There's a pretty wide range of gyms. My old gym seems to be more like what you two are talking about, with just a weight room, an aerobics room with treadmills

There's a pretty wide range of gyms. My old gym seems to be more like what you two are talking about, with just a weight room, an aerobics room with treadmills and stairmasters and such, and a locker room with a couple showers. I'm talking about a full-on gym, with all that, various sport courts (racquetball, squash, etc), a locker room with a sauna, steam room, hot tub, etc., and social spaces with a cafe and seating. The former expects you to show up, work out, and get out. The latter is a lot more conducive to loitering.