Super-setting at the gym isn't cool, amirite?

Super sets that involve more than one machine is probably a little selfish, but I think that supersetting at a machine with a dumbbell exercise is perfectly okay.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I also think it's fine (within reason) if the gym is at very low member capacity, and especially if there's more than one machine available for an exercise. Like using two machines can't inconvenience people who aren't there. But like nobody is entitled to superset multiple machines, it's a thing you do as a time saver if the conditions are available to allow you to do it without getting in other people's way

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I haven't gone to a standard gym in a few years. I love super set though. But it's easy to make entire workouts without taking up space. Like I'd do bench press then do jumps over the bench. Squats and then bring a single set of dumbbells and do lunges.

by ervincummerata 2 weeks ago

Still only one person per machine I guess? I recall seeing groups of 4 or more friends sharing one of the few squat racks in the gym. Not sure how acceptable that is I also recall a time where I asked a guy how many sets he has left on a machine. He tells me 2 sets. Then his friend says he's gonna do 4, and that their other friend is gonna do 4 too. Again, not sure if that's out of line or not so I just left and did something else

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I do that or I use 1 cable machine for opposing cable exercises.

by Dependent_Task 2 weeks ago

My rule when supersetting is that I won't leave my stuff at equipment I'm not using at the moment, and if someone happens to swipe it while I'm gone then I just have to make do. Luckily my gym isn't very crowded so it's rarely a problem.

by Busterwiegand 2 weeks ago

We get it, you're unpopular

by Familiar-Ability-931 2 weeks ago

I'm even okay with people supersetting machines in many situations... It's when they haven't used one for 10-15 mins and then come tell you they're using it that ticks me off

by Weird_Hamster_9720 2 weeks ago

Agreed dumbbells no biggie. Using 2 machines at once isn't cool when the gym is full

by Osvaldoschamber 1 week ago

What are super sets

by Anonymous 1 week ago

It's where you swap back and forth between sets of two different exercises instead of finishing all your sets for one exercise in one go and then moving on to the next. A common type of superset people will do is doing exercises back to back that involve opposing muscles so you can rest one set of muscles while using the other. eg Do leg extensions superset with leg curls.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Nah, because then you're inevitably taking up the machine for twice as long as you use the space to do two different exercises. Don't have a problem with it if you're letting someone work in on the machine, but it's pretty annoying to have to ask someone who is sitting at the lat pulldown machine doing dumbbell curls if you can work in.

by Noble93 1 week ago

If it's a commercial gym and it's busy times absolutely it's rude and inconsiderate. If it's quiet and there are other machines, that's fine.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Kinda like how it's rude to put your bag on the seat next to you on public transport if its crowded but perfectly fine if it's fairly empty

by Anonymous 1 week ago

So I go to the gym at the worst possible time right after work. And it is hammered. On the weekends, I go during some pretty non peak times. I swear it is easier to get in the workout that I want in the crowded times. Everyone is super respectful. During non peak times, there will be a tenth of the people, but every person there seems to use up as much equipment as possible and do these super long like 3 warm up set, 3x3 working set super sets that take like 40 minutes.

by Zealousideal_Nose 1 week ago

Only reasonable reply here

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I do super sets as a great time saver and calorie burner. I use one of those 24 hr gyms and do my workouts at 3:30 or 4 in the morning to ensure that I pretty much have the place to myself. Supersets are really cumbersome for me and anyone else in a crowded gym.

by Schmidtelton 1 week ago

You are trying to save time but you have to revolve your whole schedule around it

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Ok goggins daddy chill 🤭

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Wher are supersedes

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Yeah, it's a really weird moment when someone that wasn't even their that past 2 minutes walks up and is like hey I'm still there.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Supersetting should be OK, but if someone wants to use the machine you're super setting, you're just gonna have to wait. Had some guy complain to me the other day because I wanted to use a squat rack, but it was part of his three leg super set. He was like half my size too. pathetic

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I super set, but don't save equipment. So I'll go back and forth, but if someone gets on something I was using, I move on to whatever I'm doing next and go back once it opens up again. It is not right to claim multiple machines at once.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

My gym has a women's only area that I prefer to workout in. The problem is that there's only 1 rack of weights, and there's a pair of girls that frequent the gym when I do and they LOVE to superset with like 5 pairs of dumbbells. For an hour+ all of the dumbbells from 10-20 lbs are taken by them.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Get stronger and you won't need them :) women should push themselves more. I'm a 5'2" woman and I only use a weight lighter than 20lb for two exercises. I'm sure you could push yourself to go higher!!!

by Wonderful_Ferret 1 week ago

It's fine as long as he let you work in between his sets. I'd rather have someone supersetting two machines but letting other people work in instead of what most people do: Most people just use one machine and sit on it in between sets. It's so damn annoying when it's the only machine of its type at the gym and they're sitting on it for 10 minutes but only actually using it for like a minute total.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Yeah, definitely annoying. But once I waited for a machine while a woman sat on it for 30 minutes and just did a set every 5 minutes it so. Which was way more annoying.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

