Stupid gym sh*t

hzs3fg

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I hit my local Planet Fitness 5 mornings a week and have been doing so for nearly four years. Yeah, I know what some people think of PF, but my local one is not so bad - has tons (literally) of free weights and does not enforce some of the crazy rules you read about for other PF locations.

This past week, I've seen a new guy maybe three times. I'll be honest about this, he strikes a lot of negative chords for me so perhaps I'm not being totally objective. He is short (5' 6'ish), 80 to 100 lbs overweight with one hell of a gut, has funky hair that he wears in a man bun, and - worst of all - his exposed limbs are totally covered with a mish-mash of poorly colored tattoos. He just ticks all the negative boxes for me. Oh yeah, for context, I'm guessing he is somewhere in his late thirties; maybe a bit older or younger - I'm terrible at estimating ages.

So, anyway, Friday morning I'm trying to finish up so I can hit the shower and get to work on time. I just had a few things left that I wanted to do, one of which involved the seated leg curl machine of which there are two available. One of them was in use.

As I was doing my stuff, I saw my "friend" apparently acting the role of personal trainer for a lady he was with. She was of similar age, quite overweight, and clearly seemed to be here to satisfy a New Year's resolution. I doubt that anyone would pay this guy to be a trainer since he doesn't look the role at all; my guess is that she is a friend, wife?, or maybe even a sister, as they shared certain features.

As I approached the area with the machine I wanted, she had just gotten off of it and they headed about 25 feet over to another area and other machines. I saw the opportunity to jump in and, even though I noticed some keys and other items on the floor near the machine, I jumped in anyway. I only wanted to get my 10 reps in and then move on, but quick as a wink this guy comes back to the machine and says something like, "We were using that machine; we really need it." I said don't worry, I'll be done in a moment. And I was. I made sure to give the machine a quick wipe as I exited it and then moved 10 feet away to my final machine for the day. While doing so, I said, "You know, we don't reserve machines here..."

Look, I could see if maybe he/she was a serious body builder with a specific, well-planned, routine. But that was not the case here. In fact, I strongly suspect that they will both be gone within a few weeks when her New Year's resolution plays itself out.

Was I wrong to jump into the machine when I had the chance to do so? If it happens again (trying to hold a machine in reserve), should I complain to the front desk? Frankly, I don't like confrontations and I have a feeling that would not end well.
 

DSF140

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I hit my local Planet Fitness 5 mornings a week and have been doing so for nearly four years. Yeah, I know what some people think of PF, but my local one is not so bad - has tons (literally) of free weights and does not enforce some of the crazy rules you read about for other PF locations.

This past week, I've seen a new guy maybe three times. I'll be honest about this, he strikes a lot of negative chords for me so perhaps I'm not being totally objective. He is short (5' 6'ish), 80 to 100 lbs overweight with one hell of a gut, has funky hair that he wears in a man bun, and - worst of all - his exposed limbs are totally covered with a mish-mash of poorly colored tattoos. He just ticks all the negative boxes for me. Oh yeah, for context, I'm guessing he is somewhere in his late thirties; maybe a bit older or younger - I'm terrible at estimating ages.

So, anyway, Friday morning I'm trying to finish up so I can hit the shower and get to work on time. I just had a few things left that I wanted to do, one of which involved the seated leg curl machine of which there are two available. One of them was in use.

As I was doing my stuff, I saw my "friend" apparently acting the role of personal trainer for a lady he was with. She was of similar age, quite overweight, and clearly seemed to be here to satisfy a New Year's resolution. I doubt that anyone would pay this guy to be a trainer since he doesn't look the role at all; my guess is that she is a friend, wife?, or maybe even a sister, as they shared certain features.

As I approached the area with the machine I wanted, she had just gotten off of it and they headed about 25 feet over to another area and other machines. I saw the opportunity to jump in and, even though I noticed some keys and other items on the floor near the machine, I jumped in anyway. I only wanted to get my 10 reps in and then move on, but quick as a wink this guy comes back to the machine and says something like, "We were using that machine; we really need it." I said don't worry, I'll be done in a moment. And I was. I made sure to give the machine a quick wipe as I exited it and then moved 10 feet away to my final machine for the day. While doing so, I said, "You know, we don't reserve machines here..."

Look, I could see if maybe he/she was a serious body builder with a specific, well-planned, routine. But that was not the case here. In fact, I strongly suspect that they will both be gone within a few weeks when her New Year's resolution plays itself out.

Was I wrong to jump into the machine when I had the chance to do so? If it happens again (trying to hold a machine in reserve), should I complain to the front desk? Frankly, I don't like confrontations and I have a feeling that would not end well.
No. Not wrong. When he says, "We were using..." say, "Yes, WERE using. Not using now."
 

