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Post by bababooey on Aug 24, 2021 9:40:59 GMT -5
Wanted to get some opinions regarding gym etiquette when there’s limited equipment. My gym is primarily a boxing gym, but there is some equipment for lifting. Last year, I started powerlifting on the days I don’t box. It’s a small gym and we all pretty much know each other, so the limited equipment was never really an issue. If multiple people were lifting, we’d just chat and figure out how to share it. Problem is that in the last couple months, that area has gotten a lot busier with people who are a bit inconsiderate and people paying for personal training. There’s two current situations I’m trying to figure out how to deal with:
1. This lady comes in just about every day with her son to lift, except her son doesn’t really lift. He basically just messes around with some equipment to hold it for his mom while she gets through the rest of her workout. When they’re there, they take up the cable machine, the power rack, the leg press, both benches, and a bunch of dumbbells. There’s limited equipment (basically 1 of each thing) and they pretty much hoard all the equipment to run circuits. Also, when I do manage to get some equipment, they do leave me any room and constantly walk around really close to me while I’m moving weight. So far, I’ve tried getting a sense of what time they come in and how long they take, and I’ve tried to just come at a different time. No matter what time I show up, they seem to get there at the same time. Being that it’s a really small gym, I don’t want to say anything and cause a scene. Plus, staff has previously mentioned to me that they don’t want to say anything to her either because they’re afraid of her husband showing up and causing problems.
2. I usually try to get my workouts in from about 5:45-6:30ish, depending on when I can get to the equipment. I generally keep a pretty specific routine, but now another guy started doing personal training sessions at around 6:00. So far, we haven’t had issues, but I do feel rushed to be done with my workout and not be in his way, since he’s paying for the time.
Anyway, this morning I tried looking for a secondary gym to lift at, but I haven’t been able to find a gym near me that is both cheap and has the equipment I need. I also looked into stuff at home, but it’s insanely expensive
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ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕋𝕠 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝
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Post by ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕋𝕠 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝 on Aug 24, 2021 10:24:33 GMT -5
What is it about everyone who goes to a gym feels so entitled? I've had memberships at like four different gyms and they're all full of people who think they own the place.
Since the pandemic began and more and more people turned into entitled, rude people; I have zero patience for it. I snap back at people very quickly if I see anyone act like this in a public space.
I'd have no problem getting on a machine and taking my time. You pay for your membership and you get to use the equipment. Don't rush through anything. Don't let some person tell you they're running a circuit so they can rush you through. If the problem escalates, I'd talk to the gym staff and say that if you can't use the machines because someone getting PT has to run a circuit, then cut your membership rate in half. If you can't come in when people are doing personal training, then you want your price to reflect the limited availability of the gym.
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Post by RSCTom on Aug 24, 2021 10:34:09 GMT -5
Sounds like you need a new gym!
In my old age I have about 0 tolerance and patience for stuff like this and normally I'd say go up to her and just try and let her know what she's doing. But, if they're not going to let you bring up to the lady how ignorant she's being it sounds like it might be better to drop this gym so your new gym won't cost as much.
If your heart is set on staying there and you really just don't want to confront her (even politely, try asking for some of the equipment when you need it and ask if they can give you some space?) then you should insist to the staff or a manager that it'd be nice if they did something about it. I don't even mean to be a Karen about this or anything even remotely close to that but it sounds like she's all over the place and it's beyond someone just being laid back in the gym. There must be other people it annoys too? At that point who cares about the husband if it's ruining so many people's experience?
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Post by Valbroski on Aug 24, 2021 10:42:37 GMT -5
Maybe try talking to some of the other people you know from the gym and see if they are as bothered as you are? If the staff gets complaints from multiple people, they’d more likely do something about it.
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mrassbillygunn
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Post by mrassbillygunn on Aug 24, 2021 11:49:09 GMT -5
Dont stand for that crap mate. Take your time and do your workout and never mind her, I would let the staff know. They will understand. She sounds like a selfish bitch.
