I have a membership to a gym, but I haven't been in months, it's just very intimidating for me. But, I wanted to know this.... if you want to get on a machine, and someone is already on it, do you just stand next to the machine to let the person know you are waiting??
I know that it can be very easy to go to another machine which I have before, but if you are done with the rest of your workout, what do people typically do??

What I do in that situation is simply ask the person how many sets do they have left. Then I thank them and tell them no hurry so as not to seem I am trying to rush them. Never ask them while they are doing the exercise though, wait until they are finished. No one wants to talk while they are in the middle of the exercise. Normally people won't be upset if you simply ask them how much longer until they are finished so long as you don't do it rudely or ask them while they are doing a set.

I do exactly what the other poster said. I usually try doing another exercise close by while I am waiting and usually the person will tell me when they are finished. But most importantly for me is not to ask while they are in the middle of the set.

Yes, if you are polite more often than not the person using the equipment will come and tell you when they are finished. I usually do and most others in my gym do as well.

I have a membership to a gym, but I haven't been in months, it's just very intimidating for me. But, I wanted to know this.... if you want to get on a machine, and someone is already on it, do you just stand next to the machine to let the person know you are waiting??
I know that it can be very easy to go to another machine which I have before, but if you are done with the rest of your workout, what do people typically do??


Another alternative to that would be to incorporate a couple of optional machines for whatever body part you are working....

I myself hate to slow down in the gym.....if somebody is using something I wanted I move on to option number 2......variety is a good thing anyway.....

Another alternative to that would be to incorporate a couple of optional machines for whatever body part you are working....

I myself hate to slow down in the gym.....if somebody is using something I wanted I move on to option number 2......variety is a good thing anyway.....

Or free weights. Better than machines anyway, and I've found much less issue with them being in use.

Another alternative would be to not use machines at all. I find that many people, especially the newer members and elderly, are very reliant on machines. Personally, I think that free weights (i.e. dumbbells, barbells) work better due to the fact that they use more of the stabilization muscles. Also, there usually seems to be less congestion with free-weights. Either way keep at it. The gym shouldn't be an intimidating place. Everyone in there is wanting to improve themselves in someway so we all share a common thread. Hang in there. Mark

Another alternative would be to not use machines at all. I find that many people, especially the newer members and elderly, are very reliant on machines. Personally, I think that free weights (i.e. dumbbells, barbells) work better due to the fact that they use more of the stabilization muscles. Also, there usually seems to be less congestion with free-weights. Either way keep at it. The gym shouldn't be an intimidating place. Everyone in there is wanting to improve themselves in someway so we all share a common thread. Hang in there. Mark

If the person is working out by themselves, it wouldn't hurt to ask, "can I work in a set with you." I've done this before and it was welcomed (the person may need a spot or just the motivation)!

Yeah, I do the exact same thing as big neal, most people take about a minute between sets (they should anyways) and that gives you lots of time to bang out a set. Just make sure if you have to change the weight, that you change it back to what it was for him/her. just polite. Just ask the exact way that Big Neal said to.

talk to ya later

You're going to experience this all the time in the gym. I think Cowart nailed it. Just find alternative machines or equipment that work the same part of the body. Waiting for machines doesn't cut it for me. Some people will just hang out forever on 'em. Neither does working in with other people..you become at the mercy of the other persons' pace. You have so many options at a gym. Work 'em.