Gymgoers: what's with the staring?

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Replies

  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Sometimes people are bored and zone out. Who cares
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    - if someone is doing something unusual that I've never seen before, I'm probably gonna take a look...I think that's pretty much basic human nature.

    - if people are using equipment in odd ways that I've never seen I'm probably gonna take a look...I think that's pretty much basic human nature. And if you're using the squat rack for some weird and unintended purpose I'll definitely be looking...and scowling at you for hogging the squat rack for some weird exercise.

    - if someone is performing a movement with poor form I'm probably gonna look...if it's really bad I might even say something to try to help them out so they don't kill themselves

    - If someone is doing something really cool I'm gonna look...I love watching people do a nice heavy snatch or a heavy clean and jerk...those are things of beauty.

    - If someone is pushing or pulling something REALLY heavy, I'm gonna look...because that's awesome and I want to see it. Last week a guy at my gym did a 650 Lb deadlift...I watched...it was impressive.

    - If someone is doing something really cool and unique and I think it might be of some benefit in my routine I look...and I'll ask them about it as well.

    - sometimes I'm not even looking at you...I'm looking through you because I'm thinking and there's nothing but a bunch of people in the gym...so someone is going to have eyeballs on them more than likely when I'm zoning out.
  • CA_Underdog
    CA_Underdog Posts: 733 Member
    why is everybody staring if somebody does something a little differently? IThe 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?
    You're in a public place, so get over this, or ask for a routine you can do at home.

    If you're doing something unusual, they probably find watching it more entertaining than staring at the walls, and possibly even educational.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Cable pull-through. Great exercise. You can try not to stare but its impossible. IMPOSSIBLE! Male or female doesnt matter.

    707_2.jpg
  • MrTolerable
    MrTolerable Posts: 1,593 Member
    Cable pull-through. Great exercise. You can try not to stare but its impossible. IMPOSSIBLE! Male or female doesnt matter.

    707_2.jpg

    ROTFLMFAO - I don't know why this is soo funny but I couldn't stop laughing.

    LOL +1 you just made my hour.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    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?

    I'm convinced that hypocrisy is contagious and is a secret pandemic that will eventually rise to the level at which it will destroy the entire human species' ability to use logic.

    The end is near.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    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?

    I'm convinced that hypocrisy is contagious and is a secret pandemic that will eventually rise to the level at which it will destroy the entire human species' ability to use logic.

    The end is near.

    You're so paranoid....but I'm right there with ya...
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I love watching people, if they didn't want to be watched there, bouncy on that stairmaster, they wouldn't be there.

    up and down... up and down...

    What, I know it's a guy, shut up. MESMERIZED.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I'm usually thinking:"yo, bro, I think 15 sets on the bench press is enough".

    Actually, it's my job to stare at people in a gym, so when I am someplace other than work I sometimes find myself doing it without realizing it.

    "No, honey, I wasn't looking at that girl's butt--I was evaluating her deadlift form".
    My wife gives me crap when I say that, but ironically, in most cases it's true.
  • KameHameHaaa
    KameHameHaaa Posts: 244 Member
    So i go to planet fitness (yeah yeah i know what some of you think), and if im doing the 30 Minute Circuit i'll do punches or kicks instead of the steps. Also in the stretching room i practice katas. People stare all the time. It's just because people are always going to be interested in something that's different or strange to them. Honestly if i notice someone watching me that just makes me wanna work it harder. :)
  • busywaterbending
    busywaterbending Posts: 844 Member
    914287_585210091575624_1336338080_n.jpg

    oh well.
  • sculli123
    sculli123 Posts: 1,221 Member
    I train at home so my dog is the only one staring at me. But I've thought of going to a commercial gym once in a while just to troll people. By that I don't mean stare at them, I mean the opposite - do funny chit to get a reaction out of them. lol
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    Why were you watching what they were doing? Beginners typically get very self conscience about even walking into a gym or other type exercise program where they feel "people will be watching me", or I am so fat and self conscience of it, I am afraid all these fit people are going to be whispering to one another, making fun of me. It's kind of like how everyone felt the first day of kindergarten. Scared.

    That's not how it is. The guy or gal working out next to you, very well could have been a 100 pounds overweight a couple of years ago, and those who have been fit and have maintained their fitness more than welcome people into their gyms, because they very we'll know the seriousness of obesity in this country, and they want to help fix it, starting with overweight beginners who have the courage and determination to walk in there and do it. If they're looking at you it may be out of admiration, or their wanting to show you how to do an exercise or work a machine.

    Are there jerks? Of course, jerks can be anywhere anytime of the day, but they are in the tiny minut minority of the exercising class of this country. The majority of fit people in this country will not tolerate making fun of someone because they're overweight or out of shape.
  • Flab2Fab27
    Flab2Fab27 Posts: 461 Member
    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.

    Well when I'm not busy getting fit from taking selfies, all I seem to want to do is stare and judge everybody. What else am I supposed to do while at the gym?
    /sarcasm

    OP sounds really insecure. When you're busy worrying about what everybody else may be doing or thinking, you clearly aren't working out all that hard yourself.

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