Stop rolling your eyes at fat people in the gym!

Guilty to some extent. Only really an issue with lap swimming. My gym doesn't have many lanes and it can get quite backed up in the afternoons. When I've been waiting more than 30 minutes for lane, I get kinda aggravated watching people water-walking for an hour or swimming so slowly they might as well be floating. These typically are the larger folk. I know it's none of my business, but for that amount of exertion, you can really do anything for exercise and not take up an hour in a lane.

I know I should just be patient but admittedly it does irk me.

They roll their eyes, until they see me shake it like a salt shaker in zumba... then it becomes a stare in awe... and glory

Guilty to some extent. Only really an issue with lap swimming. My gym doesn't have many lanes and it can get quite backed up in the afternoons. When I've been waiting more than 30 minutes for lane, I get kinda aggravated watching people water-walking for an hour or swimming so slowly they might as well be floating. These typically are the larger folk. I know it's none of my business, but for that amount of exertion, you can really do anything for exercise and not take up an hour in a lane.

I know I should just be patient but admittedly it does irk me.

My gym's pool has 6 lanes, but we still do a lot of lane sharing. Can you do that?

THe only people I ever rolled my eyes at where the machine hoggers (i.e I need the 5 or 6 weight equipment things so I can do my Circuit), and the guys who use free weights and literally DROP them on the ground when they are done.

Just want to point out that there are certain exercises, like dead lift, that it is literally safer to drop the weight than try to set it down softly and quietly... It does get excessive and annoying, sure, but I always remind myself that it's better to make a loud noise than strain your back...

When I was going to the gym, I thought it was great to see overweight people there working...doesn't matter how slow they went, they were still trying. I commend them for that!

Same for me!!! I think it is wonderful when I see someone trying to better themselves! :happy:

I'm sorry. I just can't help it.

Whenever I see an overweight person making good smart choices and taking proactive steps to achieve their goals a little voice inside my head tells me to run up to them jiggle their belly fat (if their a female I beat on their breasts like a drum) and say 'Nice try fatty! Get back to the Burger Shop where you belong!'


Just for the record in case some of you can't detect sarcasm. I have never done this. I've also been going to the gym for about a decade and I have never once seen or heard any negativity towards a fat person trying to get in shape at the gym. The ONLY time I ever hear about it is on these boards.

I'll keep rolling my eyes at all the people using machines and going for eternal strolls on the treadmill hamster wheels.

Thanks. You come into my free weights area? Mad hugs for all. You keep pittering and pattering on the latest preacher curl machine to open: go back to jamba juice for your "healthy" candy.

Hard love for all. One. Hard. Love.

Dude: no

Most people are so self-absorbed they think everyone is thinking about them.

Most people are also so self-absorbed that they don't realize nobody cares about them.

Most people are so self-absorbed they think everyone is thinking about them.

Most people are also so self-absorbed that they don't realize nobody cares about them.

QFT

MOST people are friendly and supportive, because that's a normal, healthy way to be . . . I'm just griping at a few bad apples.

Sadly, one bad apple is enough to ruin it for people with low self esteem So, you're very very right.

I agree. One bad apple could very well end the gym going for someone with low self esteem. I think it's awful that people can be so cruel. If we don't start some where, we will never get to where we want to go.

Very valid rant!

I'm the fat person in the gym.

I have never had anyone roll their eyes at me but I've had the "good for you" patronizing pat on the head thing going on and it feels pretty horrible to be singled out like that too.

I know people are just trying to be nice but I wish nobody would ever say anything, just work out and let me work out in peace.

I had an instructor do that to me before. She literally pulled me aside and congratulated me for continuing to come back. Then told me that she had told all her friends about the bigger girl in her class that keep coming back. I don't do patronizing. I didn't go back to her class.

Ugh. Story of my life.

I could not agree more! It's disgusting that people would be like that but the truth is that it happens..

Everybody starts somewhere... And all of those so-called "beautiful" people at the gym gawking at the big girls and guys just make themselves look ugly. It makes me pretty sad to think that people can be so shallow...

Huh...in the 15 years I've been working out I've never noticed it once.

A person larger than I got me into running and did not even know it. I was on the Eliptical and the guy in front of me was on the treadmill not fast mind you but going strong and steady and he was still on it when i got off the Eliptical. If he can do it I sure as hell can. Then one day Im on my way home saw a woman running up hill (a hill not a grade) pushing a stroller. If she can get out and run with a baby carriage I sure as hell can do it without one. The rest was about 5000 miles behind me. What I do roll my eyes at are those individuals who jump on a machine for five minutes then stop and then I overhear them telling someone they just got done with some HIT. Or the guy or gal who picks up a weight does 4 light reps then moves on.

When I se a heavy person or anyone not in perfect shape working out I am inspired really inspired. In my neighborhood there is a lady who is likely twice my size and still every day she is not just walking, she is jogging. When I see her I know I have no excuses.

I'm the fat person in the gym.

I have never had anyone roll their eyes at me but I've had the "good for you" patronizing pat on the head thing going on and it feels pretty horrible to be singled out like that too.

I know people are just trying to be nice but I wish nobody would ever say anything, just work out and let me work out in peace.

I had an instructor do that to me before. She literally pulled me aside and congratulated me for continuing to come back. Then told me that she had told all her friends about the bigger girl in her class that keep coming back. I don't do patronizing. I didn't go back to her class.

Ugh. Story of my life.

Yeah, these are all actually, good and valid points that people should take note of. It's odd and rude to single people out and assume they are doing something courageous just because they happen to be bigger in size. Just because someone is bigger in size does not even mean they aren't at a fitness level of an athlete and have always been active. There are other reasons why they may be larger or have a higher body fat %, and it does not mean they even personally care. Or if they are just starting out on fitness, it's still not a reason to treat a person like a child (there are many circumstances in which people respond that way towards a person and it's never pleasant).