To be mildly irritated by this behaviour at exercise class

[Teentrauma]

Have been attending same exercise classes for years. Most classes are generally pretty well attended and, pre-covid, most people would turn up a few minutes before the class was due to start and go and stand in an available space on the floor once the instructor indicated she was ready to start. When classes first returned after Covid, class sizes were cut and the floor was marked out to allow for social distancing. However, ever since classes went back to normal capacity with no floor markings, most people seem to turn up early, reserve their spot on the floor with their water bottle then wander off to chat, go to the loo etc. The bottles are always very generously spaced a la Covid times. I suspect a few started it and then it had a domino effect. I struggle to get there early but have started trying to force myself as I know I'll likely find myself wedged into the corner otherwise which makes the class less enjoyable. Many people don't seem happy to shuffle or up move forward either when they see a "latecomer" is struggling to find a space. This morning I was running "late" and turned up a couple of minutes before the class started. I saw the sea of well spaced water bottles and felt my heart sink. There was a space at the very back but a bit tight. The woman in front could've moved forward a couple of steps but clearly wasn't going to. A couple of routines in, I spotted a slightly bigger space a bit further forward so moved into it. Thankfully those nearby did move a bit to give me a bit more room and all was fine.

As I said, it's only a minor irritation and certainly wouldn't stop me attending the classes. It's more an observation of human behaviour I guess and I know I'm just as guilty by trying to comply 🤣

Ahh the politics of fitness class. This would annoy me too. At my classes luckily we all hang back around the perimeter of the room until the instructor is ready to start, then we all move into the centre. It can occasionally be tricky to fit us all in, but people are pretty good about budging up to make sure everyone has an adequate space. Sounds like there are some inconsiderate jerks at your class, quite frankly.

@renthead that's exactly what used to happen at this class pre-Covid. I did mention it to another woman I sometimes chat to there once , and she agreed it was bizarre yet still we comply like sheep 🤣

Can you talk to the teacher about this behaviour, as it's quite selfish. Is there a class size limit as it sounds like the hall may be a tight squeeze, depending on whether the class style is static eg: like a yoga class where people are literally bagsying the floor space, or dynamic where people move around once the class gets started.

Either way, the trainer should be monitoring this and instructing the perpetrators to give you some space, provided you arrive on time for the start and aren't disrupting it by arriving late (not that you are, hence there is no justification for you not being accommodated). People are so mean!

Can you have a word with the instructor or manager of the premises as it also sounds like a H&S matter. Water bottles leak and having a wet floor when exercising is not ideal. Perhaps a general "do not leave drinks bottles unattended at any time" could be implemented?

Ask loudly “can you move up please?” Then smile . It’s only by shaming the offenders you’ll get the message over. Perhaps that will even get the teacher to talk up.

It seems like the place is not big enough. If you can find the courage to just say "excuse please can you move up a bit" I'm sure they would out of politeness. Even if they didn't want to

It is stuff like this that stops me from doing most group fitness classes. I've done spin every now and then because you know you are going to get a decent space usually. No advice I'm afraid other than you don't need group fitness to stay fit.

The teacher needs to deal with this. S/he needs to get people to spread out evenly. And as for people reserving places with their water bottles, she needs to treat it like towels on sunloungers. No reserving. If you want that spot, you occupy it.

The whole 'my spot' thing is really annoying in exercise classes. 'Oh no, you can't stand there! Janet stands there!'

Well Janet needs to get to class a bit earlier then.

If it's just bottles and not people in position, I would go to where I wanted and stay there. People can always move their water bottles if they want.

Talk to the instructor or the manager of the centre. They should sort it

Not really sure I understand the relevance of the water bottles. Even if people weren’t reserving a space with a bottle they would be reserving it with their own body wouldn’t they and you would still be struggling for space if you are late. Sounds like the room is too small more than anything.

Because if water bottles are spaced out evenly across a room so there's 5 and actually there's room for 7 people, then you'd have to pick up the bottles and move them to stand in that row.

Can you not see how that would be awkward?

I can't stand it when regulars think they're entitled to "their" spot just because they stood there once and decided it was a good one.

I don't think the room's too small. There were similar numbers pre-Covid without the place marking and I don't recall there being an issue then. Yes, some classes were a bit busy but we just shuffled up and it was fine.They introduced an online booking system when numbers were limited due to Covid and have kept it going (you used to just turn up). I have never experienced an issue getting booked in since the numbers went back to normal but assume there must be a limit. Most classes are not THAT busy anyway it's because many attendees insist on having loads of room by the way they space out their bottles/placemarkers. It's an aerobics class so we do move around a fair amount.

I was fully expecting lots of replies saying the same happens at their classes but it seems it's not the norm post Covid after all!

Don’t start me off. At my gym a group of women seem to be on a rota. One gets in early and sets up all the mats. So they always get prime spots and the rest of us have to rush around like we’re in the Hunger Games.

*Because if water bottles are spaced out evenly across a room so there's 5 and actually there's room for 7 people, then you'd have to pick up the bottles and move them to stand in that row.

Can you not see how that would be awkward?*

Yep, that's exactly the situation.

I would also advise staying back for a few minutes and talking to the instructor about this. If you are a regular and it bothers you then other people will have noticed as well. The instructor should want to know about this, especially as it is putting you off going.

Does the studio ask for any feedback?

I may email the instructor, taking care not to come across like a twat. It doesn't stop me attending (have been going for years and love her classes) but I guess it could be off putting to new people.

That's a good idea to email OP. It can be intimidating going to a new class for the first time, and you don't want anything putting people off coming back. Also, it's just unnecessary at this point post-pandemic.