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So I'm a woman and it seems like every gym that I go to, there are a bunch of dudes (bros) who seem to take over the entire weight room from 5-7pm. They put their crap everywhere over all the benches and talk and bs and once in awhile will do a set. It's just infuriating to me because I like to get in and get out and I don't understand this male bonding that happens at the gym!! I never have space to do what I want to do because they are everywhereeeeee. I now go to a gym at a hospital with a bunch of senior citizens but THEY'RE STILL THERE!!! Does anyone have any advice for how to handle myself at the gym? I will say that when I ask if they're using something they are always nice about it but I just really hate like I feel like I'm interrupting their He Man Woman Haters Club meeting.
So I'm a woman and it seems like every gym that I go to, there are a bunch of dudes (bros) who seem to take over the entire weight room from 5-7pm. They put their crap everywhere over all the benches and talk and bs and once in awhile will do a set. It's just infuriating to me because I like to get in and get out and I don't understand this male bonding that happens at the gym!! I never have space to do what I want to do because they are everywhereeeeee. I now go to a gym at a hospital with a bunch of senior citizens but THEY'RE STILL THERE!!! Does anyone have any advice for how to handle myself at the gym? I will say that when I ask if they're using something they are always nice about it but I just really hate like I feel like I'm interrupting their He Man Woman Haters Club meeting.
Well I noticed something similar the other evening. I went to the gym to work out and found that a handful of young men had taken a ridiculous number of dumbbells off the rack and had them resting on top of several vinyl covered/padded benches. Another guy took 6 barbells (of the kind you cannot switch weight) off their rack and lined them up in front of a nearby mirror. The barbell guy proceeded to do curls followed by literally dropping each bar on the ground meanwhile the guys with the weights piled onto the benches would do various exercises followed by dropping them onto the floor or benches. I was trying to workout around these guys and found them to be just a bunch of misguided big-kids with poor/equipment-abusive workout habits. When I was done, I told one of the gym staff about the issues and don't know if they ever followed-up. I think these young men who may have just been a bunch of high schoolers just didn't know any better. In any case, I didn't want to approach them directly in case they took direction poorly and I figured that gym staff have such responsibility as part of their job description.
OP - my recommendation to you is to ask to work in-between sets with them... and then I would likewise discreetly follow-up with the staff or gym management about the issue. You like me probably pay full price to be a member, you are entitled to fair use of everything. My situation is a bit different as I was more concerned about the wear and tear these big kids were doing to the equipment and floors I help pay for than about anything else... but in any case that's what the staff/management are there for.
Did you talked to the gym management?
Do you have guts to just speak up, and ask those "bros"?? You need to address stuff you have problem with. No one is going to read your mind...
IDK, I go to the gym on campus when I'm there. It's mostly young "bros" there too, but management runs a pretty tight ship, as far as being considerate to other gym-goers, cleaning up after themselves, etc. I haven't had any problems, and they're really nice about taking the heavy plates off the bar for me. Of course, a eye-lashing batting never hurts.
So I'm a woman and it seems like every gym that I go to, there are a bunch of dudes (bros) who seem to take over the entire weight room from 5-7pm. They put their crap everywhere over all the benches and talk and bs and once in awhile will do a set. It's just infuriating to me because I like to get in and get out and I don't understand this male bonding that happens at the gym!! I never have space to do what I want to do because they are everywhereeeeee. I now go to a gym at a hospital with a bunch of senior citizens but THEY'RE STILL THERE!!! Does anyone have any advice for how to handle myself at the gym? I will say that when I ask if they're using something they are always nice about it but I just really hate like I feel like I'm interrupting their He Man Woman Haters Club meeting.
That's weird that every gym you go to would be like that. I've never encountered that. But taking up all the equipment with their gym bags and whatever, and taking up the equipment without being active on it, usually aren't acceptable. Have you reported it to the staff? You should. You have a legit complaint.
Who said they hate women? They're just enjoying a nice social hour they've created for themselves. There must be other women besides you, who arrive after work....? Can you band together with them, and approach the staff?
Did you talked to the gym management?
Do you have guts to just speak up, and ask those "bros"?? You need to address stuff you have problem with. No one is going to read your mind...
Right!
Because b****ing about the "bros" on an internet forum, and not doing anything about it, is useless.
So I'm a woman and it seems like every gym that I go to, there are a bunch of dudes (bros) who seem to take over the entire weight room from 5-7pm. They put their crap everywhere over all the benches and talk and bs and once in awhile will do a set. It's just infuriating to me because I like to get in and get out and I don't understand this male bonding that happens at the gym!! I never have space to do what I want to do because they are everywhereeeeee. I now go to a gym at a hospital with a bunch of senior citizens but THEY'RE STILL THERE!!! Does anyone have any advice for how to handle myself at the gym? I will say that when I ask if they're using something they are always nice about it but I just really hate like I feel like I'm interrupting their He Man Woman Haters Club meeting.
That was your first mistake. 5PM-8PM are the worst possible hours to try and get in a workout at most gyms, especially on International Bench Press Day...aka....Monday.
Some younger guys like to travel in packs, I never understood it and thought it was a waste of time since waiting for everyone else to get done with their own reps limits what you can do during your own workout but it is what it is.
Like you, I like to get in, get my workout done and get out, no nonsense or unnecessary delays needed. Now I usually go really early in the AM which seems to be the gathering time for the no-nonsense crowd, or later on at night after the crowds have thinned out.
I think it's a symptom of our modern day society ... some younger people who have not been properly reared and are oblivious to the concepts of courtesy and respect. Not casting aspersion on all young people ... it's just that some are impolite, arrogant, and selfish though.
Did you talked to the gym management?
Do you have guts to just speak up, and ask those "bros"?? You need to address stuff you have problem with. No one is going to read your mind...
Why would it take guts to speak to guys in a gym? They are just people.
But I see this type of scenario at my local gym, too. Weight-hogs, bench-hogs, mirror-hogs; not everyone at the gym is polite and respectful. Some forget about sharing equipment or space. In my experience, it's more often the young 'hot-shots' who do that.
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