The HOT mommy at the gym debate

MommyFancypants

OMG...I live in a weathy area (not that I am of course! LOL!) but there are quite a few moms who HAVE to be dressed in the most expensive workout clothes, hair done, makeup, nails perfect. I NEVER see them sweat. They get on the elliptical machines and SLOWLY move. I don't know if it's a competition to see who looks better while trying not to sweat but that is SOOOO not me.

I think sexy is working hard, sweating and enjoying your workout. It's later when I am dressed with make up and hair done and ready to be pretty that the workout does its job making me look like a hot mommy!!

stephzub

I try to go to the gym when there is the least amount of people there because unfortunately, the hot glammed-up mommies in full makeup and expensive work out clothes (that they never even break a sweat in) make me feel even more insecure than I usually do at the gym. There have been more of them there lately at what used to be a quiet time so although I am paying for the gym membership, I have been staying home and working out in the dark, gloomy basement just to avoid “them” and feel less judged. If they did not gossip so much and do the laugh and point thing, I could probably block them out a little easier.

thekateb

I personally think it is ridiculous to spend hours getting ready to go to the gym because you are going to get all sweaty anyways but if other women want to do that I don't really care. That being said I do like to at least have a little bit of make-up on and not look like a total distaster at the gym. The reason for this is that I do a lot of classes and I have to look at myself in the mirror for an hour...I don't really want to look at myself lookin' like crap!

AmyEm3

I used to go to a gym but I don't anymore. I genuinely never cared what the other women looked like but there was one woman who wore SO MUCH freaking perfume that I could smell it clear across the room. I have asthma and that perfume seriously aggravated my lungs. That bothered me but her hair and makeup did not.

Allie_71

I don't know why women get so hung up on how other women look at the gym.

I just turned 40. If I am leaving the house - before I go I usually - shower and do my make up. It's routine. I go to gym on my lunch hour or after work and don't wash my face off first since I will be showering after. I also try to coordinate my clothes so they match - all clothes - including gym clothes.

Why shouldn't any woman look hot? You don't have to walk into a gym with a bare face and sloppy clothes to get a good workout. You don't have to wear make-up or match either. As long as you are there working out who cares? Women are just catty sometimes... and sometimes I think it's just a bit of envy.

^^ This.

I look like I just rolled out of bed. all the time. I'm a little in awe of girls who look put together. If they can do it, and want to do it. Good on them. If the way someone looks makes you feel bad about yourself, and upset at them, really, it's you, not them. Girls are too flippin' hard on each other sometimes.

transfixedtoast

I've been to a gym once in my life and it was terrifying because I am REALLY self concious, like really self concious.
I spent an hour making myself look presentable because I knew that there would be people there, and I guess gyms always advocate this polished type of human, the perfect human who never sweats and is toned and good looking and I just wanted to fit in. I'm never going back.
Too many people would have seen me and laughed.

marynificent

I look hot at the gym period. I lift heavier than everyone else there most days and that makes me fine as hell! I don't do it in make up though, but that is mostly out of laziness and apathy, not any particular commitment towards one way or the other. I only get pissed at gym bunnies (and there are male ones too!) if they get in the way of my workouts because they are using the benches to sit on or the smith machine to do modified girly push ups. If they stay out of my way and keep to the mirrors on the sides, then they could be there in a prom dress for all I care. More power to you!

AlayshaJ

I never saw a problem with women wearing make up to the gym... I personally don't usually wear make up at all but if I do, I don't specifically wash it off to go to the gym. I only wear eye make up and I don't sweat on my face unless I am running for a while.... like after 4 miles or so. So I don't even worry about it smudging or whatever. Guys stare at me anyway, I wouldn't want to attract anymore attention by wearing a full face of make up and doing my hair.

Scott_P

I don't know why women get so hung up on how other women look at the gym.

I just turned 40. If I am leaving the house - before I go I usually - shower and do my make up. It's routine. I go to gym on my lunch hour or after work and don't wash my face off first since I will be showering after. I also try to coordinate my clothes so they match - all clothes - including gym clothes.

Why shouldn't any woman look hot? You don't have to walk into a gym with a bare face and sloppy clothes to get a good workout. You don't have to wear make-up or match either. As long as you are there working out who cares? Women are just catty sometimes... and sometimes I think it's just a bit of envy.

^^ This.

I look like I just rolled out of bed. all the time. I'm a little in awe of girls who look put together. If they can do it, and want to do it. Good on them. If the way someone looks makes you feel bad about yourself, and upset at them, really, it's you, not them. Girls are too flippin' hard on each other sometimes.

