Gym Etiquette ???

[terralfirma]

Today I had a guy and his girl stare at me/sigh obnoxiously in different intervals for thirty minutes because they wanted my elliptical so they could be next to each other rather than each of them on the side of me.

This has happened to me before. I've actually had a group of girls come up to me when I've been running on the treadmill to ask if I could move over so they could run/walk together. Even experienced runners who train for marathons and crap came over to me so they could do their 'long run' next to each other. I don't go to that gym anymore.

[BigStewTheJew]

Lold gyms decent with etiquette

Trainers are a holes doe so now i aim to irk them. Brb using pylo box as chair when resting on deadlift

Worst is trainers who'll do an hour long circuit with clients in 1 of the 2 squat racks . For gods sake they were benchjng the bar in a rack when there was 3 open benches

Also hate when they ask how much you have left, and you tell em, and they get pissy with you

[Artemis00]

Worst is trainers who'll do an hour long circuit with clients in 1 of the 2 squat racks.

At the one gym we have one squat rack and one power rack. The one day I saw a trainer doing her own circuit using both of them and a set of dumbbells for the third set of her exercise. And the weight she was using for the equipment in the power rack really didn't require using the power rack.

Personally I don't mind having to un-rack / re-rack weights when someone leaves it there. From my perspective I just see it as helping out the staff and at least I'll put the weight where it belongs. I'll even do that on equipment I'm not using during my rest period. I have more of a pet peeve with the circuit training...cause then you really don't know if they are done with the equipment. If the equipment isn't being used and the gym isn't crowded...I don't mind, but put a towel or something near there so you know it is currently in use. And circuit training when the gym is crowded...well that is just inconsiderate.

[paladin1991]

I will say the only thing someone has done to me was try to jump on my equipment when I was only halfway done with dips. I had about 30 secs rest left before my last set, and they hopped on...literally, right in front of where I was standing.

Yeah, I get that. I don't mind sharing and all, but there are some dudes who do a 10 minute power rest. On A Machine. I get it, you're curling 3000 lbs and need a 10 minute break btwn curls. You mind if knock out my whole 3 x 12's while you rest up? Or maybe you can go ahead and read the life section of today's paper....

Ah, it's good to vetch a bit.

[paladin1991]

This morning, I was using the squat rack and a trainer started bugging me about how much longer for his client. Turns out, he just wanted the bar (hello, there's 6 other bars to use that are just a few steps further away and just the one squat rack).

'Yeah, but that was MY bar. That's the one I ALWAYS use. See, it has the crosshatching at the grip where somebody dinged it with a dumbell. What, are you new here?' I've actually seen this go down.

[paladin1991]

Aren't you in a smaller town though too? I'm sure that helps.

Ohio is full of passive aggressive people. I don't care though, I'll ask if I need to work in. Just hate the people who stand close to what I'm using and either glance at me constantly or just stare at me. Dude, if you want to work in.. speak up.

Exactly! I can't help you out dude, if you don't communicate. Cut in? Sure, want me to spot you?

[paladin1991]

My other pet peeve is people who use limited availability specialty equipment in unnecessary ways. The guy who likes to do push-ups and burpees on the olympic platform. Arrgh

He should try this great piece of equipment for that. I call it....THE FLOOR!

[bigfish18q]

At the one gym we have one squat rack and one power rack. The one day I saw a trainer doing her own circuit using both of them and a set of dumbbells for the third set of her exercise. And the weight she was using for the equipment in the power rack really didn't require using the power rack.

Personally I don't mind having to un-rack / re-rack weights when someone leaves it there. From my perspective I just see it as helping out the staff and at least I'll put the weight where it belongs. I'll even do that on equipment I'm not using during my rest period. I have more of a pet peeve with the circuit training...cause then you really don't know if they are done with the equipment. If the equipment isn't being used and the gym isn't crowded...I don't mind, but put a towel or something near there so you know it is currently in use. And circuit training when the gym is crowded...well that is just inconsiderate.

