Let me begin by saying that I’ve researched where to ask this question, and feel this is the best place. I, in no way, believe this to be a “great” debate, but there is no factual answer, and I want to hear both sides of the story to see if I’m getting it wrong. If it needs to be moved, so be it. Though I’ve lurked here for some time, I bow to the masses who have posted to decide.
My gym, as most gyms, has a rule that states verbatim, “There is a 30 minute time limit on all cardiovascular equipment when machines are fully occupied.”
Now, the simplistic reading of this rule would require me to get off the treadmill when I hit 30 minutes if there is someone waiting. Right? But…
I get to the gym real early. 5 AM. I get on the machine. The machines begin to fill up and are generally full at about 5:30. My reading of the rule says that I am on the clock at 5:30 (or whenever there is someone waiting). My 30 minute time limit begins then, regardless of how long I’ve been on it. In other words, before anyone was on line for the equipment, I was in essence getting back in line on a continual basis; once someone else is actually in line, I am now behind that person for my own machine and am therefore on the 30 minute clock.
I tried to explain this theory once to someone asking me to get off the machine, and I wasn’t being fully understood. I decided to come to a more intelligent group of people. What say you?
(ok, so I came out of lurkerhood for this…)