gym etiquette

[Hillbeans]

Ok, i'm getting to hate my gym. All of these "newbies" are coming in trying to get in shape for the summer and I can't get any machine until about 9 at night. To top it all off, when I finally do get a machine and hop off to get some water and the towels/cleaning bottle to spray down my machine, someone hops right on the machine with my CD, headphones, keys, etc., still in the holder and starts to work out.

Are people that impatient? What can I say to people to get them to not do this. I could see if I were gone for 5 minutes, but i'm gone about 30 seconds to get a paper towel and the bottle of windex.

This is the same gym I started the " I hate getting the door slammed in my face" thread.

 

[leahannpen]

Later last fall, I joined a gym for a 3 month trial. I had never been to a gym before and was worried I'd mess up and do something wrong. My tour didn't include "etiquette". It's too bad it didn't. And none of the "regulars" took the time to give me any words of advice either. I went during off peak times and eventually did learn alot just by watching others, but my point is, maybe they just don't know any different.

Why not take a few seconds to nicely tell them what they did wrong? I know I sure would have appriciated it. Or ask if the gym could post some "rules" near the entrance, or in the locker room...or give out a cheap flyer with hints and tips.

I hope this helps. Don't be too hard on them.

 

[Deb in IA]

If somebody started working out on my machine before I sprayed it down, I'd just take my water, headphones, etc. and leave.


I figure if they really want my machine THAT much, they can put up with my sweat and stink all over it!!!

 

[holycow]

Maybe print up a door hanging sign saying..."in use please do not use" like they do at some restaurants (thinking of sweet tomatoes)...sounds silly but it may work ...unless you want to confront them.

HC

 

[Hillbeans]

The only problem is that they have to actually stop and move off the machine for me to get my CD, headphones and keys out of the machine "holders".

I wasn't trying to come off "better than thou" and i'd be happy to show a newbie what the right procedure is, but if I saw someone hop off a machine to get the spray bottle, I'd wait the 2 minutes for them to get their things from the machine and clean it off. For some reason, people at this gym are so darned rude.

 

[mrsv98]

At my gym, it isn't just the people, it is the "Trainers" also. Many of them come off as stereotypical used-car salesmen, pushy and aggressive. I actually had one come up to me in the middle of a set, in the middle of a repetition and ask me to sign up with him!

Really, the biggest complaint I have is with the women who bring the entire contents of their wardrobe and vanity with them and then proceed to spread out over half the locker room. Geesh!

If I were you, I would say to the offender, "Oh, I was just going to clean the machine off, but if you are in a hurry, I will just grab my things and get out of your way."

 

[tlgoblue]

I think if you don't tell these people "how to do it" they will just keep on feigning ignorance. In our gym, the "rules" are clearly posted right on the machine. It is amazing how many pretend not to know. They must be able to read! Maybe you ran over (our machines have a 30 min time limit during) and some overzealous person decided to "teach" you a thing or two. I agree with mrsv98.

If I were you, I would say to the offender, "Oh, I was just going to clean the machine off, but if you are in a hurry, I will just grab my things and get out of your way."

I am getting really tired of our gym as well. First it was the after the holiday losers, now it's the spring breakers! I have been going right after the lunch rush. It is the only lull between the early birds (seniors) and the after school jocks, which seguays right into the power builders and continues until about 9:30. I can't believe I pay for the privledge of waiting. Kind of like WDW, I guess.

Don't let it discourage you. That you go at all is great!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy