Gym starers -thoughts? feelings? outrage?

savage22hp

What a crazy world we live in ! I would be lying if I said I did not look ( and so would any other male who is honest ) . I agree with the comment about not wanting to make anyone uncomfortable , and I don't consciously stare and try not to look repeatedly . Sometimes you may be uncomfortable because you are noticing more and are a little self conscious with a few lingering self image issues . ..... And then there are some creeps who enjoy making you uncomfortable for which I apologize not because I am undressing you with my eyes but because my friendly glance is always suspect because of them .

stcar

I absolutely hate it. Enough to make me stop going to the gym and work out at home. I turn beat red every time and therefore, purposely never stare at anyone, bc I know how uncomfortable it can make you feel.....also, bc I know that to some cocky ppl out there, it's an ego boost for them

So just wear things that cover your hot body when you go; I do.

I do, still happens...

spicy618

When I used a gym I made use of the mirrors. Only a rookie turns their head. You can see the whole gym through the mirrors

Bingo!

stcar

My thoughts and opinions are that attractive women get validation from being stared at, but will put on a show decrying men as pigs for doing it even though inward they are beaming from the attention. This is doubly so for women who were once overweight and deemed "unattractive". The new attention is akin to a person who has not drank water in a week finding a pool of it.

Overweight women or women who feel they are not attractive will feel negatively towards the same stare that a guy gives an attractive girl because she feels the guy is weighing her harshly in his mind.

I find that if a woman who says she hates being stared at suddenly did not get attention, that she would be negatively impacted by it more often than those who really hate being stared at (which I find to truly be uncommon)

LOL. How about those of us that have lost weight and have been told that we are attractive, but we don't believe it?

Personally, I want to pat myself on the back every single time I catch a guy checking me out. I've worked hard to get to where I am and I enjoy the attention.

FYI, it's not only men, I have recently been hit on by a lesbian. I was flattered that she found me attractive, too.

Or those of us who are legitimately shy and embarrass easily?

teagin2002

I don't use a gym but I get my fair share of starers. They stare while I'm shopping (sometimes follow me too), while I'm out at lunch, at the library, on my walks. It's only fun when the person staring me down is attractive. That's not the case most of the time.

Wow... just wow... this is the most superficial statement of the day!

I appreciate her statement because it's honest.

Unfortunate people mistake honesty for being superficial. :flowerforyou:
I like it a lot. It is a big contrast to being stared at for being almost 300lbs and 5'4".

auticus

Working at many gyms in my career, there are some that crave the attention and some that don't. What I find amusing is that if it's someone that's staring at them that they feel an attraction too, then it's okay. But if it's not someone they aren't attracted to, it's inappropriate.
The more you show, the longer the stares. That's usually how it works.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yep that's one of the Auticus Rules of Life:
If a man comes on to a woman and she's not attracted to him, it's inappropriate/creepy
If a man comes on to a woman and she is attracted to him, it's flattering.

But life is not fair, and I think most if not all of us know this is true, that's why many of us are on this site trying to improve how we look.

And I certainly agree, the more skin you are showing, the more stares you are going to get. If you show up at the gym looking like you are going to the beach, then you know guys are going to be staring at you. If you truly don't like that, wear something that doesn't show us your body. Otherwise ... I have a feeling you know what you are doing and are doing so intentionally.

KatieJane83

I don't use a gym but I get my fair share of starers. They stare while I'm shopping (sometimes follow me too), while I'm out at lunch, at the library, on my walks. It's only fun when the person staring me down is attractive. That's not the case most of the time.

Wow... just wow... this is the most superficial statement of the day!

Ah, and I'm sure Auticus would agree, this is probably a generally true sociological statement. I think people feel even more attractive when they see that attractive people are checking them out. Human nature is not all pretty rainbows and cuddly kittens!

Vermilla

I've had some people stare, and at first, I thought it was kind of creepy but then I realized I do it a bit too. Not stare as in stalker creepy type way (I hope), but I really look around and watch people here and there. It amazes me some of the things people can do. I watched this one really really heavy guy on the treadmill just in a full out sprint for a few minutes before I realized I was staring. :laugh: It was just really amazing. Mostly, though, I just glance around to see what people are doing, maybe take some tips from them for my own workouts. I don't think it's a problem unless they interrupt you or move machines with you so they can continue to stare or something weird like that.

And my gym has a lot of mirrors too, and you can see most people that way, hehe!

Bronx_Montgomery

I think it depends how you stare. There are a lot of guys who can be rude while staring or make remarks. I try not to be that guy. Sometimes it can be rough considering some of the stuff woman wear to the gym. If im caught I just smile and continue one with my work out and not stare again as to not to make anyone uncomfortable.

rml_16

I'm flattered if someone wants to look.

I don't work out in a gym much, but when I'm out running I get a lot of car honks. Now, my hair is pulled up in an unflattering bun, I'm dripping sweat, bright red and, well, I've seen photos from races of me running and I don't get what they're excited about. But the attention is welcome. :-) (As long as it doesn't get scary creepy, of course.)

rclemens1221

Sometimes can be creepy......Depends on the individual......A stare and no smile = weird.......So if your busted staring, SMILE! lol

lacroyx

I notice I get stares. being 6'3 and 300+ lbs. probably has to do with some of it. Do I care? not really. too busy being awesome to worry about it.

