The Purpose of the Gym

AllanMisner
AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
edited October 2024 in Chit-Chat
I thought I'd get the perspective of others on this. When I go to the gym, I have one purpose: Get my workout in. As a result, I don't talk to other people, I don't answer the phone or respond to emails. Get busy, and stay busy. The most social interaction I'll have with someone might be a nod of recognition when I see someone I've seen before, but usually only as a nod back.

I'm beginning to think I'm an oddity in that everyone else seems to be willing to sacrifice their workout for the sake of talking to other people. In the years I've gone to the gym, I've seen it all. But lately, it seems there is more socializing at the gym than there is working out.

Replies

  • xtinalovexo
    xtinalovexo Posts: 1,376 Member
    I suppose it could tend to be more social... you may make new friends there, meet up with friends there, ect. Maybe to them the gym IS a social activity.

    Comparing MFP to the gym--- some days I feel like being more social than others, okay most days. Some days I don't work out at all, but I still chat and socialize. I enjoy the friends I have and still want to "see" them regardless of whether or not I'm tracking and working out. Who knows whether or not those people are meeting their fitness goals, it's between themselves, maybe they are just having more fun than others while doing so.

    As long as you keep your eye on the prize, nobody can get in the way of you reaching goals, being social does not interfere with you reaching your goals, YOU interfere. You are the one deciding how hard you want to go, not your friendships.
  • mo_is_here
    mo_is_here Posts: 95
    I go to my gym here at work so my perspective is a little different. I go at 6am and we pretty much have the same crowd every day and some of us have gotten to know each other. Even so I rarely spend more then a few minutes socializing. Most days we just say hello and how are you and go back to our workout. But on days I've gone during my lunch hour there is a group of guys that do more talking and taking up space then anything else. I prefer to turn my Ipod up loud and workout to my heavy pace and get out of there. I typically spend about 2 hrs+ in there so I dont really have spare time to chat anyway.
  • Begood03
    Begood03 Posts: 1,259 Member
    I do my work out, but between sets I do talk to people. I have made quite a few new friends there. They have helped me work on areas that I am having trouble with, and I have helped them.
  • I_give_it_2_u_str8
    I_give_it_2_u_str8 Posts: 680 Member
    i hate when i see people socializing in places like the gym. who do they think they are? this isnt Club Romance people, get on with it.

    makes me sick. to my stomach.

    also, i hate how they seem so outgoing, full of life, energetic and optimistic. what kind of b.s is that really?

    SMH
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    yeah, save the socializing for church.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    Nope. When I'm there I'm looking to get my workout in and get out.
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    I tend not to talk to anyone at the gym,In fact in most everything in my life I wont talk to anyone unless they talk to me first
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    i hate when i see people socializing in places like the gym. who do they think they are? this isnt Club Romance people, get on with it.

    makes me sick. to my stomach.

    also, i hate how they seem so outgoing, full of life, energetic and optimistic. what kind of b.s is that really?

    SMH

    The horror of it.

    Personally, the only talking I do is usually checking if people want the bars and weights I'm using when I'm done, asking for a spotter, or assuring people I'm fine despite the heavy breathing and sweat after a heavy set. I don't care if other people talk more though, because it doesn't affect me.
  • MassiveDelta
    MassiveDelta Posts: 3,271 Member
    I might socialize but never during only before or after and it never cuts into my time. If I spend 15 min talking to someone before then my workout gets extended by 15 min.
  • ElleOQuent
    ElleOQuent Posts: 429 Member
    What other people choose to do with their gym time does not concern me.

    Actually, if I am more focused on what others are doing than on my own workout routine, I'm not busting my *kitten* hard enough. :wink:
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