i imagine there's a big difference between the atmosphere in the 'pen' and the atmosphere in a 24h fitness blasting out justin bieber, swarmed in huddles of 16 year old boys and middle aged mothers
i train in sort of a bodybuilding-ish gym (compared to say, 24 hour or la fitness), but this stuff doesn't bother me at all. the only thing that gets to me is young kids doing cringe-worthy workouts -- forced reps every set, awful form (as advised by the "expert" friend who's been lifting for 6 months
), useless exercises, etc. i want to set them on the right track, but most of the time it's probably pointless, so i rarely say anything.
honestly i don't think i could ever workout to loud, headphone music again. tried it once or twice... i can't concentrate, and i don't really get "pumped up" by music or use it to avoid boredom either. if anything, i'd prefer the gym didn't even play music.