Is this normal exercise class behaviour these days? days?

[Jobs4kids]

I've recently started a new exercise class after a few years away.

I've noticed that people seem to arrive early and mark their place on the floor with their weights, water bottle etc meaning that, despite arriving in good time, I can struggle to find a decent spot. This morning, I turned up more than 5 minutes before the start of class and was greeted by rows of well spaced markers despite it not looking overly busy people-wise. After scanning the room a couple of times, I found a spot but it was a bit stressful! Another woman walked in just after me, who is also quite new, and had similar trouble. We exchanged comments about "towels on sunbeds" and agreed it was ridiculous. Class starts and a couple of minutes later one of the regulars rushes in late. One of the others said "OMG Susie, I thought you weren't coming so didn't save your space!" proving that people are clearly saving spots for others as well as themselves and explaining why quite a few regulars were missing when I arrived yet miraculously had spaces once the class started.

As I said, it's been a few years since I last did exercise classes so wonder if it's the norm now or if these people are just twats?

It's like that in my classes too so I don't think it's uncommon at all

Yeah it’s been the case since I started going to the gym over 10 years ago. I save spaces/bikes for friends. They save them for me. Equally if I’m late I also dont really care where I stand. I’ve squeezed in just in front of the door before now or right at the back.
If you’re precious about getting a ‘decent spot’ then get there early. If you’re not then dont. Generally people aren’t cliquey. They are nice. I’ve made my best friends at the gym and now I’m probably in the ‘clique’ anyone else is welcome to join it. Just chat to us

I set up for three others for Body Pump, I generally get there first and set up. I'll often sit on my bench and read (only peace and quiet I get!)

My pet hate is when people turn up bang on time when equipment is needed so everyone has to wait, half the time they'll squeeze into a spot that isn't big enough and get the hump when they don't have space to lunge.

Same happens at the class I go to. It definitely didn't happen pre-Covid though. We took our spaces once the class actually started. When we went back post Covid, numbers were greatly restricted initially and the instructor put out plastic markers at 2 meter distance. When things went back to normal, some people carried it on and everyone else had no choice but to follow suit. It is a bit annoying, especially as I often struggle to get there early & end up with a crap spot! It's one thing reserving for yourself but I don't think it's fair to save for others & do think newcomers might find it unwelcoming.

You have to turn up early for body pump as it takes a while to set up

What nonsense! If we're there before the instructor we set their equipment up too!

If you’re precious about getting a ‘decent spot’ then get there early

This is me. I can't see the instructor if I'm too far back (don't get on with contacts and can't exercise in glasses). I need to be first or second row. I get there early and get set up because I don't want to risk not being able to do the class by being too far back.

At my gym, you pick your bike for spin when you book. One thing I miss about post covid is that you'd book your specific box at the time of class booking. Helps to make sure you don't end up with someone's foot in your face at yoga!

@HunterHearstHelmsley @Dominoeffecter ooo how do you guys find body pump? I have my first body pump class after work on Monday and I’m quite nervous!🫣

I’ve recently started classes at the gym OP and this seems to be the norm. Nothing you can do other than trying to turn up a bit more earlier

Why does it matter where you are?

I love it. I've been doing for the best part of 20 years so that says a lot 😊

For your first ever class, start light. It doesn't matter if it feels too light because you're just getting used to the moves... And it's meant to be low weight, high rept anyway. If it's anything like my gym, people will notice a newbie and help them if they look like they're confused or anything, but definitely ask for help or advise if you're not sure.

It's an aerobics class so no set up required. We do use mats & weights but these are kept at the side of the room along with our waterbottles, bags etc and we fetch them as needed. We do book in advance so presumably there is a limit but have never had a problem to date booking in. I think the problem is that the markers are well spaced out so while you could get say 7 in a row they've only left room for 5. People do generally budge up once the class gets started but some are definitely more willing than others! I'm never late but there are usually more spots saved than people actually present so people are definitely saving spaces for others who turn up at the last minute! As I said, I've never encountered it in the past, I'm sure we just took our places when the class was due to start without a problem.

@PinkMoscatoLover I also do body pump and it was the first class I ever did about 14 years ago.

You need a step for lying on for the chest track and then a bar and a selection of weights. I agree that you start with light weights and you could even keep those same weights on for the whole class until you get to know the choreography and get the techniques right.

You may need additional plates for some tracks that are used without the bar. The instructor should keep you right and will advise you when to add/subtract plates. They should ask if anyone in new too and can give you some pointers.

Yep! Hate it.

Used to go to a class before work in London where you didn’t book you just turned up and the instructors were way too polite to turn people away.

I used to get there 15 minutes early as I was so anxious about it. People would reserve their space and then go do some extra gym for a bit so it got crowded quickly. I’d set up thinking I had enough space and someone would place themselves half a metre away from me and I felt so uncomfortable. I get quite sweaty so really worry about being too near others.

Ive stopped doing classes now unless it’s spinning cuz obviously everyone gets a bike that’s well positioned.

I understand marking spaces for classes that need equipment (pump/lbt/pilates, etc) but don't do it for the likes of attack or combat or zumba. Mats and drinks are at the back/side and then we stand chatting until the class is about to start.

Pretty standard. One reason I loved step classes as instructors laid out the steps

I've rarely done an exercise class so unsure what's normal, I've recently started an outdoor bootcamp and its at "stations" so you can't really reserve a space. There's nearly always an odd number and almost everyone seems to know each other and pair up and I am the Billy no mates! I don't mind too much as its not really possible to chat when you're exercising anyway.

They do this in my local HIIT/Kettlebells class. I don’t have an issue with reserving a spot with a mat but I do have an issue with the panic hoarding of kettle bells that goes on.

Turn up to class 5 mins early to find you have a choice of 2kg or 25kg whilst the usual suspects have a selection of 7 laid out in front of them….and then proceed not to use 6 of them!

Ahh that’s not on

Not a new thing. It’s like this since I was in my 20s and started going to fitness classes and I’m late 40s now.

I used to go to an early bodypump class. People would turn up, set up their stuff (for them and friends), the bugger off for a coffee. So if you turned up 10-15 mins before class you'd struggle to find a space. I work out at home now (having bought all the equipment during lock down), but I'm so glad I'm not dealing with that any more. I know that technically they were not doing anything wrong, but it was a bit towels on sun beds.

Are you all mute?

"Excuse me, can I go in front of you? My eyes are bad"

"I've got the coordination of a drunk wasp, you might want to move over a bit so I don't crash into you!" And laugh

This is why I love my gyms weights classes - we do AMARAP or YGIG in pairs or threes and then a full body HIIT sequence at the end, with people starting on different bits of kit / weights etc.

No spaces to ‘reserve’ in the room as we never know what we’re going to be doing or starting on. Bloody brilliant (and it’s totally changed my body. Lift OP!)

I used to go to a busy gym that had back to back classes after work. It was great because nobody could get into the room until the class was about to start, so none of this turning up ages beforehand and hogging equipment.

Haha, yep, I remember people doing this when I used to sit at the back of a sports hall watching my mum do step - very much not a 'these days' issue.

This. The spaces prime have to go to someone.