To think you can’t reserve places for you’re mates at fitness classes in the gym

[HufflepuffPride]

I’ve been going to the same gym for years but since lockdown ended I’ve noticed a group of three friends have muscled in on all the classes and and insist on keeping spaces for each other. This is stupid because you have to book all classes in advance so if there wasn’t any room you wouldn’t be allowed in of there wasn’t enough space or equipment for them, but that doesn’t stop these three insist on standing next to each other.

What usually happens is one arrives first, we’ll call her ‘Julie’ arrives first. Marches in to ‘her spot’ leaves a towel to mark the space as hers then ensures that that she places a water bottle and pair of car keys on other spots nearby for her friends who we’ll call Sharon and Cheryl. If anyone dares to stand in these spots they get told that they can’t because they are ‘taken’ bare in mind they’ve not even fucking arrived yet. Then Sharon arrives and Julie manically waves her arms to get her attention and makes sure that goes to her spot, then Cheryl arrives just before the class is about to start.

AIBU to think this is out of order. Julie told me off tonight for standing in one of her mates places so I shuffled only very slightly out to one side and was subjected to dirty looks all night, I couldn’t give a toss really but I’m a seasoned gym goer and that kind of behaviour can really put off newbies. These women are also in every single class, they are in body pump, they are in HIIT they are in fucking spin they are everywhere —and appear to make little progress— so you can hardly avoid them.

Also AIBIU to think that kind of behaviour is pathetic in fifty plus something women? It’s generally a very friendly gym and the classes were great and inclusive before they arrived

This is not something I could get worked up about.

How do you know they are in every class? Are you in every class too? Surely it's easier to avoid them if they are all together in one spot.. you can go to the other side of the room.

Can't believe you have time to pay attention to the progress of three individuals you don't seem to like...

They must be really fit if they're doing all those classes!

They do sound annoying, but if there's enough room for everyone anyway I couldn't really get worked up about them saving spaces for their mates (providing they've all actually booked!)

I would ignore them if there is a good reason to have that spot - ie being in front of the mirror / being next to the fan etc.

Otherwise not sure I’d care that much tbh, it would be more awkward to insert yourself between two friends and then feel like they’re looking past you to each other every few minutes

As long as they've booked, why does it matter if they want their friends next to them?? I'd like my friends next to me in the gym doing a class together, and if you can't all get there at the same time, like I said, as long as they've booked, what's the problem??????

That doesn’t bother me. I’ve asked before if I’m in someone’s regular spot. You know they like to stand together so go elsewhere?

Well @FluffyBooBoo because they seem to be in every class I go to. I think it’s pretty rude to tell people that they can’t stand in a particular spot when they’ve presumably paid the same membership fee.

And it does appear you do 'give a toss' otherwise you wouldn't have brought the subject up on here I'm afraid.

Hahaha I know exactly what u mean and have had this previously and it’s irritated me so so much that if be so cross through the class! This was pretty COVID when classes were too busy so it was a free for all for space,the keys on the ground used to make my blood boil , one day I leaned down and picked them and said oh sorry U dropped your keys and firmly took my space!

A post that is ageist, fattist and sexist in one fell swoop. is this a record?

Well Hufflepuffpride if they are clearly trying to hold the space for their friend using keys, why would you stand in it anyway? That seems pretty rude too. I don't see anything would with wanting to be next to your friends in the same class.

Who cares??

We usually stand in the same places in my gym.

Everyone knows who comes with their friends and or daughter or elephant

But we are a friendly bunch and no one feels left out or snubbed

@phishy

A post that is ageist, fattist and sexist in one fell swoop. is this a record?

Oh ffs. Seriously? How is any of what I’ve said ageist or fattest or sexist?

Given you have said there is no problem with the number of spaces, why are you bothered about standing in one of the "reserved" ones?

There is also a lot of sneeriness in your "seasoned gym goer" and "make little progress" comments.

Get in before them and pick your space.

Do they pre book sessions? If they've booked in advance I don't see the issue.

If they aren't booking and taking up spaces from people who have booked then that's something the staff need to investigate.

The behaviour is intimidating to new gym goers and not something they should be doing. It's scary enough joining a gym without this stuff happening.

The comment on not making progress is unfair though and not the attitude I'd be comfortable with, I don't want other gym members judging me.

Is there a reason you want to stand next to Julie? Are they somehow bagging the 'best' spots? Because if they aren't, and they just want to be next to one another, I can't see why it's so annoying tbh.

@FluffyBooBoo

Well Hufflepuffpride if they are clearly trying to hold the space for their friend using keys, why would you stand in it anyway? That seems pretty rude too. I don't see anything would with wanting to be next to your friends in the same class.

I didn’t. I just wandered over and stood too close. Wasn’t actually intentional believe it or not.

Mountain out of a molehill 🤷🏼‍♀️

You have my sympathy, my previous gym was like this. I’ve changed gyms after 14 years and annoyed I didn’t change sooner, bigger gym and the facilities are better and other gym goers are much more considerate. I go to to the gym to de stress not get stressed!

Just stand where you like and ignore them. Employ the tactics of the socially clueless like me.

Aaah, the Coven.

I remember one woman at a tiny gym I used to go to who would walk on the single treadmill for half an hour, and that's it. I was only young, 18 or so, and one time she tried to tell me to get off (during my ten minutes of running- maximum time was supposed to be ten minutes) as she always went on at that time, everyone knows. I told her to go on something else as I'd only be five minutes more. She just stood there but I did my running and got off when I wanted to.

Do they take the same 3 spots for every class? If so, can't you just get there before 'Julie ' and take her place so she has to move elsewhere.

I really don't see an issue with this at all. Maybe they don't feel comfortable going on their own so like to stand next the each other. Who cares if thats the case, they are exercising and that's a good thing!

I could see if being a problem if there weren't enough places and then they stopped people even though they weren't there!

Are they all classes? Or some pre booked open gym sessions.

In our local gym ( not classes) there are staff about.
Yes sometimes people will leave something on a machine that they are using when they go to the toilet.

If it is just a class lift the keys and tell her she must have dropped them. Or mention to whoever runs the class if it bothers you.

Certainly go and stand where you please and push whatever out of your way.