I know that people using the machine you need is common place. When they are hosting a Sunday Social while monopolizing said machine can be a right piss off. How do you handle it … tactfully? Alter your workout? Wait them out? Kindly remind them that other’s need the machine?
salmong
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If they are monopolizing a piece of equipment for extended periods of time while scrolling social media on their phones, I kick them on the back of the head with a 10 lbs dumbbell shouting, "Move on bit$h!" 😴
Kidding, of course... the answer is to train at home.
EN0KH
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Totally Normal. Here’s how I handle it.
If it’s a key lift for my program, I ask to work in: “Hey, mind if I jump in between your sets? I’ll be quick.” Most people are cool with it.
If they’re camped out socializing and not sharing, I do not waste time or energy. I switch to an equivalent movement that hits the same pattern and muscle group, keep the intensity, and log it.
If it’s the only machine that fits because of injury, setup, or range of motion, I wait a few minutes and politely say, “Just a heads up, this station’s in demand. Are you almost done?” If it keeps happening, I involve staff and let them enforce the gym policy. If it's that serious...Just Saying...lol
musclemeeple2
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Coming from tbe view point of the gulity party I think all the above are good tactics. However also keep in mind someone may legit be waiting on a rest timer. I know I have had some not so tacticful comments while honestly not going beyond my one minute jefit rest timer....I am still happy to let the person work in but less happybif they imply that I am just socializing when I honestly am keeping to my preset minute restbperiod. Also legit think about how serious of a hard worker you are. Personally I am more open to hearing such from someone whom thrmselfs pushes hard on reps (less concern asto if they are a social person or not nor their fitness level) than someone who does not sèem to put forth a good effort to their own working out
Carphill007
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I ask to work in if it seems practical, or just swap the exercise for that session. It can be a PITA especially this time of year, but if this were a perennial problem for me I’d switch gyms or even consider moving back to a home-gym set up. I get not everyone may have these luxuries but I’m not sure how else you could solve the issue; short of a Michael Douglas “falling down” style rampage! 😂
p.bxtrm
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I wait. I don't say anything, don't ask how many sets they have left or anything. I just place my stuff next to the machine so others see I'm up next and walk around waiting. Keep my focus, viusualize the lift. Might do a few very light sets on another exercise for the muscle to not get cold and put on a long sleeve if it's a long wait. Have done 45+ min as my longest wait 😆
Doesn't bother me. I have my shit to do, they have theirs.
Workout Addict
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I ask them to let me know when they are done with the machine by giving me a signal. I tell them what machine I am going to be on (nearby machine so that they can see me) I can do other exercises while waiting on a machine.
amgym19
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1. Include alternate exercises or machines in your exercise plan.
2. Be flexible about switching the order of exercises in your plan.
3. If I choose to initiate a conversation with the person who is hogging the machine, I'll ask them how many sets they have left.
ryanhuggins
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What I should say is "How many sets you got left?". What I'd like to do is pull a page out of Robert Frank's videos. 😂. What I do is try to find another way to do the exercise.
16 comments
Kidding, of course... the answer is to train at home.
If it’s a key lift for my program, I ask to work in: “Hey, mind if I jump in between your sets? I’ll be quick.” Most people are cool with it.
If they’re camped out socializing and not sharing, I do not waste time or energy. I switch to an equivalent movement that hits the same pattern and muscle group, keep the intensity, and log it.
If it’s the only machine that fits because of injury, setup, or range of motion, I wait a few minutes and politely say, “Just a heads up, this station’s in demand. Are you almost done?” If it keeps happening, I involve staff and let them enforce the gym policy. If it's that serious...Just Saying...lol
Doesn't bother me. I have my shit to do, they have theirs.
2. Be flexible about switching the order of exercises in your plan.
3. If I choose to initiate a conversation with the person who is hogging the machine, I'll ask them how many sets they have left.