Are you friendly to others while working out?

dispatcher939

I am friendly all day with work, kids, and whatever else I have to deal with. My gym time is me time and I zone out because I have a limited amount of time to get in my work and get back home to mom duties. I will not be rude to people, but I don't go out of my way to socialize with people in the gym. I know most of the people at the gym and they know not to mess with me until I am done.

fauxpunker

I used to think I was a misanthrope until reading some of these responses. I'm suddenly feeling the need to reassess.

Lisah8969

At the gym, I don't talk or make eye contact with anyone. At the park, it's another story. I see a lot of the same people over and over and have become friends with some of them to the point where we may actually stop and chat for a couple of minutes, but definitely at least smile and wave. Others that I don't know as well, I always at least say good morning the first time I pass them and then nothing else the rest of the time. I don't think I've ever gotten or given a "leave me alone" face at my park. I like to at least let other people know that I am there so in case they don't see me the next lap, they know to look for me passed out on the side of the trail and hopefully they think I am nice enough to merit them calling 911 for me. I wouldn't take it personally and there is no reason not to smile at someone you made eye contact with...just know that you might not get a smile in return.

fibbersteve

When I used to go to the gym I just felt like we're all on our own schedule and know what we need to do. There's being courteous and yes/no questions, and there's having light conversations with regulars that you've come to know. I was always friendly to anyone regardless, that's just me.

I've been jogging for 3 months and I always wave towards other people who are jogging, cyclers, walking their dog, passing by, mowing lawn, etc. I usually cannot speak because I have breathing problems while I'm jogging or walking that I have to constantly breathe heavily, so it sounds weird when I speak during that. I just don't say anything but I do acknowledge with a wave even if they don't wave back.

I'm just a friendly guy :P

sk8trchk

I have found that where I walk most people that I pass either give the wave or smile or say good morning/evening. I was commenting the other day on how happy and friendly people who work out are. I just started "running" on my walks and a lady I passed said "you go girl". I almost had to stop because I was laughing so hard (maybe it was oxygen deprivation).

I have heard that it is good for your safety to make eye contact with people when walking outside. As if to say "Hey I see you so don't mess with me." Just some food for thought.

hannahbergam

Most of my exercise happens at a local greenway where people of all shapes and sizes walk/jog/run/ride.

To me it seems like we're all working out together so I smile and nod to almost everyone as to say "Good job! Keep it up!"

I don't actually talk to people because I know that sometimes seems creepy or flirty. lol.

BUT what gets me is that some people seem put off by a smile or nod. Mostly people who are still bigger than me.

I just want to say "I USED TO BE BIGGER I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH"...but I don't because then I would seem crazy.

I get the SAME nod or smile from people who are already fit and it gives me encouragement.

I just don't get why some people are put off by people being friendly while working out.

We're all in this together...Aren't we?

I absolutely agree- ESPECIALLY because you are referring to working out along a greenway. When I am outdoors and exercising, I feel an extremely different connection with people in comparison to working out in a gym. I feel like we are, in fact, all in it together. We all have our own struggles, but it's largely the same battle, so support should always be welcome. However, in a gym, I often have my ugly gym-face on too. It's harder to be friendly in there (in fact, sometimes two girls running/ellipticizing side by side can be straight up HOSTILE), but I wouldn't stop saying hi. You do you!

mckat08

We're all in this together...Aren't we?

Not really, no. You aren't on my fitness "journey" or "adventure" anymore than I am on yours. We aren't sharing some special bond just because we happen to be running or lifting weights in the same general location.

I'm not rude to people when I'm working out, but it does annoy me when I'm focused and straining at something and I keep having to break concentration to smile and wave every time I pass someone. I'm also pretty sure that my "oh crap, this sucks. Gotta push through, gotta push through" face is probably not the most friendly face in the world, but it has nothing to do with my weight or the people around me.

Exactly. When I am working out I am focused on me, not anyone around me. Don't take it personally.

Booksandbeaches

I'm neutral. I'm in my zone when I exercise at the gym. Unless people are talking very loudly and/or doing something else that grabs my attention, I don't really notice them. I definitely don't interact with them. I'm there for me and once I'm done with my workout, I leave. I'm not there to socialize.

