What should I do ?

@eltmin (143)
Malaysia
July 8, 2008 9:09pm CST
I live in a condominium, and there is a common gym room for everybody to use. I go there every morning to exercise for about 45 minutes. There is not a lot of people using it in the morning and that's why I like to go there first thing after I wake up. I usually do 30 on track mill and 5 minutes on sit-up, 10 minutes on muscle toning on my bicep and tricep. There is another regular, a Caucasian in his 50s. Well, he likes to do weight training as well, but he do it like a round-robin, he will go around each instrument/machine, doing 1 set of workout at each one and then to another, in many many rounds. But for me, I would like to do my bicep toning 4 sets in a roll, with 10 to 15 seconds interval, then move on to tricep and 4 sets, and then I am done for the day. Usually this is not a problem, but this morning, just happened that while I was just about to start my bicep workout, he started to go his round-robin thing. When its time for his bicep workout, I was in my 3rd set, and he said out loud at me "Haven't finished already ??!! Jesus !!!" ( meaning I was occupying the instrument ). Then I quickly stopped after my 3rd set, and went to my tricep workout. I was upset then, I was cursing a lot in my heart. But then after my bath, I cooled down , I am no longer angry with him and I thought to myself, I should not have given up, I used the machine for 5 minutes at most, if he has a problem to wait for 5 minutes, that is his problem, isn't it? What do you think? Am I wrong in this situation ? Should I give up my rights to use the instrument when he is doing his round-robin workout? Or I just ignore this man? Please advice.
1 person likes this
4 responses
• India
9 Jul 08
No, you should not have given up the machine. In his eyes, you are not courteous, you are a weakling who can be bullied around. Next time this happens, smile and say that you are using the machine and would need some more time. This way, he will not expect you to give up the machine. Also go thru the rules of using the machines in your condominium. This way you will be on sure foot when you have to deal with him next.
1 person likes this
@eltmin (143)
• Malaysia
9 Jul 08
Hahahahaha :D thanks for the advice buddy. You are sure aggressive. I will do as suggested, I will not give up, but I will not be on the offensive side either. Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me to read up the gym rules.
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
10 Jul 08
You have just as much right to the equipment as he does, and you were there first with what you were doing so you should keep doing it. Don't let him bully you around, but tell him politely that "I only have one more set to go through, then it's all yours" and then don't say anything more...case closed. One thing about being polite when somebody else is being a donkey's butt, is that you're not lowering yourself to his boorish level. The other thing is....by smiling when you say it, you'll show that he doesn't 'get to you' and you're going to keep doing your exercises till you're done with your reps. Yeah, I'd be mad too, but I would never let him know it and give him that kind of satisfaction to know he can get away with it. Just curious, isn't there staff in there? Don't worry about jerks like him, and don't give up your rights.
@eltmin (143)
• Malaysia
10 Jul 08
I like your description "donkey's butt" :D hahaha :D you are funny. Thanks for the tips, say it with a smile. I suppose I should not even be bothered to get annoyed or mad, and it is so true like you said, I should not lower myself to his level. Thanks joyful one !! It's very enjoyable to read your post.
@darksorrow (4666)
• Bangladesh
12 Jul 08
Just think what would you do if you were in that man's position? Would you wait or say what he said? If he can't wait 5 minutes or tries to offend you just ignore him. There is no need to care for persons like these. I suggest you should not give up your rights because you & that person are at the same position. So don't let waste your rights or time.
@bmorehouse1 (1028)
• United States
11 Jul 08
I think absolutely that you should have stayed put and made him wait. If he chooses to do round robin instead of a set then he will have to learn that there are other people using the facility as well and he may just have to wait. I would bet that he has had to wait before. You are too kind. Next time stand your ground. Ignore him and finish what you are doing.