What do YOU do when waiting for a machine?

[jstar007]

What do you do while waiting for you turn using a squat rack or Smith machine? I don't want to ask someone if I can go between their sets (I am on the anti social side and don't want to talk to anyone) so where do I sit while waiting?

If I just stand there I will look silly and lost. If I sit down and do nothing I will look silly and lost. If I start another exercise with my bad luck someone else will probably jump in and get the machine once the person using it is gone. I feel silly standing there and I don't want to watch them work out either; I just feel like everyone will stare at me if I just stand there. I guess the best bet is to pretend to do some other exercises and run over once the person leaves?

[oregonchick76]

LOL. Grow some balls or work out at 5am when no one else is at the gym.

[kimm4]

There's enough equipment at my gym where having to wait rarely happens. Worse case I always have a backup exercise planned if needed.

[thehobbes]

Rarely happens since we have 3 power racks but if I really need something I'll ask the person between sets how much they have left so I have an idea of when it's going to free up, then I go do something else even it's just warm up/stretching stuff.

[BalhamBeast]

I pick another exercise.

[wakechica]

I ask how long they're going to be and if they can grab me when they're done. Problem solved.... I can go do something else Or I just sub in. People aren't scary.

[latebloomingmom]

been busy with lots of newbies in the college gym the past few weeks..most of the time I just go work on something else and come back later.
Sometimes I will ask how many more sets they are gonna do..now if there is a group of them hanging out and just talking and not using the equipment but not walking away from it? then I raise my eyebrow..tap my foot ...fold my arms across my chest and give them my best mama disapproves look and they usually shuffle off mumbling

[Squatticus]

usually ill sit on the machine next to them and do this.

[toodlepip]

There's enough equipment at my gym where having to wait rarely happens. Worse case I always have a backup exercise planned if needed.

^^ this. I can't tolerate waiting and rarely have the time to waste standing around. I'm never so stuck on a routine that I can't sub something out if need be.

[BEEvon]

usually ill sit on the machine next to them and do this.

Lol....I'd move.

[malamujer]

I ask how long they're going to be and if they can grab me when they're done. Problem solved.... I can go do something else Or I just sub in. People aren't scary.

^^^This is what I do too. I never stand around doing nothing. Although there have been people that stand around waiting for me to finish and it's reallly annoying.

[LeanButNotMean]

On the rare occasion it happens, I glare at them until they move. I work out at 5am so there is usually no wait.

[firely]

Stand and wait. Move on to next exercise. Stretch. Toilet. Fill water bottle. Whatever.

I used to feel awkward just standing and waiting when I first started going but now I just don't care. It's really of minor importance and I'm not going to judge someone else on it unless they're pacing and huffing or staring.

[LaDonnaMF]

you will get to the headspace where you don't care what other people will think about you waiting for the machine if it's busy in the gym.

lately I will jump on a treadmill, jump rope, something to keep my heartrate up if the person is almost done. If they just started... move on to the next exercise or one that will keep you in the immediate area so you can see when they finish, hehe.

[NotBigEnough206]

I just cry

[erinlee01]

I ask how many sets they have left. If they have a lot, I tell them I'll go do something else and come back (that way if someone else comes looking for the equipment, most people will say "she was waiting for it next"). If they're almost done, I tell them that I'm just going to wait and to not feel rushed.

If you're that anti-social, perhaps a home gym is for you. There isn't much you can do in this world without talking to people.

[sy2502]

I don't have time to just stand around waiting. So I simply change the order of the exercises, or do an alternative exercise.

[Wantaripbod]

Punch them in the face, throw them of the machine and do my sets.

Not srs.

[eglionz]

^^ Lol.

I go do something else. If the gym is crowded I'll ask if they would mind flagging me down when they are done. Otherwise I just creep on them between sets and wait.

[Angi3]

Move on to your next excersie! That has happened to me a few times on my leg day, where I'd like to start off squatting in the power rack & it's taken so I do the rest of my leg excersies and save the squatting for the end. The few times I've saved the squatting for last...my squats weren't negatively affected. Although I still prefer to get the squats in first...it really doesn't matter. Just don't stand there and wait. Stretch, warm up...there's plenty to do

Hope this helps

[KostyaShredded]

That's exactly why I have my training at midnight(when the gym is empty).

[IrishLassie78]

I either substitute something else or go run around the track until I see they're done. Unless it's something sitting there fiddling with their phone or carrying on a conversation and not moving. Then I will go ask them as politely as possible if they're actually going to use the equipment or if they're just going to sit there talking or playing with their phone. I stopped caring what people think and whether or not they'll get offended a long time a go. I'm at the gym to work out, not to watch other people socialize or screw around with their technological equipment...

[Jedwab]

I stand there looking mean lol

[sy2502]

You can stand next to that machine and shadow box. I have seen a few guys do that. Don't know if it works, but it's hella entertaining for the rest of us

[Fitboss68]

If it is someone lifting near the same weight as me I ask to work in. If it is someone lifting way heavier than me I'll sub or go to my next exercise and come back around

[jstar007]

That's exactly why I have my training at midnight(when the gym is empty).

My gym closes at 11 Pm... I guess my best bet is to go at 10 PM but I bet there will STILL be people there at that time. Last time I went on Saturday night (1 hour before closing) and there were still people there. I live in L.A in a very fit demographic with lots of actors/models etc at my gym so it's always crowded. It's very annoying. I don't wake up early to go at 5 am but I am willing to bet that there's people there at that time too.

[jstar007]

I ask how many sets they have left. If they have a lot, I tell them I'll go do something else and come back (that way if someone else comes looking for the equipment, most people will say "she was waiting for it next"). If they're almost done, I tell them that I'm just going to wait and to not feel rushed.

If you're that anti-social, perhaps a home gym is for you. There isn't much you can do in this world without talking to people.

No room in my small apt for a squat rack. I need to lift heavy cause I want a bigger butt. I need to increase weight all the time. I think I need a rack. Plus gym has more equipment. I would rather wait then talk to anyone though.

[erinlee01]

No room in my small apt for a squat rack. I need to lift heavy cause I want a bigger butt. I need to increase weight all the time. I think I need a rack. Plus gym has more equipment. I would rather wait then talk to anyone though.

That's your choice.

[UnaChispita]

I work out at 5 AM or if you can...go around 2 PM fewer ppl in my gym at that time...

[jstar007]

I work out at 5 AM or if you can...go around 2 PM fewer ppl in my gym at that time...

Thanks, I will definitely try that. Tonight I'm going one hour before closing (10pm, it closes at 11) and see how it is around that time. I can't wake up at 5 am; it's way too early for me.