If I'm walking outside, I'll say "hello" to people I pass if they give a smile or nod.

amandzor

I....can honestly say a stranger 'encouraging' me is off-putting.

I don't know you, why the hell do you care about what I'm doing? I can see how it would embarrass some people.

If I'm running on a trail, and see someone passing the other way, we'll do the obligatory smile if I'm not bent-over dying. But that's where it ends.

chivalryder

My exercise routine is often, find the biggest, toughest looking guy I can, approach him from behind, tap his should to get him to turn around, the punch him in the face will all the might I've got.

Then, I turn and run as if my life depends on it (as it usually does)... for about 5 miles.

It's a pretty good workout, and no, I'd say I'm not very friendly.

maizerage66

On the way into the gym or at the water fountain.


During the workout.


Nothing personal.

This is SO me haha

Apple31415

How you feel about interacting with others is a very personal opinion and i get that. As for me, I'm not training for the Olympics nor am i a paid professional so, why so serious??? Smiles and acknowledgements are cool with me. Yeah sometimes it is a bit off-putting if you're in a zone, but no more than someone exchanging pleasantries in the grocery store when i'm focused on shopping. Friendliness or manners is not a situational thing. Knowing that others don't feel this way, I'm very low key friendly - a head nod, fist bump, etc. Engaging in conversation is a completely different topic than OP mentioned. I don't relate to the "leave me alone" mentality i see here from some.

MyChocolateDiet

For me I guess it would depend on how many people were out there. I guess if there were one or two ppl spread out and I came across them it would be easy to just say a quick hi or head nod.

If there were a ton of folks though I guess I'd feel like anonymous amongst a whole populace and likely just handle my business with no niceties. It could get tiring and distracting to say hi to every single person out there if it were a crowded day.

Thank you OP for not saying that stuff you wrote in caps. That would make you look crazy at best, might make someone wanna bust a cap at worst. No one who is out there is out there for your opinion, approval, measuring stick of your own success, or any of the like. Have some respect and just do your thing and smile and say hi if you want but unless you want to say something directly helpful to the task at hand like....that door opens to the left, or those stairs that are being painted will be open next week, the other stuff you said might make someone feel self conscious or otherwise bad or annoyed.

pandabear_

When I go running, there's a lot of pedestrians and they smile at me, but the thing is I have just ran up a hill or something and I am trying to catch my breath so I can continue.. I don't smile at them because it puts me off focus taking deep breaths.

KaelaLee88

I live in the Valleys and it's considered extremely rude if someone you come across doesn't give you a nod or smile or an 'Alright' when passing.

Manners cost nothing so wherever I am, however i'm feeling, no matter how puffed out I might be, I nod or smile or say 'Alright'!

Kaela x

ChrissyC1985

I work out with earphones in so i don't usually get a lot of people talking to me but if someone does try and start a conversation, I'll respond and then the earphones are back in. If I'm not in the middle of a set then I am more than happy to exchange pleasantries and have an in depth conversation, often that's with the gym staff though.

I'll always smile at someone who crosses my line of vision and it doesn't bother me if it doesn't get returned. I'm quite a friendly person once I'm comfortable somewhere.

csuhar

Myself, I will greet people, but that's about the limit. I'll say "good morning", grunt out a "hi" while running, or sometimes just give a wave and a nod. That's partly because of how I was raised: if you pass by someone or make eye contact, you acknowledge them. You don't need to have a conversation or become fast friends, but you do say hello.

I don't usually try to be encouraging or complimentary for strangers, only because I don't know if it might fall flat. If someone compliments me, I take the compliment graciously, but there are times where their words of praise turn to ashes in my mouth. (e.g. Sure, it's great that I'm jogging for 3 miles and I agree with you that that's a good job in its own merit, but I'm still not doing it fast enough to pass the test that will determine if I keep my job.)

Now, if it's people I do know, then the situation changes and I will compliment or encourage them, usually because we've already discussed their goals and I'll know that, for them, triumph is simply keeping a pace faster than a walk, or lifting a weight of any form. Espeically if they're other miitary members, I'll engage in some good-natured heckling, general compliments, coaching ("Come on! Keep it up!), or even some more aggressive scolding, if appropriate to the situation.

