HIIT vs Walking: venting - JP Fitness Forums

degerdahl · 09-19-2006, 08:03 PM

I decided to do some HIIT today for the first time at my gym. So I did a five minute light jog to warm up. During which time the TVs went out in the first row and everyone was looking around like they need TV or they will die on the treadmill. But thats a little of the topic, what really made me upset was when I sped up the pace it took only 15 sec until my treadmill died. Just as that happened someone left one of the higher quality treadmills, I thought I would hop on. Keep in mind my gym is one of those where you need to sign in to use cardio equipment. I assumed the treadmill was free and started my workout over. before I got two intervals in this lady told me it was her turn for the equipment. I said Fair enough assuming she was going to do a legit workout and switched to one of the open treadmills, a lesser quality one. Of coarse I had the same problem as before. I got off the crappy piece of equipment and took a look over at the lady on the good treadmill, she was F***ing walking! Rather than be rude I just went to a basketball court and did sprints. I wanted to complain to someone so bad but I was unsure who to go to. Is this F'd up or am I just being a jerk?

PS the lady walked the entire half hour I could see her form a window.

Lisa~ · 09-19-2006, 08:10 PM

Oh, how frustrating! She pays her membership fee just like you though, so just like the guys who curl in the squat rack, everyone gets their turn. But what a bummer for you! At least you didn't get pissed off and go home. Hey, you still did sprints on the b'ball court. Good for you! Maybe next time you can manage to find a way to get one of the good treadmills!

John Izzo · 09-19-2006, 08:14 PM

I think what you should be focusing all your energy on your the gym's management and getting newer, better treadmills. And if you gyms doesn't wanna shell out a cool $4K for a treadmill, then make sure you tell them to install dedicated circuits for their cardio equipment so everything doesn't "just shut off". '

From a management's standpoint, every paying member has a right to use the equipment in any way they want provided it is safe for them and those around them. I think you had a bad day at the gym..we've all had them....and you did a fine job of finding an alternate route for your workout (court sprints). Brush it off and call it a day.

degerdahl · 09-19-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standAPART

And if you gyms doesn't wanna shell out a cool $4K for a treadmill, then make sure you tell them to install dedicated circuits for their cardio equipment so everything doesn't "just shut off".

My gym has no problem spending money, just not on the right stuff. For example they just got new flat screen TVs for the front of nearly every piece of cardio equipment. So you can sort of see where their priorities are.

John Izzo · 09-19-2006, 08:43 PM

That is sad...new flat screen TV's on cheap-ass treadmills?
Talk about polishing a turd.

BFG · 09-19-2006, 11:30 PM

I would be so wary doing HIIT on a treadmill am not sure the electronics of the machinery can cope with it!!!! Must be a shock to the system!

A few years back I was on my last HIIT split of 8 the machine was going flat out and my legs were just about keeping up

and the machine seized right up. End result a badly sprained ACL and MCL.

oh and one sued gym

Irishdazza · 09-20-2006, 03:57 AM

Why have treadmills at all!?!? There's roads a plenty outside!

I'd double my monthly fees happily if my gym would drag those Generation Game anachronisms out to the dump and put some more benches and free weights in!

degerdahl · 09-20-2006, 07:30 AM

I would like to do them outside or on a indoor track, but I live in North Dakota and it is already 40 degrees out 30 in the morning. I have no access to a track either. I may just consider doing them on the b-ball court everytime.

Mahler · 09-20-2006, 07:51 AM

Another reason I work out at home. I put the money into the equipment that I want and need. In your situation I would definitely have registered a complaint about the equipment failure. If you don't tell them, they won't fix things. I would also make sure to tell them that if they cannot provide a working alternate machine and it happens again, you will expect a refund on your fees. Your time is valuable and should not be wasted by their shoddy equipment.

Keith Scott · 09-20-2006, 07:55 AM

Do you have a jump rope? Can you jump rope (serious question cause some people cannot)...If you can and you can do it at a good pace..use your jump rope to do HIIT. It works very well. Jump as fast as you can for 30, and then slow pace for 30.

Now I will admit, jumping for 12-15 min is tough, but it can be done. OR...you can do half jump rope, half sprints.

Mix it up

Mister X · 09-20-2006, 03:24 PM

What about hiit on an exercise bike? Rowing machine? Stair machine? Eliptical? What about those old treadmills that aren't motorized? I wonder if you could do hiit on one of those things or if it would just die. Maybe you could get ahold of somebody's unused Nordic Track. Got to be one hiding in a basement somewhere.

You know, it seems really crazy that there isn't an indoor track around with that kind of climate.

Michael Roussell · 09-20-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahler

Another reason I work out at home. I put the money into the equipment that I want and need.

Amen...I miss working out at home