As for girls I try really hard not to. I dont wanna be that creepy guy. :frown:

CourteneyLove

When I used a gym I made use of the mirrors. Only a rookie turns their head. You can see the whole gym through the mirrors

I am with you on this. I check out the hot guys.. and the creeps of the gym stare at everyone. Ew

MFPAddict

I absolutely hate it. Enough to make me stop going to the gym and work out at home. I turn beat red every time and therefore, purposely never stare at anyone, bc I know how uncomfortable it can make you feel.....

This type of reaction is why I try my hardest never to get caught looking. I would feel horrible if I made someone feel this way.

JDMPWR

I stare and point, it makes the person being viewed super self conscious.

auticus

I don't use a gym but I get my fair share of starers. They stare while I'm shopping (sometimes follow me too), while I'm out at lunch, at the library, on my walks. It's only fun when the person staring me down is attractive. That's not the case most of the time.

Wow... just wow... this is the most superficial statement of the day!

Ah, and I'm sure Auticus would agree, this is probably a generally true sociological statement. I think people feel even more attractive when they see that attractive people are checking them out. Human nature is not all pretty rainbows and cuddly kittens!

Life in general in our culture is superficial. The things that drive people in our culture typically revolve around social status and achieving it. Social status is a form of currency. To pretend otherwise is foolish.

If I gave you a dime you'd raise an eyebrow. If I gave you a $100 bill, you'd give me a much more positive response.

The analogy here is the same.

While we should strive to be deeper individuals, the basic impulses and drives of the majority of the people around us are limited to physical appearance and the reward centers in our brain being stimulated is something that people strive and crave after.

An attractive person offering you validation is worth more than an unattractive person offering you validation, not because as people they are inferior, but because social status-wise the attractive person is something desired by many and by them offering you validation, you have been elevated yourself in status.

It's the same basic structures that fire off when you are picked for something as opposed to when you are left behind or excluded.

The human mind is a fascinating construct

EDIT: I see honest people more favorably because while they may be superficial, I don't have to play cloak & dagger with them as opposed to the superficial person who is pretending to not care about those things when in reality they do very much.

T_R_A_V

Its all about diversion tactics!

eayal002

I stare hard, don't get my eyes off the girl always the same one. She's hot as hell and can't get enough, stare at her at home too...

cmiles23

I'm flattered if someone wants to look.

I don't work out in a gym much, but when I'm out running I get a lot of car honks. Now, my hair is pulled up in an unflattering bun, I'm dripping sweat, bright red and, well, I've seen photos from races of me running and I don't get what they're excited about. But the attention is welcome. :-) (As long as it doesn't get scary creepy, of course.)

they arent looking at your face or hair........;)

_binary_jester_

I have to admit, I get stares.

When I start doing intervals in the treadmill, people immediately start looking around going WTF is THAT?

"Anybody hear that? It's an... It's an impact tremor, that's what it is... I'm fairly alarmed here."

MyFeistyEvolution

I don't use a gym but I get my fair share of starers. They stare while I'm shopping (sometimes follow me too), while I'm out at lunch, at the library, on my walks. It's only fun when the person staring me down is attractive. That's not the case most of the time.

Edited...

Since I'm being called out for this quite publicly... it is no more...

Smart move.

_binary_jester_

I don't use a gym but I get my fair share of starers. They stare while I'm shopping (sometimes follow me too), while I'm out at lunch, at the library, on my walks. It's only fun when the person staring me down is attractive. That's not the case most of the time.

Edited...

Since I'm being called out for this quite publicly... it is no more...

Smart move.

Pfft...it was already quoted...so a little too late.

Hecnotha1

If you pass in front of me or near my area while im in between sets, ill look but wont stare like your something out of this world because i will never give any female the satisfaction of feeling like that. With that said, We have eyes, so make good use of them and use your peripheral vision.

SeanIsMyHomeboy

My Opinion:

Going to the gym and complaining about getting checked out because you finally look good is like finally winning the lottery and complaining about the taxes.

mo_is_here

I don't use a gym but I get my fair share of starers. They stare while I'm shopping (sometimes follow me too), while I'm out at lunch, at the library, on my walks. It's only fun when the person staring me down is attractive. That's not the case most of the time.

Edited...

Since I'm being called out for this quite publicly... it is no more...

So what exactly are they staring at, sorry Im not seeing it.

_binary_jester_

True story...One time I was doing pec dec flys. When i am concentrating, I tend to fixate on one spot, not really realizing what I am staring at. To my horror, I realized I was staring right at the crotch of the woman on the yes/no machine in the across from me. She was looking at me with a mixture of confusion and humor.
I almost dropped the weights.

For reference...this is the yes/no machine

http://www.teachpe.com/strengthening/m-inner_thigh.php

cbear017

Hahaha...I totally stare at people at the gym, though I usually make use of the mirrors to make it less obvious. I don't discriminate either.

I don't think anyone stares at me. I wish they did.

DeadlyDame13

as long as they are staring cause im hot guess its ok ....Dear GOD dont let it be cause the bike gave me a crotch merf or a sweaty titty made my shirt a little see thru LMAO i pray its not cause of that

warmachinejt

i am usually shy so i try not to stare at girls but sometimes there are some really cute ones around and i give a quick glance
I "think" i have seen a couple of girls staring right at me and i swear i held up for 2 seconds and still ....i just have to look away . i don't know if they're really staring at me or someone else (since it's a long way from the cardio machines to the weight room)

rammsteinsoldier

I don't get gym stares that I know of. I would just take it as a compliment and be greatful they think you are hot. Believe me, I wish I was the object of some stares.:sad: