Why do guys feel the need to approach me in the gym?!?

I think maybe you're taking it the wrong way. If they come up and say "Hey, you're doing that wrong." and nothing else, I'd be pissed too. But if they say "Can I show you how to..." or "You do it like this..." Take the advice. Don't let pride get in the way of doing things properly!

Now it could also be that you are doing things exactly right and they are misinformed. If that's true, just politely say, "Thanks, but this is the way I'm supposed to do it."

I'm sorry, I have to vent. I am just starting stronglifts 5x5 and I'm minding my own business and each time....a man has to come up to me and tell me I'm doing something wrong.

I appreciate the advice, but don't insult my entire workout!

Walk away!

It strips me of all of the confidence I had when I walked in!

Then I fail for real!!

my advice for dealing with men you don't want to deal with?
when they walk over, don't notice them.
if they say something, don't notice them.
headphones help. zero eye contact.

Pretty girl is in a place surrounded by men who are lifting weights and going into a testosterone overdrive. Nope, can't think why that would lead to an approach. Not saying it's a good thing, just not at all surprising.

Men like to be helpful to women. Most of them probably have no idea they are offending you or dealing a blow to your confidence. They think they are being nice and doing you a favor. If they are actually being helpful, smile and say thank you and maybe even consider taking their advice. Who knows, they might turn into good lifting partners for you. If what they are telling you is wrong, say "Thanks, but I like doing it my way." There's no need to get mad or defensive unless it's someone who is repeatedly bothering you.

Men like to be helpful to women. Most of them probably have no idea they are offending you or dealing a blow to your confidence. They think they are being nice and doing you a favor. If they are actually being helpful, smile and say thank you and maybe even consider taking their advice. Who knows, they might turn into good lifting partners for you. If what they are telling you is wrong, say "Thanks, but I like doing it my way." There's no need to get mad or defensive unless it's someone who is repeatedly bothering you.

^this

men like women.. men's first inclination is to try to fix things or solve problems (perceived or not)
a certain % of men only think with something other than their brain

you seem smart enough to tell which is which
its a shame that a small % has to make the rest of my gender look bad

Um because you are probably ACTUALLY doing something wrong, injury is no joke, take the advice humble and do your own research later.

Um because you are probably ACTUALLY doing something wrong, injury is no joke, take the advice humble and do your own research later.

if she is, she's far better off asking the gym staff than she is taking advice from so random who could easily be telling her to do something even worse than she was doing before.

would the dude have walked up and said something if she was a dude?

extremely unlikely.

I help people all the time if they are doing something that will cause injury.

Get over yourself.

i've a lifetime's experience of men trying to tell me how to do things which, more often than not, i'm more qualified to do than they are. the frequency of 'help' offered is directly proportional to the attractiveness of the woman involved.

YOU might help people because you're a helpy mr mchelperton, but you'd be a fool to judge everyone by your standards.

i'll get over myself the day someone gives me a good reason to. *awaits*

:laugh:

I'll help someone like 3-5 times a year, mostly because I don't want to be the one there to perform 1st aid.

Settle down killer.

i'm feisty. it's adorable.

would the dude have walked up and said something if she was a dude?

extremely unlikely.

I help people all the time if they are doing something that will cause injury.

Get over yourself.

i've a lifetime's experience of men trying to tell me how to do things which, more often than not, i'm more qualified to do than they are. the frequency of 'help' offered is directly proportional to the attractiveness of the woman involved.

YOU might help people because you're a helpy mr mchelperton, but you'd be a fool to judge everyone by your standards.

i'll get over myself the day someone gives me a good reason to. *awaits*

:laugh:

I'll help someone like 3-5 times a year, mostly because I don't want to be the one there to perform 1st aid.

Settle down killer.

i'm feisty. it's adorable.

I think you're my new best friend.