Why are people so concerned with what others do at the gym?

zesss

I think your energy would be far better spent on your own fitness journey, rather than belittling other people for how they choose to go about theirs. Shaming people about how they choose to work out and writing long lists about the types of people you hate at the gym is both mean and childish. I think the worst type of person is the type that sits back and smugly makes fun of others for not knowing as much about fitness and/or gym etiquette as they do.

bigdal77

Hi thats way i don't go to the gym ido every thing at home i don't know enough and im to shy to ask i suppose i will get over it one day but i will need to go soon as I've got so much lose skin i need to tone up after losing about 16st

EmBlazes

Hi

I agree. There are a lot of people who are intimidated by the gym environment because of those smug types that you refer to. Personally I've learned to just ignore everyone else but every now and again I see some moron looking at me with a raised eyebrow and shaking their head like they are judging me and I think if I were a less strong-minded person I would probably not come back. I try very hard not to judge other people in the gym even if I think what they are doing isn't a good idea. Who knows - they might be trying to recover from an injury which explains the unusual or seeming-repetitive routine that they have.

Emilie

umachanxo

I don't bother with the gym. I work out at home, and am slowly working on getting my own machines.

zesss

Hi thats way i don't go to the gym ido every thing at home i don't know enough and im to shy to ask

That sucks, and this is exactly why it really bothers me when people on this site go on and on about other people at the gym. It's pretty horrible that people like them will stop people like you from wanting to go!

mrsvampette

I don't go to the gym either because last time i went i did the stationary bike for 20 mins and the way the gym is set up the bikes look at the treadmills. Well i was listening to my music and glancing around the gym because it was only my second time and I was just looking at the equipment and then I saw some guy pointing at me and laughing because my face was red and I was sweating. Then he nudged the girl next to him and pointed me out to her and they both started laughing at me. Haven't been back to the gym since. I felt really about myself when that happened and I just got up and walked out to my car and started crying. I don't think that people should make fun of anyone for trying to lose weight or workout. That happened a year ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I haven't been to the gym yet but when I drop some pounds I will start going.

chazbo35

Sadly enough that sort of stuff goes on in alot of gyms and sure it can be very discouraging to many people. But there's always going to be someone there to come against that which is good so-to-speak. For a beginner at the gym, it can be a very frightening thing. But you just have to make up your mind, put your thick skin on and go for it. I do however think that you shouldn't step foot into the gym without a little bit of instruction. And I do think some of the gyms drop the ball on that. If they are enrolling new people, they should make sure they know what they're doing. But with that said, it gives no one the right to make fun of someone else. I dont know why as people, we cant encorage others more. I know I fail alot at doing that and there have been times I want to say an encouraging word to the person that may be struggling next to me, but I dont want them to think im watching their every move. You have to start somewhere and if your moving your body and putting forth the effort, who cares what people think.

zesss

Well, I personally don't care what anyone thinks, but i know how scary it can be and that other people's judgement will affect people going. I don't think that laughing about "types" at the gym on this site helps either.

mdailey93

I agree with you. I think as long as your following gym rules and have common courtesy, then you shouldn't be bothered. If you have enough free time during your workout to criticize other people, you aren't working out hard enough!

You never know why a person is doing something in there routine, but the truth is they pay for their membership just like everybody else. And you shouldn't call someone names for any reason. No matter how much they annoy you. That's just my opinion though.

mp13cat

I agree. I can't bring myself to go to the gym alone because I'm so put off by the people around me. At least when I have someone else there with me it makes it easier to ignore everyone else.

rybo

No kidding. Seems everybody is watching everybody else & paranoid that they are being watched.

So glad I never had that problem.

jellybaby84

I must have gawped at a guy in the gym for a good minute the other day! He had his feet in the TRX loops, he was upsidedown and he was doing full on chest presses in a hand stand position! I was awestruck. But I guess that's a different kind of staring.

I'm not sure what threads you mean though ...?

dad106

Obviously you've never had to un-rack twenty 45 pound plates from a plated machine.... Cause if you had, then you wouldn't be saying this.

There are a lot of people at the gym.. and most are good. There are some though that are absolutely ridiculous, and you wonder how they even made this far in life.

I'm a good and nice person... 95% of the time. I don't see why it bothers you so much that people do this... if you don't like it, then don't go to the gym or don't read the threads.. that simple.

kag1526

The only people I look at with any kind of disgust are people who don't wipe down their machines. This is gym etiquette they should know... its posted in several places around the gym.

