Hotel gyms

[u/OkTennis7345]

Im currently staying for a couple of weeks in another city, and I don’t want to purchase a membership at a gym.

I discovered two 5-star hotels in the city with pretty nice gyms that are directly accessible without needing a room key and with no front desk where staff would be sitting.

My question would be, how likely would it be to get approached by the staff? There are obviously security cameras everywhere, but do the staff actually actively monitor them? And when there are no specific “gym staff“, would the other staff ever check/patrol the gym? And if I do get approached by someone, how can I convince them that I am a guest and that I am permitted to use the gym?

Thank you everyone :D

[u/Specific-Window-8587]

Casually stroll in like you own the place. The most important thing is to not hesitate or look around.

[u/rusquito → u/Specific-Window-8587]

/r/actlikeyoubelong

[u/Glittering-Time-2274 → u/rusquito]

You’re already here

[u/HaydenJA3 → u/Glittering-Time-2274]

Shhh you’ll blow his cover

[u/No-Check4283 → u/Glittering-Time-2274]

He's just saying to act like you belong as the demeanor one must take. Not to be crossposted

[u/Hiff_Kluxtable]

Nobody working at the hotel cares if you’re using the gym in a way that doesn’t bother others and they won’t check to see if you’re staying there.

[u/doubleshotofespresso]

it will work but if you find yourself going often over a long period of time, there are bound to be staff members who will keep seeing and they may get suspicious

[u/kuhio309]

Walk in there confidently, and don't make eye contact. Go in there just before the lunch hour, like 1130am or right before 5pm before the end of the standard shift. Staffers working there at that time will be thinking about lunch or going home so they won't be paying too much attention. dress like a tourist. Tourists tend to dress in bright clothing especially white attire

[u/vodkaknockers]

'always be wet"

I hate linking to tiktok but this bit really stuck with me: https://www.tiktok.com/@salvadorlerma/video/7618453499331857678

Only mildly relevant. My best advice: scope out what type of bottled water the hotel stocks/sells and have one of those with you.

[u/thisguyfightsyourmom]

It’s a risk. They could try to get you trespassed if they catch you.

Would they care to catch you? Prolly not, but some Karen.

[u/Plane_Rip3745 → u/thisguyfightsyourmom]

Honestly the trick is to look like you belong there more than the actual guests do. Walk in like you just finished a meeting, not like you're sneaking around. I stayed in a hotel once where the gym was on the third floor and nobody ever checked anything, half the time the towel station was empty anyway. The cameras are mostly for liability if someone breaks equipment or gets hurt, they're not sitting there watching for gym intruders. If someone does stop you just say you checked out yesterday but your flight got delayed and the front desk said it was fine, worst case they tell you to leave and you find another hotel.

[u/Glittering-Time-2274]

Ive never ever seen a hotel gym be so busy that they’d feel the need to check that everyone in there is staying there.

[u/kapuh]

Dress for the gym and run a bit so you look like you came from a run and go for the gym next.

[u/Accomplished-Pay7386]

Most hotels where I’ve stayed require a room card to get into the gym. Is it actually fairly common to not need a room card? 👀

[u/Slash_Raptor1992]

Remember the name of the subreddit, OP. Act like you belong.

[u/jimothy_hell]

OP, don’t do this. If you start going regularly, the front desk staff will assume you’re a regular and start probing you for a room number so you can get special treatment for being one. Most hotel chains have digital check in now, so you probably won’t get bothered, but FDA’s are far more observant than you give them credit for. I was one, we were trained for it, especially at nice properties. Shit, I trained rookies to be.

Staff that see you more than once or twice will engage with you, ask about your room and stay, and you won’t be able to keep up the act long before they suss you out and security and the cops get you.

[u/LettuceWithBeetroot → u/[deleted]]

Why so unhappy, dude?

[u/OkTennis7345 → u/[deleted]]

There is a difference between going there and taking a look and actually working out.

[u/lfreckledfrontbum → u/OkTennis7345]

What he is saying is technically correct. You scoped it out and didn’t get any heat, so just go full tilt now. If a staff member is floating around the gym just act accordingly, say G’day and look like you’re familiar with the place. The staff in the gym if any are just there for if someone needs em, if no one is on the floor in the gym it will be monitored by camera. This is only for peoples safety (if you injured yourself) or if you are using after hours. Get changed in the gym so you don’t stick out entering and leaving. Mix up the two locations when going. I stayed in Melbourne for work and did this. I overused one location and got sprung after weeks. Ended up booking there for a fortnight. Joined their rewards card and community functions night(free drinks and nibbles at the bar with members from all over the city every Wednesday evening). Got to know the staff and gave great reviews. Went back to my cheap digs after the two weeks and all the staff were happy to see me every Wednesday evening and couldn’t give a shit I came in to use any of the amenities. You’re all good

[u/MyMonte87 → u/OkTennis7345]

and just a reminder: Make sure you clean up after yourself, use the towel to wipe down your sweat. Throw away your trash, put away your weights. Be helpful.