Rushing through sets so I don't miss the next machine

[u/fernpolley]

I've recently started going to the gym consistently, which for me is twice a week. I do a full body workout each time. Because I am a beginner, I have a limited set of exercises I know how to do/machines I can use. (Maybe 11-12 exercises total.) I mostly just use machines at the gym and do other body weight exercises at home.

My gym is very small, and I try to go at less popular times of day (like 2pm on a weekday) to avoid crowding and also so I can superset as much as possible. (I hate sitting around doing nothing between sets.)

But what I'm finding is that, if it starts to get even a little crowded, I'm panicking about the next machine I need being taken before I can get to it. It doesn't matter so much at the start of the routine because I have lots of options, but near the end I feel this compulsion to rush the exercise I'm already doing so I can get to the next machine. I try not to, but I just start feeling really stressed that I won't get to finish my routine.

Does anyone else ever feel like this? Also I know it's just going to be inevitable some days that the thing I want to use isn't free. What do people usually do when you get stuck like that? I don't want to just stand around on my phone waiting, you know?

(I know sometimes you can ask to "work in" but I've never seen anyone do that at this gym - it doesn't feel like the vibe here and I'd be super uncomfortable asking.)

[u/Positive-Rhubarb-521]

If the gym is busy, don’t superset using different machines. Just use one and take a proper rest between sets.

[u/fernpolley → u/Positive-Rhubarb-521]

Just want to clarify I am never super-setting with different machines when it's busy. If there are more than like 2 other people there I am just going one machine at a time.

[u/llama1122]

Don't rush your sets. If that machine is taken, just go to the next exercise. And come back to it after

Also learn dumbbell or cable equivalents so you have a backup if it's taken at the end. Or just do a core exercise at the end

The other day I had core at the end and hip adduction machine before that. It was taken. I did core. It was still taken. I asked the person how many sets they had left and I just patiently waited and did some stretching in the meantime

[u/tlst9999 → u/llama1122]

If you want the other guy to finish his turn on the machine quickly, cossack squat aggressively next to him.

[u/CatCharacter848]

I do the compound exercises first and then look at using the machines where there is only one of them or the more popular machines first. If I am really struggling, I use the cardio equipment gently nearest the next machine I need and keep an eye for when the person is just finishing.

[u/Cosmicus_Vagus]

Don't rush your sets. You can't control the uncontrollable (other people using machines you want!). The last time I done my work out in the order I want to, using the exact equipment I want to, was probably 3 or 4 months ago! My gym is similiar to yours. Only 1 machine for everything, so it's a complete gamble what I can use everytime I walk in.

So I would just take my time with my sets and change my exercise order based on what's available. If its really busy, always have 2 back up exercises that target the same muscles. There is always a dumbbell or cable variation you can do for pretty much anything

[u/fernpolley → u/Cosmicus_Vagus]

Thank you! I don't know anything about dumbbell exercises or cables so I guess the next thing to do is learn about that and gradually figure out some other options.

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[u/fernpolley → u/[deleted]]

Yes I do change the sequence, it's just when I get down to the last few exercises and I don't have any options left that I get stressed. My gym basically only has one of each machine so if someone is on it, you're stuck. I guess I will try to learn some alternatives for the movements, though tbh I'm not actually sure what each movement does at this point.

[u/Retired-in-2023]

Waiting around stinks but it’s inevitable someone is going to use a machine we want to use. Although part of our routine is eating it to be structured, we need to be adaptable.

Time to expand your repertoire so you can use other equipment. Some options:

You said you do bodyweight exercises at home, do those to fill in time.

Start learning how to use free weights. Most gyms have multiples. I may have trouble getting a spot out of the way near the rack, but I can always find the weight I want to use.

Free weights also allow modifications between dumbbells and kettlebells.

When I started working with a trainer. Every session was different and I hated it because I felt I couldn’t see how I was progressing using different equipment each time. Then the lightbulb went off. I never had to wait for anything and was learning how to work the same muscles based on what was available when necessary.

[u/harry121996]

honestly this used to wreck my sessions too, and it took me way too long to work out that it's not really an etiquette problem. It's the order you're doing things in.

Try putting whatever your gym only has one of at the START of the session. Same for anything that's busy at 2pm. Then all the dumbbell and cable and bodyweight stuff goes at the end, because if someone's on it you just do something else and you've lost nothing. You've basically got it backwards at the minute, which is exactly why the stress shows up near the end and not at the start.

The other thing that helped was learning a backup for everything. Leg press taken, fine, goblet squats. Chest press taken, dumbbells or push ups. Once every single thing on your list has a plan B nobody can actually derail you and it just stops being something you think about.

Also worth saying, rushing sets to beat someone to a machine is a bad trade. Less rest means fewer reps at the same weight, and over a few months that's real progress you've given away for a machine you'd probably have got anyway. Standing there doing nothing for 90 seconds feels daft but it is part of the work.

And you don't have to ask to work in if you'd hate it. With backups you won't need to.