Personal trainer here (I don't work in gyms now, but I have done).
Part of the problem is that most gyms aren't big enough, don't have enough equipment (or not enough of the equipment that people want to use), and take on too many members, meaning the gyms are overcrowded at busy times.
There's a fuzzy area of unspoken etiquette here. It's OK and expected to let someone know that you'd like to use the station they're on, or wait near a particular station if you're waiting to use it, especially if the gym is small and/or busy.
But this is a hangover from the old spit 'n' sawdust bodybuilding gyms where the weightlifters all knew each other and having those conversations was easier. I do think it's become a bit passive-aggressive in modern big box gyms where no one knows anyone else.
You do get daydreamers sitting out their between-set rest times holding up equipment needlessly. I remember going over to check someone was OK because she'd been sat motionless on the shoulder press for almost 15 minutes. Got an earful for my trouble because she was 'extended resting' apparently (which isn't a thing but hey ho).
However it is not OK to be intimidating or rude and I certainly pursued a no-tolerance policy of that when I was working on the gym floor. If someone complained about a member being pushy or intimidating we would always follow it up.
If your gym's any good from a member relations perspective, have a chat with the gym manager or membership team and get it logged.