What is the official etiquette for someone hogging gym equipment while on their phone?
By @yarakay · Social
I'm trying to figure out the right move. The person isn't technically resting, they're just sitting on the cable machine for 5-10 minutes at a time scrolling Instagram between sets.
The full story
This happens every time I go to the gym after work. I have a planned workout, but there's always someone camped out on a key piece of equipment, completely absorbed in their phone. They do a set, then they scroll. Indefinitely. So what's the play? Do I just stand there and stare until they notice? Do I ask 'how many sets you have left?' or 'can I work in?' I don't want to start a conflict, but I also don't have time to wait 15 minutes for them to finish their social media catch-up. Leaving it up to y'all to decide the protocol.
How people voted
- Facts — 24% (7 votes)
- Depends — 45% (13 votes)
- No Way — 31% (9 votes)
Readers say “Depends” (45%) — 29 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@ashagain — Ugh reminds me of this guy at my old gym who would take his shoes OFF between sets. Some people just have no awareness.
@daniee — Are you sure it was 10 minutes or did it just feel that long because you were waiting?
@gussorta — Just tap them on the shoulder and ask if you can work in, it's not that complicated.
@xenaish — I'd start doing my own workout right in front of them, but like, uncomfortably close. Make it weird.
@gusyk — L behavior.
Keep reading
- A guy at the gym interrupted my set to explain how the machine works.
- I took over my coworker's 'reserved' squat rack at the gym and it got weird.
- Why are there people at the gym who just use the sauna?
- A guest at my small party used Shazam on my playlist.
- The quietest 'thank you' I ever got came from a random online gaming teammate.