Annesoucy1957

mostly doing classes zumba, pilates, body toning. I am sociable before the class start and after, no time during the routine. When walking I always do the head nod smile thing to whoever I meet, if they dont look or do the same I really could not care less.

ValGogo

Most of my exercise happens at a local greenway where people of all shapes and sizes walk/jog/run/ride.

To me it seems like we're all working out together so I smile and nod to almost everyone as to say "Good job! Keep it up!"

I don't actually talk to people because I know that sometimes seems creepy or flirty. lol.

BUT what gets me is that some people seem put off by a smile or nod. Mostly people who are still bigger than me.

I just want to say "I USED TO BE BIGGER I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH"...but I don't because then I would seem crazy.

I get the SAME nod or smile from people who are already fit and it gives me encouragement.

I just don't get why some people are put off by people being friendly while working out.

We're all in this together...Aren't we?

It's like when I first started riding motorcycles, I would get the nod or the downward finger wave. Then I got used to is and would expect ti all the time. However some of the Harley guys, usually the new breed don't give me any attention. They don't liek Japanese bikes. But overall, we all usually acknowledge each other.

raspberiswrl

I try to smile, especially if I'm on a trail or greenway, but at the gym, I usually avoid eye contact. If someone were to approach me or smile at me or something, of course I'd be friendly, but at the gym I really try to make use of my time and therefore get really sweaty...not the best time to be social, in my opinion.

It's weird - sometimes I get nasty looks when I wipe down the machines with the disinfectant stuff. :ohwell:

dbmata

We're all in this together...Aren't we?

No.

I'm in this.

You're in this.

WE are not in this. Unless I know you.

That would not surprise me if many people feel the same. That's why I like stuff like tri, there's a definite vibe of WE.

pinkraynedropjacki

Once when I was on my normal daily walk to the supermarket (this was the 17km round trip) I saw a larger woman running towards me, she was actually going well. I love running so knew how hard it was when bigger. So I smiled, gave a nod and a little clap and mouthed well done. With a smile on my face you could tell it was not a nasty clap or anything. It was supposed to be "I'm proud you are doing it".... instead she got all nasty with her look & gave me the finger.


I've never encouraged anyone again, not even while I am running.

I workout alone, with my headphones on, my sunnies on & ignore the world. The rest of humanity can take a hike when I am outside.

4mricandy

What would Scooby do?

DavPul

Once when I was on my normal daily walk to the supermarket (this was the 17km round trip) I saw a larger woman running towards me, she was actually going well. I love running so knew how hard it was when bigger. So I smiled, gave a nod and a little clap and mouthed well done. With a smile on my face you could tell it was not a nasty clap or anything. It was supposed to be "I'm proud you are doing it".... instead she got all nasty with her look & gave me the finger.


I've never encouraged anyone again, not even while I am running.

I workout alone, with my headphones on, my sunnies on & ignore the world. The rest of humanity can take a hike when I am outside.

Censor76

It's not personal, some of us want to be left alone. I don't think it's about being bigger or smaller, it's about getting the job done.

Keep doing what you're doing because you want to, not because you want the same in return.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

We're all in this together...Aren't we?

No, we're not.


I'm not a touchy-feely person. I don't like to be touched by strangers. I hate emotional movies. I think the paintings of Thomas Kinkade are awful and trite. Being cheered on by a complete stranger is totally off-putting to me. If I know you then sure, let's talk about how awesome running and lifting are. Let's huddle around the campfire and braid hair and make s'mores. But if I've never seen you before the most you can expect from me is a smile and nod.

JoRocka

I think the paintings of Thomas Kinkade are awful and trite.

God- I thought I was the only one!

Achrya

I workout at home so I don't have to deal with other people

kristafb

On the way into the gym or at the water fountain.


During the workout.


Nothing personal.

I'm new at the gym and thought everyone was stuck up but thanks to this post I totally get it now!! Lol

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I think the paintings of Thomas Kinkade are awful and trite.

God- I thought I was the only one!

:laugh:

The worst part is that I'm an artist. So for a very long time everyone who met me said "Oh you're an artist? I love Thomas Kinkade!" :indifferent: