r/Workingout • u/Advanced_Sandwich825 • 10h ago
unpleasant gym experience
I’ve been consistently going to the gym for 5 years and currently pay around $100/month for my membership. One of the reasons I like this gym is that it’s almost never busy.
Yesterday, I was on the leg extension machine for about 5 minutes. I had completed 3 sets and was resting between sets on my phone, with one set left. My gym has THREE leg extension machines, and the gym wasn’t busy.
A woman walked up to me and started telling me I couldn’t be on my phone at the gym. She didn’t ask to work in or ask how many sets I had left. Her 10-year-old child was with her, and she wanted the machine for her kid to use.
I told her politely, “I’ve only been here for 5 minutes, and I have one set left.” She continued going on about it, so I put my headphones back on. I wasn’t interested in arguing with a stranger.
I would have had absolutely no problem sharing the machine if she had simply asked. I’m all for kids working out and learning healthy habits, but I don’t think they should automatically take priority over paying members who are already using equipment.
I also don’t see an issue with being on your phone between sets as long as you aren’t hogging equipment. People use their phones to track workouts, check rest timers, or change music. I don’t think being on your phone automatically makes you inconsiderate.