Who should be working out at a gym?

CalJur
CalJur Posts: 627 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
ANYONE who has the desire to do so and cares about their health and fitness. Recently read some forums and posts which implied that gyms are only for the so-called beautiful crowd: buff and fit men and/or slim and attractive women. If you are out of shape or don't fit media/societal image of beautiful you would be out of place at a gym and feel uncomfortable. Don't believe the hype.

This thought is absolutely perverse.

Replies

  • scs143
    scs143 Posts: 2,190 Member
    Nah, I go to the gym to get in shape. I am hoping once I get to "in shape", I can spend a little less time there! (Just a little).

    You are right though- no one should be criticized for going no matter what they look like.
  • zipnguyen
    zipnguyen Posts: 990 Member
    I think everyone who is mobile should be in the gym...cardio, lifting, etc. doesn't matter...just do work.
  • iJiVE
    iJiVE Posts: 20
    thats why alot of women go to womens gyms. i prefer the eye candy tho! mmmmm nothing like a hot gorilla juicehead! lol
  • madamepsychosis
    madamepsychosis Posts: 472 Member
    Agreed! I'm not overweight, but I would NEVER think anyone doesn't deserve to go to the gym just because they are. If people are genuinely trying to improve their quality of life, why would we hold it against them? I don't understand why anyone would make nasty remarks, but I know that some people do. That's just horrible.
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    I got criticized once for being at the gym because I'm overweight. And the person who criticized me was heavier than I was. I still went back the next day, and I never saw her again, so I didn't worry about it. It seems like the skinny/fit people who go there don't pay much attention to others whereas some of the bigger/not-so-fit ones do where I go to the gym.

    I do get frustrated at the people who go to the gym and then just sit on a machine and talk on their phone, not moving at all. There are only 9 machines in the whole place (it's on campus) so I feel like they're taking time away from the people who really want to be there.
  • fishiewishes
    fishiewishes Posts: 91 Member
    It's reasons like this my local gym actually have a few hours booked each week (3 days a week) for people who feel out of place - the gym is closed off and is only allowed for use by the elderly, disabled and those who do not feel comfortable working out with "beautiful" people. If you're body conscious they will happily let you come in during these hours and then use the swimming facilities afterwards with no extra charge. They also spend extra time with the people who need a little more help with things, help to motivate people and are generally chatty and nice to be around.

    I've been to the gym there on "open" hours and in these sessions and the atmosphere is completely different! I was there for only 20mins before leaving when I went to a normal session, I stayed for over an hour when it was a closed session.
  • MrsFelton2010
    MrsFelton2010 Posts: 339 Member
    Wow ppl are just immature. I agree with you though.
  • nibbynoo
    nibbynoo Posts: 250 Member
    feeling you there!
    the 'beautiful' crowd look at me like filth when im sweating my *kitten* off but HELLO...

    ...you go to a go to a gym TO GET FIT

    do i give you filthy looks when your in mcdonalds?
  • MsQt
    MsQt Posts: 793 Member
    I couldn't agree more!
  • Miss♥Ivi
    Miss♥Ivi Posts: 461
    Anyone who wants to!
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    The only people that should be working out at a gym are the ones that want to workout at a gym. :-)
  • amaried621
    amaried621 Posts: 260 Member
    I absolutely love when I see people who are older and/or on the heavier side. To know that they are taking steps to keeping/getting themselves healthy is a wonderful thing. Knowing how important it is to me and how it has immensely increased my happiness and confidence and that it will do the same for them it just gives me the warm and fuzzies :)
  • worej
    worej Posts: 108
    Agreed! It takes all types. Also, I'd add that they can wear what they are comfortable in. If there's an overweight person wearing spandex because it's what they find comfortable to work out in, then great, I hope they keep doing that and keep coming to the gym! Hate it when people flip out about stuff like that.
  • lissypriss
    lissypriss Posts: 157 Member
    I'd love to go to a gym, but I've done fine at home. I just feel comfortable in my own skin at home, where no one can judge. It helps having my own elliptical and weights. I've lost a ton of weight and feel great about myself. :)
  • Cold_Steel
    Cold_Steel Posts: 897 Member
    I had a dude actually tell me that 100 lbs ago at the gym ....he said "man you are sweating way too much maybe lose some weight before you come back " I responded by saying " I plan on doing some heavy bag work later, do you want to be the heavy bag because we can arrange that " he put his hands up and was like Wtf man I ain't trying to start alnything .luckily a trainer stepped in and told the guy to leave who made the comment ....
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I get very angry when I read in the forums sometimes people complaining about people "walking at 2.5 on the treadmills". It makes me SOOO angry when I read that. It actually makes me mad just thinking about it right now.

