Gym Protocol

annaskiski
annaskiski Posts: 1,212 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
So..

You are at the gym, there are 50 empty treadmills.
You jump on the one about halfway through. Another person walks over and gets on the one next to you, ignoring the 48 other empty choices.

Annoying? Or am I too much of an introvert?
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Replies

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,744 Member
    This is a common thing and from reading the threads here I've learned the many different reasons this may happen.

    For me, at one point only two of the six treadmills in a certain area by the windows (which I prefer) had working TVs. They were right next to each other and when I got there someone was already on the other one so, yes, I got on the treadmill right next to them. I felt like explaining why I did that because I was thinking they were probably annoyed but I just kept to myself and did my workout.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    this. *Most* people won't take a machine near someone else when other choices without a reason. There is often a wide range in condition, ergonomics (between difft brands/models/years), calibration, etc amongst gym machines/also some people are just creatures of habit and will always prefer the same location.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My gym only has 2 treadmills and 2 stationary bikes...so you're pretty much stuck either way.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Treat the treadmills like frikken urinals people....

    Urinal rules apply to more than just urinals.

    I would take a treadmill in a corner, near a post, or right under the tvs. If someone got on the one right next to me (to either side), I would move to another treadmill.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    maybe they are just working up the courage to flirt with you
    yes I find that annoying but what can you do, there's no rule, and they have a right to use whichever treadmill they want.
  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    edited November 2018
    This always reminds me of electron orbital filling...makes no sense to fill a space when there's plenty of open/unfilled orbital (treadmills).

    Unspoken gym rule is to leave at least one open space between yourself and another person in such a spacious environment; understandable if someone wants to be somewhat close as a source of motivation, but personal space!
  • tbright1965
    tbright1965 Posts: 852 Member
    If I get on an elliptical to warm up before some time in the weight room, I try to follow urinal rules. But I'm not bothered if someone joins in next to me.

    Now if they take MY spin bike in spin class, there's gonna be trouble :wink:
  • DaytimeDuchess
    DaytimeDuchess Posts: 34 Member
    peleroja wrote: »
    I used to go to a gym with about 20 completely identical treadmills, all in perfect working order, all the same make and model, all with personal TV screens, all looking out a second-floor window onto a street.

    Every. single. morning, when I and one or two other people were the only people using them, someone would come to use the one right next to me, no matter which one I was on. The other ones would remain empty for the duration of my workout since I was there before the morning rush.

    It was absolutely infuriating and it was also completely baffling since there was absolutely no reason to select one over another. I used a different one every day to prove this to myself.

    I quit the gym and bought my own to use in the winter because I'm an antisocial weirdo and it drove me up the wall to constantly have some rando so close to me when it wasn't necessary.

    Within situations as you're explaining, it's plausible that they desire to compete with someone!
  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    This always reminds me of electron orbital filling...makes no sense to fill a space when there's plenty of open/unfilled orbital (treadmills).

    Nerd.... (I'm a science guy...)
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    steveko89 wrote: »
    I call gym-foul. Then again, I'm biased and have been known to privately refer to strangers as NPCs (non-playable characters). That's a big reason why I've invested in my home equipment; it's never crowded, I don't have anyone taking my space, and I don't have to leave my house.

    brilliant

    treadmills. favorites? depends on tv placement, fan placement, type of treadmill.
    i had to sometimes go next to a person because there were only three woodways. and if i were doing a long run, i didn't want to run on a "normal" treadmill. woodways had more cushion and better belt.
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    edited November 2018
    oops, double post, didn't think my edit made it into my previous post :#
  • Kimmotion5783
    Kimmotion5783 Posts: 417 Member
    annaskiski wrote: »
    So..

    You are at the gym, there are 50 empty treadmills.
    You jump on the one about halfway through. Another person walks over and gets on the one next to you, ignoring the 48 other empty choices.

    Annoying? Or am I too much of an introvert?

    That happened to me the other night and I wondered why. Turns out some sports event was on TV that the guy next to me wanted to watch and could only do so on the machines by me.
  • ImSoSquishy
    ImSoSquishy Posts: 57 Member
    yeah it's annoying, it's more annoying when you constantly see them looking at your control panel to check your speed so they can try to one-up you or try to start a conversation too.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    peleroja wrote: »
    I used to go to a gym with about 20 completely identical treadmills, all in perfect working order, all the same make and model, all with personal TV screens, all looking out a second-floor window onto a street.

    Every. single. morning, when I and one or two other people were the only people using them, someone would come to use the one right next to me, no matter which one I was on. The other ones would remain empty for the duration of my workout since I was there before the morning rush.

    It was absolutely infuriating and it was also completely baffling since there was absolutely no reason to select one over another. I used a different one every day to prove this to myself.

    I quit the gym and bought my own to use in the winter because I'm an antisocial weirdo and it drove me up the wall to constantly have some rando so close to me when it wasn't necessary.
    That’s when it’s time to start eating a big bowl of chili, some cabbage and a couple hard boiled eggs for dinner the night before the gym. See how dedicated they really are to taking that treadmill next to you.

    Bwahahaha!

    When I first got serious about lifting I used to work out with these three pro bodybuilders who would crop dust people in the heavy weight room if they were taking up space. Funny stuff to see someone in the heavy room trying to attract a mate and have it really go wrong.
  • Cbean08
    Cbean08 Posts: 1,092 Member
    Get your own treadmill in your own space, away from my space. Luckily, all the treadmills at my club have TVs and we have over 50 treadmills, in addition to a lot of other cardio equipment. Every so often I'll see something weird happening, but our members seem to have a decent gym etiquette.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Spadhnik wrote: »
    I was overweight (I am still ow) and I was brisk walking on treadmill when there were many left empty. Two really fit girls (they were friends) came and took treadmill on either side of mine. And they were running while I in middle just walking.... I don’t know if that was on purpose but very uncomfortable for me!!

    That’s so weird. One time a couple moms brought their tween sons up to run on the treadmills and put one on either side of me. It was really awkward especially since the moms would be chatting with each other during this. I even asked one of them if they wanted me to switch with their son so they could be next to each other and she said no. :|
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