5tarman

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Do leave towel/water bottle by equipment if no one else is using it to go get the right cable strap/handle (Normally cos some idiot’s nicked it to another piece of kit the other side of the gym) but that’s the only time and always make sure it’s free first.
Get annoyed when someone has obviously finished using a piece of kit, goes to use another piece and when you ask them if they’re finished with it, they say no and they’ve obviously reserving it to go back to it when they’ve done a complete set on the other! :mad:
 
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Nope you fine, I have had to deal with people using multiple machines probably for circuit training. Jumping in when they are not using is fine I’m sure they would do the same to you. I hare people who hog benches and equipment I don’t do it myself if someone wants to jump in fine buy me. But yes January sucks a bunch of new people who will be gone before the end of February
 
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Snarky_succubus

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I hit my local Planet Fitness 5 mornings a week and have been doing so for nearly four years. Yeah, I know what some people think of PF, but my local one is not so bad - has tons (literally) of free weights and does not enforce some of the crazy rules you read about for other PF locations.

This past week, I've seen a new guy maybe three times. I'll be honest about this, he strikes a lot of negative chords for me so perhaps I'm not being totally objective. He is short (5' 6'ish), 80 to 100 lbs overweight with one hell of a gut, has funky hair that he wears in a man bun, and - worst of all - his exposed limbs are totally covered with a mish-mash of poorly colored tattoos. He just ticks all the negative boxes for me. Oh yeah, for context, I'm guessing he is somewhere in his late thirties; maybe a bit older or younger - I'm terrible at estimating ages.

So, anyway, Friday morning I'm trying to finish up so I can hit the shower and get to work on time. I just had a few things left that I wanted to do, one of which involved the seated leg curl machine of which there are two available. One of them was in use.

As I was doing my stuff, I saw my "friend" apparently acting the role of personal trainer for a lady he was with. She was of similar age, quite overweight, and clearly seemed to be here to satisfy a New Year's resolution. I doubt that anyone would pay this guy to be a trainer since he doesn't look the role at all; my guess is that she is a friend, wife?, or maybe even a sister, as they shared certain features.

As I approached the area with the machine I wanted, she had just gotten off of it and they headed about 25 feet over to another area and other machines. I saw the opportunity to jump in and, even though I noticed some keys and other items on the floor near the machine, I jumped in anyway. I only wanted to get my 10 reps in and then move on, but quick as a wink this guy comes back to the machine and says something like, "We were using that machine; we really need it." I said don't worry, I'll be done in a moment. And I was. I made sure to give the machine a quick wipe as I exited it and then moved 10 feet away to my final machine for the day. While doing so, I said, "You know, we don't reserve machines here..."

Look, I could see if maybe he/she was a serious body builder with a specific, well-planned, routine. But that was not the case here. In fact, I strongly suspect that they will both be gone within a few weeks when her New Year's resolution plays itself out.

Was I wrong to jump into the machine when I had the chance to do so? If it happens again (trying to hold a machine in reserve), should I complain to the front desk? Frankly, I don't like confrontations and I have a feeling that would not end well.


Wrong? Meh. I would've asked if they were finished... but I don't think you were technically "wrong". The fact that you're leading this post with your obvious distaste for this guy because of how he looks... and that you fully noticed their things still next to the machine makes me seriously question whether your decision to hop on the machine without asking if they were finished with it was as innocent as you're saying. I don't think their level of fitness has *anything* to do with how this should be handled. At all. If supersets are allowed, they're allowed for everyone. If they're not, they're not. Standard gym etiquette would be... You saw their personal items on the floor by the machine they were just using... You ask if they're finished. They say no. You ask if you can work in a quick set. They say yes. End of issue. If I were doing a superset (which I don't with machines unless socalfreak and I are swapping 2... which is almost never) and you hopped on a machine I'd left my things next to... I'd have called you on it, too. Your response *should* have been "oh. I'm sorry. Do you mind if I just finish up my set? I'll be out of the way in no time"... Not "Don't worry. I'll be done in a moment".
Truth? I think you were being kind of a shit because this guy grosses you out... but you do, I guess.
 

HOU_HEADHUNTER

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I don't think you were wrong and I don't know that the man and his client were intentionally being possessive of the machine. In all fairness they probably thought you were going to take over the machine while they were in the middle of a circuit training session which explains why the keys were left there to let others know. I see this often and simply ask the person if I could work in on the same machine or if I know that I have a quick set that I want to complete I just give them a heads up that I will be done in no time and is just trying to finish up with a last set before having to leave the gym.
 

hzs3fg

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Neither of them was anywhere near the machine when I jumped in to it.

Was i supposed to chase them down?

Um, no.

And, as far as circuit training goes, no, you don't get to hold three, four, or even just two machines to satisfy your personal circuit. If just three or four people did that then no one else would get any machine time at all.
 
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Neither of them was anywhere near the machine when I jumped in to it.