    Are these people seriously annoyed by someone else's fitness level? If they were running would that make the treadmills any less occupied?

    I want to smack people sometimes.

    For me, even if someone walks into the gym, walks on the treadmill for 10 min and leaves, that's their business, maybe that's all they can do, maybe they have an injury or a medical condition, maybe they are having a bad day and wanted to come spend 10min on themselves reducing some stress.

    ACK!
    it makes me so mad lol
  • gooseafur
    gooseafur Posts: 340 Member
    "Gym"....it has always been a negative word for me -starting from childhood all through adulthood. Why, because growing up fat is not fun! Been up and down the scale my whole life many times...to many really. So who should be at the gym? Anyone who has the desire, and the self confidence! I finally broke through my own barrier......I need to get fit and healthy for my 4 children, hubby and myself!! To hell with anyone who wants to be judgmental!! We're all here for some reason or another, lets keep it fun! I LOVE the gym now...it only took me 32 years to find that out!
  • worej
    worej Posts: 108
    I had a dude actually tell me that 100 lbs ago at the gym ....he said "man you are sweating way too much maybe lose some weight before you come back " I responded by saying " I plan on doing some heavy bag work later, do you want to be the heavy bag because we can arrange that " he put his hands up and was like Wtf man I ain't trying to start alnything .luckily a trainer stepped in and told the guy to leave who made the comment ....

    That is ridiculous! Does he know that losing weight is something that happens at a gym? Wow, that is crazy. Fortunately it sounds like you were able to handle it without letting it get to you.

    Wow, I'm blown away by that.
  • Cold_Steel
    Cold_Steel Posts: 897 Member
    I learned at a young age most "fit" people who pick on fat people think that the fat person is just going to hide and cry about it. My dad taught me at a young age to be accountable for my words so I have found that the threat of violence is unexpected in that social interaction ... The dude avoided me after that he changed gyms...then I moved and ended up at his gym and funny thing haven't seen him since
  • runnermama81
    runnermama81 Posts: 388 Member
    I can't believe this is even a topic of conversation!!! I guess I live in a town where a good half the population is over 60 so my gym is pretty judgement free:) Who says you have to be beautiful to better your fitness? UNBELIEVABLE!!
  • Phoenix59
    Phoenix59 Posts: 364 Member
    I generally don't pay attention to anyone or anything around me at the gym. Let people wear what they want and exercise any way they see fit. They paid for their memberships and, if they want to just sit around chatting and taking up space, I don't much care. As for what others might think of my presence there, I go with the belief that what other people think of me is none of my business. All I know is that I'm there to take care of myself and, if everyone just leaves me the hell alone, I'm good. :wink:
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Agreed. Gyms are for everyone.
  • scott091501
    scott091501 Posts: 1,260 Member
    Everyone who is able to be in a gym should be in a gym. I grew up a fat kid and wish my Dad put me in a gym at an earlier age. There is everything you need to acheive whatever asthetic or athletic goal you want within those 4 walls for the most part. I don't get people being uncomfortable at a gym. It may sound harsh but get over it. If you avoided every uncomfortable situation you'd miss out on a lot of great stuff in life.

    As far as fit people hating on those lesser so.... if you're doing nothing wrong ignore them. Not everyone in this world is going to like you or think you belong. Screw 'em. There is a good segment of the less fit crowd who make no attempt to learn gym ettiquiette (sp?) prior to venturing out on the gym floor. I do encourage you to learn it prior to lifting and you'll save yourself a ton of headaches.
  • happiimilk
    happiimilk Posts: 44 Member
    The only time I even got so much as a funny look was actually from another large woman. She was quite a bit bigger than myself and was giving me and my future sister in law--who is only 16 the poor thing-- some seriously nasty looks while we were lifting weights.

    It was the only time I ever wanted to say, "Wtf fatty, you're here for the same reason as we are." to anyone. x_x I moved us to a different spot and I haven't seen her since.

    I usually let judgement in gyms roll off my shoulders because at least I'm doing something about being overweight. Why judge when you can see that someone is taking action to be better?
  • chrissismone
    chrissismone Posts: 116 Member
    I wish a mutherfer would say something off color to me..that would their *kitten* in the worst way possible. The gym is for everyone come one come all. My only thing is use spandex in moderation and be clean other than that I don't give a care who is in there young old fat skinny black white whatever just get out of my way and were good.
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