To wonder why men can't be in the steam room or sauna without making noise

[chaletdays]

Seriously, if there's a couple of women in there the place is calm and quiet. As soon as a couple of men arrive there's grunting and groaning and slapping their arms and legs and loudly slurping water and even standing up to do exercises.
Can't they just shut up for a few minutes?

YES!
I had this conversation with my dp about this last week, asked him if men at his gym did this.
It is very strange behaviour, my personal favourite was the man who did press ups with a long inhale and exhale for each one, stood up and slapped each peck before sitting down, just no!

Some men also have to come in and 'organise'. So you're all sitting there nice and happy, but the bloke has to put water on the coals/change the lighting level... Etc etc. All the while they're grunting and groaning. Why??

I do see the point as looking like less of a threat, hadn't considered that idea.

Exactly. How is a man grunting and groaning and doing squats in his speedos less threatening than a man just sitting down quietly doing nothing.

"I think sometimes men do this when in the company/presence of women they don't know because it makes them feel less threatening."

Speaking in my capacity as a professional and amateur man, myth confirmed - there are many kinds of exaggerated looking at stuff and doing stuff that we do to be unthreatening, although I had never really thought about it before reading your comment.

They are quiet in a German sauna

Can I assure all men out there that we really don't feel the least bit threatened about men sitting quietly in the steam room lost in their own thoughts.
We do, however, feel uneasy and annoyed when someone is huffing and puffing and grunting and standing in front of us doing exercises in what is meant to be a quiet and relaxing space.