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Gym behaviour and etiquette
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
Joined a gym for the first time in 12 years and love the people watching part of it.
I just walk on a threadmill for an hour everyday
I think I'm the only one without a phone and headphones in the place as I just listen to the loud music playing
The phones are used to take photos and send messages by everyone that has them while sitting on the machines
Some people just walk around talking to everyone else on the machines
Some people take a minute on a machine and spend 5 mins preening in front of the machines
About 10 % seem to be doing an actual workout
Are gyms a social place now
I know I sound like Victor Meldrew but it's not a rant ...just an observation  |
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Yip gyms are a social place now.
That is just part and parcel of it, its not such a bad thing tbh.
The owners/staff should manage the lounging/hogging of machines but I've always found a polite question and people will either finish up or let you on the machines.
I'm 100% a headphones on person too 🤣 |
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
"I'm in the gym a year this week I'm so anti social. The only people I mainly talk to are Fabbers I run into there "
Gym membership suddenly goes up in kildare as petrol sales at junction 14 falls
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I use the gym to keep fit. I'm not really interested in what others around me are doing.
But I do chat to people in the swimming pool, steamroom and jacuzzi..........
I always tend to be sociable with my clothes off.
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I joined one 5 years ago for something to do in the mornings before a stupid work shift that didn't start until 11.
Zero interaction between people and mostly teens or mid 20s creating content.
Hired a PT to get me started and he was more interested in what the others were posting and sharing links with them.
I binned him and left the gym after a month. It wasn't my scene at all.
Before that the only time I had set foot in one was 20+ years ago when rehabbing an injury.
There was no social media back then but the same lack of interest from the staff. It was council run and they spent most of their time with the long term regulars and apart from showing newbies how each piece of equipment worked they offered no advice and weren't very approachable. |
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
I'm enjoying the people watching as much as the exercise to be honest.
One guy beside me 2 nights ago fell off the threadmill while trying to watch a video on his phone
I'm doing well to drink my water without falling off
Why do couples share machines ....one watches on their phone
One uses the machine for a minute or 2 then they switch ....taking 5 mins to switch over...
Who needs big fecking bottles of water....are you really going to drink 2 ltrs a session
The gym gear has definitely changed
I rock up in my best Decathon runners and tshirts
Half the crowd are dressed to the nines
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"
Why do couples share machines ....one watches on their phone
One uses the machine for a minute or 2 then they switch ....taking 5 mins to switch over...
"
Assuming you're talking about the weight machines -- when doing certain sets and looking for certain results it can be useful to have 2-3 min or more between sets ao it would be ideal for a couple to be swapping in and out instead of hogging 2 separate machines. |
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
"
Why do couples share machines ....one watches on their phone
One uses the machine for a minute or 2 then they switch ....taking 5 mins to switch over...
Assuming you're talking about the weight machines -- when doing certain sets and looking for certain results it can be useful to have 2-3 min or more between sets ao it would be ideal for a couple to be swapping in and out instead of hogging 2 separate machines. "
That answers that question so....all new to me .. |
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"I joined one 5 years ago for something to do in the mornings before a stupid work shift that didn't start until 11.
Zero interaction between people and mostly teens or mid 20s creating content.
Hired a PT to get me started and he was more interested in what the others were posting and sharing links with them.
I binned him and left the gym after a month. It wasn't my scene at all.
Before that the only time I had set foot in one was 20+ years ago when rehabbing an injury.
There was no social media back then but the same lack of interest from the staff. It was council run and they spent most of their time with the long term regulars and apart from showing newbies how each piece of equipment worked they offered no advice and weren't very approachable. "
All sorts in the gym. It's a great place to people watch.
I do feel kinda sorry for those who have no idea what their doing and too often the PTs in gyms are just not good enough. Just handing out generic programmes that are not realistic for most people, and just generally not interested! |
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"I joined one 5 years ago for something to do in the mornings before a stupid work shift that didn't start until 11.