The others I watch are to get new ideas and to see what the people that have bodies that I probably could only dream of are doing... but I'm guessing that isn't what you mean here.

Like there is a girl at my gym that takes weights and one of the benches and jumps up and down on it. I have no problem with her jumping on the bench if the gym doesn't, but I did think it looked really hard so I watched.

BrettPGH

I've had such a different experience. Over 90% of the time when I go to the gym I don't speak to a single person. Everyone there seems to focus on themselves and their own workout. Maybe it's because I use a Y, not many meatheads or professional lifters. Just regular people trying to get in shape.

And a lot of times when I hear this I sympathize but I realize it's just excuses from people who don't want to work out. I used to make them too. You think everyone's looking at you and thinking about you... they're not. They're focused on them. That's the beauty of the gym. It's all about you.

When I started I couldn't swim more than 4 laps in the pool. I had a ridiculous looking bathing suit. I was fat and uncomfortable with myself. But no one ever said a mean word to me. Mostly no one ever said anything. The fear that everyone was looking and laughing at me was all in my head and a way for me to make excuses not to exercise.

Listen if you want to do this you have to do it for you. You can't derail yourself because of what you think complete strangers might be thinking. Get out there and get moving and you'll feel better, look better and stop worrying so much about what others think. Best of luck to everyone.

missikay1970

that's ironic you wrote this - i just read a post about types of people at the gym and cracked up laughing. made my day! i just think sometimes we need a little comic relief. he wasn't talking about any one single person, just generalizations that we all see from day-to-day. not sure why this required an entire post?

oh and PS, my first day at the gym back in august (which was my VERY first day at a gym EVER) i was SO intimidated and i was scared. didn't know how to use any equipment and thought everyone was staring at me. i could have gone home in embarrassment, but instead, i put my head in the game and WORKED OUT. i might be on some list of the stupidist looking women in the gym, but i have lost 27 lbs and i look AMAZING! don't worry about what anyone thinks!

KimmieBrie

Very few people at the gym bother me - in fact I barely notice them to be honest.

But - if I see someone drip sweat all over something and not wipe then it's gross.

And not putting your weights back is just downright lazy and inconsiderate.

If people are doing anything else that doesn't impact me or other members directly than who cares???

I also go to the gym made up from my day. Then I proceed to sweat my butt off. I'm not going to go home and wash my face off first so catty people won't judge me.

Don't avoid the gym because of what other people think. You aren't doing it for them right?

iuangina

No one really ever says anything at my gym. However, when people are impacting the workout time/space of others I think that there is a right to complain. I mean when someone with too much perfume jumps on the treadmill next to me I have trouble breathing. I think it's also something to do. I know that most of us wouldn't say anything to anyone at the gym, but it is fun to people watch and there are certain types of people who appear over and over again. Why is it that people seem to be so scared at the gym? People who are perfectly able to function in society seem to have a strange aversion to the gym because they think others will make fun of them. I see it as nothing but an excuse not to workout.....people will laugh at me....so what? People laugh at you all the time. Does that mean you should lock yourself up in the house? Probably not. There are so many more important things to worry about.

mandamama

I go to an all womans gym, I don't think I would EVER walk into a men/women gym FOR the reason of people watching the way they do////my gym.... I don't find it intimidating, I just LOVE to go by MYSELF and work as hard as I can for the time I have there, I have yet to encounter a rude person, most everyone flashes a smile... says hi... and continues on with their workouts only thing I DO noticeis when people don't wipe down machines, it really grosses me out.

missikay1970

only thing I DO noticeis when people don't wipe down machines, it really grosses me out.

yes i agree, this is a big pet peeve of mine. in fact, i wipe down all machines BEFORE and AFTER i use them. i got strep throat from the gym right before xmas. so now i won't touch anything in there w/o wiping it with sanitizer first!

thefuzz1290

The reason I focus on what other people are doing is for safety reasons. I've had my shoulder give out during a bench press (nice loud pop), and if the 3 or 4 people in the gym weren't paying attention I could have been severely injured. Also, if you look like you're paying attention, you'll be asked for a spot and that's usually reciprocated.

