Good manners can go a long way in life, and the gym is absolutely no exception. In fact, the gym has its own set of unwritten rules and etiquette that most people are expected to follow, from wiping down equipment after use to not hogging machines when others are trying to get a turn. These simple courtesies make the experience better for everyone.
That’s why one Redditor was left completely baffled when they spotted a girl sitting on a treadmill she had no intention of using. When they asked her to free it up, she flat out refused, and things only got more heated when her mother stepped in to defend her.
Not one to back down, the gym-goer called them both out, but now they’re left wondering if they took things too far. Read the full story below.
The gym-goer wanted to use a treadmill but was baffled to see a girl sitting on one with no intention of using it
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
When they asked her to move, she refused to budge, and things only got worse when her mom stepped in
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Sergio Kian / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: MathematicianLazy710
Hogging equipment is, apparently, gym-goers’ biggest pet peeve
Image credits: Andrej Lišakov / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The gym can be overwhelming even on a good day. Between the background noise, sweat on every surface, and the occasional influencer trying to record a video you absolutely do not want to end up in, it is safe to say it is not exactly a peaceful place.
So when you are just trying to get your excercise in and go home, the last thing you need is someone making an already tiring experience even more frustrating.
That is exactly what happened to the person in the story above, who found themselves in a full blown confrontation over a treadmill that nobody was even using. And while the ordeal might seem baffling, it is far from uncommon. According to a survey by Garage Gym Reviews, hogging equipment is the number one pet peeve among gym-goers.
It sits above people not wiping down machines, blasting music without headphones, and giving unsolicited workout advice to strangers mid-set. All things that are more than enough to grind anyone’s gears, and yet hogging still manages to top the lot.
Luckily, it’s not hard to make the gym a better experience for everyone, as long as people stick to basic etiquette
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
To avoid situations like this altogether, all it really takes is some good old gym etiquette, and it honestly requires very little effort. ACE-certified personal trainer and SELF’s director of fitness and food, Christa Sgobba, has shared a few tips on how to be more considerate in the gym. Here’s what she had to say:
When it comes to equipment, common sense goes a long way. If your gym only has a handful of treadmills or other machines, parking yourself on one during peak hours is not going to win you any friends. And obviously, sitting on a machine you have no intention of actually using while others are waiting is a whole other level of entitled.
Instead, Sgobba suggests simply using what you need and staying mindful of the people around you. If you’re waiting for something someone else is using, it’s best to just ask how many sets they have left, rather than hovering awkwardly and letting the tension build.
She also points out that taking rest breaks on equipment is perfectly fine, but there is a limit. Sitting on a machine scrolling through your phone or watching videos well beyond a normal rest period is where it tips into inconsiderate territory. The equipment is there to be used, not to double as a chair.
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
A few other things make a real difference too. Wiping down everything you have used is non-negotiable, from cardio machines to free weights to benches. Putting equipment back where it actually belongs, not just somewhere nearby, keeps the space functional for everyone. And if you’re going to film yourself, pay attention to who’s around you and make sure nobody ends up in your shot without their consent.
Gym etiquette really just comes down to remembering that you are in a shared public space. The same behavior that would be considered disrespectful or thoughtless anywhere else does not suddenly become acceptable just because you are surrounded by dumbbells and treadmills. A little awareness and basic courtesy is genuinely all it takes.
Which brings us right back to where we started. Whether the girl realized it or not, sitting on a treadmill she had no plans to use while someone was waiting is a textbook example of exactly the kind of thing that makes the gym miserable for other people.
And when her mother stepped in to defend it rather than simply do the right thing, it only poured fuel on the fire. Staff made the final call, and it is hard to argue with it. The rules really are not that complicated.
Plenty of readers sided with the author, agreeing that both the girl and her mom were acting entitled and got exactly what they deserved
But others felt they should have skipped the argument altogether and gone straight to a worker to sort it out
