Gymgoers: what's with the staring?

some people use the machines wrong

Are you serious? You have come here to get the answer.

Ha Ha Ha.

You'll probably never get the answer but you sure will get to see some cat pictures.

I would stare too if anyone is doing something unusual to the machine, on the machine, with the machine and I'm mind-my-own-F-business kinda lady.

i really try and pay no mind to others when they're at the gym. having come off injuries myself, and wanting to experiment with different exercises, i know that sometimes you just have to do things a little awkwardly. the only guy i pay attention to is this guy in his mid to late forties. he takes one of those thin body pump barbells, grasps one end of it, stands on a bosu ball, and practices his freaking golf swing. why do i stare? i'm preparing to duck, just in case that thing goes flying.

I watch people for many reason.

1) I need to know where everyone is in a room at all times. I don't like people behind me, and I have a need to identify potential threats.

2) I people watch. I like to watch people's behaviour and analyze it

3) Getting new ideas - I like to see what others are doing and if it is working for them, and maybe think of incorporating it into my next "Let's not let this exercise thing get monotonous" shake up.

4) Safety - I have a lot of people in my gym who work without a spotter. When they get tired, it's nice to be aware of what they are doing in case they need a quick rescue (It's happened a few times). Also, I have seen some people executing moves poorly in a way that may cause an injury to themselves or others. I intervene there as well.

5) Testosterone. I get a littel randy when I lift, and the hot people are magnets to my eyes.

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 don't think you're aware, but your post is rather judgemental. There is nothing wrong with texting or taking selfies at the gym. I text and log my reps between sets and take the occasional selfie for progress or to send to a friend.

As for them staring, well as you said your workout isn't typical. People stare at things they find odd. Or they wonder if you know something that they don't.

Human nature.

Ok so yesterday I found myself staring at a guy doing modified burpees while I was on the elliptical. I think he caught me staring and I felt really bad, but the truth is, I wasn't staring to be judgemental or make him uncomfortable, I was just really motivated by it! He was really rockin it out.

Point being, don't let starers intimidate you... sometimes we're just inspired and have no manners.

I stare at the people who seem to know what their doing lol and try to pick up some tips. Sometimes I'm also mentally cheering them on

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'm also humble/vain enough to admit I've done this.

... so the guy brings his nose to his knee in a forward stretch, so I bring my chin to my shin, so he wraps his hands around his foot to deepen the stretch, so I go past the knee to bring my nose to the floor inside the leg, so he ....

- yeah, I've kinda been there, but in a stretchy kinda way!

Me between sets. Deal. :happy:

I have to admit, I am guilty of this. It has less to do with your routine as it does my curiosity and boredom. Generally I am simply checking out what others are doing to see if it is something that may benefit me. Please don't take it personally. I hope this helps.

If i'm staring at you at the gym it's because i'm curious as to what you are doing and if I can add it into my workout. I have asked people what they are doing and they are receptive to show me and tell me the benefits. I don't stare to be judgemental, I stare to learn.

This^

When I go to the gym, the ladies always be starin.....It coo though because I know dey b mirin. Specially when I be doin them Barbell hip thrusts. I just gives em a wink and they be blushing.

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

I can't speak for other people, but I tend to zone out or just kind of stare ahead. Sometimes it's too early to put my contacts in so I just wear my glasses to the gym and take them off while I'm actually working out. I can't see a damn thing so I probably appear to be staring at people. I'm sure some people *are* staring, but maybe some are just goobers like me:)