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

September 25, 2013 11:24 AM

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?

posted by fingersandtoes to Society & Culture (19 answers total)

Sitting by water can be relaxing moreso than sitting my weights or elipticals. Maybe it's jus the best post workout chill spot?
posted by WeekendJen at 11:26 AM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

Are they chatting with other people? I used to go to the gym before work and there was a large crowd of retirees who seemed to use the weight room at that time primarily to socialize.
posted by something something at 11:27 AM on September 25, 2013

You could ask very casually, "hey what's up?" and let them fill in the details. It's nicer than "hey you pervert! what are you doing there?"

If your town isn't near a beach I'd go sit by the pool too. Does the room have a lot of windows? Is it sunny?
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:28 AM on September 25, 2013

They might be finished with their workout and waiting for a family member or friend who is using the pool.
posted by mbrubeck at 11:28 AM on September 25, 2013

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.
posted by vegartanipla at 11:30 AM on September 25, 2013 [2 favorites]

Best 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.
posted by jquinby at 11:30 AM on September 25, 2013 [6 favorites]

How long are they hanging out? Since I began running this year I find that it takes a good 15 minutes for me to stop perspiring after a run; rather than jump in the shower right away I'll sit around, drink water and futz around online for a while. If I were at a gym the poolside would be a logical place to cool down.
posted by usonian at 12:16 PM on September 25, 2013

The pool area at the gym I used to go to was cool and humid in comparison to the rest of the gym so if I'd really pushed hard on the cardio machines and was feeling too hot and wobbly I'd go hang out there for a while to cool down.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 12:20 PM on September 25, 2013

They're relaxing in a spot with a water view.
posted by fivesavagepalms at 12:25 PM on September 25, 2013

They are chatting and people-watching.
posted by cairnoflore at 12:27 PM on September 25, 2013

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.
posted by Jacen at 12:28 PM on September 25, 2013

Best answer: Is there anywhere else for them to sit?

Also, the humidity can be really good if you've been breathing hard.
posted by amtho at 12:28 PM on September 25, 2013

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.
posted by Kruger5 at 12:55 PM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

My gym puts chaise lounges on the deck next to the lap pool. Some people just like sitting by the pool.
posted by hwyengr at 12:58 PM on September 25, 2013

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.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:05 PM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Quiet? I have never belonged to a gym that played annoying cardio extended gym version music in the wet area.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 2:38 PM on September 25, 2013

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.
posted by lookoutbelow at 3:51 PM on September 25, 2013

How comfortable are the chairs there vs. in the rest of the gym?
posted by Jacqueline at 11:10 AM on September 26, 2013

Response by poster: 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.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:02 PM on October 2, 2013