How do I peacefully address a rude gym goer?!
Question: I live in a gated community with a 24 hour gym. There are 2 of each cardio machine and no real rules posted. However, there is a sign that ASKS gym goers to limit their time on the cardio machines to 30 minutes if others are waiting. For the past few weeks, two women have taken over the elliptical trainers for MORE THAN AN HOUR! I have polititely asked when they would be finished, I have tried waiting so they would know there are others present, and even asked them nicely to mind the sign posted. Both choose to ignore me and do not even respond. They simply continue to stay on the machine like I am not there. The community manager said she can't do anything about it because she is not at the gym all the time. It is a silly problem, I know, but I feel it isn't fair. I also don't think its normal to need more than an hour on the elliptical! Any advice? I could use another cardio machine, and I do... but I don't think its fair that I have to constantly do that.
Answers: I live in a gated community with a 24 hour gym. There are 2 of each cardio machine and no real rules posted. However, there is a sign that ASKS gym goers to limit their time on the cardio machines to 30 minutes if others are waiting. For the past few weeks, two women have taken over the elliptical trainers for MORE THAN AN HOUR! I have polititely asked when they would be finished, I have tried waiting so they would know there are others present, and even asked them nicely to mind the sign posted. Both choose to ignore me and do not even respond. They simply continue to stay on the machine like I am not there. The community manager said she can't do anything about it because she is not at the gym all the time. It is a silly problem, I know, but I feel it isn't fair. I also don't think its normal to need more than an hour on the elliptical! Any advice? I could use another cardio machine, and I do... but I don't think its fair that I have to constantly do that.
Have a management put a whiteboard on the wall with the number of each machine and time on and time off. When you use the machine, you sign your name and the time limiting it too 30 minutes. You can use it longer if no one writes there name under your machine. If they are not courtesy to others, then they shouldn't be working out in a community gym and you should tell them bluntly to buy their own machines and work out in their own basements. You have every right to those machines as they do.
early bird gets the worm babe
as long as the sign asks there's nothing you can do. It's like asking someone to turn down their music when it's loud, they have a choice. Most people just do it out of politeness, others of course don't. The only other option is to ask the owner or official type person at the complex to do something about it, odds are they won't though, but it's always worth a try.
..
I understand, that is enough to get under anyone's skin. Either you have paid for a membership or you pay extra money to live in a gated community, so you should have access to the machines.
Try writing a petition asking for full-time employees at the gym. I'm sure you're not the only one in your community who this affects. If you can't get a full-time staff started at the gym, you could join another.
just go at a different time