Was i supposed to chase them down?

Um, no.

And, as far as circuit training goes, no, you don't get to hold three, four, or even just two machines to satisfy your personal circuit. If just three or four people did that then no one else would get any machine time at all.

I try to be very conscious of this as well, particularly if the gym is busy. I'd really like to do some supersets but I don't want to be that asshole that has two machines tied up..
 

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I hit my local Planet Fitness 5 mornings a week and have been doing so for nearly four years. Yeah, I know what some people think of PF, but my local one is not so bad - has tons (literally) of free weights and does not enforce some of the crazy rules you read about for other PF locations.

This past week, I've seen a new guy maybe three times. I'll be honest about this, he strikes a lot of negative chords for me so perhaps I'm not being totally objective. He is short (5' 6'ish), 80 to 100 lbs overweight with one hell of a gut, has funky hair that he wears in a man bun, and - worst of all - his exposed limbs are totally covered with a mish-mash of poorly colored tattoos. He just ticks all the negative boxes for me. Oh yeah, for context, I'm guessing he is somewhere in his late thirties; maybe a bit older or younger - I'm terrible at estimating ages.

So, anyway, Friday morning I'm trying to finish up so I can hit the shower and get to work on time. I just had a few things left that I wanted to do, one of which involved the seated leg curl machine of which there are two available. One of them was in use.

As I was doing my stuff, I saw my "friend" apparently acting the role of personal trainer for a lady he was with. She was of similar age, quite overweight, and clearly seemed to be here to satisfy a New Year's resolution. I doubt that anyone would pay this guy to be a trainer since he doesn't look the role at all; my guess is that she is a friend, wife?, or maybe even a sister, as they shared certain features.

As I approached the area with the machine I wanted, she had just gotten off of it and they headed about 25 feet over to another area and other machines. I saw the opportunity to jump in and, even though I noticed some keys and other items on the floor near the machine, I jumped in anyway. I only wanted to get my 10 reps in and then move on, but quick as a wink this guy comes back to the machine and says something like, "We were using that machine; we really need it." I said don't worry, I'll be done in a moment. And I was. I made sure to give the machine a quick wipe as I exited it and then moved 10 feet away to my final machine for the day. While doing so, I said, "You know, we don't reserve machines here..."

Look, I could see if maybe he/she was a serious body builder with a specific, well-planned, routine. But that was not the case here. In fact, I strongly suspect that they will both be gone within a few weeks when her New Year's resolution plays itself out.

Was I wrong to jump into the machine when I had the chance to do so? If it happens again (trying to hold a machine in reserve), should I complain to the front desk? Frankly, I don't like confrontations and I have a feeling that would not end well.

I get your frustration, but I always ask, or just say can I just finish my 10 reps. Usually people are cool about it. That being said, it totally pisses me off when people are trying to work a circuit....I guess, and expect to be able to hog 2-3 machines, or benches at the same time. My favorite is someone using the dumbbells in the the squat racks-not using the SR just want the mirror or using two benches so the can do some sort of shoulder damaging reverse push up. As someone said below, welcome to January-They will probably be gone by March.
 

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I also use machines for the most part. Not being a bodybuilder, and just wanting to tone and get a solid body, I will let people cut in without an issue. On one machine I spend a lot of time (abs), and if I notice someone looking like they are waiting I will ask if they want to cut in. I than shift to a 2nd and machine and work different muscles. When they finish I will shift back and finish my weighted crunches.
 
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I don't think you were wrong; sharing equipment is a big part of gym etiquette. But you should always say something like "Mind if I work in quick between sets?" first, even if it is not obvious that there is someone there to hear it. Most of the time the answer is yes. And working in has to be reasonable-- it means you can use the equipment as-is, maybe just quickly move the weight pin, then put it back. It's not reasonable if you have to adjust the seat and load a bunch of 45 lb plates.
 

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I ask to work in if I can see the people nearby. Otherwise, I work in without permission and just seek forgiveness later if they come by. When I did supersets at the gym, I did them in the middle of the night, after the evening peeps, and before the morning peeps.

While I don't think you were wrong, I do think you could have been gentler. Instead of being a turd about their level of fitness, maybe consider putting out a welcoming vibe, and introduce them to gym culture. You don't know anything about them. Maybe they used to be fitness models who got fat when their parents became ill and they stopped caring as well for themselves because they were being responsible offspring. Or maybe they always wanted to do better, but only recently found the courage to face what we all know can be an intimidating environment. Be a good neighbor.

