive - especially in a crowded gym where that was the only possible way for me to do my squats with the weight I need. What's the etiquette here?

Replies

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    As long as it takes for him to finish his workout.
    Why couldn't you have asked if you could work in? Or how many sets did he have left? People aren't mind readers, you know?
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    ^^ When I get in my squat rack at the gym (there's only one real cage-style rack, and it's MINE), I'm usually in there for an hour+
  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    as the other poster said...
    Ask to work in....

    But he needs it as long as he needs it......

    I don't mind sharing if someone wants to use a piece of equipment with me.
  • myurav
    myurav Posts: 165 Member
    I wouldn't have minded sharing, but he had his bench underneath the bar, so I figured it would be annoying to move it back and forth.

    But obviously, people should do their workouts - next time, I'll just ask if we can move the bench in between his sets - mine don't take super long as it is.

    Thanks guys!
  • smc864
    smc864 Posts: 570 Member
    ^^ When I get in my squat rack at the gym (there's only one real cage-style rack, and it's MINE), I'm usually in there for an hour+

    I've been known to camp out at MY squat rack for an hour as well... luckily my gym has four of them, but I only consider one of them mine.

    OP, next time just ask how many sets they have left or if you can work in... most people won't mind at all. Any time someone is doing one of the major lifts like bench, squats, deads, you can usually expect them to be there longer than if they were doing other exercises. At least that's been my experience...
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
    Sit on his lap during the middle of the set. I'm sure it would make things go quicker.
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    Good morning, MFPals! Here's a question about a situation that I came across last night.

    Background: I've been lifting weights for about six months, so I'm pretty comfortable in the free weights section and usually have a set plan of the exercises I'm going to do that day. I travel for work, and try to take advantage of hotel gyms to keep some sense of sanity lol.

    So yesterday, I went to the hotel gym and there was only one heavy bar with weights and it was my squat day. I got to the gym and there's a dude bench-pressing heavy with the bar, so I did some cardio and did bench presses (making up for some missed days of lifting). More than half an hour passed before he got up from the apparatus, and he was literally there the entire time.

    My question is what's an appropriate amount of time to be on a weights machine? I don't mind 15-20 minutes, but over half an hour seems excessive - especially in a crowded gym where that was the only possible way for me to do my squats with the weight I need. What's the etiquette here?

    That's a tough one when equipment is so limited in a hotel "gym".

    Faced with the same sort of situation before (me usually waiting for the exercise bike or treadmill), I will just politely ask the time frame they need the equipment so I can occupy myself doing something else while I wait. Bring along your laptop and do some work while waiting, or as you did, warm up and do some cardio while you wait knowing that your turn is coming after the amount of minutes he/she told you they still need it. If you don't ask, you won't know. Most everyone that uses a hotel gym has been in that situation before - either at the hotel gym or a regular gym where the sharing of equipment is part of the game.

    It's also why I gave up my gym membership and assembled one in my basement. No waiting. ;-)

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