Alternating sets in a crowded gym--tricky

[Kirjava]

This is the second workout in a row I've had to skip doing lat pull-downs because the machine is ALWAYS taken! The free weights are on the other side of the gym from the lats machine, so I have to cross the gym between my alternating sets of dumbbell shoulder presses and lat pull-downs.

I'm wondering what makes the most sense for me to do:
1. sub the lat pull-downs for an equivalent free weight exercise (the last few days I've been doing db bent-over rows--is this a good replacement?)
2. just wait until the machine is free, but that kind of messes up my rest periods and the whole "alternating sets" thing
3. drag the dbs over to the lat pull-down machine and stake my territory (a bit awkward, but doable, I guess)
4. use my jedi mind powers to get the stealing doofus off of my machine

What do you guys do in this situation?

[karky]

I just say "excuse me, but I was using that"
or I just stake my territory if it's possible.

[RobLL]

Take the dumb bells to the lat pull down machine

[LisaS]

another vote for #3 - take the DBs over

[Mon]

Kirkjava, are there any pull up bars at your gym?

[Lisa~]

Take the DBs to the lat machine and do them standing right in front of the seat. Sit on the seat during your rest period. Make someone who needs the equipment ask you to let them work in. Then you can be all nice about it and let them share.

Bentover row is a horizontal pull while a lat pulldown is a vertical pull, so not a perfect substitute. The assisted pull-up is a better substitute exercise if the above strategy fails for some reason.

[Flashy]

Another vote for No. 3! That's what I do ...

May also help to leave a towel or a shirt and a water bottle on the seat?

[Phaedrus49er]

+1 for the Hamburglar.

[kaydubya]

Another vote for #3.

[Kirjava]

Thanks guys...next time I will take over the dumbbells.
There is an assisted pull-up machine at the gym--I've never used it before, but thanks for letting me know it's a good subsitute--will keep that one in mind.

[castufari]

I hit the gym at the same time daily and usually rotate out with a few of the people there. Most of the guys know I'm just going to hit my set then leave though a few people camp out at the machines. We have one asshat who puts his water bottle, coffee cup and towel on a machine then disappears to do 10# curls. I just move it out of the way then do my workout.