Gymgoers: what's with the staring?

Unless they indicate otherwise or keep a dead-eyed stare going, it might just be curiosity or looking in one direction while zoning out. If they're freaking you out by staring, make a face or, if it's a really persistent weirdo, report them.

I've taken note and next time between my sets, I shall sit with my eyes closed! I am always looking around and staring out of curiosity as to what others are doing and seeing if I would benefit from it. I fear more that people think im checking them out than criticising them lol

Same. I check out what exercises other people are doing, gets me thinking about my routine and form.

Usually I watch just out of curiousity. Trying to learn or just see what different people do. If I look like I'm glaring it's probably cuz someone's hogging a machine in my circuit and I'm trying to gauge if they'll be finished soon.

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.

Me too... oh well. :ohwell:

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.