As triathlon season winds down, many of us, myself included, are trading in long runs and bike rides for time at the gym. I recently joined Crunch in Bellmore, and while I love the energy, I’ve noticed a peculiar trend.
I’ll be ready for my next exercise, maybe the leg press or the shoulder machine, and I’ll see someone just sitting there. They aren’t lifting, they aren’t resting between intense sets—they’re just… sitting. Often, they are scrolling through their phone, completely lost in a digital world, or sometimes just staring off into space.
My Polite Approach
My approach is always the same. I walk over with a friendly smile and politely ask, “Hi, are you finished with this machine?” It’s a simple, non-confrontational question. But what happens next is what I find so interesting. More often than not, my question seems to jolt them back to reality. They look at the machine, then back at me, and suddenly they’re inspired to squeeze in one more set. It’s as if my presence reminds them why they came to the gym in the first place.
So, I wait. I stand there while they complete their newfound final set, which they probably wouldn’t have done otherwise. I don’t get it. When I’m at the gym, I’m focused. I do my set, I get up, and I walk around during my rest period to keep my heart rate up and let others use the equipment. I would never just camp out on a piece of equipment, especially when the gym is busy.
Why Does This Happen?
It makes me wonder why this happens. Are people using the gym as a social club or an escape, where the workout is secondary? Have we become so attached to our phones that we can’t disconnect for an hour?
A Call for Self-Awareness
This isn’t about shaming anyone, but about awareness. We all share this space. We all have goals and limited time to achieve them. With more athletes heading indoors for the off-season, the gym is only going to get more crowded.
So, the next time you’re at the gym and you finish a set, take a look around. If you’re planning to rest for a few minutes, consider standing up and letting someone else work in. And before you pull out your phone, ask yourself a simple question: “Am I hogging up the machines?” A little self-awareness can go a long way in making the gym a better, more efficient place for everyone.