Boom +1

mikellsmom

I think it is ridiculous to come to the gym all done up... I go there to work out and sweat. The last couple of days at my gym there is a woman who comes in all done up with tons of makeup and fake eyelashes. The other day I almost fell off my treadmill when I looked over at her and her eyelashes where hanging off and she had makeup running down her face. I mean WTH!!! You are not going to the club you are going to th gym to hopefully push yourself to your limit and sweat your *kitten* off.....

mlb929

I'm not a gym rat but my first thought was maybe its just social hour to get away from the kids a gym is better than starbucks or the donut shop. My second thought was why would she care what others do or look like as long as she is working hard. Do it for yourself not someone else. iF it really bothered me I would introduce them to my trainer and encourage them to work harder.

dbenedit

I don't really care what anyone looks like in the gym. This is "me" time. And I'm a sweaty mess when I leave. What I can't stand is the women at the gym who hog the machines for their conversations and are not moving a muscle on them, while I am not-so-patiently waiting to use them. I have no problem with talking AND actually using the machines at the same time. But do NOT just sit there to finish your conversation while others are waiting. Sorry. End of rant.

JadeRabbit08

Whatever to picky women and whatever to the ones that try so hard to look "the best". Enjoy rechecking mascara for smears or glaring across the room; I'll be working out over *flex* there .

Haha!

Love the flex point.

destump

The gym I am currently at doesn't have many women that come in with full make-up, but I've been to gyms where that is pretty normal. To each their own (which seems to be a resounding opinion). Although, for women that do wear makeup to the gym--it is extremely hard on your skin to be in full makeup 24 hours a day. If that choose that route, then so be it, but I will be there with no makeup, working up a sweat!

slayerdan

As a person with education in psych, this really is a no brainer. I think its a waste to go to the gym all made up too, I truly do and its quite funny.

However, people looking for affirmation from others or looking for a mate--whether long term or for the day--are going to go to where there is a good selection to choose from. Since there will be competition there, they have to look as good as possible. Birds do it all the time, as do other animals. And like it or not, the gym is a social place. I know several people at my gym.....whether from the sauna or the spin classes, I know people. Even the in shape people talk to eachother, same as the heavy lifters or the gaggle of eldeerly that inhabit the mornings---its social. So in all honesty its not all that odd that these women get dressed up more than they should to go sweat.

On the flip side---I see men there all the time trying to out muscle shirt, out lift, out cardio the other guys there and do stuff in certain areas of the gym that puts them in direct sight of females----it goes both ways, we just dont wear make up.

D

TrainingWithTonya

I've actually wondered that as well and I'm wondering if women pay attention to this as much as I think they do. (Seriously, you can't miss the ones who are out to impress, i.e. wearing designer shades to the gym, etc.)

Hey! I wear designer shades to the gym. But that is because they are prescription and I need them to get in the building. LOL

As for the OP, I giggle to myself when I see the make-up bunch at the gym. My opinion is that you can look super hot or you can get a good workout, but you can't do both at the same time. I only hope they are actually working out at home because they aren't doing enough to benefit their health and fitness at the gym if they are trying not to sweat off their make-up. Unfortunately, I think the heaviest thing some of them lift is their make-up bag. But when they keel over from diseases related to not being fit, that'll leave all the hot, sweaty guys in the gym for the girls like me who are working on being healthy and fit. :laugh:

lucyholt1

I don't really understand why people 'dress up' for the gym to be honest. I don't wear ANY make up for the gym, nor do I do my hair, just put it into a messy ponytail. Having said that, I'm not too fussed about what people think of me when I'm in there working out, maybe other people are?

sjwhite7

I want to sweat! I want to know that I am doing everything in my power to look great and feel healthy. I don't wear makeup to the gym because I know it will be running down my face 5 min. into me being there. I feel empowered with a great workout and don't not care if anyone notices me or not. If coming to the gym and wasting their time doing nothing makes them feel good than I'm sorry that they are losing the benefit of what they are paying for. I for one want every single minute in the gym I spend count because that is what I am paying for.

Elen_Sia

I wish I had hot mommies to look at. I'm always the only one at the gym where I work out (it's at a firehouse, and 98% of the crew never exercise).

kensky

I think there's always women (people?) who can keep looking pulled together/cute/"hawt" while doing what they need to do and then there's folks like me who always have a coffee stain, wonky under-eye concealer (I put this on, no matter what, or people ask me OMG what's wrong?!?), random crap falling out of their gym bag, etc. I have thankfully never felt any Mean Girl crap coming from the more "beautiful people" but we tend to travel in different circles and most of the folks that go to the gym and don't work out, don't come before 5:30 in the morning...so that takes care of that.

jenalderman

I started thinking about this post and come to an interesting conclusion about myself. When I was much larger and not very self assured in my appearance, I focused more on how my hair and makeup looked in the gym. I suppose on some level I was saving as much "face" as possible at that weight. Now that I lean a little more toward "slender" I worry far less about my appearance at the gym. As a matter of fact, I take a certain amount of pride in every drop of sweat these days. I love it when my outward appearance reflects all the work I'm putting in. Funny- I went from covering up the fat in baggy sweats to wearing cute tight running pants and sleeveless running tanks back to baggy sweats to work up the sweat. It's a curious thing - how my perspective keeps evolving. Ultimately, everyone has reasons behind how they are comfortable dressing and grooming for the gym. To each their own.

