Quick question about cardio in the gym?

skyscraperblue

Hi all! I have a quick question about cardio equipment in gyms.

So I'm a runner, but I've always run roads, never in a gym. Recently though I went along with some friends to try out a gym and really enjoyed the ease of a treadmill. I was even considering joining the gym - until I saw a sign that said "Max 20 minutes on all cardio equipment." Is this normal for gyms - am I going to run into this kind of rule with every gym? I run for a minimum of 30 minutes every time, so if every gym has this rule it's going to mess up my plans to join.

paulmclaughlin

It all depends on supply and demand. You're hardly gonna spend 30 mins on a machine 5 other people are waiting to use?

Go when the gym is quiet, I'm sure there won't be much fuss if you're the only one wanting to use the treadmill.

Common courtesy applies in all gyms.

squod

skyscraperblue wrote: »

Hi all! I have a quick question about cardio equipment in gyms.

So I'm a runner, but I've always run roads, never in a gym. Recently though I went along with some friends to try out a gym and really enjoyed the ease of a treadmill. I was even considering joining the gym - until I saw a sign that said "Max 20 minutes on all cardio equipment." Is this normal for gyms - am I going to run into this kind of rule with every gym? I run for a minimum of 30 minutes every time, so if every gym has this rule it's going to mess up my plans to join.

No not common. Try a different gym if I was you.

Brian?

I've seen it in a few gyms. Its not uncommon.

The most extreme example I've ever seen was in Canada, each cardio machine had a chalk board behind it where you had to write down your start time so people could actually call you off if your 15 minutes was up. Mind you there was about 6 foot of snow outside, so I can understand why they'd be in demand.

In summary, treadmills are evil.

Satanta

Not uncommon in a busy gym and would generally apply to peak times when a lot of people want to use them.

DaveTwenty7

As previous posters mentioned not uncommon
Best to ask the staff/members if it is inforced or if it is normal to have to queue to get on a machine during peak times
If you enjoy road running why waste money on gym fees?

Btw don't forget you need a 1% incline on a treadmill to mimic the effort required to run the same pace on a road

TimeToShine

It's in most gyms but it only applies when the place is full.

If you don't go at peak times and the gym isn't too full and there's a few treadmills not taken no-one is going to kick you off for running too long. Don't worry about it.

The Davestator

It's rarely enforced. It's one of those stupid rules that one gym did and others copied without any thought process.

ray jay

If you only want to join the gym for the treadmills, you may be better off buying one. You'll save money in the long run and you won't waste time travelling to the gym or waiting for a machine to free up.

-Vega-

ray jay wrote: »

You'll save money in the long run

Nice pun..

gant0

First I'm hearing of this rule....don't think many gyms in galway have this,or maybe I just haven't noticed the sign :rolleyes:

PatrickMac

DaveTwenty7 wrote: »

Btw don't forget you need a 1% incline on a treadmill to mimic the effort required to run the same pace on a road

I've learned something today. Not a practical solution to this problem really but just throwing it out there. If you do find yourself with a 20 minute window on a treadmill in some busy part of the world just do interval training. You'll burn more calories in that 20 minutes than 30 standard jogging. If its just endurance or the joy of running you're after, I'd just stay outside or yeah just buy a treadmill. same cost as a year membership

skyscraperblue

ray jay wrote: »

If you only want to join the gym for the treadmills, you may be better off buying one. You'll save money in the long run and you won't waste time travelling to the gym or waiting for a machine to free up.

I would love to buy one but I'm heading off to college next year and can't really justify it just for one year. I'm looking at it in terms of this special 3-month super discounted student summer rate my local gym has - and it's never particularly crowded so I'll be ok for waiting time.

Everyone else, thanks for your help too!