When I first became active as an adult, I weighed 225-230 pounds. I had known that I was buying bigger clothes, but I swear I couldn't see a difference in the mirror. My scale was analog, and not registering the extra weight. I knew I was fat, but I thought I was 200 pounds for the longest time. I asked friends, but they said I looked the same. I finally saw a photo of myself holding a new relative, and I was appalled! I was in the gym just about every day, and I joined weight watchers. It was a January, as those had been Thanksgiving photos shown to me at Christmas. I bet a lot of stuck up assholes assumed I'd be gone by the end of the month. I bet they thought that's what happened whenever I disappeared. Actually, it took a little trial and error to find the right gym for me. Did I need multiple locations? Or was it better to just go to a place near home? Near school? Near work? What was going to help me most within my price range? I chose a private gym with one location two miles from my house. I walked there to warm up and walked home to cool down, but there was a bus on my route if I got into trouble on the way home.

A year or so into my journey, but only a few months into my tenure at that gym, a man approached me. Huge. Easily 300 pounds overweight. I had only seen him a few times. He was so nervous, but he wanted to ask me about my stretching habits. I helped him understand what I did, when I did it, and why. He thanked me. I noticed he began to stretch. I switched gyms again. A few years later, I encountered a family at the movies. The man asked if I used to go to Omni in Pelham Manor. That was the place. He said I had been the first member he ever spoke to, and I was so helpful and patient, that it emboldened him to talk to other members, and eventually to get a trainer. He said he hadn't had a clue what he should be doing. He was just doing what he saw others do, and whatever looked like he could figure out without asking anyone how something worked. He introduced me to his wife, and their little relatives. He was unrecognizable. Probably about 30 pounds overweight, maybe. A huge change. He said he still kept up with working out.

Over the years, sometimes I'm super active, and sometimes I'm not. Like now. I'm really squishy all over. LOL And when I get sick of myself, I'll take care of that. I'll probably just use the gym I've been slowly building in my house. I have free weights, the Bowflex Max Trainer, a heavy bag, a speed bag, jump ropes, weighted balls, the big ball, all the yoga gear imaginable and an entertainment center. I maintain a gym membership in case I feel motivated to do Olympic lifts. I'd like to think the men who populate that section will continue to be respectful and helpful. I am too shy to ask just anyone for a spot, for example, but people have been friendly enough that I felt okay asking for that kind of help, and when I was regular, it helped me set new PRs and really progress faster.

Community doesn't build itself. The old guard has to educate newbies about the etiquette and expectations, and should do it in a way that promotes good, lifelong habits, especially those whose fat deposits are so offensive and disturbing. I know fat people aren't allowed to occupy space, and they definitely can't ever be serious about not being fat anymore, but you never know.
 
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Wrong? Meh. I would've asked if they were finished... but I don't think you were technically "wrong". The fact that you're leading this post with your obvious distaste for this guy because of how he looks... and that you fully noticed their things still next to the machine makes me seriously question whether your decision to hop on the machine without asking if they were finished with it was as innocent as you're saying. I don't think their level of fitness has *anything* to do with how this should be handled. At all. If supersets are allowed, they're allowed for everyone. If they're not, they're not. Standard gym etiquette would be... You saw their personal items on the floor by the machine they were just using... You ask if they're finished. They say no. You ask if you can work in a quick set. They say yes. End of issue. If I were doing a superset (which I don't with machines unless socalfreak and I are swapping 2... which is almost never) and you hopped on a machine I'd left my things next to... I'd have called you on it, too. Your response *should* have been "oh. I'm sorry. Do you mind if I just finish up my set? I'll be out of the way in no time"... Not "Don't worry. I'll be done in a moment".
Truth? I think you were being kind of a shit because this guy grosses you out... but you do, I guess.
Well put, @Snarky_succubus !
 

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Perhaps I interact in a way where the other person's looks are irrelevant. I don't gross out if someone is out of shape (hell, I give them kudos for doing something about it), and I'm not intimidated by the big guys or hot chicks. One can quickly discern if keys, water bottles, etc. were left unintentionally or if someone is supersetting at more than one bench. So I ask if I can work-in between the other person's sets. I have never had anyone tell me no. Maybe it's the gym I work out at, but I've rarely seen the nonsense that people are describing. And on the flip side, whenever anyone asks how many more sets I have, I am honest and I always invite them to work in between my sets. About half the time the other person takes me up on the offer. It's how one makes friends in the gym.
 

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Perhaps I interact in a way where the other person's looks are irrelevant. I don't gross out if someone is out of shape (hell, I give them kudos for doing something about it), and I'm not intimidated by the big guys or hot chicks. One can quickly discern if keys, water bottles, etc. were left unintentionally or if someone is supersetting at more than one bench. So I ask if I can work-in between the other person's sets. I have never had anyone tell me no. Maybe it's the gym I work out at, but I've rarely seen the nonsense that people are describing. And on the flip side, whenever anyone asks how many more sets I have, I am honest and I always invite them to work in between my sets. About half the time the other person takes me up on the offer. It's how one makes friends in the gym.
Exactly @DSF140 ! I can relate and agree on all counts.
 
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