Are you friendly to others while working out?

On the way into the gym or at the water fountain.


During the workout.


Nothing personal.

This is SO me haha

For me I guess it would depend on how many people were out there. I guess if there were one or two ppl spread out and I came across them it would be easy to just say a quick hi or head nod.

If there were a ton of folks though I guess I'd feel like anonymous amongst a whole populace and likely just handle my business with no niceties. It could get tiring and distracting to say hi to every single person out there if it were a crowded day.

Thank you OP for not saying that stuff you wrote in caps. That would make you look crazy at best, might make someone wanna bust a cap at worst. No one who is out there is out there for your opinion, approval, measuring stick of your own success, or any of the like. Have some respect and just do your thing and smile and say hi if you want but unless you want to say something directly helpful to the task at hand like....that door opens to the left, or those stairs that are being painted will be open next week, the other stuff you said might make someone feel self conscious or otherwise bad or annoyed.

I live in the Valleys and it's considered extremely rude if someone you come across doesn't give you a nod or smile or an 'Alright' when passing.

Manners cost nothing so wherever I am, however i'm feeling, no matter how puffed out I might be, I nod or smile or say 'Alright'!

Kaela x

Myself, I will greet people, but that's about the limit. I'll say "good morning", grunt out a "hi" while running, or sometimes just give a wave and a nod. That's partly because of how I was raised: if you pass by someone or make eye contact, you acknowledge them. You don't need to have a conversation or become fast friends, but you do say hello.

I don't usually try to be encouraging or complimentary for strangers, only because I don't know if it might fall flat. If someone compliments me, I take the compliment graciously, but there are times where their words of praise turn to ashes in my mouth. (e.g. Sure, it's great that I'm jogging for 3 miles and I agree with you that that's a good job in its own merit, but I'm still not doing it fast enough to pass the test that will determine if I keep my job.)

Now, if it's people I do know, then the situation changes and I will compliment or encourage them, usually because we've already discussed their goals and I'll know that, for them, triumph is simply keeping a pace faster than a walk, or lifting a weight of any form. Espeically if they're other miitary members, I'll engage in some good-natured heckling, general compliments, coaching ("Come on! Keep it up!), or even some more aggressive scolding, if appropriate to the situation.

Most of my exercise happens at a local greenway where people of all shapes and sizes walk/jog/run/ride.

To me it seems like we're all working out together so I smile and nod to almost everyone as to say "Good job! Keep it up!"

I don't actually talk to people because I know that sometimes seems creepy or flirty. lol.

BUT what gets me is that some people seem put off by a smile or nod. Mostly people who are still bigger than me.

I just want to say "I USED TO BE BIGGER I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH"...but I don't because then I would seem crazy.

I get the SAME nod or smile from people who are already fit and it gives me encouragement.

I just don't get why some people are put off by people being friendly while working out.

We're all in this together...Aren't we?

It's like when I first started riding motorcycles, I would get the nod or the downward finger wave. Then I got used to is and would expect ti all the time. However some of the Harley guys, usually the new breed don't give me any attention. They don't liek Japanese bikes. But overall, we all usually acknowledge each other.

What would Scooby do?

It's not personal, some of us want to be left alone. I don't think it's about being bigger or smaller, it's about getting the job done.

Keep doing what you're doing because you want to, not because you want the same in return.

On the way into the gym or at the water fountain.


During the workout.


Nothing personal.

I'm new at the gym and thought everyone was stuck up but thanks to this post I totally get it now!! Lol