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Why should gym be mandatory?

Why do non-swimmers hang out by the pool at my gym?

  • I can't believe I'm wasting my question on this, but I've been wondering about it for months. So at my gym, there is a "wet area" with a lap pool, a sauna, a steam room and a jacuzzi. What puzzles me is that there are people (usually men) who sit for long periods of time on the bench in the wet area. Some of them are still in their gym clothes, which makes me think they're not, like, taking intervals between sauna and steam or whatever. They definitely do not swim. They just sit there on the bench. They aren't bothering me, so I don't want to be all "hey man why are you hanging out here?" because it would sound either accusatory or friendly/curious, and I really am not up for conversation with random dudes at the gym pool. Do people at your gym do this? Why are they there?

  • Answer:

    The pool area at our local rec center is also comfortably warm and humid as compared to the rest of the facility. It's like walking into a greenhouse during the wintertime.

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A few thoughts: 1) They like the relatively scantily-clad view(s). 2) They do not know how to swim, and are very slowly trying to build familiarity and see that no one's drowning. 3) They are watching someone (kids/friends) who do not feel 100% safe as an unofficial lifeguard. 4) It's a more humid area/social area/place to sit - something about the space there suits their pre- or post-workout needs.

vegartanipla

I hang out by the pool at my apartment complex all the time without swimming. Sitting by water is fun and relaxing--that's all there is to it.

jenfullmoon

The ones at my gym that do this are usually Eastern European/Russian and Asian. They are not engaged in any activity except for sitting and observing. They have multiple family members in the gym with them. Perhaps cultural.

Kruger5

Sitting by water can be relaxing moreso than sitting my weights or elipticals. Maybe it's jus the best post workout chill spot?

WeekendJen

In my case, its often waiting for my girlfriend to show. Also at the same gym, the case was often that they were cruising for other guys.

Jacen

I guess it didn't occur to me that people would want to have their sit-and-rest time at the gym. I'm always in a hurry to get done, get showered and dressed and get on with my day. But I can see how that would be different if I had a different kind of life, so your explanations make sense to me. Thanks all, let's call it resolved.

fingersandtoes

How comfortable are the chairs there vs. in the rest of the gym?

Jacqueline

Taking naps above the pool is a Thing at my university. I'm going to go with it's just comfortable and relaxing for those guys.

lookoutbelow

Quiet? I have never belonged to a gym that played annoying cardio extended gym version music in the wet area.

Lesser Shrew

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