Buzz
It’s January—the month when your gym becomes a hotspot for those chasing New Year’s resolutions. And that’s great! If people are striving to improve themselves, they have every right to take up space in the gym. The only catch is, you might find yourself waiting for a free squat rack, bench press, or elliptical. Wondering where to carve out some room in an over-crowded gym?
We’ve got a few tips, though it all depends on what exactly you need the space for. If it’s something like stretching or crunches, you won’t need as much space compared to, say, deadlifts, landmines, hip thrusters, or anything that requires a barbell. So, you’ll need to plan ahead. Below are some suggestions for finding a little extra room when your gym feels like a concert pit.
An unused studio
Take advantage of your gym's vacant studio space. As we've mentioned before, you're generally allowed to use the studio when it's not in use. If you're unsure, simply ask someone at the front desk and review the gym’s class schedule to ensure no classes are about to start. The studio can be used for virtually any exercise, from deadlifts to stretching. (However, it’s a good idea to place a few mats down if the floor tends to scuff easily.)
The staff's designated space
At every gym I’ve attended, there are usually at least two spaces dedicated to staff – one behind the front desk and another intended for administrative or trainer use. From what I’ve observed, this second space is rarely in use outside of normal working hours. (Trainers are often busy with clients, after all.) I utilize this extra space whenever I need more room.
For landmines, I wedge a barbell into a plate and press it against a desk. For hip thrusters, I position a cushioned plyometric box in front of an office door and set up in front of it. I even use this space for deadlifts occasionally, although it requires extra effort to move the plates from one side of the room to the other. If you're uncertain about using this space, just ask the gym staff—they're usually fine with it.
The least frequented machine
Quick: Think about the one piece of equipment at your gym that barely ever gets used. For me, it’s the Smith machine. On most days, I hardly see anyone on it, even when the gym is packed. This is why it’s the ideal spot to stretch out. When the gym gets crowded, not every machine is being used at the same time, so it’s worth spotting the ones that are vacant. Of course, if someone does need the Smith machine, be courteous and let them have it. But it could be a clever strategy to claim it while it’s free.
The cardio area
No one really takes advantage of the space between the rows of treadmills and ellipticals, do they? This area can be a lifesaver when you're looking for a little extra room. I wouldn’t recommend using it for exercises that require a barbell unless there’s plenty of room between the cardio machines. However, it's great for walking, weighted lunges, or farmer's walks—basically, anything that involves moving around.
