I'll Take Door #3.

I spend a lot of time on the gym floor, and I wish that was more of a flex that I get to work out all the time… but it's just my job. I fix form, re/unrack countless pounds of plates, at times give motivation or advice, or for some it's making sure they show up and put in the work. On top of all this, I have the pleasure of seeing and at times dealing with tons of different behaviors from either my clients or regular gym-goers.

You might think I'm going the way of influencers and filming in the gym, but you're wrong. I'm actually pointing out something I see quite often… The infamous machine/equipment you "need" being used by someone and even worse, seemingly that person is doing 20 sets with 5-10 minute rest in between.

Now I'm partially on the side of let's say camping out on a machine over 20 minutes is probably a bit excessive, outside of a power rack. However, even though their courtesy for others wanting to use the same equipment may be lacking, they in fact do pay to use it during gym hours. And of course, I'm looking at this without social norms and what have you.

Alright, so there you are now fuming because you've decided to wait a couple minutes and stare at them. Obviously they're not getting the hint. Leading you to move on to the next exercise on your program, skipping that movement altogether.

This is one way to do it, but I have a solution. Figure out an exercise that can replace it. Because the great thing about our body mechanics and how our muscles and connective tissue respond, it doesn't matter what machine you're using to gain the adaptations you're looking for. What matters is the load, volume, and effort you're doing. Meaning, if you "need," let's say the preacher curl, and it's being abused for 30 minutes now by the five high schoolers, you don't need to skip it. The preacher curl works at maintaining tension because your elbows are in front of you. So do something that mimics that.

When I am working with my clients on the gym floor, even though I can, I pride myself on not "claiming" equipment as a trainer during my sessions. If someone is on the equipment I want, I use that as a way of figuring out what else we can do to target the same pattern or muscle group.

Long story short, don't act like you're any more entitled to gym equipment than others (unless you own it… it would be weird if some random person was lifting in your home gym). All movement patterns fall into only a few biomechanical categories… and there are many alternatives. Take the time to broaden your exercise selection competency. And lastly, it's not that big of a deal. Don't let it ruin your day, or someone else's.

The Athletic Standard is four days a week of strength, speed, agility, and conditioning, built on real periodization. Coached and programmed by me. Priced so it's actually accessible.

This is the same system I use with my athletes.
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