r/workout • u/georgia103093 • 1d ago
Etiquette
When you’re doing a dumbbell-only standing workout at the gym, do you usually stand in front of/next to a bench and basically claim it as yours for the workout?
I’ve been doing this so I have somewhere to put my dumbbells and rest between sets, but I’m also trying to be mindful of taking up space if I’m not actually using the bench. Curious what other people consider proper gym etiquette for this.
42
u/BatmanVAR 1d ago
If the gym is empty and there are plenty of benches open, that is fine. If it’s busy and they’re full, it is not fine.
10
u/mulligan381 1d ago
If there is one bench open, find floor space. If there are two or more, I’ll use a bench as a resting place, but I also keep aware around me and if if someone is looking for a bench I offer mine or just move away.
Me: old and my back hurts, less bending is better for me
-16
u/fuktheeagsles 1d ago
Nope you’re wrong and everyone else is wrong too. You’re not occupying the bench itself when you grab the bench, you’re occupying the space in front of the mirror and dumbbell rack. If it’s a busy gym, you still need the rack and the mirror, so if you’re not occupying a bench you’re just going to be standing and working out in a walkway or otherwise be an inconvenience.
The benches are evenly spaced out in front of the rack for a reason.
9
u/oneWeek2024 1d ago
i mean... there's almost always more mirror than there is room for benches. if you're just using a bench to rest dumbbells on while someone wants to use that bench to do exercises you're a prick.
if no one is around/there's multiple open benches. go for it. if not. dick move.
IF it's crowded/ie all benches are occupied. doing standing exercises. find any patch of mirror you can. You also don't need to be in front of the weight rack, that's fuck slop behavior. you use the weights you need for the sets you're doing. replace/return them if you need to swap out for others.
-6
u/fuktheeagsles 1d ago
Nah homie, not how the gym works in reality and you know it. If I’m not at a bench, either I’m in some corner somewhere or im in a walkway of some sort, I don’t want people walking around me either when I’m lifting with intensity. I want my own space, and benches provide that. Everyone else does this too because it just logically makes the most sense. The gym is very territorial and you know it
-4
u/WeirdSysAdmin 1d ago
Nah bro you gotta go stand in the corner like you’re in time out like these people think you should. /s
My gym is literally nothing but staggered benched in front of the dumbbell rack I would have to basically carry my dumbbells into no man’s land.
-6
5
u/BatmanVAR 1d ago
You’re not making any sense. If there are plenty of benches free, there’s no harm in using one since they’re empty. But if it’s busy and someone needs the bench, get out of the way so someone who needs it can use it.
Most gyms have plenty of free space to stand without being in the way and without taking up a bench.
-2
u/fuktheeagsles 1d ago
Most gyms anywhere near the dumbbells is gonna be crowded and obviously people are walking around with dumbbells. Not using a bench just puts you in other people’s way
3
u/BatmanVAR 1d ago
I’ve been training for 30 years, and have belonged to about 10 different gyms. I’ve never once seen a gym where this isn’t a place for people to stand and use dumbbells without occupying a bench or being in other people’s way.
Stop making excuses and lies for your bad gym etiquette.
-1
u/fuktheeagsles 1d ago
Sounds like you spent 30 years worrying about what everyone else was doing instead of focusing on your own set.
4
u/BatmanVAR 1d ago
Want to compare physiques? How about PRs? I promise you’ll lose both.
But in a way you’re right - I’m in a shared space, so I am worrying about not being a dick to others using the same shared space. I don’t have main character syndrome like you do.
0
u/fuktheeagsles 13h ago
Nothing but crickets. Interesting behavior
1
u/BatmanVAR 13h ago
Nothing but crickets? I asked you if you wanted to compare physiques and PRs, and you never responded. The crickets are coming from you my man.
Also, you’re being downvoted to oblivion which should tell you all you need to know - you’re wrong
0
u/fuktheeagsles 13h ago
I responded right away and told you to go first. Do you need me to provide a screenshot to prove that because I’m happy to do so.
