Cardio equipment etiquette

[GirlyGymRat]

At the gym and its busier then normal for Sunday afternoon. There are approx 30 each of treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and only 2 functional of 4 total stair masters.

There's a sign to limit cardio to 20 minutes which everyone ignores, myself included. I go anywhere from 30 - 60 min depending on my schedule. And if I am doing an hour I pick odd hours to occupy the equipment.

Would I be expected to yield the stair master after 20 min even if there are multiple other cardio equipment available???

Part of me (the selfish half) thinks no since there is plentiful other cardio equipment open.

Part of me (the complaint half) says I could move to another piece of cardio.

I really only like the stair master (Burns more calories).

[zempey]

I would not compromise my routine if there are other things people can use, especially if the equipment broken and has been for a while. Now if I was going to be on that machine for longer than the sign asked, I would make sure I was kicking ass and not just strolling at a leisurely pace. Nothing worse than someone using a piece of equipment for an extended period of time and not putting forth any effort what so ever.

[bartman314]

i wait for someone to ask me. alternatively, i make sure to ask how much longer if someone is using equipment i would like to use.

[Khazima]

Wouldn't worry about it if there's other pieces and it's your preferred piece. Same way i don't worry about if someone might want the squat rack when i'm there for an hour, to be fair no one is a serious squatter in my gym except for a guy or two.

[Buster Brown]

At my gym its posted on the wall to limit your cardio to 40 minutes if someone is waiting. Its never an issue because its more of an old school PL/BB gym that doesn't cater to crossfire, "classes", spinning ....etc. I have been to gyms where cardio equipment use is a pain so I would rather jog in the morning and skip the drama.

[tdoe11]

Dang sounds like your gym is busy if 30 stair masters are in use! I got a membership at two places, I bounce back and forth, one of the gyms only has two stair masters. Haha. There never in use either.

Personally I would probably jump to an elliptical after twenty minutes. Not because of the sign, just to be cool to the people waiting. I like using a couple different pieces of equipment when I do cardio anyways though.....

[RaginCajun]

i say finish what you started unless someone asked politely.

i would give you a dirty look if you are just sitting on it though

[bobbypump]

do your thing. if someone comes up and asks just pretend like you can't hear over your headphones. cardio equipment isn't a big deal.. now if you are the guy storing the 25lb dumb bells in the squat rack, you gotta gtfo hah

[Hard_Body]

My gym is a smaller facility compared to these larger chains like LA fitness and i Have honestly never seen the cardie equipment being close to full, maby half full , we have pretty much every cardio machine. 3 stairs, maby 6 or 7 stationary bikes, ellipticals, arch trainer, bunch iv never used, all i really use is stairs now and there's only 3 available and I'm able to get on one every time. I think a 20 minute rule is ridiculous, id say maby 45 minutes max

[GirlyGymRat]

Thanks for the replies. Seems most would just finish if other cardio equipment is open and there's always something open. Personally I think they need more then 4 stair masters especially since one is often down for repair.

If person is polite, I may get off in 30 or 40 minutes and not be a hog. Most ppl are very nice and find something else to use or do.


There was one butt about a year ago very annoyed that all stair masters were taken. I has just gotten on and set time to 60 min. He made a point to check everyone's remaining time and decided to camp out at my machine. Even though I was the last one to start. He then circled to the front of the machine walking over and pointing to the sign with 20 min limit then back behind me, hands on hips.

I stopped and said. Can't u see that I just started and haven't broken a sweat? He said he was going to report me to the front desk. I said report me for being on here for less then 2 minutes. Good luck with that and laughed. He was furious and stomped off.

Gal next to me said just use my hand towel to cover up the display and then showed me how to add minutes. I said I wasn't playing those games. He can sit over on that bike and stare at me for the next hour.....

[GirlyGymRat]

do your thing. if someone comes up and asks just pretend like you can't hear over your headphones. cardio equipment isn't a big deal.. now if you are the guy storing the 25lb dumb bells in the squat rack, you gotta gtfo hah

Hahaha.

[Mr.BB]

I would not stay in a gym that restrited my workout.

Would just move to a better one.

Although im like Buster, prefer an outside jog.

[marcus300]

Do what ever you like to accomplish your gaols, it only becomes a problem if they ask you to stop and even then it would be hard through your gimp mask

[Back In Black]

I'm surprised Kel hasn't made a comment in here

I worked in a gym that put these signs up in Janury. As an employee I'd not even think about enforcing it. Even in my gimp mask with air pipe. You pay your fees you're entitled to use it as long as you want. If it's a huge issue for you having to wait then train at a different time of day, before work, after peak evening times whenever. If you want it enough you'll train whenever you can.

[zempey]

I train at 5am, no waiting for anything for the most part.

[GirlyGymRat]

I'm surprised Kel hasn't made a comment in here I worked in a gym that put these signs up in Janury. As an employee I'd not even think about enforcing it. Even in my gimp mask with air pipe. You pay your fees you're entitled to use it as long as you want. If it's a huge issue for you having to wait then train at a different time of day, before work, after peak evening times whenever. If you want it enough you'll train whenever you can.

I went this past weekend on Sunday afternoon. Typically only the really out of shape ppl show up then and a few hard core regulars. The place became very busy about 5 min after I arrived.

There was s newbie couple there with matching workout apparel.

60 minutes is a long time on stair master but I watch other ppl on ellipticals for as long or longer. Difference is only 4 stair masters and often one is down for repair vs 30 ish ellipticals.

[saymass003]

I went this past weekend on Sunday afternoon. Typically only the really out of shape ppl show up then and a few hard core regulars. The place became very busy about 5 min after I arrived.

There was s newbie couple there with matching workout apparel.

60 minutes is a long time on stair master but I watch other ppl on ellipticals for as long or longer. Difference is only 4 stair masters and often one is down for repair vs 30 ish ellipticals.

How cute! When my husband is home we lift together but we don't wear matching outfits. I wonder if I could convince him to(joking).
Yes, 60 minutes is a long time on the stair master. The most I can manage is 30 and thats on a non-training day.
I don't do cardio at the gym because I have a treadmill in my garage but if for some reason I do, I don't stop just because someone is waiting.