AV stuff
Big bags
Hogging the rack of dumbbells - saw a dude grab dumbbells, use them in front of the rack then put them on top of the rack on top
Of other dumbbells and just stand there such that about 10 dumbbells couldn't be used because this guy is such an inconsiderate badass

Yeah I don't get it either. Our gym has temporary use lockers that always have plenty of spots available. I know my stuff won't get stolen, I don't have to haul it around or forget it somewhere, keys don't fall out of my pocket, etc.

Yeah I think it's reasonable to have the bag in the gym in your case. Especially if you are considerate and keep it out of the way. I think for a lot of guys it's part of their image… just like their gallon of water.

The LA fitness I go to just prohinited bags because a bunch of dumbells under thirty pounds have been stolen in the last week.

Because carrying a gallon jug of water by the handle is a pain in the ass.

Yeah, I keep my weightlifting belts, wraps, sleeves, shoes in there.

jtraggie99 said:

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My son and I bring a backpack / gym bag. Belt, chalk, clamps, towel, his squat suit, knee wraps, bench shirt, among other things. Not everything is used every time of course, but we also keep things out of the way of others.

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Ignorant question…what is a bench shirt?

It's a special shirt (they also make squat suits) is really tight and made of a material that provides support for bench pressing movements. It's typically used by competitive power lifters.

People haul bags around so they can claim a spot/bench/machine.

People in big box gyms (Golds, Lifetime, etc) absolutely suck when it comes to recognition/social cues. When I first started lifting in a big box gym, and I needed to leave a station to use restroom, or get water, or talk a walk to center myself after a tough set....I would often leave my phone at the station, with weights still on the machine/bar.

You would be shocked by the number of times I would come back after a SHORT time away, to find someone who was unracking weights, moved my phone, etc. I would be greeted by a "Oh, are you still lifting here?" question. As if the weights and phone and water bottle weren't a clue.

Since then, I bring a small duffle bag with literally the same stuff. But there is something about a bag that even the most socially idiotic gym goer can understand. It appears to be a more universal language for "I'm working out here, BRB. Please dont move my crap".

Its an interesting move, to see someones phone and the bar loaded with weight and just assume they done and left it there for no reason, but you do you I guess.

There aren't many reasons I'll leave "my" spot, but yeah, a few would be: restroom (am workouts after caffeine can be unpredictable), if I get called to the kids club (child has a need, etc), or to grab a sip of water if I dont have my water bottle with me.

It's rare to walk away. And normally for a very short time (the duration between sets, so 1-3 min), where I can let someone know that I'm still at that station and have X number or sets left.

The gym bag has helped solve this problem.

The times a station has been taken? Its usually a boomer that either gives zero Fs, or is incompatible with social situations. Or both. Ha

Diff strokes for diff folks I guess, when it comes to gym etiquette. And maybe every gym has a diff culture around this as well. At least where I lift, personal items at the station + weight on the bar = "hey man, I'm still working here, but I stepped away. Brb"

Hincemm said:

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jtraggie99 said:

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My son and I bring a backpack / gym bag. Belt, chalk, clamps, towel, his squat suit, knee wraps, bench shirt, among other things. Not everything is used every time of course, but we also keep things out of the way of others.

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Ignorant question…what is a bench shirt?

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What Bam said. My son is a freshmen in high school and competing in his first powerlifting meet in two weeks.

……yeah, I don't get a drink of water until I'm done with the station. All the hawkers waiting to grab the bench. They come and ask me how many sets I have left and I say 15min partner……

Not a fan of the rack hogs either. Grab your dumbbells, and move on. Otherwise I'm caught standing around holding weights trying to rack them but now I get to wait for the rack hog to finish…..

As mentioned above, some people bring a bunch of crap into the gym.

Knee and elbow sleeves, weight belt, wrist straps, hang clean straps, and a few other things.

Outside of hang clean straps, I don't bring anything else in the gym anymore and don't even bring a bag. The amount of "Kids" that do now is pretty insane…

It really only bothers me when they have zero consideration of where they're putting the bag and often place it on an adjacent machine and people think it's taken.

I do my best not to leave the equipment I am using but there are some exercises that is just unavoidable. I'll take off my hat and leave it on the machine with my towel as I get water. I squat for about 45 minutes and drink 2-3 28oz bottles of water in that time. Working sets are 4 mins between sets and 2-3 on warmups. We also have about 9-10 squat racks so I am not holding up anyone in the gym.

Bench press isn't quite as long but it's every bit of 35 mins with 3 min rest between sets. It's 1.5-2 mins on every other set.

