Buzz
If you’re new to the gym, we offer a full guide to help you with those awkward, sometimes embarrassing questions you may have. Today, we’ll focus on one commonly overthought topic: what’s the acceptable amount of time to spend on a gym machine?
How much time do gym-goers typically spend on cardio equipment?
A general guideline suggests that you should aim to stay on a cardio machine (like a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike) for no more than 30 minutes if others are waiting. Some gyms enforce this as a rule, so make sure to check for any signs in the cardio area. However, if there are available machines and no rules posted, feel free to continue as long as you wish.
You can never spend too little time on a machine in terms of gym etiquette. For instance, some people prefer a brief five-minute bike ride to warm up before moving on to weight lifting or other activities.
If you're curious about how long you should work out, the recommendations suggest a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking or light jogging, or 75 minutes of intense exercise (like hard, sweat-inducing workouts) per week. The key is to focus on the total weekly time rather than the length of each individual session.
How much time do people typically spend using weight machines?
Strength training is assessed by the number of sets and reps rather than the total time spent. To give you a rough idea of what gym-goers typically expect, the following is often the case:
Between 5 to 15 repetitions per exercise
Followed by rest intervals ranging from 1 to 5 minutes
And then repeating for 3 or more sets
Exercises that target larger muscle groups generally require longer periods of rest. For instance, someone using a bicep curl machine might only need about a minute of rest between sets, while someone using a leg press could require up to five minutes.
During your rest, you can simply wait by the machine. If you want to be especially considerate, scan your surroundings to see if anyone looks like they’re waiting for you to finish. If they are, offer to 'work in' (share sets) with them. Another approach is to stand next to the machine instead of sitting on it. If someone comes up, inform them that you're waiting for your next set but would be happy to let them work in.
