gym etiquette question: WWYD?

At my gym there's a seperate room for classes. When there arent classes anyone is free to use the room. It's mostly free weights, mats, medicene balls etc.

I went into the room today and set up my station with a mat. I use 10lb weights. There were none on the rack but I spotted a set on the floor. I took them and began working out with them.

About 5 minutes later an older man came into the room and started working out too. Another two minutes or so went by and he said to me "Oh I guess you borrowed the weights?"

I said, "Excuse me?" (confused)

He said "I was using the 10lb weights. I just let the room for a minute."

And I said, "I took them because I saw them on the floor and no one was using them."

I felt like I shouldnt give them back to him- he wasn't using them. They were fair game right.

He just kept staring at me so I said, "You can have them back. It's not a big deal. I'm sorry." (I didnt feel I should have done this but who wants a fight at the gym?)

He said no, he'd find something else to use.


Anyway- just wondering WWYD? The weights were on the floor- no one was in the room. I say they were far game. I don't think I should have to give them or even apologize (which I did because thats the type of person I am, not big into confrontation).

Was I wrong or was he wrong?

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

He was wrong.
If he left the room & left the weights on the floor, then he forfeited them... you weren't "borrowing" them from him... it's not like they're his, they belong to the gym.
He had some nerve asking for them back! Rude!

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

I would have given them back, but I don't think you had to.

I know personally there have been several times where I have set up my stuff, and since I circuit train, I leave it on the ground or whatever and come back to it for the next set. However, since I do that, if someone does pick them up, I simply say "can we share those?" or "can I get those when you're done?" and not something passive agressive like that guy did. I don't expect people to not use them - I don't think you were wrong here, I think he was cranky, haha.

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

i might have been so taken aback by his nerve that I would have dumbfoundedly handed them to him. then i would have been furious at myself the rest of my time there and thinking up all the various other great comebacks I should have had instead.

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

i think he was wrong. when you leave your things then it is fair territory. you did the right thing. people think they own the gym.

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

They were totally fair game, you did nothing wrong.

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

i wouldnt have apologized and would have given them back when i was done. if they were just lying around, theyre definitely up for grabs.

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

Thanks ladies!! I understand that some people do circuit training- but honestly, how was I supposed to know they were "his"? Just wanted to make sure I wasn't in the wrong there!

Re: gym etiquette question: WWYD?

I hate when people do this but I always give it back.

I do lots of crazy circuit training and super set training sessions and often leave a machine or weights to do another ecercise. I hate when I come back and the machine is taken but I never get mad at the people because i understand. But, since I know how much I hate that i usually give it back and do something different.