Weird thing happened yesterday actually. I was unracking some plates from my bar in the squat rack so I could do some barbell lunges, and some random guy comes over and helps me with the other end. I thought at first that he was trying to get in the squat rack after I was done, but nope. Just being a helpful guy. He said "everyone needs help sometimes" lol nice guy he was.

[paladin1991]

I'm camping in this thread, I'm enjoying it so much. Gotta start getting around, heading off to Ettiquette central and then work.

[NickleRoll]

I'm probably not experienced enough at the gym to have developed a keen sense of gym courtesy, but one thing that really bugs me is when guys go out of their way to pull up a bench to one of the two squat racks and repurpose it for bench presses, despite there being multiple open set ups for bench presses in the gym. I have waited for 45 minutes for two guys to finish using a squat rack for their benching, of course mostly talking and texting the whole time.

[thehobbes]

Weird thing happened yesterday actually. I was unracking some plates from my bar in the squat rack so I could do some barbell lunges, and some random guy comes over and helps me with the other end. I thought at first that he was trying to get in the squat rack after I was done, but nope. Just being a helpful guy. He said "everyone needs help sometimes" lol nice guy he was.

What? Sounds like a concussion, srs, immediately reminded me of this:

[CoconutJuice]

I just saw someone spray a sh*tload of hairspray in the changeroom last night before heading out to work out... that was a first. It's no wonder their hair is still neat after a workout. I can't stand it when people don't re-rack weights either. Lately there have been some dumbbells missing from the women's weight room.. people keep stealing them, taking them outside of the room and not returning them. Only one set of those. I don't get people who sit at the same machine for 30 minutes either and then just proceed to text on their phone forever or chat with the person next to them who's just sitting on another machine without doing any exercise.

[Artemis00]

Weird thing happened yesterday actually. I was unracking some plates from my bar in the squat rack so I could do some barbell lunges, and some random guy comes over and helps me with the other end. I thought at first that he was trying to get in the squat rack after I was done, but nope. Just being a helpful guy. He said "everyone needs help sometimes" lol nice guy he was.

I've started to get used to doing that as well because at the power lifting gym, it isn't unusual for a few people to share the mono-lifts or bench. And since so few of us are at the same level, there have been times I've had to work in with guys at the mono-lift which meant loading / unloading 45s several times between sets. Fortunately, the rest periods are so long, it isn't a big deal. Plus it just makes sense...rather than having someone unload the bar on their own...going from side to side...it doesn't hurt to help by unloading one side while they unload the other. But I'm not ready for those 100 lb plates

But yeah, when I do that at the regular gym...people get confused.

I'm probably not experienced enough at the gym to have developed a keen sense of gym courtesy, but one thing that really bugs me is when guys go out of their way to pull up a bench to one of the two squat racks and repurpose it for bench presses, despite there being multiple open set ups for bench presses in the gym. I have waited for 45 minutes for two guys to finish using a squat rack for their benching, of course mostly talking and texting the whole time.

Well depends on what they are using it for. I will do that with the power rack when I'm doing pin presses...can't do those with the standard bench presses. I will also sometimes do my bench there as well and use the pins as safeties and to make sure I'm arching enough (the bar will hit the pins before my chest if the arch is lacking). Honestly I don't really like having to do that, but I don't really have any other choices, until I get my power rack setup in my basement.

[seamaiden808]

Why not just ask if you can work your set in with them? If I'm doing a circuit and say 1 of the trainers need to use the rack I just quickly do those exercises and give up said rack...

I came on to post something similar to this. I get SO annoyed when someone is doing a circuit, and taking up 5 different areas. I needed to do deadlifts today, and I couldn't because two guys had taken up each area that I could've used to complete my lifts. It is so annoying. I went through most of my workout, trying to get other things done first so that they could do their bit and be finished, but they were STILL on them when I got done. Like seriously, come on. The are only two squat racks and one area open for dead lifting...don't be an ass and take them all.