Zero interaction between people and mostly teens or mid 20s creating content.
Hired a PT to get me started and he was more interested in what the others were posting and sharing links with them.
I binned him and left the gym after a month. It wasn't my scene at all.
Before that the only time I had set foot in one was 20+ years ago when rehabbing an injury.
There was no social media back then but the same lack of interest from the staff. It was council run and they spent most of their time with the long term regulars and apart from showing newbies how each piece of equipment worked they offered no advice and weren't very approachable.
All sorts in the gym. It's a great place to people watch.
I do feel kinda sorry for those who have no idea what their doing and too often the PTs in gyms are just not good enough. Just handing out generic programmes that are not realistic for most people, and just generally not interested!"
This guy was supposed to have been head hunted from another gym according to one of his team mates.
He gave me a nutrition programme that was specifically designed for my needs and I called bs on it because everything on it contained dairy which I'm intolerant to.
He amended that but it was still useless because he still had numerous foods and products containing whey.
Third time around he started talking about restricting my daily intake to 2000 calories and again we fell out because I had already told him I was burning 3000 a day just at work and more at weekends and I wanted a programme that allowed me to bulk rather than lose even more weight than I already had.
I pulled the plug at that point and told him I didn't need his help but quit the gym a few weeks later because I found it boring as fuck in comparison to climbing mountains. |
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By (user no longer on site) 4 weeks ago
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As a regular gym goer and a coach of youth sports teams, here is my two pence. Most people don’t exercise hard enough to achieve significant gains. The gym is something people like to tell others they go to.
Not all PT’s are the same lots have online qualifications.
The phones are used to pass the time because I think most people find it really boring |
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By (user no longer on site) 4 weeks ago
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We have a rule in the club gym if your caught hogging the machine or on your phone sitting at the racks your called out on it and have to go to the pitch and do 5 henny mullers, puts a stop to that crac quickly! |
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The level of pay in the fitness industry is shit.
You can qualify as a PT with zero experience in a matter of months (part time remote learning).
So the level of expertise, experience and service can vary hugely.
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"I joined one 5 years ago for something to do in the mornings before a stupid work shift that didn't start until 11.
Zero interaction between people and mostly teens or mid 20s creating content.
Hired a PT to get me started and he was more interested in what the others were posting and sharing links with them.
I binned him and left the gym after a month. It wasn't my scene at all.
Before that the only time I had set foot in one was 20+ years ago when rehabbing an injury.
There was no social media back then but the same lack of interest from the staff. It was council run and they spent most of their time with the long term regulars and apart from showing newbies how each piece of equipment worked they offered no advice and weren't very approachable.
All sorts in the gym. It's a great place to people watch.
I do feel kinda sorry for those who have no idea what their doing and too often the PTs in gyms are just not good enough. Just handing out generic programmes that are not realistic for most people, and just generally not interested!
This guy was supposed to have been head hunted from another gym according to one of his team mates.
He gave me a nutrition programme that was specifically designed for my needs and I called bs on it because everything on it contained dairy which I'm intolerant to.
He amended that but it was still useless because he still had numerous foods and products containing whey.
Third time around he started talking about restricting my daily intake to 2000 calories and again we fell out because I had already told him I was burning 3000 a day just at work and more at weekends and I wanted a programme that allowed me to bulk rather than lose even more weight than I already had.
I pulled the plug at that point and told him I didn't need his help but quit the gym a few weeks later because I found it boring as fuck in comparison to climbing mountains. "
If your already in reasonably good shape, some will try and cut to get some body fat off. Can reveal a bit more muscle and definition. Makes it look like you're making great progress!
A friend of mine, who was not a gym goer went to a well recognised PT. He put her on a Pull/Push programme which involved gym at least 5 days per week. I thought it was ridiculous starting a beginner with no real experience or strength, straight onto something like that! |
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"Joined a gym for the first time in 12 years and love the people watching part of it.
