Need opinion.... Not getting along with Gym go-ers

SamanthaKayShaver
SamanthaKayShaver Posts: 43 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I current have a membership to a very small gym. There's maybe 50 machines crammed into 800 square foot room and two single bathrooms. Monday-Friday 5am-6am for the past six months, I work on one of the ellipticals. I've been the only woman there and 1 of 4 people all together.

Recently, it has gotten busier. Two weeks ago, another woman started coming in around 6am. Our first hiccup was last week when she turned my fan off. I turned it back on and let her know I was still using it. I didn't think I was being rude, but she seemed really really ticked off. She has a lovely "b*tch face" and I could distinctly hear a few cuss words in between songs. I figured it was because the air was hitting her while she used another elliptical, but there wasn't a way around it in this tiny gym.

Now, I had a trainer call me (there isn't any at the gym while I'm working out, its too early) and explain to me that I've had multiple complaints about the length of time I spend in the bathroom. I let him know that I do spend 30 min a day taking a shower and getting ready for work. I didn't realize it had been a problem since I was the only woman until recently and no one had knocked or asked to use the restroom.
He said that I could continue to use the restroom for the length of time, and he will let the girl know she just needed to knock if she need to use it. Since there is only one other woman there, I right away knew it was this girl who had gotten upset last week.

This morning, was the final straw in my book. I guess the trainer must have talked to her about the bathroom because today she walked right in went straight to the bathroom. And she stayed in there until after I left. (over 45 minutes) I ended up changing and putting my makeup on at work. I haven't said anything to her, because i feel like she is one of those people who has to "win" every argument no matter how stupid and immature they look in the end. I really don't have time to argue with a child, nor do i want to stoop to her level. I'm paying for my membership, though. Should I tell the manager I need a refund and find a new gym? Or request that there be a trainer/supervision there at all times? Please help!
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Replies

  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    Probably won't get a refund as most gym's do month by month.. but if it continues I would just cancel and go to a bigger gym... seems its going to be a headache and if you have other gyms in the area that are bigger and cost the same.. no point in all the headaches just tell the manager she is a pain and cost them a member.
  • sjbtiger
    sjbtiger Posts: 105 Member
    I might stick it out a little longer to see if she quits or changes her schedule, otherwise I would look for another gym.
  • AlysonG2
    AlysonG2 Posts: 713 Member
    I might stick it out a little longer to see if she quits or changes her schedule, otherwise I would look for another gym.

    I agree. Unless she has absolutely nothing else going on in her life, she won't be spending 45 minutes in the bathroom every day.
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,659 Member
    She's a useless piece of garbage & should be flogged ..... hopefully she leaves soon :wink:
  • Eric_DeCastro
    Eric_DeCastro Posts: 767 Member
    I haven't been to a gym in years, but i would probably find another gym.
  • ShutupndMovee257
    ShutupndMovee257 Posts: 316 Member
    I mean that stuff, because you don't need those distractions. I would give it a little bit more time if not just change it up.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I don't think I would join a gym that was so limited in facilities.Check out a couple of new places before you join a new place.
  • b3st
    b3st Posts: 1,350 Member
    Wtf are you doing for 30 minutes in there?
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    Is this a one room bathroom that you are in for 30 min or a locker room? This gym sounds like a headache.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Find another gym, yours sounds crappy anyways (sorry, no other way to put it) even without hostile gymgoers. Put your money somewhere more deserving. Good luck.
  • SamanthaKayShaver
    SamanthaKayShaver Posts: 43 Member
    I don't think I would join a gym that was so limited in facilities.Check out a couple of new places before you join a new place.

    It right next my work. At the time of joining, I thought I'd jump in on lunch breaks for quick sessions. 20+ of my co workers had the same idea. I defiantly realize now what i poor decision I made.
  • AlysonG2
    AlysonG2 Posts: 713 Member
    Wtf are you doing for 30 minutes in there?

    She said she takes a shower and gets ready for work. 30 minutes is not unreasonable.
  • SamanthaKayShaver
    SamanthaKayShaver Posts: 43 Member
    Wtf are you doing for 30 minutes in there?

    Getting ready for work. Shower, hair, makeup.
  • SamanthaKayShaver
    SamanthaKayShaver Posts: 43 Member
    Is this a one room bathroom that you are in for 30 min or a locker room? This gym sounds like a headache.

    One bathroom. There are two bathrooms with showers here. No lockerroom at all
  • TFaustino67
    TFaustino67 Posts: 551 Member
    Of course you could always try and talk to her? Work it out? Started on the wrong foot kind-of thing........
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I would just go to a different gym... Honestly complaining about 30 mins in the bathroom is ridiculous. Sounds like you need a larger gym
  • awtume9
    awtume9 Posts: 423 Member
    She paid for her membership as well.... and chances are even if she leaves, another woman will start coming that early. So you will either have to find a larger gym or get ready elsewhere, unfortunately.
  • djshari
    djshari Posts: 513 Member
    You can knock on the bathroom door - maybe she wanted to see if you would do it since it was suggested to her.

    You could also try to cut down on your bathroom time to compromise - do your make up in the car or at work and keep your shower routine to a minimum - save the grooming for at home.
  • _cdaley
    _cdaley Posts: 79 Member
    I would definitely find another gym. The staff sounds unprofessional and the facilities obviously are sub par. Even super cheap gyms like x-sport have locker rooms. I totally get why you joined, convenience is huge, but this gym sounds like a headache.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Is this a one room bathroom that you are in for 30 min or a locker room? This gym sounds like a headache.

    One bathroom. There are two bathrooms with showers here. No lockerroom at all

    I would say if you need to do that, it would probably be best to seek out a bigger gym that has the requisite facilities. I go to a very small power gym that only has two bathrooms and they have it posted five minute maximum; I'm sure if one were having issues they would understand, but I assume they have this rule for this very reason...not equipped to provide full service locker room type of activity. We're never that full, but when you have to go, you have to go and someone taking up the restroom for 30 minutes is gonna cause issues.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I would definitely find another gym. The staff sounds unprofessional and the facilities obviously are sub par. Even super cheap gyms like x-sport have locker rooms. I totally get why you joined, convenience is huge, but this gym sounds like a headache.

    There are **** tons of private gyms out there without locker room facilities. My gym is three old self storage garages where the owner just knocked out the walls...it's pretty much like working out in my own garage. It however is an outstanding gym with a boxing ring, all the power lifting equipment you could ever want, tractor tires and sleds, heavy bag area, etc...it just doesn't have a locker room which is only sub-par if you need a locker room. Conversely, many of the main stream, commercial gyms have lovely powdering facilities, but nary a squat rack.
  • ksuh999
    ksuh999 Posts: 543 Member
    My suggestion is to share the room with her. Maybe give each other back massages, snap each other with towels, and other suggestive activities.
  • misskris78
    misskris78 Posts: 136 Member
    I'd try talking to her first. Tell her that you noticed that you needed the facilities at the same time, and find out if there is a compromise. Worst case: She's a massive $#$*&. Best case: You've made a new friend. If it's the worst case, either put your makeup on at work or find another gym.
  • luadams2
    luadams2 Posts: 122
    I am with those saying find another gym. It sounds kinda crummy. If you can't do that, if it's not convenient whatever, then maybe try a different workout time for a week or so and let things cool off.

    Okay, so having said that, I also use an elliptical at the gym quite frequently. Recently, a woman came in and turned the fan on while I was in the middle of my workout. It blew like a tornado and my hair was all over my face. She did not ask me first, nor did she seem to care that I was having to swat the hair out of my mouth because I didn't want to interrupt the flow of my workout. I did not appreciate it, I thought her very rude, but I was almost done with my workout and I just let it be. Then I sprayed a good bit of disinfectant on the machine I had just worked out on and let the smell blow all over in her direction. Childish? You bet.