Unloading plates is something that should be common courtesy, as well. I think its also confusing because you never know if someone is potentially doing a circuit there, or if someone was too lazy to put things away.

I will say the only thing someone has done to me was try to jump on my equipment when I was only halfway done with dips. I had about 30 secs rest left before my last set, and they hopped on...literally, right in front of where I was standing.

[MadCatLady]

I've never seen anyone bench in the squat rack. I'd seriously drop a plate on their balls. Seen a lot of curling in there though, usually the same guys who are doing 15 variations of curls while yelling YEEEAAAHH YOU GOT THIS BRUV.

Ill usually ask to work in. Mostly it's guys and usually they look so terrified of being spoken to by a woman it gets rid of them immediately. 😜

[Kayluhanne]

I'm also going to throw in there the etiquette when it comes to clothes. I mean, come on it isn't a fashion show. The other day, a girl came in with jean short cutoffs, a bikini top, more make-up than I would wear in an entire week all at once, and a bright pink hat that said "f*cking Fabulous" across the front. Really? I rarely leave the gym without being completely sweaty. How can you get anything done in that? Squats in jean shorts, no thanks. Needless to say she didn't do much but walk around the entire time.

And I totally agree on the rest....what gets me is the texting or talking on the phone. Or the groups of 20 year old guys who all lift together (usually about 4 of them at once) and utilize the same piece of equipment for an hour....but spending most of it flexing at each other in the mirror and talking about how drunk they will get that weekend. Ugh.

I'm with you on the texting AND the clothes. Seriously some of these girls wear these teeny tiny clothes and I am in a sweatshirt and pants (to sweat more). And when a group of people get together and don't work, that annoys me more. Or when they are obnoxious and loud and don't use the equipment correctly, I am there to work out, not listen to how great your weekend was.

[mavd]

Seriously some of these girls wear these teeny tiny clothes and I am in a sweatshirt and pants (to sweat more).

This is just ridiculous. What other women wear has nothing to do with either your workout or gym etiquette. And sweating more doesn't mean you are burning more calories, so your superiority complex is misplaced.

[jerkeife]

Guy was on the squat rack when I got to the gym yesterday and he was still on it when I left an hour and a half later. I even asked him multiple times when he would be done. I wanted to take the barbell and jab him in the chest with it

[Artemis00]

Guy was on the squat rack when I got to the gym yesterday and he was still on it when I left an hour and a half later. I even asked him multiple times when he would be done. I wanted to take the barbell and jab him in the chest with it

I have been guilty of doing a lot of work on leg day in the squat rack or power rack. I may end up doing back squats, front squats, lunges, etc and it could take up to an hour of me being there. But I will only do that if the other rack is available and if anyone asks me when I will be done, I will finish my sets for that exercise and move onto some other piece of equipment. I won't hog it for another exercise.

Seriously some of these girls wear these teeny tiny clothes and I am in a sweatshirt and pants (to sweat more). And when a group of people get together and don't work, that annoys me more. Or when they are obnoxious and loud and don't use the equipment correctly, I am there to work out, not listen to how great your weekend was.

Personally I wish some guys would wear less clothing. I like to appreciate a guy's build when he is wearing one of those shirts cut as a singlet.

[dreahere]

I have been guilty of doing a lot of work on leg day in the squat rack or power rack. I may end up doing back squats, front squats, lunges, etc and it could take up to an hour of me being there. But I will only do that if the other rack is available and if anyone asks me when I will be done, I will finish my sets for that exercise and move onto some other piece of equipment. I won't hog it for another exercise.

We only have one power rack at my gym, so if I am in there a long time either doing a lot of sets with long rests in between or several different exercises I try to be exquisitely sensitive to whether someone else wants it. If someone keeps looking over at me longingly, I will hurry my ass up. Or I'll do like two out of three exercises and vacate for awhile so someone else can take their turn. Occasionally that will backfire and I won't ever get the rack back to finish my third thing, but que sera. It's not nice to be a rack hog.