I just walk on a threadmill for an hour everyday
I think I'm the only one without a phone and headphones in the place as I just listen to the loud music playing
The phones are used to take photos and send messages by everyone that has them while sitting on the machines
Some people just walk around talking to everyone else on the machines
Some people take a minute on a machine and spend 5 mins preening in front of the machines
About 10 % seem to be doing an actual workout
Are gyms a social place now
I know I sound like Victor Meldrew but it's not a rant ...just an observation "
It can be an absolute disaster at times though, ya go in to get your work out done but all too often people hogging equipment, egos flexing in front of mirrors,half of them wannabe insta influencers 🙄 |
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By *ACOLCouple 4 weeks ago
limerick |
I go to the gym for 1 hr 4 days a week, I don't look at my phone and I just keep my headphones in, I try to use the less popular machines and try to keep a machine for the whole duration, I know the regulars, but I don't talk to anyone.
I just feel like that hr is for me and me only, I only answer emergency calls.
But yeah I do notice people use it to socialise.
Lina |
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By *alway19Man 4 weeks ago
galway/ Westmeath |
The gym can be so much to so many in different ways.
Personally if I’m the gym with other people my productivity goes down as I’m talking to everyone about everything.
I like to workout at 6am or earlier when it’s empty.
Everyone entering the gym has their why and it’s important to remember that they at one point were a beginner too and may have struggled with many things holding them back from exercise.
Next time you see someone doing a pose in the mirror say well done you are smashing it, you look great.
Believe it or not that might be just what they needed to keep going that day.
No matter what environment we are in you will across some asshole but making the effort to cheer someone on no matter how small the win can be just the change in culture everyone needs.
One more rep 💪 |
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
In case anyone is reading this wrong I'm not knocking the people in the gym just observations about gym behaviour
If anyone is looking at me I dread to think what they'd say while I'm doing my walking while trying to stay on the bloody machine |
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"The gym can be so much to so many in different ways.
Personally if I’m the gym with other people my productivity goes down as I’m talking to everyone about everything.
I like to workout at 6am or earlier when it’s empty.
Everyone entering the gym has their why and it’s important to remember that they at one point were a beginner too and may have struggled with many things holding them back from exercise.
Next time you see someone doing a pose in the mirror say well done you are smashing it, you look great.
Believe it or not that might be just what they needed to keep going that day.
No matter what environment we are in you will across some asshole but making the effort to cheer someone on no matter how small the win can be just the change in culture everyone needs.
One more rep 💪"
I had terrible gymtimidation when I joined gym but I learnt that comparison to others is the theft of your own joy. Lots of people are struggling at the gym with confidence issues so a kind word or a compliment goes a long way. I complimented a newbie the other day she was beaming after it. She said I made her day |
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By *alway19Man 4 weeks ago
galway/ Westmeath |
"In case anyone is reading this wrong I'm not knocking the people in the gym just observations about gym behaviour
If anyone is looking at me I dread to think what they'd say while I'm doing my walking while trying to stay on the bloody machine "
Keep going man you’re doing great 💪 |
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By *alway19Man 4 weeks ago
galway/ Westmeath |
"The gym can be so much to so many in different ways.
Personally if I’m the gym with other people my productivity goes down as I’m talking to everyone about everything.
I like to workout at 6am or earlier when it’s empty.
Everyone entering the gym has their why and it’s important to remember that they at one point were a beginner too and may have struggled with many things holding them back from exercise.
Next time you see someone doing a pose in the mirror say well done you are smashing it, you look great.
Believe it or not that might be just what they needed to keep going that day.
No matter what environment we are in you will across some asshole but making the effort to cheer someone on no matter how small the win can be just the change in culture everyone needs.
One more rep 💪
I had terrible gymtimidation when I joined gym but I learnt that comparison to others is the theft of your own joy. Lots of people are struggling at the gym with confidence issues so a kind word or a compliment goes a long way. I complimented a newbie the other day she was beaming after it. She said I made her day "
I love this. |
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All gyms are not equal. It's like a coffee shop or a restaurant. Try a few different ones before you commit to joining. Most will have some options either free or paid to try them out.