People in my gym act like they're super setting, but they aren't. They just take three curling bars and 4 sets of dumbbells and sit on their ass for two minutes between each NON-superset. It's rampant. Two, three people do this and there ain't any dumbbells left.

by Electronic-Good-3429 1 week ago

Yeah, I've yet to see superseding that didn't inconvenience more people in less than several ways.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Fun fact: recently there was a study that concluded that 3 sets of an exercise done without rest, each set about 20% less than the previous, results in statistically equivalent lean mass gains as 3 sets with adequate rest in between. Ever since I found that out any non barbell or compound exercise is now a superset, but you only use one machine/equipment piece at a time

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I think the thing you're referring to is a DROP SET where you lower the weight of the exercise but do the same thing. A super set is when you do opposing muscles back to back to save time like doing hamstring curls then leg extensions

by Downtown-Library7195 1 week ago

What does everyone think about supersetting workouts with a buddy? You are on 1 machine and your buddy on another, then switch.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I've seen this a lot in gyms. When it's a straight up workout it's fine, but so often gym bros flap their gums for 10 minutes in-between defeating the point of the superset anyway. So annoying

by Erynhaley 1 week ago

That's fair

by Janick88 1 week ago

I mean...he offered to let you jump in and you said no and walked away. You even said he was apologetic and cool. You just want to complain to complain?

by LifeguardDazzling 1 week ago

I typically try to do my other exercise next to that one so people don't think it's open, but I know what you mean. People taking over 3-4 machines at once is insane

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Yeah, he also was doing two different body parts so I don't know how I could have assumed what he was doing. Was doing arms and then walking over to do abs.. was a bit strange.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I always wanted to super set at the gym but I'm not a big enough asshole.

by Quigleynorval 1 week ago

This is hilarious

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I'll usually go at a time when I know the gym will be almost empty to do my supersets.

by No_Stop 1 week ago

know a guy at mine that will use machines across the entire gym in rotation, mix in pull ups, do a few push ups near the dumbbells, then repeat if it's not dumbells or 2 machines right next to each other or empty gym, you're likely being annoying

by Anonymous 1 week ago

This machine was sitting empty for minutes and minutes I go on and some woman demands me to get off because she is in a "super set" I calmly and slowly say she is entitled and just put my head phones in my ears and continue on the machine. She then body checks the machine.

by cmayert 1 week ago

The only time I try to super set is when the gym is basically empty so I don't get in anyone's way. It is extremely rude to act like the public gym you go to is just yours

by Anonymous 1 week ago

1 dumbbell exercise plus a machine isn't too bad. Someone in the crossfit section of my gym was using the boxing bag, spin machine, dumbbells, and battle ropes and expecting to have all of them available at once. Just one dude.

by fwuckert 1 week ago

It depends how far the machines are and how actively hes switching but if someone doesnt let you at least try to work in they kinda suck

by Anonymous 1 week ago

When I superset I only reserve the important machine and the other one I don't mind if someone steals it. Random guys saying « I'm using it » happened a lot when I started lifting. But now it never happens since I'm one of the biggest guy. Don't be scared to defend yourself. They only treat you badly because of their inflated egos. If you say no, people around will defend you.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

If you superset a machine right next to another, sure go for it. Just don't take 5 minute breaks for each friggin one

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I'm fine with supersetting, but an empty machine is an empty machine. It's his problem not yours. Just ignore those bozos next time.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

People who walk away from machines for more than 2 minutes lose that machine. It's basic gym etiquette. I can understand having to pee or get a drink of water, but you don't own the place.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Supersets are stupid in general

by skoch 1 week ago

I had a guy complain about me supersetting because the gym was so busy. My response was, "the membership is $10 a month, what do you expect?" My point is, when something is so cheap, it's gonna be packed and people are going to do their workout. It's dog eat dog. Schedule your workouts so you're not waiting for machines. Never do chest on Monday, that's for sure.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

The issue with this opinion is that there are TONS of things that people do at the gym which aren't cool. So if you hypothetically wanted to crack down on supersetters, you'd also have to crack down on the cardio kings and queens that spend two hours on a treadmill walking slowly, or sit on a machine for five minutes between sets texting on their phones, or who put in such lacklustre effort in the gym that they might as well go home. It's a public place that people pay to use. You have to put up with the fact that everyone is in their with different goals and working with different intensities.

by Fabulous_Patient_640 1 week ago

2 hours on a treadmill of 30 to 40 available is a bit different to machines where there are only 2 or 3 available.. get a grip... I use to run an hour on the treadmill after a 10 minute warm up.. lol. There were always treadmills available.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Here comes the person who can't imagine a world other than their own. At my gym there are five treadmills, not dozens. And it's gotten so bad with people taking up hours on them that the gym has signs up now that ask you to limit your time to an hour. People don't follow it, unfortunately. So why don't you take your own advice and "get a grip".

by Fabulous_Patient_640 1 week ago

Everyone is totally cool about sharing the equipment too. I've always had a friendly experience working reps between other people super setting.

