The Gym is great for people watching!!

I am always in a hurry and don't people watch, but I am sure that people are watching me, I even get peopl that come up and ask me about things that I have been doing.
I am doing the p90x routine and have it loaded on my iphone, I am just doing whatever Tony Horton says. Stop looking at me so weird

Last night I was on the elliptical warming up before my training session so I didn't have my headphones on as I hate to carry them around. Well a guy a couple of ellipticals over must have been watching something super funny since every about 30 to 60 seconds he would burst out laughing. I wouldn't have noticed this if I had my headphones in but it was very distracting.

About a week ago I was working in the free weights area by the squat racks. There were these kids about 15/16 trying to do weighted squats. Well these kids were about the size of my thigh and were trying to squat with 90lbs weights, needless to say they couldn't even get the bar off the rack. Two of the everyday guys came over and tried to instructed them on how to do it correctly and how they need to get the form first then add a managable weight and it wasn't about speed. (They were watching me do my HITI training and were trying to keep up). The kids of course did not want to listen to them and the minute the guys walked away the kids speed up again while losing form, they at least changed to the bar with no weight on it. I could hear the other guys yell at them from across the weight room for them the slow down.

I go to step class on Mondays and here recently we had a new participant. It's a woman probably mid to late 40's....NO rhythm but thinks she's groving out! Only thing is that's not the funny part.....she's one of those top heavy folks that are built like *kitten* brick houses...you know, broad shoulders, big boobs, big belly, no booty and small legs. She does, however, have flabby thighs....but none of this stops her from wearing the shortest, tightest shorts ever and still rolling them up (or down, however you want to look at it) where you can almost see her hip bone and at the same time see her "tramp stamp" (no judgement there....I have one too) and the smallest tank top with her belly hanging out and top rolled down under her bra where you can see the tattoo on her breast! She struts through the entire class and makes up her own steps because she can't quite catch on. It's absolutely hilarious! then when class is done she'll go do the "bend and snap" routine from Legally Blonde to get her water bottle and go strutting back out into the gym constantly looking around to see if anyone is watching! Too funny!

"Bend and snap" lmao! too funny :laugh:

What is a tramp stamp? lol x

What is a tramp stamp? lol x

Slang for a lower-back tattoo

I have no doubt I am one of those people y'all look at and laugh at. So I might as well explain why:

1) Yes, I have muscles. No, I do not do steroids. I earned them the natural bust-*kitten* way.

2) Yes, I wear a sports bra (no shirt) up top and shorts on the bottom. This is so I can see my form better when I lift. I have a number of old injuries that require me to be very aware of my form. And, the simple fact is that I LIKE watching my body when I workout. Don't like it? Don't look.

3) Yes, I grunt and make ugly faces when I lift. YOU try not to when you are bench pressing 25% more than your total body weight. I even have a blog post about it and the people who laugh at me. It's called the "Ugly Grunt".

4) Yup, I will take a bench for a solid 2 hours. When I move away from it to exchange my weights, I wipe off my sweat and expect that if someone wants to work in, they will simply ask. I have no problem sharing. I hope you have no problem asking.

5) I am a nice person who cares about people. If I see you doing something that will cripple your knees in a short period of time, I will politely ask you if I can give you advice. If I correct your form, it doesn't mean you need to stop doing what you are doing. The only way to learn is to practice. Why be embarrassed about learning?

6) Snicker, whisper and point all you want. My body is strong. My husband thinks I am exceptionally sexy. And I will never worry about bone loss.

As for all those people out there who doing there own thing - keep it up! Just be safe.

I think they are more laughing at the guys that grunt and swing around huge weights but only care about how big the weight is without giving a d@mn about form. Personally, I've loved your advice on the lifting thread. It's been really helpful to me.

I'm sure people laugh at me. I just don't care.

Edited for explatives. I should curse less.

When you read this response, understand that I am not taking offense at this thread. I am just making some points to ponder.

Guardup, I don't think anyone was referring to you, and most of the things you mentioned weren't brought up, haha. It's great that you're so confident... but you don't need to show off, lol. :laugh:

Actually, most of the things I mentioned are listed in this thread.

People don't like people who "hog machines". I wonder if they ever asked to work in?

People stated that they think people who flex and look at themselves in the mirror are too proud of themselves. We may be looking to see what we can improve on if our goal is to sculpt our body. Besides, pride in achievement is not a bad thing.

People here were pointing out how funny it sounds when weight lifters grunt. I understand that the issue may be that the lifters are not doing it right. But then the point should be their form and not the sound they make. And have you taken the time to try and help them with their form? Go ahead and risk them not taking your advice. At least you made an effort to spare another person pain.

Don't get me wrong, I am not taking this personally. People can think what they want about others who do things differently or who hold different goals as more important. I just wanted to point out how quick people are to make fun or complain about others when they haven't taken the time to get to know the other person's reasons. Walk in their shoes before walking away with judgment.

I'm all for a good laugh. But not at the expense of another human being. I see the buff types doing this to the overweight people and when I do see it, I step in and call them on it. It's mean. In either direction.

For the record, I don't consider myself a show off. Because I don't do what I do for the people around me. I do it for me.

What is a tramp stamp? lol x

Slang for a lower-back tattoo

Awww ok thanks!!! x

I have no doubt I am one of those people y'all look at and laugh at. So I might as well explain why:

1) Yes, I have muscles. No, I do not do steroids. I earned them the natural bust-*kitten* way.

2) Yes, I wear a sports bra (no shirt) up top and shorts on the bottom. This is so I can see my form better when I lift. I have a number of old injuries that require me to be very aware of my form. And, the simple fact is that I LIKE watching my body when I workout. Don't like it? Don't look.

3) Yes, I grunt and make ugly faces when I lift. YOU try not to when you are bench pressing 25% more than your total body weight. I even have a blog post about it and the people who laugh at me. It's called the "Ugly Grunt".

4) Yup, I will take a bench for a solid 2 hours. When I move away from it to exchange my weights, I wipe off my sweat and expect that if someone wants to work in, they will simply ask. I have no problem sharing. I hope you have no problem asking.

5) I am a nice person who cares about people. If I see you doing something that will cripple your knees in a short period of time, I will politely ask you if I can give you advice. If I correct your form, it doesn't mean you need to stop doing what you are doing. The only way to learn is to practice. Why be embarrassed about learning?

6) Snicker, whisper and point all you want. My body is strong. My husband thinks I am exceptionally sexy. And I will never worry about bone loss.

As for all those people out there who doing there own thing - keep it up! Just be safe.

Not at al!! :flowerforyou:

1) My first thought would probably be awe of what you're lifting with a sneaky look for anything to learn
2) I used to train in my Shock Absorber & shorts, but at the moment you really won't want to bother with my midriff
3) LOL over here it's called the "come face" and yes I pull it myself
4) no issue at all with that
5) I think that's being helpful
6) In my gym I doubt anyone would laught at you - honestly not, and I think muscle on a woman is awesome

:drinker:

Totally agree. When this thread began, I was considering joining a gym for the winter, and the amount of negative judgement here, in one of the more supportive places I've been, really put me off the idea. I was already uneasy, but knowing people at a weight loss/fitness site were being so negative helped convince me to save the money. I'd gone for a free trial, and was working on my general insecurities, and decided against paying to be someone's amusement.

It's just mean to mock people (behind their backs or to their faces.)

I know your feeling of uneasy. It's okay... but don't let it stop you from taking care of yourself.

I won't defend this thread... but I also don't take it personally. In general, human beings are good and kind hearted. They don't intend to hurt. But humor that focuses on others often has a seed of judgment to it. I've learned to ignore the judgment and focus on myself. However, if I see people doing something that can be hurtful in the presence of others, I will point it out.