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Post by bababooey on Aug 24, 2021 11:53:56 GMT -5
Maybe try talking to some of the other people you know from the gym and see if they are as bothered as you are? If the staff gets complaints from multiple people, they’d more likely do something about it. Crazy thing is it’s such a small gym that I know the staff on like a personal level. One of the former staff members is one of my best friends. Just in random chit chat, they’ve actually complained to me about her. Probably one of their biggest issues is that the pandemic led to a huge turnover in members. A lot of the old regulars were slow to come back, and the newer members basically changed the dynamic and the staff tries to avoid confrontation so they don’t lose more members. It’s mainly a boxing gym, so they don’t really impose too many rules on the lifting equipment. I also don’t wanna leave or complain too much to the staff because aside from the lifting stuff, they really take care of me. Being that it’s a specialty gym, I think their normal month rate for unlimited access is somewhere around $200. They charge me $90. I also get 20% off any equipment I get through them. I’ve also gotten close with a lot of the staff and the other members. The personal training guy isn’t too much of an issue. We don’t really overlap, if I can get started on time. There have been times in the past where he came in while I wasn’t quite done yet, and he just stretched out and hopped on the treadmill for a few minutes. Then, I cleaned when I was done and held the spot for him. That’s how it is with most members. Like a lot of people will work with dumbbells inside the squat rack, just to be out of the way, but they’ll move without issue if you ask to use the rack. I guess I just don’t really know of a non awkward way to ask this lady if I can get in on stuff because she’s very closed off in a way. Most people are friendly and like to talk. She’s just like very intense and just keeps her headphones in. If people try to get her attention, it usually takes a few minutes for her to respond. I generally try to go around 5:30ish, because there’s a boxing class at that time and that’s where mostly everyone is. If she at least kept a consistent schedule, I could plan around it and everyone wins |
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Post by Valbroski on Aug 24, 2021 12:43:25 GMT -5
Challenge her to a sparring session. Loser leaves the gym.
What weight class is she in?
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Post by k5 on Aug 25, 2021 0:29:04 GMT -5
that’s totally unacceptable on the gyms part. don’t allow yourself to be walked on like that - claim the machines you want rather they’re using them or not, and let them know where they can go if they have an issue with that.
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Post by kirk815 on Aug 25, 2021 4:35:21 GMT -5
$90 seems like a lot for limited gym equipment. If I wasn't utilizing what makes the gym special (like the boxing), then personally, I would go to a normal gym and pay less money.
If you don't want to leave or complain, then you are pretty much stuck with three options - going at a totally different time, saying something to them, or not doing anything/accepting that you are going to pay $90 and spend extra time to get your normal workout in. If you are close to the employees, I would ask the best time for you to go so you can accomplish what you want to do in the least amount of time.
It sounds like they know exactly what they are doing so I would stick with changing my schedule to avoid them. You can't reason with entitled/unreasonable people - they probably thrive on fighting with people. I've watched too much Investigation Discovery to know that situations like this don't usually end well with people like this (especially if her husband sounds like a hot head too).
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Post by bababooey on Aug 25, 2021 8:16:07 GMT -5
$90 seems like a lot for limited gym equipment. If I wasn't utilizing what makes the gym special (like the boxing), then personally, I would go to a normal gym and pay less money. If you don't want to leave or complain, then you are pretty much stuck with three options - going at a totally different time, saying something to them, or not doing anything/accepting that you are going to pay $90 and spend extra time to get your normal workout in. If you are close to the employees, I would ask the best time for you to go so you can accomplish what you want to do in the least amount of time. It sounds like they know exactly what they are doing so I would stick with changing my schedule to avoid them. You can't reason with entitled/unreasonable people - they probably thrive on fighting with people. I've watched too much Investigation Discovery to know that situations like this don't usually end well with people like this (especially if her husband sounds like a hot head too). I actually do take a lot of the boxing classes. I lift on the days I don’t box, so the $90 feels worth it. I think next time I’m just gonna say something to her. I’ll try to be as nice as possible, but also just tell her I was planning on using the equipment she’s holding but not using |
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Post by kirk815 on Aug 25, 2021 9:24:23 GMT -5
$90 seems like a lot for limited gym equipment. If I wasn't utilizing what makes the gym special (like the boxing), then personally, I would go to a normal gym and pay less money. If you don't want to leave or complain, then you are pretty much stuck with three options - going at a totally different time, saying something to them, or not doing anything/accepting that you are going to pay $90 and spend extra time to get your normal workout in. If you are close to the employees, I would ask the best time for you to go so you can accomplish what you want to do in the least amount of time. It sounds like they know exactly what they are doing so I would stick with changing my schedule to avoid them. You can't reason with entitled/unreasonable people - they probably thrive on fighting with people. I've watched too much Investigation Discovery to know that situations like this don't usually end well with people like this (especially if her husband sounds like a hot head too). I actually do take a lot of the boxing classes. I lift on the days I don’t box, so the $90 feels worth it. I think next time I’m just gonna say something to her. I’ll try to be as nice as possible, but also just tell her I was planning on using the equipment she’s holding but not using Whoops missed the part that you do box there. Good luck! Hopefully, they listen and change without giving you further issues. |
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X-27
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Post by X-27 on Aug 26, 2021 3:01:04 GMT -5
It's always going to be this way until you RKO her.
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