Gym étiquette question (i.e. am I just being an insensitive idiot?)
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ko4q
Posts: 46 Member
Ok, this happened to me this past weekend and I am extremely curious to hear the opinions of others on this matter. On Saturday, I went to my gym (which I love) for a run. I would normally be outside, but I got a late start and it was rising 90F by mid-morning, so the treadmill it was. Got to the cardio floor and spotted my "favorite" treadmill. This piece of equipment is one of the older treadmill varieties of which my gym has 3 remaining. I like this machine for a couple of reasons: the TV screen sits higher than some of the newer versions that are available so I feel like I am running with my eyes forward instead of looking down (which feels very unnatural to me and kind of hurts my neck/back), second, it is still manually operated by pushing buttons for incline/speed/channel changes. The new ones are touch screen and I have a terrible time trying to adjust anything on them without stopping. Finally, my old treadmill times out after 1 hour (instead of 30 mins) like all the other one. When people are waiting, I would obviously get off after 30 mins, but when it is quiet (like it was on Saturday), its nice not having to reset it and just run through for my hour of power. Back to Saturday AM--hopped on my treadmill and was about to fire her up, it just so happened that this machine was next to the only other one (of about 10 in a row) in use. The older lady next to me was walking with headphones on, watching an iPad. And then I heard "The Sigh." Any parent with kids old enough to talk will know all about "The Sigh," which almost always precedes the beginning of some sort of tantrum/argument. I was not disappointed. The lady started muttering and gesticulating "Typical, soooo typical, all these other empty machines, and you MUST pick the one right next to me. Whats wrong with you?"
So I told her as politely as I could (kill her with kindness, right?) that the other machines hurt my neck and back and I have a difficult time running on them. Apologies for crowding her, wasn't my intention, etc. She immediately backed down, said she was having a bad morning (you think?!).
I have a limited amount of time to get into the gym and get my workout done. When I am there, I could not care less what other people are doing as long as they wipe their equipment down. I don't care if they are next to me, I don't care if they are far away. But this is me. It would never have occurred to me to use another machine (one that I liked less) just because it was next to one in use. I feel like a pretty competent gym-goer, but I'm curious as to whether I have unknowingly crossed some unwritten line about equipment spacing. Thanks in advance, this has been irritating me for the last few days!
So I told her as politely as I could (kill her with kindness, right?) that the other machines hurt my neck and back and I have a difficult time running on them. Apologies for crowding her, wasn't my intention, etc. She immediately backed down, said she was having a bad morning (you think?!).
I have a limited amount of time to get into the gym and get my workout done. When I am there, I could not care less what other people are doing as long as they wipe their equipment down. I don't care if they are next to me, I don't care if they are far away. But this is me. It would never have occurred to me to use another machine (one that I liked less) just because it was next to one in use. I feel like a pretty competent gym-goer, but I'm curious as to whether I have unknowingly crossed some unwritten line about equipment spacing. Thanks in advance, this has been irritating me for the last few days!
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Replies
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I think you were fine. Lady said it herself... she was having a bad morning.16
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i'll admit I have those mental thoughts at times when someone jumps on the machine by me with tons of other vacant ones - but I'd never say something out loud22
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""Typical, soooo typical, all these other empty machines, and you MUST pick the one right next to me. Whats wrong with you?"
So I told her as politely as I could (kill her with kindness, right?) that (ALL) the other machines hurt my neck and back and I have a difficult time running on (ALL) them."
Questioned, answered, problem solved. Provided my additions to you answer is correct.5 -
I think you were fine as well. I could see being irritated if I were that woman (I am a known curmudegon), but you've got a good reason and don't have to justify it to anyone.
That said, one of the common "gym complaints" around here is "Why does someone have to take the treadmill/bike/elliptical/bench right next to mine?"0 -
That was pretty rude on her part I'd say. Good for you for apologizing and explaining.5
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The equipment is there for all paying members to use, that miserable old crone was the one with the problem. Just don't tie up my power rack doing 50 lb squats.2
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if a station is open it is open ..does not matter if it is just you and one other person in the whole gym...if you choose to take the open one next to someone then it is not any fault of yours...1
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Professor_Fate wrote: »The equipment is there for all paying members to use, that miserable old crone was the one with the problem. Just don't tie up my power rack doing 50 lb squats.
What if all I can squat is 50 lbs?36 -
This lady was being unreasonable. If she had a legitimate reason to want more personal space, she could have politely asked if you'd be willing to move over one and explain that she gets a little claustrophobic.
Then you could have explained that you prefer that style of treadmill and she could decide whether she wanted to move to another spot.
Like she said, she was having a bad day. I'm glad she realized that and apologized at least.3 -
She was out of line and obviously realized it. Good for you for handling the situation diplomatically. I am sure your response went a long way in helping her to realize that she was being unreasonable.5
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Professor_Fate wrote: »The equipment is there for all paying members to use, that miserable old crone was the one with the problem. Just don't tie up my power rack doing 50 lb squats.
corrected...22 -
idk, i read a half a dozen threads a week here on MFP about "things that annoy you at the gym" and what you did actually shows up quite often. I never use the treadmills so dont know how annoying this is, but I can tell you when I am at a theater and someone(s) sit right behind me or right near me when there is an entire theater available it does annoy the ef out of me. Sometimes your preferences have to take a backseat to accommodate others. Put the shoe on the other foot.9
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »Professor_Fate wrote: »The equipment is there for all paying members to use, that miserable old crone was the one with the problem. Just don't tie up my power rack doing 50 lb squats.
What if all I can squat is 50 lbs?
Kinda hope he was practicing sarcasm. Otherwise, it is kinda hypocritical, no?
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You didn't do anything wrong. I'd tell her if she has a problem then SHE can move.2
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Nah. I have a favorite treadmill, too. It's the only one like it at the gym. I will take it first, even if the only other person on a treadmill is right next to me. Headphones in, cares off.3
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Some people are just miserable, entitled gits. The fact she said "what's wrong with you" is just astounding.3
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I think you were fine as well. I could see being irritated if I were that woman (I am a known curmudegon), but you've got a good reason and don't have to justify it to anyone.
That said, one of the common "gym complaints" around here is "Why does someone have to take the treadmill/bike/elliptical/bench right next to mine?"
And I think they usually get answers like the OP's reasoning.2 -
I admit- I get aggravated when someone does this. I fart when I'm running. Seriously- like not a little- but a lot.
And sometimes people smell- (like BO- which I get is comical considering I just fully admitted to being a farter- I see I know what I did)
But it's like WHY DID YOU TAKE THE STALL NEXT TO MINE IN THE BATHROOM WHEN THEY ARE ALL AVAILABLE.
It is undeniably annoying when someone gets on the machine RIGHT next to you.
But you explained yourself- and that was adequate- I would have absolutely understood that.11 -
I admit- I get aggregated when someone does this. I fart when I'm running. Seriously- like not a little- but a lot.
And sometimes people smell- it's like WHY DID YOU TAKE THE STALL NEXT TO MINE IN THE BATHROOM WHEN THEY ARE ALL AVAILABLE.
It is undeniably annoying when someone gets on the machine RIGHT next to you.
But you explained yourself- and that was adequate- I would have absolutely understood that.
so glad I'm not the only one who fart's while they run5 -
She was out of line.
Even if one prefers not to have others on the equipment next to them, we're not entitled to this space. If someone gets next to me, I assume that they either have a good reason (like you did) or that they don't share my preference for more personal space. Either way, I have nothing to be mad about. The world isn't organized around my preferences.8
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