    I would suggest that if you need to turn a fan back on if someone turns it off, or if you need to change the environment in any way while you are sharing the gym facilities, then ask the people working out if they mind. I always do. Just a little wave to get their attention and point to the t.v. or the fan or whatever it is you need to change.
  • Natmarie73
    Natmarie73 Posts: 287 Member

    This morning, was the final straw in my book. I guess the trainer must have talked to her about the bathroom because today she walked right in went straight to the bathroom. And she stayed in there until after I left. (over 45 minutes) I ended up changing and putting my makeup on at work. I haven't said anything to her, because i feel like she is one of those people who has to "win" every argument no matter how stupid and immature they look in the end. I really don't have time to argue with a child, nor do i want to stoop to her level. I'm paying for my membership, though. Should I tell the manager I need a refund and find a new gym? Or request that there be a trainer/supervision there at all times? Please help!

    What time do you get to the gym? Could you perhaps get there earlier and finish your workout before she gets there?
    If she is deliberately hogging the bathroom to stop you using it and doesn't respond to your attempts to sort out the problem like adulst then the simple (but childish and extremely satisfying) response would to just stay in the gym until she gives up and leaves the bathroom. She can't hide in the bathroom all day surely.
  • _cdaley
    _cdaley Posts: 79 Member
    I would definitely find another gym. The staff sounds unprofessional and the facilities obviously are sub par. Even super cheap gyms like x-sport have locker rooms. I totally get why you joined, convenience is huge, but this gym sounds like a headache.

    There are **** tons of private gyms out there without locker room facilities. My gym is three old self storage garages where the owner just knocked out the walls...it's pretty much like working out in my own garage. It however is an outstanding gym with a boxing ring, all the power lifting equipment you could ever want, tractor tires and sleds, heavy bag area, etc...it just doesn't have a locker room which is only sub-par if you need a locker room. Conversely, many of the main stream, commercial gyms have lovely powdering facilities, but nary a squat rack.

    You're totally right- I should have been more clear. Based on what OP described, which is that she uses the gym either before work or during lunch, a gym without a decent number of showers is sub par to her needs. Unless she can go to work sweaty, she might do better at a gym that has a locker room. I mentioned x-sport because it is a chain with locations in a number of places that is also pretty cheap. One of the gyms I work out at is Equinox, which has a beautiful locker room with tons of amenities, and the other is UFC, which has two small bathrooms but a great boxing ring and heavy bag set up. Both are great for different reasons! OP, I hope you find a gym that works for you :)
  • zorbaru
    zorbaru Posts: 1,077 Member
    to quote bugs bunny

    "of course you realise, this means war"
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Small gym problems. She probably feels like she owns the place. My personal method would be confrontation, and seek a resolution one way or another, then get on my life. But that may not work for you.
  • krys185
    krys185 Posts: 8
    It's her problem, she's wasting 45 minutes sitting in a toilet when she could be working out! Either that or still sleeping and eventually waking up on the right side of the bed.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    . Conversely, many of the main stream, commercial gyms have lovely powdering facilities, but nary a squat rack.

    meh- I go to a small powerhouse- has 3 racks- it's small- not a large crowd. within 2 weeks I knew the regulars on my lifting schedule.

    still has a locker room and a shower for more than one person.

    If you join a gym with 2 bathroom- you need to get over the fact you'll have to wait for the bathroom. Clearly someone else feels entitled.

    That being said if I went to a place with only 2 bathrooms- there is no way I'd be in there for 30 minutes- yes that's a reasonable time to get ready but for a small facility in the interest of others- I'd make it a 5 min shower- fix hair to 'good enough' and do make up at work.

    OP I'd just find a new gym- that doesn't seem worth the hassle.

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