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I had something happen at the gym today that I'm not sure I handled the right way. I work out in the mornings, so as to avoid the after work rush. It's still a busy time, and sometimes you have to try to work in with other people depending on your routine.

Well, we have a very long dumbbell rack with multiple instances of weights. For example, 45 45 45 - 50 50 50 - 55 55 55. Well, the next exercise in my routine was dumbbell curls. Two guys are standing right in front of the racks, and are doing very fast reps of curls where they start at one weight and then move up. The first time I saw them doing it, they were skipping weights by 5-10 pounds per set. Well, wouldn't you know it, I walked up and grabbed the last set of 35 lb weights just as he was about to grab them. I honestly didn't even realize it until I turned back around and both of the guys were throwing me attitude, dirty looks, head shakes, the works. My instincts took over and my response was, "I can't read your mind, and you don't own the rack. Get over it."

Was I right? Or should I have been paying more attention to what they were doing and waited for them to finish? I guess I just got really irritated that he assumed he should be able to just hover over the weights and take whatever he needs whenever he needs them, regardless of what other people are doing.

Please be honest on if you think it should have been handled differently, and at this point, should I apologize the next time I see them?

While you are probably right, I would make an effort to apologize, if for no other reason than it would suck to have any animosity among gym-goers using the same equipment day in and day out. I would hate to be working out next to someone I pissed off two days before. I just wouldn't be comfortable any longer.

Also, when I'm finishing one exercise, I'm planning where I'm going next. If I see something going on at the machine I headed for, I try to anticipate what they are doing, and where they may go next. If I think I'll be in the way, I'll ask "can I cut in?" or "mind if I use those?"

Of course, I'm the type of person that hates confrontation and would do anything to avoid it. Even if that meant apologizing when I'm probably in the right, just to keep the air clear.

YMMV

look_aliveAlso, when I'm finishing one exercise, I'm planning where I'm going next. If I see something going on at the machine I headed for, I try to anticipate what they are doing, and where they may go next. If I think I'll be in the way, I'll ask "can I cut in?" or "mind if I use those?"

That's what I had been doing. They were going up, the first one went, then the second one. They took a break. They started again, only this time, apparently instead of going up in weight, they went down.

As far as the apology, that's what I was thinking. Just to ensure there's no bad blood or anything.

They dont own the rack, you are right. But I would say once you realized that you had interrupted their progress, you should have offered the weights right back and apologized...just out of courtesy.

If it's on the rack, it's fair game. If it's needed for the superset, they should have removed it from the rack to their little corner OUT OF THE WAY OF THE RACK.

Additionally, you shouldn't have responded the way you did. Tact is a good thing to clearing misunderstandings.

Hey man. I was a personal trainer for over eight years at several gyms in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. I would apologize first since you will probably be seeing these guys again at the same time working out in the gym.

The first problem is they are blocking the dumbbell rack. This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Grab what you need and get out of the way. Don't stand there in front of the mirror, doing your curls or whatever, blocking everyone else.

You could have also waited the 45 seconds while he finished using the dumbbells he needed, unless his buddy was doing the exact same exercise with the exact same weights.

Could you have used 40's for your exercise? Sure, and so could he.

Next time you see him I would apologize and be the bigger man and keep these hints in mind for next time.

I agree with CoolArmy. If they were doing supersets, they should stop being lazy and take the necessary weights off the rack so that it's obvious.

On the other hand, people run into each other all the time at the gym and courtesy and tact keep it from escalating.

It's over now. I wouldn't bother going back and apologizing like lookalive suggests. What's done is done. You both sort of made mistakes.

Next.

coolarmydude saidIf it's on the rack, it's fair game. If it's needed for the superset, they should have removed it from the rack to their little corner OUT OF THE WAY OF THE RACK.

Additionally, you shouldn't have responded the way you did. Tact is a good thing to clearing misunderstandings.

I agree I shouldn't have said anything. But since I did, should I apologize?

They don't own the rack. People don't get to put a hold on dumbells they're using for the next set, and certainly not if they're on the rack. If they want never to have to wait, then they can buy a set of dumbells and work out at home. Everyone waits at the gym. You were fine in using them. But, when it was clear they wanted them, too, you probably should have stated your case with a bit more courtesy.

I hate "rack hovering". Just because something is in your personnal space doesn't mean it's yours. If you're not currently using a weight, it's everyones to take.

But, this is one of the reasons why I had to get away from the college gym and go to a private gym. Students practice "rack hovering" like whoa.

well, you were wrong in that you should have just waited for them to finish. nothing is more important to muscle heads like that than them thinking they are more important than anyone else in the gym. just an apology would be enough for me but then again if the gym was busy you have every right to use the weights.

LMAO! Your response made me literally "lol". In my opinion, no one has the right to occupy any thing that isn't theirs. I'm sure there were more or different weights that the guys could have used. You were there first. It would be like giving up a parking spot when you get their first. That's just how I see it. Your response was a little mean, but I'm sure they weren't expecting it. lol. I wish I could have seen the look on their faces.

coolarmydude saidIf it's on the rack, it's fair game. If it's needed for the superset, they should have removed it from the rack to their little corner OUT OF THE WAY OF THE RACK.

Additionally, you shouldn't have responded the way you did. Tact is a good thing to clearing misunderstandings.

God no. Please don't remove your weights and take them off somewhere else. It drives the rest of us crazy.

screw those guys, that sounds like a stupid exercise anyway. they should have been quicker.

anybody worth having good blood with would understand that they don't own the rack. thats an annoying thing for them to do anyway.

Guess I'm in the minority because I don't think your response was that bad given the fact they were giving you the evil eye and shaking their heads disapprovingly. They could have just been like, "Actually, we're using those" or "Do you mind if we use those for one more set?" It's kind of obnoxious that they acted like they owned the place - if they had a problem with you using the weights, they could have said something without acting nasty about it.

awol77 saidI had something happen at the gym today that I'm not sure I handled the right way. I work out in the mornings, so as to avoid the after work rush. It's still a busy time, and sometimes you have to try to work in with other people depending on your routine.

Well, we have a very long dumbbell rack with multiple instances of weights. For example, 45 45 45 - 50 50 50 - 55 55 55. Well, the next exercise in my routine was dumbbell curls. Two guys are standing right in front of the racks, and are doing very fast reps of curls where they start at one weight and then move up. The first time I saw them doing it, they were skipping weights by 5-10 pounds per set. Well, wouldn't you know it, I walked up and grabbed the last set of 35 lb weights just as he was about to grab them. I honestly didn't even realize it until I turned back around and both of the guys were throwing me attitude, dirty looks, head shakes, the works. My instincts took over and my response was, "I can't read your mind, and you don't own the rack. Get over it."

Was I right? Or should I have been paying more attention to what they were doing and waited for them to finish? I guess I just got really irritated that he assumed he should be able to just hover over the weights and take whatever he needs whenever he needs them, regardless of what other people are doing.

Please be honest on if you think it should have been handled differently, and at this point, should I apologize the next time I see them?

I was doing dumbbell curls and back all yesterday at the gym. It was night time and lot of people... I was doing 20, 15, 10, and 5. Each dumbbells I do ten time and go to the next dumbbell 3 set. I always have it on the floor so that people understand I am using it. If those rude guys have their dumbbells on the shelf or on the rack. Then you have more right to take it. It is their false that they didn't have dumbells on the floor for them to exercise.

I have notice that most guys love to show off their negative attitude, while they work out and pretend they workout hard. After or before workout they are very nice....

Last night I was using one exercise machine for my back and I have my workout paper on the chair that people understand someone is using it. I went to get a drink and went right back. Then I saw one guy took my exercise without asking if someone is using it. He saw my workout paper and put it on the floor! I went up to him told him I have my paper workout on the chair and I was using that machine. He was like oh i am sorry I didn't know you were using it. I was like then why I have my workout paper on the chair dumbass! but I told him go ahead use it.

No don't need to apologize to them. Just try to be nicer next time...

I've encountered people like that...I would have asked "can i work in with you?", as a a courtesy even if you weren't sure. It goes a long way to being a good gym citizen to ask or offer if you think someone might be using the equipment.

And if they still give you dirty looks after asking, screw 'em...they obviously don't have any sense of gym etiquette.

heaven forbid they work the sets with you in-between?

blinktwice4y saidscrew those guys, that sounds like a stupid exercise anyway. they should have been quicker.

anybody worth having good blood with would understand that they don't own the rack. thats an annoying thing for them to do anyway.

Nah, the dumbbell curls exercise take very long time. And it isn't a stupid exercise....

I know I overreacted. Honestly, it was probably pent up from a situation that had happened with someone else awhile back, but I had made up mind then that I wasn't going to let someone else dictate my workout. I'd already been a doormat once, and I didn't want it to happen again.

And like I said, when I was watching them go through the routine just prior to this, they were going up in weights. This time they went down. I was trying to be conscious of what was going on, but it didn't work out.

I had to laugh, too, when I read it. I've been there before. I had passive aggressive people who give dirty looks but don't say anything. They should have said something to you and you overreacted. However, I think what you said would have been fine if you hadn't added the "get over it" part. It's very easy to go from doormat to overreacting until you can find the middle ground of being polite but assertive.

PhxAriz08 said
Last night I was using one exercise machine for my back and I have my workout paper on the chair that people understand someone is using it. I went to get a drink and went right back. Then I saw one guy took my exercise without asking if someone is using it. He saw my workout paper and put it on the floor! I went up to him told him I have my paper workout on the chair and I was using that machine. He was like oh i am sorry I didn't know you were using it. I was like then why I have my workout paper on the chair dumbass! but I told him go ahead use it.

No don't need to apologize to them. Just try to be nicer next time...

I'm not sure I agree with this. If you walk away from the equipment you are using to get a drink, you can't honestly expect someone to believe or know you still have another set or two to do of that exercise and will be right back, regardless whether or not your "workout paper" is on it.

I don't believe that is practicing gym etiquette.

I totally would have said the same things! or at least gave some kind of attitude.

for them to throw looks and attitude is cowardly, at least you had the nerve to respond. If they had a problem though should have said something.

Bah, never entertain doubts by asking "was I wrong?"
Instead, ask "where can I hide the bodies?"

nikeathlete said[quote][cite]PhxAriz08 said[/cite]
Last night I was using one exercise machine for my back and I have my workout paper on the chair that people understand someone is using it. I went to get a drink and went right back. Then I saw one guy took my exercise without asking if someone is using it. He saw my workout paper and put it on the floor! I went up to him told him I have my paper workout on the chair and I was using that machine. He was like oh i am sorry I didn't know you were using it. I was like then why I have my workout paper on the chair dumbass! but I told him go ahead use it.

No don't need to apologize to them. Just try to be nicer next time...

I'm not sure I agree with this. If you walk away from the equipment you are using to get a drink, you can't honestly expect someone to believe or know you still have another set or two to do of that exercise and will be right back, regardless whether or not your "workout paper" is on it.

I don't believe that is practicing gym etiquette.[/quote]

I put my cell phone and my car key on the floor next to the equipment. My workout paper is on the chair. If I am that person, I will ask if anybody is using that equipment. At my gym everybody get a drink and come back. People should know better if someone is using it, when they have stuff around the equipment.

What really get me on my nerves that some people don't clean up after themselves. Some people don't take the weight off the equipment and some time the equipment or the bench is wet from the sweat.

First of all, they were doing an exercise called "running the rack". It is an old time exercise that I do on occassion. I start with the largest dumbbells I can curl, do as many reps as possible, then move to the next set of lighter ones, all the way down to the 10lbs. dumbells.

BUT, I would never be upset if someone grabbed the next weights I planned on using. Nobody owns the weights. Especially in an exercise like that that uses pretty much all the dumbells. If someone took the weights I planned on using, I would just move to the next weight and curl till I could do no more, then move on.

As far as gym etiquette, people should not use more than one piece of equipment at a time. If you need to superset two machines, go to the gym when no one else is there. Your workout is not more important than my workout. "Owning" a machine is my biggest pet peeve. Use it, move on.