Woman Calls Out Gen Z's Bad Gym Etiquette—'It's So Uncomfortable'

A TikTok user has sparked a debate about gym etiquette and how the different generations react to waiting for equipment to become free.

Under the handle @jnizell, 23-year-old Jennifer Velazquez highlighted how Gen Z gym members wait for a machine. She states she has been tapped on the shoulder and asked about how long she is going to be, despite just getting on the machine.

Velazquez, from Oxnard, California, told Newsweek: "The proper way to wait for a machine is to keep an eye on the machine you'd like to use and once it's unoccupied, you may use it.

"You can also ask the person using the machine if they can notify you once they're done, if they're willing."

While this seems like a smooth way to share the equipment, it is far from what Velazquez sees from her fellow gymgoers.

She says in the clip: "They stand there, breathing down your neck, and you can like feel them. It's so uncomfortable."

When asked to identify the main culprits, Velazquez disclosed that it was predominantly Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012. Despite being a part of this generation herself, she believes her seven years of experience in the gym have equipped her with the knowledge of how to properly wait for equipment.

Civic Science, a consumer analytics platform, found that although Gen Z isn't the biggest gymgoers, they do take their health seriously. Of the 2,199 Gen Z adults surveyed in 2022, 48 percent reported engaging in physical activity multiple times a week.

However, only 17 percent of that cohort said they went to the gym at least once a week; this is likely because many of them had access to home gyms or other equipment.

Velazquez points out in the video: "Back then when I started working out, we would not do that."

But that isn't her only pet hate, she has also noticed this generation tend to hog a machine without even using it.

"There are people who will sit on their machine on their phones and there are people waiting to use it," she told Newsweek.

One user said: "Finally someone said it!! Like I waited and so will you."

Gym Etiquette Of Waiting For A Machine

Newsweek reached out to Chloe Thomas, a women's health and mindset coach from Kent, England, who owns Chloeinspires Coaching. She provided the following six tips:

1. Ask the person politely: If you notice someone using the equipment you need, approach them politely and ask how many sets they have left. Most gym-goers will appreciate your patience and willingness to wait for your turn.
2. Be patient when waiting: While waiting, use the time to stretch, do mobility exercises, or work on other areas of your workout routine that don't require the equipment you're waiting for. Stay focused and please avoid hovering or appearing impatient, as this can create tension and cause people to feel anxious.
3. Communicate nicely: If the person using the equipment is taking longer than expected, politely remind them that you're waiting to use it next. However, always approach the situation with patience and understanding, as they may be finishing up their workout or may not have realized you were waiting.
4. Offer to swap in: If appropriate and safe, offer to work in with the person currently using the equipment. This means alternating sets with them, allowing both of you to use the equipment efficiently without long wait times between sets. Offer this but do not expect it - not everyone will want to.
5. Use other Equipment: If the equipment you need is occupied for an extended period, consider using a similar piece of equipment or finding alternative exercises that target the same muscle groups. For example if the lying leg curl is taken use the standing leg curl instead.
6. Be kind: Once the person using the equipment finishes their sets and leaves it, thank them. This goes a long way in making the gym a positive and respectful place.

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