Working out at the gym

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
Was on this machine for the legs today.

I do 10 reps. Each rep I hold my legs out for 1-3 seconds and I bring it down slowly.

I do a total of 4 sets. I wait about 45seconds-1minute before I go on to the next set.

Now right when I got there some guy is just walking next to the machine stretching. I ignored him as I don't care what people are doing around me (I have headphones on). He finally comes up to me on me after my 3rd set giving me some attitude about me hogging the machine.

Now correct me if I am wrong , but normally if someone wants to use the machine they use their communication skills and ask to "work in". I would gladly work in someone.

Am I doing something wrong here or did I get what I paid for (cheap gym)?

The guy who gave me lip used the machine for a minute... wtvr.
 

Cobalt

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2000
4,642
1
81
You weren't in the wrong, he should of asked to work in with you. Hell, if someone looks impatient I always offer them if they want to work in with me. Common courtesy.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
That guy is just an idiot. There's nothing wrong with asking to be worked in.
 

Greyd

Platinum Member
Dec 4, 2001
2,119
0
0
When I feel like someone is on the machine too long:

I simply ask how many sets they have left - they usually realize that I'm waiting. Or I'll ask to work in.

When someone asks me:

I simply invite them to join me.

The guy was being a jerk.
 

Whisper

Diamond Member
Feb 25, 2000
5,394
2
81
Originally posted by: Greyd
When I feel like someone is on the machine too long:

I simply ask how many sets they have left - they usually realize that I'm waiting. Or I'll ask to work in.

When someone asks me:

I simply invite them to join me.

The guy was being a jerk.

QFT. You can't be expected to know the guy's routine, and your series on that machine doesn't sound to have been unreasonable at all. Just like Greyd, if it seems to me as though someone is just starting their routine on a particular piece of equipment and/or they've been there for a while, I'll go up and ask how many sets they have left.

I'm not much of one for working in when it comes to machines, but if the person is only doing three or four sets, I don't at all mind waiting. The only time I might start to become irritated is if they're doing a dozen sets during peak hours, or are taking multiple five-minute conversation breaks.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
I'm a relative gym n00b and know about working in. I let people do it with me no problem. I'm on the ONLY leg extension machine for 15+ minutes on leg day.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: pray4mojo
yup, youre right, and hes dumb.
Yep.

At my gym we had a group of African's that were members (when they'd be there the parking lot would be filled with the Cabs they were driving). Unfortunately they'd all work out together so when the tribe got on a couple of stations or a machines they usually have it for at least a 1/2 hour and when they were done those stations reeked of cheap cologne. They were nice enough guys, other than the inconvenience the created by working out in a group they were fine.


I think someone called the INS on them because I haven't seen them around for over a year.

 

j00fek

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2005
8,099
1
0
Originally posted by: Aimster

Now correct me if I am wrong , but normally if someone wants to use the machine they use their communication skills and ask to "work in". I would gladly work in someone.

Am I doing something wrong here or did I get what I paid for (cheap gym)?

The guy who gave me lip used the machine for a minute... wtvr.

tell him to fvck off and keep going, if he doesnt want to join in on the sets screw him, thats what i do :)

 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
A lot of gyms do have time limits on machines, but it does sound like the OP was in the right. The treadmills at the base gym go into automatic cool down after 60min, and there are posted signs claiming no more than 30min during certain hours. My solution was to aim for the off hours and simply jump onto the next treadmill when it kicked into cool down mode after 60min. :p
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
You were fine. I suppose I'm actually worse than you, because I generally take 2 minutes between sets, because that's how long it takes for my muscles to recover generally. I only do 3 sets though. So 4 minutes total wait vs your 3-4, I guess we are even!!

However, there is one guy at my gym who uses the same machine for at least 20 minutes sometimes, with little or no break. He will take breaks on some machines, but on the bicep or tricep type stuff, he'll do one arm, then the other, then back to the first with more weight, then the other, and go on like this for a while. I haven't yet been in a situation where I couldn't work another machine and wait for him, but I am sure other people have been inconvenienced by this guy, who is a pretty nice guy when you talk to him I guess.

There's another guy who really annoys me though. He's this weasely little dude who seems to have something stuck up a certain oriface at all times. He will buzz around like a hummingbird and pop into one machine and do one set then run over to another machine, then randomly run over to an elliptical for 30 seconds. I am sure he's doing this as a sort of cardio exercise but he's really obnoxious about it and has run up to a machine I'm in front of and used it before. He also used to (haven't seen this for a bit) stare at women mercilessly while on the elliptical. I mean even people right next to him.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
You didnt do anything wrong. The guy could have asked to work in, asked how many sets you have left, or just waited next to the machine patiently.
 

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
1
0
Originally posted by: Greyd
When I feel like someone is on the machine too long:

I simply ask how many sets they have left - they usually realize that I'm waiting. Or I'll ask to work in.

When someone asks me:

I simply invite them to join me.

The guy was being a jerk.

"there's room for two, man!"
 

Gravity

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2003
5,685
0
0
Working in is an unknown concept to some. I'm not shy about asking to work in and rarely get denied. Sometimes they say "I just got one more...be done in a sec" and I'm happy to wait.

There are times when I get incensed and say "can I get in there while you are resting?" because they aren't doing jack for extended periods. They get pissed but I could care less. At 6'4 and 245 it's not like I'm worried about infringing on your space. We all pay dues, don't rest on the machine for minutes at time.

Gravity
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: Gravity
Working in is an unknown concept to some. I'm not shy about asking to work in and rarely get denied. Sometimes they say "I just got one more...be done in a sec" and I'm happy to wait.

There are times when I get incensed and say "can I get in there while you are resting?" because they aren't doing jack for extended periods. They get pissed but I could care less. At 6'4 and 245 it's not like I'm worried about infringing on your space. We all pay dues, don't rest on the machine for minutes at time.

Gravity

One thing I will say is this... I hate it when guys who don't believe in proper deodorant usage or guys who seem to sweat excessively want to do a set while I'm resting, then they don't wipe up. Often times they have this dinky little towel they put on the bench that barely covers half their legs then they think it's ok.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
I normally do 3 sets (if I can) and wait 30 seconds between each one. They are computerized so there's a timer showing me how long I waoted. THat's enough time for me to rest a bit but not so long as for others to get impationth
 

patentman

Golden Member
Apr 8, 2005
1,035
1
0
Originally posted by: Aimster
Was on this machine for the legs today.

I do 10 reps. Each rep I hold my legs out for 1-3 seconds and I bring it down slowly.

I do a total of 4 sets. I wait about 45seconds-1minute before I go on to the next set.

Now right when I got there some guy is just walking next to the machine stretching. I ignored him as I don't care what people are doing around me (I have headphones on). He finally comes up to me on me after my 3rd set giving me some attitude about me hogging the machine.

Now correct me if I am wrong , but normally if someone wants to use the machine they use their communication skills and ask to "work in". I would gladly work in someone.

Am I doing something wrong here or did I get what I paid for (cheap gym)?

The guy who gave me lip used the machine for a minute... wtvr.

Next time you see him make sure to leave a huge sweat mark on the pads of the machine. That'll teach him.