the equipment is not meant to be used as a chair while you fill out a crossword puzzle.
:smack:
See here. (PS: I am an old person and the rude ones were not. Maybe just say “rude person at the gym.”)
While the persons I am about to describe do use the bikes, they will often use their phones while riding. I saw one guy the other day reading a newspaper. The problem is that you must go at such a low rate that you are unlikely to get much benefit from it-hell when I ride them, I ride them hard, and it takes all of my concentration to do so-the thought of reading something or such while doing so is completely beyond the pale.
Haha I completely blame myself but one time I was benchpressing like 325 pounds and I asked a guy that looked like he was 100 years old to spot me, I had already been lifting heavily that day and after 3-4 times I got stuck and I asked him to help me lift the bar up, unfortunately the guy couldn’t move the bar an inch and so I was sitting there with all that weight on my chest, completely stuck. He asked me “what do you want me to do?” to which I yelled “GET HELP!!!” The guy didn’t seem concerned at all and very calmly walked away.
It seemed like I was there by myself forever when finally two other young guys showed up and helped me get the weight off. That was a great learning experience even though it was weight I had benched before I should have been aware of how exhausted I was and asked for the help of someone who looked a little stronger and younger, like I said I can only blame myself for that incident. 
Dear rude and ageist person, I am with** kayT. ** Call them out for being rude, not their age.
Why not to use the collars…
A polite “Mind if I work in?” should give them a clue that they’re in the way.
Not clear why their behavior is a problem for you, unless you are saying there are not enough bikes to go around. Why does everyone have to work as hard as you do? If there is a shortage of equipment, most gyms have a (usually not enforced but there if necessary) rule about giving up cardio equipment after 30 minutes when the gym is busy. Within that 30 minutes, how much benefit they get from their exercise is none of your business.
This was about a specific person at the gym who happened to be an older guy filling out a crossword puzzle. If it were ageist, i would’ve said “HEY WHY ARE ALL OLD PEOPLE AT THE GYM ANNOYING?!” Stop looking for things to be offended by.
Then, why mention his age, since it wasnt relevant? If he was black would you say “Dear Black person at the gym”?
Many folks have degenerative joint problems or arthritis, or perhaps they are, you know, just getting back into a fitness routine. I lost a lot of weight last year, and it took a toll on the muscles supporting my joints. I’m going to the gym again, but I’m taking it easy so that I don’t have an injury. It is definitely benefiting me, as I don’t wake up with aching shoulders and hips. I’d say mind your own business and let others mind theirs.
This is something that drives me crazy: if you have no spotter (or don’t trust the one you have), do not use collars. Using collars prevents you from dumping the weight in case of emergency. If they are off, you can gently slide the plates off to free yourself. Honestly, I never ever use plates, I see no benefit.
I don’t have an issue with people (old or not, but it does tend to be older) who go slow at the gym.
What ticks me off is when people sit on the single thigh machine and play with their phone. There are chairs for that.
First you stop being offensive; then we’ll stop being offended.
Not everyone has the same exercise goals as you. The only exercise I can get is on my home stationary bike. I basically use it to stay somewhat limber, in spite of my spinal injury. If I went any faster I’d really damage myself. And yeah, sometimes I read while on it.
I don’t care how fast or slow people are using the equipment, as long as they’re using it. My gym is small enough, old enough, and connected to other services (basketball courts, bowling alley, etc.) that the workout room is rarely crowded. If by some chance someone’s using a machine I want, I’ll go to another machine. Sometimes I’ve waited, but that’s actually pretty rare. Fast, slow, easy, hard, just use and respect the equipment. And please respect me by leaving me alone. A courteous “hi” is okay, but I’m not at the gym to socialize. It’s hard enough to get to the gym anyway on a regular basis (sciatica, etc) and I’m trying to go back regularly. Intensity will wait. Consistency is key for me.
I don’t like the morons who think that dropping weights on the floor constitutes some sort of achievement. (I know Planet Fitness has specific rules against that, but I don’t go to PF for reasons that are irrelevant to this thread.)
Why even mention it was a human? As a human I’m offended by your speciest bigotry.
I’m also a little offended that you felt the need to include that this entity was doing crossword puzzles. Why do you hate literacy?
Why do you assume that only coherent existences can go to the gym? As one of the ontologically-challenged, I am deeply offended at your prejudice!
Don’t take it personally. The rest of us knew what you meant. 
Although we are not married, we both use the same accountant. She offered one year to explore the tax consequences of marriage, in case we might want to marry (or not) for financial advantage. Never followed up on that idea.
What, and just let old people run free?