In all the years of working out, I've only had one real DB that took over the equipment while I was getting water - something that I do in about 30-45 seconds or less. I've had several people that walk up to equipment and maybe even start to stake their claim but being respectful and explaining to them you're not done and/or offering to let them work in (when feasible) almost always prevents this from becoming a bigger issue.

Jealous of a gym with 10 squat racks. BadA** right there

double aught said:

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For some, it's their portable AV studio.

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This is the case at my gym. Its annoying, but its all the rage with the younger demo. I will say all of the equipment is pretty spread out in a large warehouse style space, so that prevents getting in the way of others filming content. As long as I don't have to accommodate others by staying out of their shots or maneuvering around their portable tripods its all good.

Macpappy99 said:

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The LA fitness I go to just prohinited bags because a bunch of dumbells under thirty pounds have been stolen in the last week.

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Thieves can't even pilfer a 50 pound dumbbell?

Do they even lift, bro?

la fitness folks likely getting tired of getting stuff stolen from the locker room

I had 2 gym bags completely full of stuff.
Squat/dl bag - contained 2 sets of briefs and my squat suit, belt, knee sleeve, knee wraps, clamps to get into my suti and briefs, big bands towels, But then again, I bought my own monolift for the gym. When someone asked if I owned the rack, it was always funny to see their reaction when I told them I did.

Bench bag - bench shirt, small belt to keep the shirt down, small bands, wrist wraps, elbow wraps. Sling shot or bench daddy, towels, chalk.

And always a couple of extra shirts.

Luckily, for the most part, I had the opportunity to lift in a couple of great niche gym and build my own at the house. I think for the most part we were always pretty respectful.

I go to a small CrossFit/hybrid training type gym so it's a bit different. Group classes mostly and lot of people bring bags, but everyone pretty much knows everyone and they get out in the bag cubby or along the wall. Nobody ever takes stuff, that I am aware of. Mostly your bad is lifting stuff, knee and west braces, a water bottle, tape, a towel, maybe a change of clothes if you sweat out or go right to work.

It's out of the way, so no big deal. And you have your stuff you might need.

Magneto said:

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Do you really need to haul a big gym bag around to every machine or bench? Put it in a locker!

Did your mother pack you some snacks?

I don't get it.

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There are times when carrying a bag for things one might need is important and useful. Especially strength focused lifters/power lifters. Clamps, wraps, shoes, belt etc. are a pain to carry around. My gym has areas to put gym bags but also encourges the use of bags if you need to bring them with you. For the general gym population, a bag likely isn't needed. But the higher up the specificity the trainee goes, the more they may require one.

Hoosegow said:

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I had 2 gym bags completely full of stuff.
Squat/dl bag - contained 2 sets of briefs and my squat suit, belt, knee sleeve, knee wraps, clamps to get into my suti and briefs, big bands towels, But then again, I bought my own monolift for the gym. When someone asked if I owned the rack, it was always funny to see their reaction when I told them I did.

Bench bag - bench shirt, small belt to keep the shirt down, small bands, wrist wraps, elbow wraps. Sling shot or bench daddy, towels, chalk.

And always a couple of extra shirts.

Luckily, for the most part, I had the opportunity to lift in a couple of great niche gym and build my own at the house. I think for the most part we were always pretty respectful.

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Ya, if one doesn't have the ability to build there own garage or home gym, finding a niche gym, if one is serious, is the best thing if one is available. I train at one (Destination in Allen) and its makes a huge difference. When I train at commercial gyms, it can drive me crazy. Even the Tower Point Golds in College Station, which is great, but there can be a few times you just have to be patient and realize a good portion of those folks aren't used to training consistently enough to know better or just develop bad habits. It happens. Normally respectful communication solves the problem.

Our gym is great for the most part even with younger lifters. But, when you have the like of Branch Warren or Johnny Jackson potentially telling you to put your weights up, you'll listen, lol. Branch is a good dude but intense!

I'm starting to hear a lot of good things out of Destination. When I traveled a lot, I was able to train at some really good gyms. I got to try a lot of really cool machines, meet some really good people and learn from some great lifters. There used to be a powerlifting forum I would visit. I would get recommendations from there on the cities I was visiting. I'm a little biased, but the best powerlifting/strongman gym I have ever been to, equipment wise is in my home town - New Braunfels Strength Built. Dr. Grant Smith owns it and spared no expense. Pretty high energy and everyone helped everyone out.

But, like you said, you have some of the biggest and stongest people on earth tell you that you need to take care of your stuff... You take care of your stuff.

Another reason I added a small gym duffle. Phone can go in the bag and be less visible