Gymgoers: what's with the staring?

hannakengu

I just got home from the gym, and I'm hoping you'll shed some light on this: why is everybody staring if somebody does something a little differently? It's not just the people who go to the gym and think they're getting fit by texting and taking selfies, it's also the people who do actual sets in the weight room and then use their break between sets to stare.

I have serious back issues and go to physical therapy once a week, and my therapist has made me a personal training program to do at the gym during the week. The program includes some excercises that might look odd (using equipment in an unusual way or with ridiculously small-looking weights), but why is MY workout their business? I'd understand if somebody came to make sure I know what I'm doing and/or offered advice on using a piece of equipment, but no. They just stared.

rogerOb1

Lol, you just said you were doing a pretty strange routine - are you really surprised people were looking? Most people will look around when resting between sets, that's standard in most gyms. However most people will not comment on someone else's form/routine because that is considered poor gym etiquette.

Unless the trainee is about to damage themselves most folks will consider it none of their business and will keep their distance and get on with their own routine.

Miss_james1990

I've taken note and next time between my sets, I shall sit with my eyes closed! I am always looking around and staring out of curiosity as to what others are doing and seeing if I would benefit from it. I fear more that people think im checking them out than criticising them lol

CyberEd312

It goes on all time but frankly when I hit the gym I am so zoned into my workout and concentrating on my movements and getting the most out of every set that unless someone asks for a spot, I could care less what was going on around me.... I am to focused in on me when I am there to worry about what others are thinking or doing... Best of Luck

fitness_faeiry

It always annoys me how nosy people are at gyms... the other day I was doing a HIIT workout, and doing some fast skipping and doing box jumps, and every time I looked there was a man just watching me. I was really going for it, so I wasn't comfortable with someone just way thing my entire routine. I admit I do stare at people myself, and I guess its just human nature. But I do enjoy the complete anonymity you can have in a gym.

Anniebotnen

Just do your routine and don't worry about anyone staring! I do some unusual exercises too and some people look at what I'm doing. I think in most cases this is to see if they can learn something new. I'll do the same if I see someone doing an exercise I'm not familiar with!

DavPul

Gymgoers: What's with the caring about what other people are looking at?

Why is their looking YOUR business? You said yourself that you're doing something odd so you should expect people to be curious. If you confident that what you're doing is correct and none of the other people in the gym are physically trying to stop you just handle your business and get your workout done.

I get that it might be uncomfortable to get extra attention but that's how the world works so you should change yourself to get past it instead of hoping to change the world.

ironanimal

Would you rather people stare blankly at the walls? I mean, I think I'd find a gym full of braindead zombies to be quite unsettling.

prattiger65

Nobody cares what you are doing. You are being paranoid. When resting between sets there isn't much else to do but look around. I go to a gym with some really fit men and women, when I started, I was doing strong lifts so I started with an empty bar. People looked at me too. Months later after I had come to know many of them they told me how they thought it was awesome how I didn't let ego get in my way and stuck with the program. They didn't care what I was doing, they weren't staring at me, just looking around between sets. I have great friends in that gym.

TavistockToad

Gymgoers: What's with the caring about what other people are looking at?

Why is their looking YOUR business? You said yourself that you're doing something odd so you should expect people to be curious. If you confident that what you're doing is correct and none of the other people in the gym are physically trying to stop you just handle your business and get your workout done.

I get that it might be uncomfortable to get extra attention but that's how the world works so you should change yourself to get past it instead of hoping to change the world.

this!

susanmc31

If i'm staring at you at the gym it's because i'm curious as to what you are doing and if I can add it into my workout. I have asked people what they are doing and they are receptive to show me and tell me the benefits. I don't stare to be judgemental, I stare to learn.

mitchiejo

I do my strength training at home and most cardio at the gym. When I'm doing cardio I like to observe the people lifting weights to get ideas.

DavPul

I find it odd that the OP took a cheap shot at people texting or taking pictures of themselves at the gym. How does one simultaneously complain about people staring at them AND complain about people minding their own business?

Titanuim

Sometimes there is accidental staring, sometimes to check out other people's form, sometimes because the other person's routine is unusual. None of it is done in a judgemental way.

MFP has taught me that other gym users get upset if you start talking to them so I just keep my distance. Don't over think it.

Shropshire1959

Cuz you've split your shorts :-p

No one (well hardly anyone) Cares - Are they Staring or just looking (there's a big difference) .. Anyway, just get on with your own life.

cwoyto123

Hahaha I love when people stare/admire me.

I just look them in the eyes, smile, and nod my head.

I always look better than the people staring, it's usually old men/milfs though.

vjohn04

I just stare at people in general. It's nothing personal. I'm going to head off to the gym in a bit, and I'll probably stare at some people there too-- regardless of what workout they're doing.

vjohn04

Hahaha I love when people stare/admire me.

I just look them in the eyes, smile, and nod my head.

I always look better than the people staring, it's usually old men/milfs though.

Speak for yourself, buddy!

DYELB

It's like a car accident. Hard not to look.

Eoghann

In an enclosed space with a good number of people, I would think it is unavoidable. You'd actually have to be trying very hard to not look at people.

It's easy to get paranoid about these things particularly if you're not a people person and like your own space. But it's just the nature of the environment you're in.

jkal1979

They might be waiting for you to finish so they can use that machine or area themselves.

Or they might be like me and looking in your general direction but their mind is somewhere else.

Calliope610

Didn't this used to be called "peoplewatching", a fairly innocuous pastime enjoyed by people in general?

Sorry, I'm not going to avert my eyes in order to protect your delicate sensibilities.

kirili3

Unless they indicate otherwise or keep a dead-eyed stare going, it might just be curiosity or looking in one direction while zoning out. If they're freaking you out by staring, make a face or, if it's a really persistent weirdo, report them.

RllyGudTweetr

I find it odd that the OP took a cheap shot at people texting or taking pictures of themselves at the gym. How does one simultaneously complain about people staring at them AND complain about people minding their own business?

Well said.

addysolari

I've taken note and next time between my sets, I shall sit with my eyes closed! I am always looking around and staring out of curiosity as to what others are doing and seeing if I would benefit from it. I fear more that people think im checking them out than criticising them lol

Same. I check out what exercises other people are doing, gets me thinking about my routine and form.

vjohn04

Didn't this used to be called "peoplewatching", a fairly innocuous pastime enjoyed by people in general?

Sorry, I'm not going to avert my eyes in order to protect your delicate sensibilities.

^this.

Azurite27

Usually I watch just out of curiousity. Trying to learn or just see what different people do. If I look like I'm glaring it's probably cuz someone's hogging a machine in my circuit and I'm trying to gauge if they'll be finished soon.

SconnieCat

Like other people who replied, I have an issue with the cheap shots in the original question. And if the OP is taking time to notice the "selfies" being taken, isn't OP guilty of what other people are doing?

It's human nature to be curious about what other people are doing. Personally, if I'm looking at you in the gym, I'm either giving you mental kudos for what you're doing, looking at your form (yours might be a lot better than mine!) or I'm just genuinely curious.

Looking isn't always a bad thing.

As for those "selfies", a lot of times people will take progress pics or will take a photo because they are proud of their hard work.

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randomtai

Hahaha I love when people stare/admire me.

I just look them in the eyes, smile, and nod my head.

I always look better than the people staring, it's usually old men/milfs though.

Me too... oh well. :ohwell:

civilizedworm

It's pretty unavoidable that people are going to look at you and check out what your doing. Like many here, I look for ideas and to compare form with the others in the gym. Honestly, I have no clue if people are watching me while I workout, I am usually to self-absorbed and caught up as I am lifting, and that I have my headphones jammed in my ears -- immersed in the music for added motivation to notice.