Weight Room Etiquette: Asking to share a barbell rack?

[Roldanis]

So I'm trying to get started on a barbell weight training program (SL 5x5.)  Why only trying not actually doing you ask?  Well the issue I'm coming across is the local community center where my wife and I are currently members only has 2 barbell racks.  On days where I go in the morning, Monday and Friday, both racks are usually occupied at some point.  Or when one is available it is only briefly and it would be 20 minutes after I get to the rec center.  The option of waiting until it a rack is open or going a later time isn't much of an option at this point as the rec center opens at 5:30 and I have to be a leaving my house for work no later than 7:15.

 

One thing I have noticed is when I first get there at 5:30ish is the same dude using the rack.  The other rack usually occupied by a father/son pair so they are alternating between the two of them.  The single guy is on the rack usually for squats and/or benches and calf raises with long rests between sets.

 

So the question is, how do you approach someone to see if you can share the rack while he is resting between his sets?  Is it even appropriate to ask such a thing?  Obviously since I'm just starting off I will be at a much different weight than he is so there would be a lot of swapping plates.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Oramac]

It's certainly appropriate, but if there's a huge difference in weight it's not recommended.  Mainly just because swapping out the plates every set is a major PITA.  If you're lifting near the same weight and just need to add/drop a few pounds it's probably ok though.  

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

You simply walk up to him and ask to "work in" (use that verbiage, welcome to the bro speak). As long as you are the one changing to the weights you need then back to his and aren't taking longer than than his rest time to do that plus your set, he should be cool with it.

 

I've never said no. Most guys will even help with the plate swapping and be more than happy to shoot the shit as long as they're not the type to be doing their own thing between sets.

[Roldanis]

 "work in" (use that verbiage, welcome to the bro speak). 

 

Does it help to say "I see you bench press brah... That's cool cause so do I."

[Meteoric]

Switching lots of plates around is mildly inconvenient, but still not really a big deal, IMX. I've shared a rack for squats with a guy doing bench press, so every set meant stripping off all the plates, moving the pins, bringing the bench into the rack, putting his plates on, and then undoing the whole thing so I could squat again. Wasn't a problem. That dude was also crazy strong and gave me some good tips.

 

If for some reason you need to wait for someone to finish, the polite way to ask seems to be "How many sets do you have left?" This sounds less impatient than "How much longer will you be here?" or "Will you be done soon?"

[Rookiebeotch]

Ask to share. They say OK, no problem. Proceed to get in the rack behind them and lift at the same time like it's not weird.

[Roldanis]

Since I posted this thread I've only had a problem with the racks being occupied once.  Guy was nearly done so gave me time to warm up and hop in right after he finished.

[Xisiqomelir]

"Hi, is it okay if I work in? I can strip/reload."

[Tankweazel]

You simply walk up to him and ask to "work in" (use that verbiage, welcome to the bro speak). As long as you are the one changing to the weights you need then back to his and aren't taking longer than than his rest time to do that plus your set, he should be cool with it.

 

I've never said no. Most guys will even help with the plate swapping and be more than happy to shoot the shit as long as they're not the type to be doing their own thing between sets.

Because I'm a midget, I prefer working in based on height rather than weight being lifted.  If a taller person wants to work in and are happy with squatting and benching at midget height, I'm cool.

Working in on bench press requires additional knowledge of how to hand out to archy midgets though.

[Roldanis]

"Hi, is it okay if I work in? I can strip...."

 

I don't think many would appreciate that... except maybe my wife, but even that's debatable.