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

That said, I don't say anything unless someone asks me...I might stare in disbelief at their complete lack of form and wonder to myself when they're going to hurt themselves

^ That.
Which, coincidentally, tends to expedite people's time in the lone squat rack so I can get in there.

I will also say, I've had more than one guy at my gym ask me for tips. Those days make me really happy

If you think they are just trying to hit on you, give them a deadpan glare and a "I'm good. Thanks," and then look away.
(Note: The "thanks" at the end is optional. I'm from the South. I can't help but be polite, even if in a hateful manner.)

If you think they are trying to help but you know they are wrong, tell them how to do it correctly or just say "I'm good, thanks".

If they try to touch you to help position you (and you don't want that because you think they are hitting you), drop heavy equipment on their foot and scream, "I DON'T KNOW YOU, I NEED AN ADULT" repeatedly, and then no guy in that gym will ever approach you again

:flowerforyou:

LOL
Love it!!:laugh:

Same problem I used to have. I now only take advice from the personal trainers at my gym. They may notice something about my posture or even motivate me to take my weights up a bit. I am doing the Stronglifts program too. At first, I would have guys come over and try to change my routine, think that I can't lift as heavy as I do, and mainly try to hit on me. However, as the others have said Be Confident. Once they see I know what I'm doing, they back away. They compliment me and keep it moving.

I get how that could be totally annoying, but on the other hand, if you're doing something terribly wrong, it would be helpful to have someone point it out to you so you don't injure yourself. I wouldn't be able to depend on the trainers at my gym to correct me, as I see them regularly incorrect technique to their clients, so I'd be much more open to hearing a correction or suggestion from a gym goer who knows what he or she is doing....

I think just listen to the advice and consider it--if you're unsure if what they're suggesting is correct, do some research...ask a question in the Eat, Train, Progress group here on MFP, for instance, or ask in the Stronglifts group here, etc.

Surely some of those guys are full of it, some might be just trying to find a way to interact with you, but others might be sincerely offering you some good advice. I think it's worth keeping an open mind to the possibility that you could be getting some friendly help, especially as a beginner.

If you want to ignore everyone, just put on headphones and do your thing. I don't get bothered by guys at the gym, and I suspect it's because I don't look unsure of myself, I'm absorbed in my own workout, and I'm listening to headphones, always. Don't let any sort of comments, helpful or not, make you feel like you shouldn't be there lifting those weights. You should!

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.

LOL and yeah, probaly this. :laugh:

because sometimes manly men like to feel even more manly by disparaging a woman trying to work out. Because clearly the woman is an idiot by simple virtue of her being female, and the man has to point that out

it makes their **** feel better. So next time that happens, just go "it's okay bro, I got this."

wow, angry much?

OP maybe your form IS terrible, maybe you are really hot and men just want to touch you.

I dunno.

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

Get over yourself.
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As someone who never gets help from anyone, even when my car is broken down in the middle of the road, this ^^^ is my favorite response.

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.

^^^This made me LOL.

Headphones on, eyes forward.

But chances are they really do want to help you, even if there's a side agenda.

Well that's a good thing, be worried when your not getting approached at all. Some women wish that would happen to them.

As someone who never gets help from anyone, even when my car is broken down in the middle of the road, this ^^^ is my favorite response.

last time a tyre blew out, two cars stopped and two men changed it, despite it clearly being a one man job.
in that situation i was shaken up and more than happy to let them.

yeah, i know, ''boohoo for you! oh the trauma of men wanted to impress you!!''
but, eventually, you get to the point of too much of a good thing, you become a mean, cynical, bitter b*tch and swear off dating in favour of collecting stray cats.

which reminds me, i'm out of kibble.

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

Get over yourself.

As someone who never gets help from anyone, even when my car is broken down in the middle of the road, this ^^^ is my favorite response.

I won't let some random pull over and help me on the side of the road. I can change a tire myself, and if it's anything worse, I'd rather err on the side of caution and wait for a tow truck than have some random person or people "helping" me if I'm alone.

Because they're hitting on you. They want to be your knight in shining armor.

The want you to ask them for help so they can put their hands on you to show you the proper way to do something.

I'm not speaking from experience or anything. Nope. Not me.

Bahahaha. I was thinking the same thing.

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.

Slather some feces on you or some skunk scent and no one will socialize with you...

Or get that 1000 yard stare down ... Whenever someone approaches you yell "CHARLIE IN THE TREES CHARLIE IN THE TREES"

now i feel like such a dizzy cow! how could i miss something so obvious.

cat poop and PTSD should work a treat.
...until i meet a dude with a kittylitter fetish.

Nice thread this has become. LOL. I think my form was a little off.

I got the guys name and thanked him for redirecting me to the proper form.

So it was one guy. OKkkkkkkkkkk.