I can honestly say, in the years I've gone to the gym (on and off...more off than on lately), I've never heard anyone make fun of anyone. I've seen some looks, and I've made a few too, but for the most part people are polite. Now I've gotten onto people about not racking their weights or not wiping down the equipment, but that's basic gym etiquette. I've also helped and seen others help a barbell off the chest of a guy who didn't check his ego at the door.

rml_16

I think your energy would be far better spent on your own fitness journey, rather than belittling other people for how they choose to go about theirs. Shaming people about how they choose to work out and writing long lists about the types of people you hate at the gym is both mean and childish. I think the worst type of person is the type that sits back and smugly makes fun of others for not knowing as much about fitness and/or gym etiquette as they do.

Sorry to tell you, but some gripes are legitimate. People speaking loudly on cell phones (which is against gym rules and there are signsposted EVERYWHERE) and not wiping your sweat off of equipment don't just affect the people who do those things.

zesss

I don't see why it bothers you so much that people do this... if you don't like it, then don't go to the gym or don't read the threads.. that simple.

This is the most appalling advice that I've ever heard. I'm supposed to ignore bullying and terrible attitudes because I don't like it? Should I also ignore rape and child abuse simply because I don't like them? Ignore racist comments because I don't like them? Really? That's your advice?

It should bother EVERYONE that bullying attitudes are accepted in any situation, let alone in one where people are going out of their way to get fitter and healthier. Shaming people for going to the gym and dancing, for wearing makeup to the gym (y'know, some of us go straight from work) and all sorts of other HARMLESS behaviours is petty and cruel.

And to the last poster, yes, some gripes are legit. You don't have to apologize, it's fine. If people are doing things clearly against gym rules, then yes. That's annoying. I get that. But the "People at the gym" thread isn't about gym rules, it isn't about health and safety - it's about making fun of people. And that's pretty sad.

dad106

I don't see why it bothers you so much that people do this... if you don't like it, then don't go to the gym or don't read the threads.. that simple.

This is the most appalling advice that I've ever heard. I'm supposed to ignore bullying and terrible attitudes because I don't like it? Should I also ignore rape and child abuse simply because I don't like them? Ignore racist comments because I don't like them? Really? That's your advice?

It should bother EVERYONE that bullying attitudes are accepted in any situation, let alone in one where people are going out of their way to get fitter and healthier. Shaming people for going to the gym and dancing, for wearing makeup to the gym (y'know, some of us go straight from work) and all sorts of other HARMLESS behaviours is petty and cruel.

And to the last poster, yes, some gripes are legit. You don't have to apologize, it's fine. If people are doing things clearly against gym rules, then yes. That's annoying. I get that. But the "People at the gym" thread isn't about gym rules, it isn't about health and safety - it's about making fun of people. And that's pretty sad.

I apologize that you live in such a damn perfect world where everyone ****s rainbows and pony's dance around and no one ever made fun of anyone else.

Grow up and realize that every now and then people poke fun at one another and themselves.. and that it's not a bad thing.

People in that other thread are having a laugh at themselves when they read these.. and you know what, it's ok.

You on the other hand don't realize that are trying to turn it into something it's not.. which is sad. Get off you're damn high Anti-Bullying/ horse and realize that the world doesn't revolve around you honey. These threads will always exist if you like it or not.

rml_16

I haven't read the thread in question, but I will say this: there are some UNUSUAL people at the gym and being human, I can't help shakimg my head and chuckling at some of them. Not to their faces and I would never be mean.

But come on! The guy who works out in khakis and dress shoes, is all buff like he's at a fancy restaurant and walks by the ellipticals every five minutes to use the water fountain? Absurdly funny.

zesss

I apologize that you live in such a damn perfect world where everyone ****s rainbows and pony's dance around and no one ever made fun of anyone else.

Don't apologize, it's fine. And clearly that's not the world that anyone lives in, but wouldn't it be nice?

Grow up and realize that every now and then people poke fun at one another and themselves.. and that it's not a bad thing.

I think the true growing up comes when you realize that it's actually not very nice to derive pleasure or joy from making other people feel bad.

People in that other thread are having a laugh at themselves when they read these.. and you know what, it's ok.

It would be fine if no one was feeling like they had to defend their actions, but that wasn't the case.

You on the other hand don't realize that are trying to turn it into something it's not.. which is sad. Get off you're damn high Anti-Bullying/ horse and realize that the world doesn't revolve around you honey. These threads will always exist if you like it or not.

