AITA For Expecting Gym Etiquette During My Workout

A 28-year-old woman refused to be “nice about it” at the gym, and it turned into a full-blown etiquette argument in the middle of a workout. OP says she keeps her rest breaks short, usually just 1 to 2 minutes, because she’s not trying to hog machines or stretch every set into a lifestyle.

Here’s where it gets messy: OP finished her set, and it was her last set anyway. Then another woman interrupted, not by asking nicely or waiting, but by taking the machine OP was using right after OP wrapped up. OP isn’t sure if she was rude for expecting basic gym etiquette, especially since the other person seemed to think OP should have waited.

Now OP is stuck wondering if she overreacted, or if the other woman should have waited until the end of her set.

The Story.

I keep my breaks to maybe 1-2 mins.

Gym environments often serve as microcosms of broader social interactions.

I finish my set; this is my last set anyway.

Now, I don't know if I was rude?

The whole thing hinges on OP’s short 1 to 2 minute breaks, because she wasn’t lingering on the equipment at all.

Now that you've heard the story, let's dive into some community reactions. People from various backgrounds have shared their thoughts on this gym encounter, reflecting a spectrum of opinions about gym etiquette and personal interactions.

Here are some comments from other individuals who have experienced or witnessed similar situations.

You did the right thing.

What was OP asking her to wait for, anyway? Wait to do what?

Once OP said it was her last set, the question became, wait for what exactly, since she had already finished.

Gym break times causing tension feels like the Reddit user refusing to split the dinner bill evenly after paying only for what they ate.

When feelings of frustration arise in shared spaces, it’s usually a reflection of unmet expectations.

Utilizing assertive communication, such as stating what gym etiquette means to you personally, can help clarify your perspective while respecting others.

This, I actually don’t get why she didn’t wait. At my gym, and surely many others, you do other things or rest until the machine you need is available again. Patience, I feel, is a skill more people need to learn.

Exactly this.

When commenters brought up that interrupting someone mid-set is a whole different level of disrespect, the blame shifted hard.

Practical Solutions for Public Spaces

To foster a more respectful gym environment, consider initiating a conversation about etiquette directly with fellow gym-goers.

Totally not your fault.

Interrupting someone mid-set is something else entirely. Don’t break people’s concentration, lady!

By the time people argued she “should have waited until the end,” the gym encounter stopped being about a machine and started being about boundaries.

What do you think about this incident?

How would you handle such a situation if you were the one working out or the one needing a machine? Share your thoughts and experiences below, and let us know what actions you would take in a similar scenario.

NTA, she should have waited until the end of your set, not interrupted you.

The incident at the local gym underscores the critical importance of communication in establishing gym etiquette.

Moreover, establishing a shared understanding of acceptable behaviors can foster a sense of community within the gym.

This connection can lead to a more positive atmosphere for everyone involved.

OP might be right, but the gym drama proves nobody wants to get interrupted mid-rep.

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