Also are we seriously looking at Reddit upvotes as gospel? This sub is a bunch of beginners dude
→ More replies (0)2
6
u/Human-Situation9944 1d ago
I mean honestly benches are for bench workouts but i could see why you would want to use it for that and if it isnt super busy who cares. Maybe just be mindful of how many are open and also how others operate in the same area.
17
u/satansmight 1d ago
The bench isn’t a cup holder or a spot to put your accessories if you are not using the bench for your lifts.
6
8
1
u/Easy_Arugula935 1d ago
Unless the gym is empty, this is really bad etiquette. You can put your dumbbells on the floor when you're not using them.
1
u/SnooPuppers58 1d ago
yea tonight i saw a dude reserve a bench and do standing db lateral raises. like wat r u doin bro
3
u/Litespeed43 22h ago
No that's bad etiquette. Put your dumbbells on the floor. A few people do this in our small gym a tie things up for others. Even if there are open benches I consider it very bad form
2
u/DIY-exerciseGuy 1d ago
I'm going to be honest with you this is so extremely odd. Of course I don't take up a bench if I'm not using the bench.
1
u/twelvesteprevenge 1d ago
Using a weight bench as a chair and dumbbell stand without using it for exercise? Poor form, bud. Your dumbbells will be just fine on the floor; leave it for someone who will use it for its intended purpose.
3
u/Cheap-Technician-482 1d ago
Strong disagree with most here.
It's absolutely fair to treat dumbbell benches as a claimable station by the dumbbell racks and in front of the mirror.
Depending on your gym, if it's busy and there's an alternative area for you, sure it's more considerate to carry the dumbbells over there instead.
1
u/oneWeek2024 1d ago
as others have said. if it's not crowded. or... there's multiple benches open. using one for misc sitting weights on is probably ok. but you should be prepared to give it up the instant someone wants it for actual bench based exercises.
if all the benches are in use. Or its generally busy, occupying a bench to sit weights on when nothing you're doing requires the actual bench is trash behavior.
IF it's busy. i'd say use your judgement given the space to have enough space for you and others to be safe.
there's no "entitlement" to the mirror. I would say... try and stand/position yourself so you're not immediately in front of someone else. but... if it's not easily possible. make do with just a safe place to do your movement/exercise.
1
u/Tidder702Reddit 1d ago
If there are benches available absolutely don't worry about it. If you take the last one and do a standing exercise then that is ultimately up to you and honestly it's better than standing right in front of the rack blocking access to the rack imo
1
u/daisychaincrowns 1d ago
At one of my gyms, the space is so tiny that unless I claim a bench spot to do my mix of bench/standing stuff, I would be standing in front of the racks or in a path around the gym, which is much worse. And ngl I have added in something that uses the bench those times just in case someone has Opinions about me having a bench XD
At the other two gyms, there is enough floor space for me to just claim floor space.
(I use the community centre near my house, an Anytime Fitness I got a membership to because my new job made the community centre hours suck ass for me, and a third gym with even worse hours is where my lifting trainer is at lol because the ones at Anytime Fitness are just idk loud rep counters as opposed to real trainers)
2
u/Fantasy61 1d ago
If it’s very slow and there is a multitude of benches available, I may grab one to sit on during rests plus it keeps me out of the way.
If it’s busy, I find a place, usually between benches or diagonal to them and pop my water bottle down and stay in that spot. This may depend on your gym and how big walkways and such are, though.
2
u/adavis463 1d ago
At my gym, I would kind of have to claim a bench even if I'm not using it just because there's no empty space without a bench.
1
u/johnnypark1978 14h ago
I feel like it's perfectly OK. Especially if you're doing a mix of exercises that may or may not require the bench. Moving from bench press to standing lateral raises to seated shoulder press.... I don't think you need to give up your bench for one exercise.
1
0
u/M1Hamlet 1d ago
Yes its perfectly fine. If you’re just using it to hold your phone on or something then no, but if you’re setting the DBs on it between sets or sitting on it while resting it’s perfectly fine.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hey, thanks for making a new post! Please be sure to assign your post with flair for the best support! Also, check out this post to answer common questions.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.