The thing that's been driving me crazy lately is people getting in my space when I have a barbell on my back. Last week one of the gym employees was cleaning up towards the end of the night by putting plates back on my rack. While I was in the middle of a set. Within 6 inches of my bar path. Earlier this week two lil bros were planted between the rack and the Smith chatting and did not move out of my way when I went into the rack to do good mornings. So since I warm up for those with just the bar, I "accidentally" grazed one of them with it as I was re-racking. Yes, it was passive aggressive. Yes, they did then move out of the way.

[Artemis00]

The thing that's been driving me crazy lately is people getting in my space when I have a barbell on my back. Last week one of the gym employees was cleaning up towards the end of the night by putting plates back on my rack. While I was in the middle of a set. Within 6 inches of my bar path. Earlier this week two lil bros were planted between the rack and the Smith chatting and did not move out of my way when I went into the rack to do good mornings. So since I warm up for those with just the bar, I "accidentally" grazed one of them with it as I was re-racking. Yes, it was passive aggressive. Yes, they did then move out of the way.

Oh don't even get me started with that one. The one day I was doing bench work (German volume training) when this guy decides to use the curl rack right near the bench I was using. Well when he decided he wanted to put his dumbbells back, instead of waiting until I was finished with my set or leave the curl rack from the other direction...he walked directly into the path of the bar. Not only did he walk into the bar, but he kept going pushing the bar with him. I was lucky I was doing light weight and could control it cause if it had be heavier, that really could have injured me. Not once did he even attempt to apologize for that and he left quickly after that. I swear, if he ever does that again to me, I'm taking whatever piece of equipment I am using and shoving it up his azz.

[M1ssMurder]

One thing that i think should be a firing offense (like, outta the gym, STAT!) is when you're in the middle of a set, and a guy comes up to you, gestures that you should take out your earbuds, and proceeds to make small talk. I'm usually a pretty chill person, but I've had that happen multiple times and i was seething afterwards. It's the gym, not a party! What are these people thinking? Damn!

[BubsNBean]

I've never seen anyone bench in the squat rack. I'd seriously drop a plate on their balls.

I do lockouts for bench press in the squat rack. There's no other place to adjust to the appropriate height.

Guy was on the squat rack when I got to the gym yesterday and he was still on it when I left an hour and a half later. I even asked him multiple times when he would be done. I wanted to take the barbell and jab him in the chest with it

I use the squat rack for 1.5 hours at least once a week. Squats, sumo squats, deads, sumo deads, good mornings, lunges, front squats- they take a lot of time. That being said, I'm not opposed to people working in with me either

[Cass40]

Weird thing happened yesterday actually. I was unracking some plates from my bar in the squat rack so I could do some barbell lunges, and some random guy comes over and helps me with the other end. I thought at first that he was trying to get in the squat rack after I was done, but nope. Just being a helpful guy. He said "everyone needs help sometimes" lol nice guy he was.

I love this! People do this all the time. When they are walking past the rack on the other side, they just unrack plates for me.
It's so funny cause sometimes I don't notice it, and I walk to the other side, and it's already unracked.

[bigfish18q]

I use the squat rack for 1.5 hours at least once a week. Squats, sumo squats, deads, sumo deads, good mornings, lunges, front squats- they take a lot of time. That being said, I'm not opposed to people working in with me either

At my current gym, I don't care about taking up a squat rack for deads and the like, but I feel kinda bad in a crowded gym. My last gym was LA fitness, and it was always packed when I was in there. I'd usually grab a bar from one of the bench press stations (6 as opposed to 1 squat rack) and find a quiet corner to deadlift in.

Depends where you're at, and how busy I think.

I love this! People do this all the time. When they are walking past the rack on the other side, they just unrack plates for me.
It's so funny cause sometimes I don't notice it, and I walk to the other side, and it's already unracked.

