Gym etiquette

[NanSanPedro]

This morning at the gym I had a minor issue and I'm not sure if I was right or wrong. It was a bit crowded which has some bearing on the story. I went from one exercise machine to another and sat down to do hamstring exercises. There is only one of those machines and there was no other machine available that I wanted.

So as I sit down this girl who was standing close by and babbling with 2 or 3 other chicas says something to me to the effect that she was using the machine. In English I replied that no, you weren't or I wouldn't have been able to sit down. I continued to exercise and finished it in about 5 minutes or so. I did hear her or another chica say something about Americano. It may not have been nice but I couldn't understand her.

So should I have done the gentlemenly thing and got up and gave her the machine? Obviously I didn't and I believe if you want to babble, then don't monopolize the machines. Thoughts?

 

[CristoRey]

Thoughts?

I used to work out in Sosua gym where this type of behavior was common. You handled it same as I handled it many times before. Gyms are for exercising not photo opps and social gatherings.

 

[SKY]

Quote:

So should I have done the gentlemenly thing and got up and gave her the machine? Obviously I didn't and I believe if you want to babble, then don't monopolize the machines. Thoughts?

It depends what she looked like.............

 

[chico bill]

There are two women (Canadians I think, but could be European) they will tie up two machines and then talk between themselves and go back and forth and render the machines useless for half an hour while actually using them maybe 10 minutes alternating their towels. If someone comes along they will rush in to stop them.
Most men do not act like that.
There was one male Canadian cop a couple years ago that would bring 3 towels and put them on empty machines and keep people off of them like he was staking out homesteads.
But he left during Covid and I never saw him back in the gym.

 

[Manuel01]

This morning at the gym I had a minor issue and I'm not sure if I was right or wrong. It was a bit crowded which has some bearing on the story. I went from one exercise machine to another and sat down to do hamstring exercises. There is only one of those machines and there was no other machine available that I wanted.

So as I sit down this girl who was standing close by and babbling with 2 or 3 other chicas says something to me to the effect that she was using the machine. In English I replied that no, you weren't or I wouldn't have been able to sit down. I continued to exercise and finished it in about 5 minutes or so. I did hear her or another chica say something about Americano. It may not have been nice but I couldn't understand her.

So should I have done the gentlemenly thing and got up and gave her the machine? Obviously I didn't and I believe if you want to babble, then don't monopolize the machines. Thoughts?

you were totally on the spot. They (young women) can tictoc closed to a machine the entire day.

 

[Big]

it all depends on the woman's figure. If she was hot, I would have yielded, if she was a hog I would have chuckled.

 

[KyleMackey]

it all depends on the woman's figure. If she was hot, I would have yielded, if she was a hog I would have chuckled.

This morning at the gym I had a minor issue and I'm not sure if I was right or wrong. It was a bit crowded which has some bearing on the story. I went from one exercise machine to another and sat down to do hamstring exercises. There is only one of those machines and there was no other machine available that I wanted.

So as I sit down this girl who was standing close by and babbling with 2 or 3 other chicas says something to me to the effect that she was using the machine. In English I replied that no, you weren't or I wouldn't have been able to sit down. I continued to exercise and finished it in about 5 minutes or so. I did hear her or another chica say something about Americano. It may not have been nice but I couldn't understand her.

So should I have done the gentlemenly thing and got up and gave her the machine? Obviously I didn't and I believe if you want to babble, then don't monopolize the machines. Thoughts?

Just mention that sharing gym eqpt and machines, and not resting on them or trying to "own" them, and letting people work in is a common courtesy. We all see people resting on machines for 15 minutes playing on phone and doing maybe 1 rep. It's very rude and self centered.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Quote:

So should I have done the gentlemenly thing and got up and gave her the machine? Obviously I didn't and I believe if you want to babble, then don't monopolize the machines. Thoughts?

It depends what she looked like.............

She looked old enough to be my granddaughter.

 

[SKY]

Just mention that sharing gym eqpt and machines, and not resting on them or trying to "own" them, and letting people work in is a common courtesy. We all see people resting on machines for 15 minutes playing on phone and doing maybe 1 rep. It's very rude and self centered.

How long have you been here? Some girls get a Mulligan............

 

[Yolatengo]

Generally speaking.....
Most gyms post etiquette "guidelines" regarding use of equipment, excessive noise/profanity, towels being mandatory etc. etc. If not.
During peak times the norm is.....if someone is using an apparatus and another is waiting, they will ask if you care to "work in" with them.
If they don't ask, you ask may I? If it's agreed, alternate reps., setting the weight back to their level after each set of reps and wiping down the equipment after each set. If they're gym regulars, they understand and this shouldn't be a problem. Doesn't always work but that's the general procedure. They may say they just have one or two sets left and continue.
If they're not regular gym types, a little polite communication usually works. Usually works?
They normally get the hint and get back to work, or will work in with you......normally?
If language is a barrier, a little "sign language" should do the trick.
If all else fails, trust your instinct, it is a gym first.
I got tired of dealing with the same issue. I found the gym I go to is practically empty between noon and 1:30 pm!
I have the gym to myself....quiet too!
Good Luck!

 

[KyleMackey]

How long have you been here? Some girls get a Mulligan............

Get their whatsapp instead.

 

[Big]

 

[chico bill]

Just mention that sharing gym eqpt and machines, and not resting on them or trying to "own" them, and letting people work in is a common courtesy. We all see people resting on machines for 15 minutes playing on phone and doing maybe 1 rep. It's very rude and self centered.

I see women using the bench presses for their water bottle, towel, backpack and cellphone storage while they do thrusts on mats nearby - they have no clue that bench press is not a storage rack

 

[Fulano2]

Another reason and excuse to not go to a gym.