Yep, Alistair. I feel with you...here is my anecdote:
I was in a commercial gym for almost two years three years ago. I was in it on a suggestion to get into contact to people I think the modern term for it is to "socialize". That does not mean that I am asocial in any way, but I am maybe distinct, peculiar not really "mainstream", only not possessing a TV-Set for many years, and like reading.
I was into the prescribed machineroutine two or three times. Then I let myself go and did splits, handstands, bridges, the flag on a little bouldering wall, ran on the treadmill foreward turned myself around at will running backward sometimes juggling with three balls on it. The first positive responses came by the mother in law audience, the great amount of the younger ladies watched me with interest, but were suddenly proudly engaged in their machineroutine when I looked back. The younger guys were I would describe it a little bit envious, but totally engaged in the famous benchnbiceproutine, full of weight gainer, bcaa-z, crealkalyne, supertribulusterestris alpha-omega-alanine in their brain, headphones in their ears, always training in groups with more than one performer pushing each other. The Trainers and gym owner seemed not to know whether to kick me out of their club or not, but hey they think of their wallet. To come into conversation easily were the more experienced population and the women behind the bar. But I really liked it there, hey, yes, I did Zumba many times...oh, the good old times, all the memories come to my mind again. I get sentimental, or I get old....
But a few times the spapolice came to restore law and order; when:
- doing farmer walks on the treadmill with the dumbbells
- going upstairs to take one or two dumbbells to go downstairs to do get-ups on the mat or sorts of farmers in the empty Zumba class room (I was in there frequently alone, doing my moves, and often people liked to watch through the glass door or window)
- I took my 24k with me to be on vwc (oh, no, no: so horrible for the back!!!)
- I wanted to develop some equilibrium skills on the spinning bike trying to pedal standing without my hands on the steering wheel (I would damage the bike doing so. The only thing I damaged, was a little trampoline which was not build to...jump on it)
I never complained or argued, I am a peacefull guy, I did as they told (but not with my KB).
When more than two people comming together there seem two possibilities to me: something great is happening, or I think a little bit more than 50% maximized dumbness, unfortunately.
And the most annoying thing is: a great bunch of the men and women where "TRAINER" is written on the back of their T-Shirts (I am still referring to commercial gyms) do not know that they do know nothing.
A side- anecdote: last year I accompanied a good friend in his com. gym. As usual in such a setting I do my own stuff...then happened the following: a young lady with a lightly loaded barbell in front of her. You know, when the plates are small, the bar is deep. She grabbed the bar with her back in the lumbar region round like O when that is not shuddering enough she was performing a curl-grip-deadlift, while watching herself in the side mirror, when I remember correctly she was chatting with her girl friend while doing so. The guy with the letters "TRAINER" on his back was only five meters away from her. I thought to myself: when she stops her set, I quickly put on my imaginery "LIFTINGPOLICE" T-shirt, to give her a thing or two to think about. And the crown on the top was, that she seemed to be on the 20reproundedbacksnatchcurlgripdeadliftroutine. When she got her breath back, she explained that "TRAINER" showed it to her. Sad, but it was true, or just comedy, who knows it.
And then was the point I knew the gig is up for me on "planet fitness":
"Harald, we don't want to see your cocaine in our club anymore. It took a little time by me to know that he meant my magnesia!" enough said.