The parent complained that they don't like hearing music while they work out, and advocated for _every other gym user_ to provide their own music, presumably by ensuring they have a music player + headphones on at all times.

An alternative option is for some (probably most) people to listen to the available music (or their own if they prefer), and those (presumably few) who want silence to do so by putting earplugs in to block the sound. (I think most gyms play music because they've found that doing so keeps more customers happy, but that may be a mistaken assumption.)

From an economic standpoint, the choice is between N people buying/using headphones + a media player, or M people putting in (cheap, waterproof) earplugs. The latter solution is substantially more efficient, and has the added benefit that _most people_ in the gym are probably going to have headphones-off, and more aware of their surroundings, and be easier to talk to or ask questions of.

One way gyms might cater to both views is to have set times/days where they play music, and times that they don't, so that you can adjust your workout schedule to meet your preferences.

If it matters, my personal preferences are to listen to (nice music) > (annoying music) > silence > (personal music), because I'd rather be unencumbered.