Does seeing fit people at the gym motivate you to keep going?

tornACL2012
tornACL2012 Posts: 38
in Fitness and Exercise

It makes me see that results are out there I just need to push myself
«13

Replies

  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    Yes absolutely! unless a pompous attitude goes along with their beautiful body ;) male or female ...
    I spoke with a woman yesterday - asked a question about the foam rollers. She was amazingly fit and strong and just as nice as she could be. SHE inspires me.
  • Sophiareed218
    Sophiareed218 Posts: 145 Member
    Not really, I feel kinda intimidated. Especially if I'm getting stares like I don't belong there.
  • cindytw
    cindytw Posts: 1,027 Member
    It depends on who they project themselves to be. The little woman that is clearly in a middle age crisis and flaunting herself all over the gym?? NO. Daisy Dukes have no place at the Y!! The runners and weight trainers that are in shape...YES!! My hero is actually a girl I see outside...she is not that small, but is solid! She runs up intimidating hills like they are nothing!! In a bra and spandex shorts! Looking GOOD!! My hero! :)
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Yep. I like seeing people who get it. I can tell a few of them compete and watching them is definitely motivating.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Yes
  • dougpconnell219
    dougpconnell219 Posts: 566 Member
    I was inspired by some of the people on yoga class today. Lean, cut, etc. I hope to get there.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Absolutely! Especially when you learn that they started right where you were. If you make the commitment, you’d be amazed what you can accomplish.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    It depends, lol. sometimes the person is 20 years younger and I'm like.... man, i didn't look like that in my twenties either! But that's ok. Expectations for a middle aged person are a bit more relaxed, and that makes it easier for me to feel less pressure.
  • Beautifulbridgittlee7
    Beautifulbridgittlee7 Posts: 352 Member
    I am inspired by people who swim, run, do aerobics, bike, lift weights, etc., who go after it day after day
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    I want to say yes, but as I think about it, not really. Occasionally I have been motivated a secret competition with someone, but they are likely to be someone closer to me in fitness level. I'm more motivated by changes I see in me.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,147 Member
    No
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Eh...I'm generally indifferent to other people @ the gym, unless they are using the squat rack when I want it.
  • epido
    epido Posts: 353 Member
    At this point, I don't really pay much attention to anyone else. In the beginning though, I found it a bit intimidating. As I continue to get closer and closer to my goal, it's funny to think that I am becoming one of those people that initially intimidated me!
  • panthur
    panthur Posts: 25 Member
    I am motivated when I see women lifting more than I can. Or who have awesome quads. I want to ask them to be my gym buddy but don't want to be a creeper.
  • tornACL2012
    tornACL2012 Posts: 38
    haha true
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    No, seeing a fit body doesn't inspire me. Seeing someone doing something that I aspire to do does. Seeing my pole instructor do a perfect superman, inspires me to work hard so one day I can nail that move.
  • kalynbreann357
    kalynbreann357 Posts: 56 Member
    Not really. I'm guilty of looking at the "fitsporation" tag on instagram and pinterest but seeing it in person really does nothing for me, maybe because I mainly keep to myself in the gym
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    Yes. So do the ones on here.
  • oriole35
    oriole35 Posts: 40 Member
    Yes, I'm 62 and just started using a treadmill, there is a little girl that comes in and uses it for about 30 minutes and leaves. I watched her from the stationary bike where I did my cardio. She inspired me to try the treadmill and then to try and walk as fast as she does. I was next to her one day and I swear she was doing more that 4.5mph.
    In trying to improve my speed, I have gone from 3 to a steady 3.8-4mph and from a flat walk to a 5.5 -6 rise. One day I hope I will walk as fast as she does. Amazing. Now I am proud that I can keep up my pace for 45minutes and at a 40 year old heart rate.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    oriole35 wrote: »
    Yes, I'm 62

    What?? You look great!

  • jfitz444
    jfitz444 Posts: 12 Member
    Yes! The gym is my accountability partner!
  • transientcanuck
    transientcanuck Posts: 82 Member
    Yes and no. I aspire to both look and perform as they do, but I mainly feel intimidated and self-conscious of my own body when I'm around really fit people. I tend to do better in environments with all shapes and sizes. The less self-conscious I feel, the more I can focus on my workout.
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    I'm 30 and a teacher, so I am acutely aware of the, uh, passage of time. I dig the older people at the gym, whether they're busting out supersets or pushing low amounts on the weight machines, cranking up the elliptical or walking around the tiny track with their buddy. That's who I want to be in 30 and 40 (and 50?) years. That's why I work out, keeps me motivated not to go too hard, reminds me that this is about taking care of myself and not just beating everyone on the treadmill for the unrecognized glory. (Yes, I'm racing you, but you knew that, because you're sneaking glances at my machine and racing me, too.)

    And every year, a couple of New Year's resolution people stick it out and become regulars. I've been working out since high school--it's habit and second nature to me. People who make a big change of it in adulthood are seriously impressive. They/you rock. :)
  • TalaHasbini
    TalaHasbini Posts: 3
    It sure does...But what in my opinion helps the most is to have a "gym buddy"!
  • ines_a_crazy
    ines_a_crazy Posts: 11
    Totaly! I always think: I wanna look like that. I'm gonna look like that!
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I'm already fit so it's an opportunity to make new friends and encourage newcomers.
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    goldthistime wrote: »
    I want to say yes, but as I think about it, not really. Occasionally I have been motivated a secret competition with someone, but they are likely to be someone closer to me in fitness level. I'm more motivated by changes I see in me.

    I agree with this.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    No. Sometimes Everyone looks pretty ordinary to me. Theres one girl who looks very slim toned and graceful, but she could have been like that all her life and smartly just kept on top.

    The guys in the weights, then occasionally you see some really well developed ones, but I know they have either put a lot of work in and devoted a lot of time. I tend to people watch, so if I have any comment , its that I admire and hope the people who are heavily overweight stick with it.
  • tornACL2012
    tornACL2012 Posts: 38
    very true
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Absolutely. It also encourages me to not rest too long at the gym, cause I'd like them to view me as a badass like they are. Gawd forbid they catch me slacking! :blush:

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