I think it's incredibly sad that people are willing to get so angry that someone merely wishes that people wouldn't bully others. You know how crazy that is, right? Arguing FOR your right to bully others? What about when it's your kids that are being bullied? Your siblings, parents, friends? The world revolves around all of us. And it would revolve a hell of a lot nicer if we supported each other, rather than tore each other down.

These threads will only exist as long as people like you continue to push a pro-bullying agenda. Which is the most absurd thing I think I've ever heard.

LA723

I don't go to the gym either because last time i went i did the stationary bike for 20 mins and the way the gym is set up the bikes look at the treadmills. Well i was listening to my music and glancing around the gym because it was only my second time and I was just looking at the equipment and then I saw some guy pointing at me and laughing because my face was red and I was sweating. Then he nudged the girl next to him and pointed me out to her and they both started laughing at me. Haven't been back to the gym since. I felt really about myself when that happened and I just got up and walked out to my car and started crying. I don't think that people should make fun of anyone for trying to lose weight or workout. That happened a year ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I haven't been to the gym yet but when I drop some pounds I will start going.

That's terrible. :frown: When I belonged to a different gym a while back, there was a woman on one of the machines. She was morbidly obese. But she was trying, ya know? Some of the gym regulars were rolling their eyes, snickering, etc at this poor woman. Some were downright laughing at her. I was so disgusted. I wish I had enough nerve to tell them about it, but I didn't.

beckie4442

REALLY!?! The other thread was having a laugh, stop getting so upity about it!!! I'm a complete newbie at the gym and I have read a few books on how to lift but I'm still getting used to equipment and I don't know how much to lift without damaging myself, I talk to people because I want more info or I only see that person at the gym and I want to make healthy friends. I still am a bit intimidated going into a sea of muscle men but they all move over for me ( eventually ) and It's only in my head. I do look round to see if the machine I want is available and if I happen to see some bloke performing a bicep curl with big weights but really bad form, I chuckle to myself. :laugh:

zesss

A laugh at other people's expense isn't a very good laugh.

I think it's amazing that people are arguing for their right to be mean and judgmental of other people.

sandz2710

I don't go to the gym either because last time i went i did the stationary bike for 20 mins and the way the gym is set up the bikes look at the treadmills. Well i was listening to my music and glancing around the gym because it was only my second time and I was just looking at the equipment and then I saw some guy pointing at me and laughing because my face was red and I was sweating. Then he nudged the girl next to him and pointed me out to her and they both started laughing at me. Haven't been back to the gym since. I felt really about myself when that happened and I just got up and walked out to my car and started crying. I don't think that people should make fun of anyone for trying to lose weight or workout. That happened a year ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I haven't been to the gym yet but when I drop some pounds I will start going.

That's terrible. :frown: When I belonged to a different gym a while back, there was a woman on one of the machines. She was morbidly obese. But she was trying, ya know? Some of the gym regulars were rolling their eyes, snickering, etc at this poor woman. Some were downright laughing at her. I was so disgusted. I wish I had enough nerve to tell them about it, but I didn't.

I think it is awful to giggle behind others backs or even laugh at them so obviously that they can see you!
I would hate to be made to feel so small and like I shouldn't be there when I have the same right as everybody else...
I'm not saying that I've never made fun of anyone in my life but I am one of these people who is genuinely nice to everyone (unless they've been mean to me 1st for no reason) and I feel bad for those who feel like they're being bullied...
I don't go to the gym, I go to dance class and Zumba class where I am friends with everybody there and we support others on their weight loss/fitness journey and welcome newbies to the class...
Bullying of any kind I can not tolerate and I for one would hate to be on the receiving end of those giggles...
Put yourself in their place before you make nasty remarks or laugh about someones attempts to get fit...

dad106

A laugh at other people's expense isn't a very good laugh.

I think it's amazing that people are arguing for their right to be mean and judgmental of other people.

and I think it's amazing that you are still going on about this topic.

Give it up already.. If you really don't like it, then there is this little button called report post, that allows the moderators to see whats going on.. I suggest you push it on the other thread and get rid of it now so it stops offending you.

For the record, I work in Special Education.... I see the looks my students get when we go places. Does it make me angry? Yes. Do I realize though that it is going to happen where ever we go and that getting angry about it isn't going to change anything? Yes.

You can't change what people do... period. As I stated before, there will always be threads like this.. if you do a search, you'll see a thousand more just with different titles. It's apart of life and unless you can say that you've never judged or made fun of anyone, then you have no room to talk.