I think in my situation it was great. Sometimes though, not so much. I've seen guys try to help females unrack weight without asking. Almost like saying "aww you're so fragile, let me do that for you". I cringe, and hope they don't get punched lol

[jerkeife]

I use the squat rack for 1.5 hours at least once a week. Squats, sumo squats, deads, sumo deads, good mornings, lunges, front squats- they take a lot of time. That being said, I'm not opposed to people working in with me either

I do understand that there are sessions that will take some time. Then again I doubt you do it at 4:30pm in a packed gym, with no work ins and some texting. He was next to the windows too, so a few thoughts when through my head

[thehobbes]

Not sure why so much hate on the benching in the power rack. I've always done that, if you don't have a gym partner and most people in your gym are incompetent at spotting (DO NOT touch the bar, unless I've failed the rep) you have to do something for general safety.

Oh don't even get me started with that one. The one day I was doing bench work (German volume training) when this guy decides to use the curl rack right near the bench I was using. Well when he decided he wanted to put his dumbbells back, instead of waiting until I was finished with my set or leave the curl rack from the other direction...he walked directly into the path of the bar. Not only did he walk into the bar, but he kept going pushing the bar with him. I was lucky I was doing light weight and could control it cause if it had be heavier, that really could have injured me. Not once did he even attempt to apologize for that and he left quickly after that. I swear, if he ever does that again to me, I'm taking whatever piece of equipment I am using and shoving it up his azz.

^^^THIS is exactly why for the past yr I've always done my bench press days in my home gym, I'm very paranoid someone is going to bump me when I'm going heavy and seriously snap my shiz up. Set up a home gym a couple years ago so always benched in a rack when all my workouts were at a commercial gym before that. Since I put the home gym together I am forever grateful I was able to do it as it avoids so much frustration. I've had a couple close calls in commercial gyms with people nearly running into me while a squat bar was on my back too. Mind=blown how many people in a gym don't pay attention and start walking backwards nearly hitting someone. I hold nothing against people who bench or ohp in a rack.

[Artemis00]

Not sure why so much hate on the benching in the power rack. I've always done that, if you don't have a gym partner and most people in your gym are incompetent at spotting (DO NOT touch the bar, unless I've failed the rep) you have to do something for general safety.


^^^THIS is exactly why for the past yr I've always done my bench press days in my home gym, I'm very paranoid someone is going to bump me when I'm going heavy and seriously snap my shiz up. Set up a home gym a couple years ago so always benched in a rack when all my workouts were at a commercial gym before that. Since I put the home gym together I am forever grateful I was able to do it as it avoids so much frustration. I've had a couple close calls in commercial gyms with people nearly running into me while a squat bar was on my back too. Mind=blown how many people in a gym don't pay attention and start walking backwards nearly hitting someone. I hold nothing against people who bench or ohp in a rack.

Agree with you. I actually really prefer benching in the power rack cause it really helps with keeping my form. I slack with keeping my arch and the power rack helps to keeps me honest with that. Actually got my own so I no longer have to worry about people pulling that stuff again.

And yeah, people really don't seem to grasp the concept of ROM. I've had plenty of times where people will walk right into your ROM path so that you literally have to halt your rep or hit them.

[BubsNBean]

I do understand that there are sessions that will take some time. Then again I doubt you do it at 4:30pm in a packed gym, with no work ins and some texting. He was next to the windows too, so a few thoughts when through my head

This is true, I do it at 5:30am and hardly a soul even looks at the squat racks

[Snarkoleptic]

I've never seen anyone bench in the squat rack. I'd seriously drop a plate on their balls. Seen a lot of curling in there though, usually the same guys who are doing 15 variations of curls while yelling YEEEAAAHH YOU GOT THIS BRUV.

Ill usually ask to work in. Mostly it's guys and usually they look so terrified of being spoken to by a woman it gets rid of them immediately. ��

I'm all :Hey guy (big smile)! How many more sets of bicep burls do you have left to do in the squat rack? Can I work in and squat in the squat rack? Shame we only have one squat rack.

They have always tucked tail and ceded the territory. There are at least twenty other BBs in my gym for them to use elsewhere, plus several ez-curl bars, pre-loaded bars, and an assortment or dbs.