Hi again. Another newbie question. As I was on the machines the other night I was looking for the squat rack so as to be prepared when I do actually do workout #1. I noticed a guy using it (doing curls?) repeatedly. Is it OK to just jump in when he goes to a different exercise (he comes back every few minutes) and if i have to wait for it longer than my 60 second rest is that OK?
Also I'm wondering if it is better to bring a step and a ball out to the weights for C section of workout one or would I be better (I think less self conscious) to bring some weights into the aerobic room (it's empty at night) and use the step and ball in there? Again more of a confidence/self consciousness issue!
I don't normally work in with someone when they are using the squat rack because it takes too long to change the weights back and forth. However, nobody should be curling in the squat rack anyway! I do ask to work in on sets if it's the lat machine, for instance.
Thanks missjane, by C I didn't mean cardio but part C of Stage 1 workout A which are the _step ups_ and the prone jackknifes. Sort of feel silly doing these in the weight section especially if I fall off the ball. I don't see anyone bringing a step into that area. I'm probably way over thinking this (see my other "newbie" question post!) and once I get the first workout under my belt I'll feel better! Your right, never thought of that with squats, I'd be using a different weight than the guy already in there!
I sort of commented this on your other post, Amylou.
As per usual I'm with missjane (seriously, you are a world of wisdom MJ!). I also don't work in with other people when using the squat rack or doing deadlifts because of having to change weights, bar height, etc. Plus when I know i have people potentially waiting on me I get all nervous and I really want to focus when I'm working out, rather than bug-out. But, as MJ said, I will work in on the lat-pull down and those sorts of devices b/c weight changing is easier. And not to be corny, but I always say the same line "you mind if I jump in here for a second" - such bro talk, love it!
Lastly, and i'm not sure this is entirely correct, but what i've done is alter the routine slightly for the sake of comfort (mental and physical). So for my stage 1 workout b, i do my deadlifts, then I do my dumbell presses and rather than alternate them with the lat pull down I alternate with the lunge, and then I end up alternating my lat pulldown with the swissball - its just more strategic for me to do it this way b/c of the way my gym is set up.
Rather than working-in at the (only) squat rack in my gym, I rearrange the order. I'll start off with B1&B2, for example. One time a guy was using the rack for almost an hour and I had to do the A exercise last. (He was actually using it and using several times the plates I needed on it!) Usually I get to it after the B exercise. If someone has been using a piece of equipment I need fairly recently, I always ask if they are done with it, even if I'm pretty sure they are done. It's just courtesy and people seem to genuinely appreciate the gesture.
As for the 2nd part of your question: personally I'd bring the weights over to the aerobics room as that seems easier than bringing the step and/or swiss ball to the weights room. Besides, these exercise often call for a very light weight anyway.
In my last gym they finally got an extra stack of dumbbells ranging from 1 (!) to 10kg so there was no need to take dumbbells back & forth between the weights area & the Swiss ball/ab mats/hyperextension & some other stuff area.
Working in with others.. it would depend on how long my own routine would last & how easy it is to switch with them. But someone doing curls in a squat rack? Seriously I'd say (politely) to get their asses out of it as they have no business doing them in a place that's meant for squatting.
Hah.. I must confess that I have done push presses in a squat rack but then again have also decided to do cleans first if the squat rack was already taken (for real squatting!)
An older gentleman asked me if he could work in on the squat rack with me just as I was about to start my first set of squats. I politely told him that I was only planning on resting for 60 seconds inbetween my sets. He smiled and said that would be plenty of time for him. It actually worked out quite nicely and I made a new gym friend
As for the step-ups and jacknifes (not sure how to spell), I definately go to a more private area of the gym. The step-ups are no problem, but the jacknifes... no way would I do these in front of ANYONE. Do what is right for you. If something makes you self conscious, find a way to get around that. Its hard to stay motivated and stick to the program when you are worried about falling off of the ball in front of the entire gym~!
Proper etiquette for sharing vs longer rest
Linear Mode
