I can see how that would suck. My gym recently got like 40 new cardio machines, so I've never seen it have a wait, luckily. I also go at odd hours though haha, so it's not usually busy. But I wouldn't enjoy paying almost like, 50+ bucks to be told I only have 20 minutes, or to have to wait in line and only get 20 minutes. That's kind of ridiculous.

If it were me I'd try finding something at home to do as well. Like you could do your 20 minutes there, come home and try jumping rope, or doing a fitness video. Or take all the money you spend at the gym and buy your own exercise bike! I hear they're pretty cheap haha. I guess that's what my mom plans to do with our membership lol.

Do you have to physically wait in line, or can you sign up and do other work while you wait?

There's a physical line, so not even the option to just put my name down.

It's not the absolute end of the world.. I still manage to get in 90 minute workouts with circuit training and the spin bikes which no one ever seems to wait for, but I've started running again and it's impossible to get in more than a couple of miles in 20 minutes! (speed is not my friend)

And, I do workout outdoors on the weekends, but I live in Los Angeles and the options in the early morning/evenings make me a little uneasy sometimes!

Oh well... Like I said, just a rant.

I think what you're doing with your workout by incorporating circuits or spinning is great though! I get tired of the same workouts easily, and classes are great for me since I feel like I'm obliged to try hard, with other people doing it with me.

I belonged to a gym once that had time limits and a sign-in sheet and it did suck. Luckily, I live in an area where gyms are plentiful and I have a flexible schedule and can go during non-peak hours if necessary, so never again will I deal with that.

I agree with the suggestions to try HIIT. You can have just as an effective workout in a shorter time period. A 20-min HIIT workout would be better than 30 min at a steady state. Another alternative would be to ramp up the incline. Either way, you'll have a more effective workout in a shorter period of time. The distance you achieve isn't as important as how much you elevate your heart rate.

I go to the Y they have time limits of 30 minutes of cardio machines. I go to two different ones...one by my home and one by my job depending on my schedule. THe time limit is only enforced if someone is waiting. However the one by my job is my fav and try and go there the most. The by my house is a pain in the ***! I don't do weights there because by the time you get to the next one you're cooled down. I am sorry your gym sucks. Do you have a Y they open at 5:30 and close at 10 so you could have more options :)

I no longer belong to a gym. I bought a treadmill and a Hoist home gym instead of paying the fees. I just didn't have the time to go to the gym, but I don't remember there being time limits when I was still going. I've belonged to several gyms over the years and don't really remember having to wait on cardio machines or being rushed off of one....................