yeah that sucks. today i drove to my local gym for a swim workout. I got my suit on stretched and did a short warm up. I was about 200 yards into my workout when i get kicked out of the pool so the swim team could practice. What a waste of my life

I'm going to have to take the other side of that. I also belong to a 24Hr Fitness that has a pool and water aerobics classes. The schedule of classes is clearly posted so it's easy to tell when the water aerobics class will be taking place. In my gym, the classes have between 10-20 participants. That's when I happily yield to the folk who need the pool. I can't justify my laps trumping 10-20 other people's expectations that the class will start on time. That's 10-20 people who got to the gym for this and it's not like they suddenly take over without notice - so I take it as my responsibility to work around the set class schedule.

+1 Don't get me wrong, I totally understand how a pool deck (especially at 24hr fitness) can result in a rant. Of all places to get in confrontations, the pool deck seems disproportionately well-represented in my rants. I caught all kinds of hell for some of the pool etiquette guidelines I posted (and they weren't even mine, but I endorsed them), some of which relate to my experiences at health club pools (vs. natatoriums).

If there is a water aerobics class scheduled, you should probably defer. I know, I know. I see it every Mon. & Wed. 6 to 7pm: The water aerobics flotilla camps out right in front of the instructor and thus takes up all five lanes when they could spread out in two lanes, leaving a couple open for laps. Regardless, my 24hr Fitness has the same policy even though it is 5 lanes X 25 yards. No lap swimming during water aerobics. If your gym really is open 24 hour a day, and they schedule 3 one-hour classes per week, the pool is closed a whopping 1.7% of the week. That sounds like you (and me) have plenty of other times to swim.

I know it is frustrating, but choose your battles wisely. If the water aerobics class starts early or runs late; if someone won't share a lane; if someone wants to aqua jog in a lane while people are waiting on deck (flame on!); if someone wants to take up a whole lane floatin' on a weenie; if there are kids jerkin' around in a lane, then you have a point. Have a little sympathy for 'em (which I am not known for). Water aerobics may be the only exercise these folks can do. At least they are doing something, so let them bob around. There is a reason they do water aerobics, and it's not because their tri bike is in the shop.

I yield to no one in my disdain for water aerobics (maybe I'm mixing up cause and effect, but the activity doesn't appear to help anyone get fit, including the instructors at my gym). But I'm with Sooner on this.

If it was a scheduled class and they have the whole pool, schedule your workouts accordingly or politely approach the manager and request 1 lane stay open for swimming. If they say no they say no. Maybe they want the whole pool because they have fluctuating attendance and actually need the whole pool some days.

If they didn't actually post the class schedule, definitely complain to the management. It's hard enough to schedule workouts around work, family life, etc., without unwanted surprises.

However, weaving through the class because you don't like the tone of the instructor and don't want to short your swim 300 cooldown yards only serves to confirm some stereotypes about triathletes.

Hate to say it, but it could be worse. The gym at my school has 5 swimming lanes, a 'double' lane for 'recreational' swimming, plus a sizeable deep end which is where they hold some of the aqua fitness classes. Depsite all this space, the pool is only opened for lane swimming for one hour three times a day (twice on weekends). The rest of the day it's booked up for a million stupid little things (like swimming lessons.. for which some classes have maybe 6 people and only use the 'recreational' area). I would kill for a 24 hour pool. Just my two cents.

But I will add, even though I think the scheduled class should be respected, +1 for swimming through the "flotilla" (perfect word trisooner). What a way to simulate swimming through the pack on race day!

I agree, rules are rules and you have to follow them no matter how much they suck. But I also think that people should apply a little common sense every once in a while. If the class isn't full and there is plenty of room, why can't the flotillas just say, "no problem, if you don't mind moving over to the side of the pool you'll be out of our way." When the Scuba Steve Squad shows up to our pool, the lap swimmers gladly consolidate to give them there own half of the pool so they can do their scuba training. But if the pool is busy, the scuba guys will wait until a lane opens up before they start thrashing around with their fins. It works out and everyone is happy.

I'm now realizing how great my pool is, we have a shallow section separate from our lap lanes that they hold the aerobic classes in, so no one is in the way of the other group.

And what's this, is that sympathy I hear from TriSooner? You feeling okay buddy? Maybe you should sit down, you're not acting like yourself :)

ooohhh I HATE it when the lifeguard is late. It screws up my whole morning

+1, me too.

2 hours of lane swim Sat/Sun, and 3-4 1-hour slots weekdays (mostly while I'm at work). The rest of the time it's booked solid, no lane swim allowed.

Oh and there's "Rec Swim" as well, but unless you want to get smacked with volleyballs and pool noodles, you steer clear.

jono

Just a bit more to add to the ranting....
I went to the pool on the 3rd about halfway into ADULT swim only and it was a zoo. I realize it was a long shot since it was a holiday weekend and the town was packed with tourists but I go to peek and see if there is room to do laps ( no lanes, you just claim your area) and there are about 100 people packed in there. Kids everywhere- babies in the HOT TUB!
I am hoping today that the chemical shock will have worn off by now and i can go back to my quiet pool.
And no one, I mean no one messes with the aerobics class. You can't even go near the water if you are not taking the class.

This thread actually gave me a nightmare - I was being held underwater by a a crowd of Aqua aerobics participants while they kicked me.... Man am I going to steer clear of those classes...

I agree with Ironmom. I didn't like my work out getting interrupted it but I agree. Lap swimmers get "their" time why shouldn't the water aerobics people? They pay club fees as well. Give them the respect that you are asking for.

Can anyone clarify WHY no one is allowed in the pool during waterobics? My pool just put up signs with the same rules. It can't be space because we have 6 lanes x 25 meters. That's a HUGE space for the 10 participants. This is an outdoor pool and they clear EVERYONE out, even sunbathers. Is it modesty?

Lumpy Ladies. That's asking for trouble to be sure.

No one has mentioned limiting class sizes (unless I missed it).

If a pool can support x people, why not limit the Lumpy Ladies/Masters Swim/Toddler Time to x-y members? Then z sq ft of the pool can remain open for general use. Class times are posted - those attending should have time to register and once its full, its full.

The same thing applies in spin class; it is just logistically easier because there are only so many bikes. But notice, there are generally other bikes still available, because the spin room segregates a portion of the supply (or x-y).

Side rant - I'm tired of unsupervised kids in the hot tubs.

I'm not sure it really is the same concept, but I think the rant really boils down to expectations.

When I signed up for my gym membership, I was pitched that it was a 24 hour facility and I could work out when I wanted. So, my expectation was set by the gym. Fortunately, my gym abides. When they have Masters Swim, for example, they cordon off pretty much the entire outdoor pool (the lap swim section, anyways), but the indoor pool is still available.

As an alternative, the gym could set the expectation, at the time of sign up, that its a 24 hour facility but certain areas are not available subject to the class times. Maybe that happens - I don't know. If that is the case, then the member knows what they were signing up for.

I suppose the rant is academic to me - but if I were in the OPs shoes, I'd be upset if I was told I have access to a 24 hour facility and then when I show up, I can't use it because someone else is paying more.