Gym etiquette: Would you turn all the lights on, or leave them as is?

Question

Let's say you go to a small gym that is a free amenity for residents of your building. There is no staff working there. It is open 8am - 10pm.

You walk in and there is one other person already there. They are working out.

The lights are on, but not all the lights. There are two light switches on the wall and there is always the option to turn on one or both switches, which is either all lights, or half the lights. In both cases, you can see the gym and equipment clearly. You can see all the numbers on the equipment. There is nothing you can't see but the light is overall a bit dimmer.

The question is: When you walk in...
Do you leave the lights as they are... ask the other person... or just turn all the lights on?

(And yep, this keeps happening that four different girls have come in and wanted all the lights on. Some ask first, some just turn them on, but none of them seem to respect the fact that we are already there, and like some people, prefer not all lights on. It feels like a hospital when they're all on. And it's not a safety issue. It's not much darker with just the one light switch on. There are mirrors on one wall and security cameras on and a F/T building staff in the lobby who keeps an eye on all camera feeds.
It doesn't happen with guys. Guys don't make any changes. They either prefer less lights on, or they adapt to the situation and whatever the other person has selected.)

ThoseCognacEyes · Accepted Answer

Interesting question. I feel like it’s a multilayer question so I’ll break my answer to several points:

1- My personal preference is a room that’s not too dark but also not lit fully, so this scenario would work out perfectly for me and I wouldn’t change a thing.

2- What’s the other person doing? Are they serious about their workout, or just sitting there texting, taking selfies, laughing out loud, speaking on the phone, etc. If they’re serious about what they’re doing, I would not ruin their routine. If they’re goofing around, I would do whatever pleases me. At the end, non-verbal cues are loud and clear.

3- Am I going to the gym for a full workout or just a quick run? If it’s the former, I would want to be comfortable.

DonkeyDan · Accepted Answer

Personally the dimmer light would suit me better anyway as I'm photosensitive, but if it didn't I'd always ask if the other person minded because I'm not an asshole 🤣

nolabels · Answer

Eat some frijoles well before entering the gym.

You'll have the place to yourself.

As to answering your actual question, I'd prefer lower lighting myself, so if I were the additional person entering the room, there would be no issue.

If I were the person already in the gym with lowered but sufficient lighting, I would expect a new entry to the room to ask before turning on more lighting.
I would say that I preferred they didn't, but at the same time I would accept the fact that they have preferences themselves, or may possibly even need the additional lighting due to possible visual impairment.
If a reasonable explanation as to the request for additional lighting was offered, I'd probably go along with their request, but not happily.

I don't feel that the first person in the room has the full right to the choice of lighting once another person enters, but I would think that it would be polite for the additional person to have consideration for the first occupant.

zeitgeist057 · Answer

Fun question! It’s almost a moral dilemma, isn’t it?

First off, I actually prefer the lights to be off. All of them. No. Light. I want to work out in complete darkness, with my headphones rocking some tunes. It’s not a safety issue either, because I have excellent night vision.

so, if you want to add that little element in there, maybe I should just come into your gym and turn the lights off instead of on! Just kidding. But my answer would be that I would just leave it as is. I have actually had the same scenario play out in my apartment complex gym, but even though I did not prefer having all the lights on, I did not complain when someone turned them on. Not even internally. That said, I believe it is 100% within their rights to come in and turn all of the lights 100% on, regardless of the wishes and desires of other users. The space was designed and intended for full functionality, and having all the lights on is the default operation mode. If I came in and half the lights were on, and I wanted them to all be on, I would probably ask just to be polite. But, I would expect the person to say sure no problem. If they insisted that the lights were half off when I wanted them all the way on, I probably would let it be the first time, but wouldn’t ask them next time. 😂

Lliam · Answer

Under the circumstances, I wouldn't care if all or half of the lights were on.
So, I would respect the choice of the person who was already there.

If half the lights were on, it would be rude and presumptuous to turn on the rest without asking.
I would see no reason to be a pain in the ass and ask them if I could turn the rest on, either. Is it really a big deal? Do I want to make them uncomfortable or get into a debate?

Maybe they only had half the lights on because they are energy conscious. So am I, so I wouldn't want to turn on all the lights, anyway.

What if they had all the lights on and I wanted to turn off half? Should I bust the chops of the person who was there ahead of me?

snackthatsmilesback · Answer

If I just wanted them different but they were there first, I'd ask if they mind first, and wait for answer.

If I want it different for a reason I'd ask more assertively and include the reason, like "I'm gonna turn the lights down/up if that's alright" and "I have a bit of a headache." Or "I forgot my contacts." If they object with a reason (even just "I'd really rather you didn't." They don't have to explain to me) I'd leave it. If they object without giving a reason (like "no") I'd also leave it, but I'd think that's a bit rude.

TrueConfection · Answer

I voted B. I like the room bright, but I would respect that someone already there might not and I'd ask first.

Working in a dim space makes me tired and groggy. It takes extra energy for me to focus, where a bright space wakes me up and gives me pep.

One of my kids likes the room dim because bright lights appear to "buzz" or vibrate. I wouldn't just flick the lights on.

t-8900 · Answer

honestly when I'm in my zone that's it. The whole world could be burning around me and I probably wouldn't notice until I got burned. I'm too into my own thing. When i work out I have my music going and vain images in my head of the body I'm aiming for LOL.

bolverk · Answer

If I did not need any extra lighting I'd leave them alone, but if I needed the extra light I'd turn them on after consulting anyone else who was working out, but really those lights should not be on wall switches but on movement sensors that turn them off when there is no one using the gym.

DarkCarousel · Answer

Since there’s only one person there, I’d likely leave them as is. Or just ask if they mind if I turned the lights on. But I wouldn’t just flip them on.

Bluemax · Answer

I voted A. My general rule of thumb is to enter a room and leave it as the person who was there before me has it. Unless the low lighting interferes with what I am about to do in a common room.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I voted for A I have no problem keeping things as is, I feel more secure that there are camera security lights on I'm more comfortable going to that type of Gym

whosDmann · Answer

Lol, well I'm guessing your the person already in there with only few lights on.. well, respectfully they should definitely ask if u mind ... but maybe hoping u will say yes... wut if u said no I like it dim but they still turned on the lights.. would they be the assholes.. not everyone might have as good as eyes as yourself ... soo u shouldn't mind if lights are turned on... usually they would all be on normally..

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I'm always considerate.  I'd rather ask first if others mind.

douride2 · Answer

Makes little difference to me if the lights are on high or not. I would just greet the other person & leave them as they are.

krin_m · Answer

I voted A with the assumption in your that I can see everything i need to see to be true.
If I can't see enough in my area of the equipment I would tell them (not ask) very politely why I'm turning the lights on.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Where I live, half of the lights turn on when someone walks in, because of a motion sensor switch. You can turn on the other half manually if you want to. I really never turn on the other half.

dustybiker · Answer

You could glue the last switch? ☺️

loves2learn · Answer

Just ask if they mind if you turn the lights on. :)

FriendlyDrugDealer · Answer

I would leave them on. I just want to focus and get my shit done

EaterPeter · Answer

I have days when I can't take too much light. I would wonder and ask another person if they feel same ocassionally.

libsaretards · Answer

Keep the lights on. This is a safety measure in case someone shady is lurking around.

Gym etiquette: Would you turn all the lights on, or leave them as is?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Gym etiquette: Would you turn all the lights on, or leave them as is?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.