by Ekshlerin 1 week ago

Same here. I've made friends from doing it to!

by Old-Cranberry-8105 1 week ago

This is the answer.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I didn't know bro was using was the point lad. Chill out or go superset your freak out a way.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Have you never shared a machine before?

by CaramelTop4730 1 week ago

Yes but that happened less often. I usually don't ask to share but I have said yes when others have asked me

by aiyana35 1 week ago

I don't think you would have tho

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Everyone's Brave on the internet lol

by Old-Cranberry-8105 1 week ago

For me it's a judgment call. I like to superset my last 2 sets since they are lower rep (8-15) and meant to finish off the workout. I try to make them as close together as I can. If the gym is busy, I nix that and separate them out. If not, supersets help me get in the full workout I planned in the time I have. Supersets of more than 2 suck for everyone unless you are rotating a group of people or something.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

My trainer put a super set in my program for machines that were pretty far from each other, but it felt really weird taking up two machines at one so I just great them like separate exercises.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I don't agree with the concept of supersets from an actual training standpoint. You should be resting between sets so as to enable your muscles and respiratory system and CNS to recover so you can do your next set at the greatest intensity possible, if your aim is muscle growth.

by zmills 1 week ago

I mean, I get it, but if someone came up to me and asked me to move so they could finish I'd tell them (politely of course lol) they are just gonna have to wait.

by batzmortimer 1 week ago

Super setting at a gym is perfectly fine, as long as the super setter knows that they are the one that needs to be considerate of others, not the other way around

by Bruenlela 1 week ago

couldn't you just coordinate your superset with someone else

by Efficient_Panic 1 week ago

Yes but he did the right thing in trying to share the machine with you. It's when people superset and don't share that there is a problem especially if it involves racked weight. You're not wrong but there's no reason you can't take that deal.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

nah i love sharing, builds camaraderie in the gym

by Powerful_Grand 1 week ago

I have personal training sessions twice a week. It was busy, and there are a few multifunction machines grouped together. We saw stuff laid near a function on one machine, a guy using a function at the next machine. My trainer asked the guy about the function where the stuff was laid. He said, yes, he was using it. Except, of course, he wasn't. We just rolled our eyes and moved on. Sometimes people are nice, even saying that since I'm paying extra, they'll let us in.

by Successful-Tax2512 1 week ago

this is why i gym late at night

by Inevitable_Desk 1 week ago

Depends on how busy the gym is

by Blarkin 1 week ago

I superset with a workout buddy. We just swap machines with each other each set.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I dont understand why you couldnt work in with him

by Dtreutel 1 week ago

When I superset I usually do it with a machine and free weights. The idea of having "dibs" at a machine I'm not at seems weird, especially in a busy gym. I think it's fine if you're using one machine and just have some dumbbells for your other workout.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

super setting is fine. At the free weight section I super set flys and shoulder shrugs. If anyone is hogging multiple machines they are just a douche or has main character syndrome

by Quick-Dish 1 week ago

As long as you can work in I don't see the issue

by Anonymous 1 week ago

It's all about efficiency. Most who do supersets are just trying to cut their time down. As long as it's not peak hours there's no issue.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Yeah but it usually just adds to other people's time. That's why it's an issue. If there were unlimited machines, nobody would care

by bridget29 1 week ago

I don't think that's an unpopular opinion though assuming we're talking about machines.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I have no problem with other people doing it. But I find any type of "training to failure" including supersets, cheat reps, or even just simply going to failure with effort has a massive negative side to it. There are situations where I understand doing it. But in the big picture what happens is you grab a good chunk of beneficial adaptation, more than a regular workout. Yet the recovery period far exceeds its value. In other words, you can make more progress over time by not training that hard. 80% is good enough, yet also allows you to train the same muscle again very soon. The incremental gains far exceed those of forced reps.

by Philip44 1 week ago

Nobody goes to the gym to be comfy, my dude.

by Only_Negotiation 1 week ago

he immasculated you and now youre bitching to us . put your foot down next time stand your ground soldier !

by Anonymous 1 week ago

So you like to hoard machines at the gym and not share. Got it

by Anonymous 1 week ago

I can't imagine being so poor you need to go through gym vs have your own equipment in your house/basement/garage. You don't need all those machines anyway to get results.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Dude, I have looked into what I want to have my "perfect" home gym and it's zero machines, a good rack, two good benches (one adjustable, one flat), bars, and weights - and it's going to cost around $3,500. Takes a good several years of $40/mo gym membership to total-up to that.

by Lanky_Purple 1 week ago

You realize that most people don't have a house with space for the equipment right? Let alone the equipment itself If you really have so much that you can't imagine not having those things, I'll gladly take a donation

by Angierice 1 week ago

I superset, and in my defence I'm outta there in about 5 minutes (90seconds rest) while some people stay on a single machine for over 30 minutes

by Extreme-Source-283 1 week ago

Small people like op not gonna understand why supersets are important

by Hungry_Humor 1 week ago