Remember that the gym is there to serve your needs not the other way around, use it whatever way makes you happy and healthy.
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"Joined a gym for the first time in 12 years and love the people watching part of it.
I just walk on a threadmill for an hour everyday
I think I'm the only one without a phone and headphones in the place as I just listen to the loud music playing
The phones are used to take photos and send messages by everyone that has them while sitting on the machines
Some people just walk around talking to everyone else on the machines
Some people take a minute on a machine and spend 5 mins preening in front of the machines
About 10 % seem to be doing an actual workout
Are gyms a social place now
I know I sound like Victor Meldrew but it's not a rant ...just an observation "
I track my workouts on the phone and change music.
Also depending on the type of exercise I rest either 1 minutes or 3 max.
And also hate the music playing in the gyms lol. So headphones are a must
Think it also depends on the gym how much ppl just us it to socialise. Lucky mine ppl mainly come train and go |
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
I listen to music for most of the day ...but it's usually easy listening stuff
The gym plays stuff that spin fm would probably play
I hate Spin FM but it seems to be ideal walking music for me anyway |
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Tbh with smartphones and earbuds, some gym goers seem more insulated from chatting and less sociable in the gym. I also find that while women occasionally check phones between sets, the lads mistake a chest press machine for a cozy sofa and text away between sets oblivious to the poor fecker waiting to use the machine  (Just being honest lads  )
Mid morning exercisers are usually the chattiest and you'll meet the same regulars who are happy go lucky and great craic whereas the 6am'ers (in a rush)and after work crew (wrecked after work) don't chat as much. Classes is the place to meet people and can always be a good ice breaker if you meet them outside the gym... "Haven't seen you in box fit for ages, have you hung up the gloves?"
Some people go through the motions, others socialise and some train like lunatics. Gym life  |
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Forgot the mainstream gyms folks....join a gaa club, about 120e a year...24 hrs access to a top class gym, some have cryo baths, only one drawback...most of them dont have mirrors you can admire yourself in..... |
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By *panishRebelMan 4 weeks ago
Alicante Spain, and Cork City Ireland |
"Forgot the mainstream gyms folks....join a gaa club, about 120e a year...24 hrs access to a top class gym, some have cryo baths, only one drawback...most of them dont have mirrors you can admire yourself in....."
Great advice.
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By *asual777Man 4 weeks ago
i travel all over |
There is a theory that young people used to graduate , get a job buy a house then have kids
These days some of the above is so much harder , gym selfies are at least something you can show off and control . Looking good easier than borrowing 10 times your salary |
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By *og-Man OP Man 4 weeks ago
somewhere |
"There is a theory that young people used to graduate , get a job buy a house then have kids
These days some of the above is so much harder , gym selfies are at least something you can show off and control . Looking good easier than borrowing 10 times your salary "
Very true ....except 10 times might not be enough |
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For me the gym is just the part of the day that needs to be done. Earphones are a must and do not make eye contact with anyone because that just leads to conversation and distraction! Get in, get it done and out the door 1 hour later no fancy stuff or dilly dallying.
The sauna and steam room is the place for the chats |
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I’ve joined so many gyms over the years and not gone as I was too intimidated. The current place I go to, I’ve been going for two years now. It’s a small gym, max of 8 per class and it’s all lead by a dedicated PT. No mirrors, no phones and no headphones. It’s an all inclusive environment and you have a laugh and work hard. It’s the only exercise I’ve ever managed to stick with. It also helps that the PTs take a genuine interest in each person and will adapt the class to suit you if you are struggling or have an injury, also they text and ring to check in on how you are if you miss a class so keeps you accountable too |
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I joined the local gym 9 months ago and I love it, I have a pt who works really well with me and even though I'm sitting here now in pain after a leg day yesterday I'll go back today for more torture and flirty banter |
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