Reconsider that gym membership in the light of helping yourself. Don't let the hurt add to your challenge to get healthy.

Over time, you will make friends at the gym and you will find your confidence to be who you are - despite what others say to you or behind your back.

One more piece of advise that works for me: When walking past someone at the gym, make eye contact, smile and give a small nod. Then keep walking. This tiny act of acknowledgement goes FAR for breaking down barriers and helping people to connect with you. Then the gym becomes a community for you... and your spirit strengthens with your body.

Best wishes.

Is anyone noticing the posts on this thread about the people at the gym that also encourage and inspire us? There are several of them in there.

Totally agree. When this thread began, I was considering joining a gym for the winter, and the amount of negative judgement here, in one of the more supportive places I've been, really put me off the idea. I was already uneasy, but knowing people at a weight loss/fitness site were being so negative helped convince me to save the money. I'd gone for a free trial, and was working on my general insecurities, and decided against paying to be someone's amusement.

It's just mean to mock people (behind their backs or to their faces.)

If it's any help, not everyone at the gym is there to mock the others.

Even when I was running half-marathons, I had nothing but respect for heavier people who were at the gym with me. Not only were they in there, day in and day out actually WORKING, I knew how hard it had to be for them to venture into the territory of the fit. That's a tremendous hurdle for so many to cross! Having previously been overweight, I knew full well how intimidating the gym could be! And now that I'm overweight again, I'm contending with that intimidation myself.

It's so incredibly inspiring to see the 'not yet so fit' folks making that effort every day, and even moreso to see their fitness improve and the shape of their bodies totally change! So even if no one has ever chatted you up at your gym to say so, YOU DO INSPIRE OTHERS! I smile when I see you there. I gain strength from your persistence and your successes. And I'm sure I'm not the only one!

I'm never going to the gym. surely I'd end up as the topic of one of your comment here. :-)

That's how I feel reading this thread. I was giggling along with everyone else until I read the post a few pages back from the person who actually video taped the lady on the treadmill to take back to her husband so that he could laugh at her too. I would be absolutely mortified if I found out someone was tapping me. :embarassed:

He looked rather fit (he's tall (well over 6 feet) and lean) he was wearing your standard matching nike running gear. Any other time he would have blended right in... HOWEVER, he was on the treadmill tonight and if he was going faster than 4.5mph I'd be shocked. He was making the motion like he was jogging but taking REEEEEEEEALLY tiny steps.

Hmm... I know that there's a trend in racing these days to work on shortening your stride -- it's supposed to take the strain of shins and knees. Maybe he was trying it out?

People stated that they think people who flex and look at themselves in the mirror are too proud of themselves. We may be looking to see what we can improve on if our goal is to sculpt our body. Besides, pride in achievement is not a bad thing.

Richard Sullivan's book, "Reclaim Your Youth: Growing Younger After 40" was a huge help for me in a lot of ways. One of them was the importance of looking at yourself, and taking pictures of yourself, so you can feel good about the progress you've made. (He also talked about watching yourself when you can to make sure your form is correct, but that's a different issue.)

I get bored easily and discouraged easily. I dropped 19 pounds in about two weeks, then didn't drop another ounce for about three weeks of exercising and keeping to my diet. Very frustrating. Doing things like taking measurements and recording exercises helps me to realize that I am getting healthier and stronger, even when the body weight isn't dropping.

One of the things i have to tell myself when I got to the gym is, "no one else is there." No one is watching me, no one is making comparisons, and no one cares how I look. As long as I don't intrude on what someone else is doing, why should I care what they think? In the meantime, if I can get some encouragement by looking at myself in the mirror and seeing progress, why not? I need all the positive reinforcement I can muster.

For those who are intimidated by going to the gym, I wrote a blog entry with some advice:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/removing-intimidation-from-the-gym-75869

Hope this helps you create the environment you need to keep going!