Problems with my stronglifts routine...

[Deland01]

I work shifts and this means I get to the gym at different times each week. One week early, one week lates. When I’m on earlys the gym is always too busy to use the free weights as its only a small gym. My question is this will the stronglifts routine still work if I substitute some of the exercises for machines on the week I cant use the free weights?

Overhead press = shoulder press machine
Squats = leg press machine
Bench press = chest press machine

I realise they wont give me the all round strength that free weights will but will it keep me active enough to be able to carry on with free weights the week after?

The other thought I had was on the week I can’t use the free weights concentrate on my cardio. My aim is to get fit for snowboarding which means I need to do about 40 mins cardio 3-4 times per week (end goal). Would this have a negative impact on the strength training on strong lifts?

[Mehdi]

Doesn't work with machines. The weight is not comparable for a start, so you can't apply progressive loading.

The solution is to go to people and ask them if you can train in between or how long they're still busy etc. Get outside your comfort zone.

[lovestolift]

Mehdi's right. Just ask the guy to work in with him. Most of the guys at the gym will be willing. I have never had a single one say no.

[Wellhairedbeast]

have you considered setting up a home gym? its cheaper than gym membership in the long run.

[Deland01]

Id love to have a home gym but I live in a flat on the 3rd floor without any space for anything. Plus I do enjoy going to the gym for variety of different machines and it gets you out & about.

The only real problem I've have on the week I’m at the gym early is one guy likes to set all the machines & available bars up the way he want it so he has a circuit to go round. One week I had to go in work early so this meant I hit the gym an hour early at 06:30 to do the routine before I had to go to work. The guy rocks up at the gym at the usual time & he was pacing up and down because I was using the power rack and this interrupted his routine. Bear in mind he's already set the bench press up, squat machine, got all the dumbbells out & also set olympic bars up on the floor, so using everything available and being selfish. I often wondered why the dip bars were bent out of shape (ones that slide in the power rack). Its cos he's been using them to lift heavy weights on because he’s run out of bars!!! anyway I was in the power rack in the middle of a set of squats and he said are you using this so I'm like yeh, I'll give you a shout when I’m done. So asked if he could do some pull downs in between my set. I said no feel free. He then basically muscled me out of the way and took over the power rack mumbling to himself about having a tight schedule to fit everything in. I asked if I could use the bench press & he was like, erm no I’m using that, so I asked if I could use the other olimpic bar & I got the same answer.

I just gave up and when on the wellness machines, really couldn’t be bothered with him that early in the morning. I’ve also noticed he’s now started getting to the gym before it even opens so he’s first in on the machines. I’m sure he’s on steroids cos the way he acts isn’t right, he’s extremely aggressive.

[Mehdi]

Id love to have a home gym but I live in a flat on the 3rd floor without any space for anything. Plus I do enjoy going to the gym for variety of different machines and it gets you out & about.

The only real problem I've have on the week I’m at the gym early is one guy likes to set all the machines & available bars up the way he want it so he has a circuit to go round. One week I had to go in work early so this meant I hit the gym an hour early at 06:30 to do the routine before I had to go to work. The guy rocks up at the gym at the usual time & he was pacing up and down because I was using the power rack and this interrupted his routine. Bear in mind he's already set the bench press up, squat machine, got all the dumbbells out & also set olympic bars up on the floor, so using everything available and being selfish. I often wondered why the dip bars were bent out of shape (ones that slide in the power rack). Its cos he's been using them to lift heavy weights on because he’s run out of bars!!! anyway I was in the power rack in the middle of a set of squats and he said are you using this so I'm like yeh, I'll give you a shout when I’m done. So asked if he could do some pull downs in between my set. I said no feel free. He then basically muscled me out of the way and took over the power rack mumbling to himself about having a tight schedule to fit everything in. I asked if I could use the bench press & he was like, erm no I’m using that, so I asked if I could use the other olimpic bar & I got the same answer.

I just gave up and when on the wellness machines, really couldn’t be bothered with him that early in the morning. I’ve also noticed he’s now started getting to the gym before it even opens so he’s first in on the machines. I’m sure he’s on steroids cos the way he acts isn’t right, he’s extremely aggressive.

Is that how you want to go through your life? You're going to let one guy mess up with your whole routine and the results you're getting?

Teach him manners. And I don't mean in an aggressive way. It's not his gym. He should do that stuff when no-one is there. You know you're right here. Tell him you need to do your stuff too. Find a solution that fits both. DO NOT avoid conflict. Stay friendly and talk it out.

[Mouse]

Is he the gym owner or a paying member like you are?
I suspect the latter.
What we have here is a case of school playground bully. Get in the squat rack and don't give it up for him.
If he starts getting a monk on, speak to the management about him. You pay to use the gym just as he does.
Why should he be allowed to use all of the equipment to the exclusion of others.

[Deland01]

I know what your saying is right just don’t know if I want the hassle.

[Mehdi]

I know what your saying is right just don’t know if I want the hassle.

Do you want the hassle of switching your routine all the time because of that guy?

You're most likely going to rationalize because we're suggesting you to do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. We don't like being pushed out of our comfort zone. But it's by doing this stuff, that you'll grow.

[itsbruce]

The guy is damaging the equipment for his own selfishness. Don't give him respect for that.

[jpez]

This guy should be worried if he's hogging all the equipment and not allowing everyone else to workout, not you. Anyway if you don't want to confront the guy (which you should) I guess using the machines is better than nothing.

I would confront the guy. I would go up to him and try to explain to him that what he's doing is interfering with my training and see if we could come up with a solution. If he doesn't want to cooperate go to the management and complain. You're paying you should be able to use the equipment.

Or maybe you can look for another gym.

This all sounds very childish, I hope you find a solution.

[22Alpha]

I urge you to do something about the guy as well. The reason why he gets away with being such a dick is because no one dares/cares enough to stand up. People like you, who do not want the "hassle". So what if he's on steroids? You do not have to confront him directly. Speak to the management, have him observed and I am certain the management will do something about him.

Why should you let another guy push you around? Isn't weights training highly dependent on testerone, and assuming you have testerone in your blood, why are you acting like a pussy and allowing someone to lord over your routine? You pay just like he does, so you're entitled to whatever he is as well.

Seriously, be a man and speak up.

[WhiteGorilla]

Id love to have a home gym but I live in a flat on the 3rd floor without any space for anything.

It might now seem like you have enough room, but if you really want it then you could manage. I live on the fourth floor in an apartment building and it is very small. I set up a squat rack on the side of my room and keep a bench in between the two uprights when Im not using it and all of the weights in the corner. Doesnt take up much room and still sturdy enough to hold 1000 lbs

[fawkes]

I Agree i think you should definitely stand up to this guy, you might get the shakes/adrenalin at first to work up the courage to do it but trust me after you do it you really will feel like a man you will feel good about yourself and have more confidence like other have said you dont have to be agressive but there is no need to let someone walk all over you like that in any part of your life. as for setting the gym up in your small apartment i only live in a bedroom thats all the space i have i have set up a power rack next to my bed and the power rack is at the door so when i use it i have enough room for the bar to go through the door way, my room goes door way power rack bed and tv. you might not even need a power rack etc just a bar and some weights have a look at the minimalist 5x5 program medhi has put on the site. it may not be the best but its better than nothing.