Gymgoers: what's with the staring?

I just got home from the gym, and I'm hoping you'll shed some light on this: why is everybody staring if somebody does something a little differently? It's not just the people who go to the gym and think they're getting fit by texting and taking selfies, it's also the people who do actual sets in the weight room and then use their break between sets to stare.

I have serious back issues and go to physical therapy once a week, and my therapist has made me a personal training program to do at the gym during the week. The program includes some excercises that might look odd (using equipment in an unusual way or with ridiculously small-looking weights), but why is MY workout their business? I'd understand if somebody came to make sure I know what I'm doing and/or offered advice on using a piece of equipment, but no. They just stared.

Nice Thread!

I look around between sets because I like seeing how other people are lifting and their form. If they are doing it right, I take mental notes to try and mimic their movements to avoid doing it wrong. If they are doing it wrong, I confirm what I'm doing wrong, and will consider going over and showing them the right way.

Being a beginner I am primarily just looking around for proper form techniques and seeing how people do it. I won't stare, but I'll definitely look over. If I'm doing it wrong, I'll actually take notes on how people are looking at me, and consider if I'm doing it right or not, and consider it constructive criticism from the way people look at me.

Don't worry so much about people looking at you, it's natural for people to look around. If they're staring....ignore em anyway or ask them if they see you doing something wrong. Everyone at the gym is there for similar reasons of getting in shape. Just do you, and be confident or open minded to suggestions or conversation. I've had no problem asking someone who was a complete stranger if they had any tips, or if they noticed my form lacking in any area, if I notice them looking.

Although your physical therapist gave you a routine to follow that may be out of the ordinary, your form could still be wrong in the way you do them. I saw a man using the bench press to lift his legs up and stretch after his workout, it was a little out of the ordinary, but I was legitimately curious if it was beneficial or not.

Don't always assume observations are judgments. And you can only let judgments affect you as much as you allow it to. Keep up the work and be confident in what you're doing.

Something else I just remembered...

As far as those people that are texting on the phone. Are you sure that is what they are doing? A lot of people use workout apps to record their sets and keep lists of their lifting routines.

I usually only stare at people to make up short little life stories about them in my head. Then I proceed to judge them on those make believe life choices they made. No biggie, got to entertain yourself somehow between sets.

bored.

In my gym there were only televisions in the cardio section. So weight machines and the weight room were super boring.

Hahaha I love when people stare/admire me.

I just look them in the eyes, smile, and nod my head.

I always look better than the people staring, it's usually old men/milfs though.

Speak for yourself, buddy!

I believe he was.

I just got home from the gym, and I'm hoping you'll shed some light on this: why is everybody staring if somebody does something a little differently? It's not just the people who go to the gym and think they're getting fit by texting and taking selfies, it's also the people who do actual sets in the weight room and then use their break between sets to stare.

I have serious back issues and go to physical therapy once a week, and my therapist has made me a personal training program to do at the gym during the week. The program includes some excercises that might look odd (using equipment in an unusual way or with ridiculously small-looking weights), but why is MY workout their business? I'd understand if somebody came to make sure I know what I'm doing and/or offered advice on using a piece of equipment, but no. They just stared.

I love being stared at myself and get stared at all the time... embrace the attention man.. sometimes even throw them a wink


Part of it as well is I get very very deep in thought when I'm lifting.... Skrillex or Deadmau5 screaming outta the ear buds... vains popping... my body feelingg sexxy and perfect... I sometimes catch myself in a gaze and I just shake my head outta it - don't mean to be staring but after your done pounding out the iron sometimes your brain needs to unmotivate itself from the rush brah.


be flattered.. can't take anything personal when your taking it as a compliment

If I stare, it's usually because:

a) you are incredibly good looking,
or
b) you are doing some cool exercise that I haven't seen before and I will try later on when you aren't around

I usually only stare at people to make up short little life stories about them in my head. Then I proceed to judge them on those make believe life choices they made. No biggie, got to entertain yourself somehow between sets.

Love it

Did you consider that people were staring, b/c you are hot??? That happens.

Did you ever consider that they weren't staring at all and maybe you were being paranoid? That happens.

I watch people when they are doing something different (sometimes; mostly I'm staring at myself in the mirror across the gym to check my form), b/c I'm wondering what they are doing. I get bored when taking a break.

Its no big deal.

If you're putting your whole self into your workout, I can't see how you would know whether people were looking at you or not.

trust me.. sometimes it gets obnoxious... you can't help but know... but as I've said I feel like I can knock out an extra rep or two having a hardbody staring at me.

I just got home from the gym, and I'm hoping you'll shed some light on this: why is everybody staring if somebody does something a little differently? It's not just the people who go to the gym and think they're getting fit by texting and taking selfies, it's also the people who do actual sets in the weight room and then use their break between sets to stare.

I have serious back issues and go to physical therapy once a week, and my therapist has made me a personal training program to do at the gym during the week. The program includes some excercises that might look odd (using equipment in an unusual way or with ridiculously small-looking weights), but why is MY workout their business? I'd understand if somebody came to make sure I know what I'm doing and/or offered advice on using a piece of equipment, but no. They just stared.

Most likely they are just looking right through you.
I know when I am at the gym I get focused and will be gazing in la-la land and sometimes it may be in someones direction