AnarchoGen

I could care less how other people look at the gym, usually I've got my music blaring in my earphones and I'm "in the zone" to kick some *kitten*. My *kitten* that is
I look like crap going in the gym, and I look even worse coming out. I don't G.A.F.
I am there for ME. If I'm there to impress anyone, it's gonna be MY trainer ;D

teagin2002

When I work out to the gym I workout rough. If I play soccer like yesterday it's with an 8 lb ball, when I life I lift heavy too (250lb leg press and 90lb bench yesterday)
I workout for at least 2.5 hrs at a time and half way through my hair is falling all over the place, I am dripping sweat and when I used to wear mascara it was everywhere and very embarrassing. So I stopped wearing make up and got used to readjusting my hair while working out.

My opinion on people who want to look nice and can do it is go for it. With my goals and what I like to do I can't; I like playing rough way too much, and it makes me feel better than looking pretty does too.

Jessicapages1

I am a mommy to 3,I am a stay at home mom and the only time that I get to get out without my kids,is when I go to the Gym! I put on powder (not anything that will slide off my face) eyeliner,mascara,put my hair in a bun,ponytail,or wear my hat.If you think that I am putting on my makeup for anyone but myself you are DEAD WRONG!! when I go out I try to look my best...yes even if I am going to the Gym and sweating!!! I feel better about myself when I look my best.I wear my workout pants and a wife beater (in pretty girly colors!) I really don't think you have the right to judge ANYONE,for what they are wearing or how they decide to come to the gym!!!
I also am going to school for personal Training and I want ot look my best at all times...you never know I might have a person that wants me to train them!! In the end I do it for MYSELF and NO ONE ELSE!!!!!!

Jesspic5

I have never noticed. Most of the time when I get to the gym I'm in my comfy gym clothes. Sometimes when I get there right after work I do look like I'm dolled up, but that's not intentional. Overall, I don't pay any more attention to women who get all pretty then to men who make odd comments while lifting weights. (Like "ohhh yeah") When I'm there at the gym I'm there for me and notbody else. I actually don't understand why people care about the appearance or motives of people who go to the gym. If those women are competing with each other as to who can look best while lifting 5 lb weights, who cares? What's worse, that they have a competition with their friends that motivates them to look their best and work out or looking frumpy and not taking care of themselves?

SafireBleu

This is why when I worked out I did it with the boys at the gym that did not have classes and only had weights and a few machines. I had to go out and run if I wanted to do cardio cause they didn't even have a treadmill. Women love to compete against each other. They always try to outdo each other and look better. I'm all for wearing cute workout clothes that match and even matching your shoes to the clothes but makeup and anything other than a ponytail is a waste for me. I sweat and I stink when I work out.

I will say this though now that I am almost 40 my "friends" who liked to compete and out do each other with the makeup are now using $200 facial creams and getting botox. I can wash my face with Cetaphil and throw on some Neutragena with sunscreen. Not a wrinkle or crows feet in sight on my face without surgical or medical intervention.

southernyankee716

My ticker below says it all...

When I go to the gym, it's about the only "me" time I have all week long. I'm there for one reason and one reason only. I try to avoid all eye contact, not to be rude but because the gym is not a place where I want to socialize. If someone does catch my eye, I do my best to not judge. With that being said, I am more likely to notice the women who is red faced and dripping with sweat. In my head I'm thinking something like "Wow. You look like you had an awesome workout. Great job!"

dad106

To be 100% honest, I am a gym bunny... As in my clothes always match(if they don't, I freak) and I just spent 20 minutes in ****'s Sporting Goods trying to pick out weight lifting gloves(I was worried they would clash with my outfits!). If I happen to have make up on when I come in from work.. great.. and if I happen to remember to wipe it off before I workout, thats great too.

I also sweat like a pig, lift weights and don't care how red I get... I just feel better about myself when I look good and not like some sloppy mess who just wandered out of bed and into the gym.

jenomaha

My opinion is that you can look super hot or you can get a good workout, but you can't do both at the same time.

I am a mommy and depending on the day, I think both can be done. If I go straight from work, I have make up on. I throw my hair up into a ponytail, pick up those heavy weights, bust my *kitten*, am dripping in sweat and I think I look super hot doing it It is possible that I am the only one who thinks I look hot though, :laugh:

But seriously, it doesn't matter to me either way how a person is dressed or how much make up she has on. All I know is whether or not I have make up on, I know I'm there for business and I work my *kitten* off every time. I do it all for me To each their own!!

shakenit

Just happy that someone still finds us mommies hot. I am not a makeup at gym person but if I get a glance from someone, at my age, that just feels GREAT and motivation to keep going. I recognize this is shallow but it's true and all the more so as I march toward 40...