Why do guys stare at women lifters?

I have recently started lifting as part of a strength training programme and I am aware that when I am on my own, a lot of the guys in the weights area of the gym are checking out what I am doing. I have had this in more than one gym, but I don't get this when I am working out with my (male) PT. I have not been hastled by any of the guys in the weights area, but the staring does make me uncomfortable and has made me shy away from lifting in the past. I am no stunner and not lifting heavy, so I don't understand the staring.

I did not post this as an opportunity to bash male lifters, I would just like to understand why they do it.

Usually, because they're hot.

Generally, I have headphones in, music loud and I am able to tune out what everyone else is doing. Last week though, I had a guy stop me to chit chat between every set, about the weight I was using, making friendly jokes, whatever. Every single time, I had to pull my headphones out and yell "WHAT?!...oh, yeah, ha ha ha" He was a nice guy, not creepy or anything- but when I'm at the gym I'm there for business. Men and women seem to have different attitudes about the gym, I notice a LOT of guys who are there for social hour - more so than women.

I agree

I lift free weights at home now, but used to power lift and have a gym membership....men will stare at women lifting for several reasons, but really a woman with cold hard weights in her hand using her muscles.....geez, poor defenseless guys they dont stand a chance at not staring.

The correct response when you a man someone staring is to face him, bring your arms out to your sides to look bigger, and say in a low-pitched but loud voice, "Come at me, bro!"

I died. You killed me! :laugh:

For all the men who say "because it's hot"...

What about us extra fluffy girls, 300+ pounds, lifting? Does the reason still apply then? Doubtful. So what then?

Because they mirin

why do women wear skin-tight yoga pants and sports bras to the gym and then wonder why men stare at them?

because a wet t-shirt feels aweful and to be honest I don`t mind the stare `s (blush) I find it to be a compliment to my hard work

I lift free weights at home now, but used to power lift and have a gym membership....men will stare at women lifting for several reasons, but really a woman with cold hard weights in her hand using her muscles.....geez, poor defenseless guys they dont stand a chance at not staring.

Totally agree. It's too beautiful a thing not to look! And it's not leching. It's admiration!! (at least for me, other guys will have to speak for themselves)

why do women wear skin-tight yoga pants and sports bras to the gym and then wonder why men stare at them?

If I don't wear skin tight yoga pants, then I get tangled up in the equipment... but I will never ever wear just a sports bra to the gym. I've almost had my eyes burned out a few times by chick's wearing only sports bras, when they clearly should not have been... and while I like to think that I have a nice body, it's for me and me only.

I don't ever see anyone stare, or I don't stare, mostly because I do no (or minimal) rest workouts, but if someone with a really nice body is doing something with weights (like squatting), well that sort of catches the eye without any conscious effort. For me that's limited to women, although if some guy is lifting heavy, I might look and count the plates.

I personally notice women sneaking a peek a lot more often than men, I tell myself that they are either looking to observe good form for the lift, or appreciate the amount of weight. (A lot of the machines I do the whole stack of weights, that might have to do something with it)

If its someone solo, and looking like they are new to weights, and lifting heavy or about to hurt themselves, I will look them in the eye and smile, giving them the opportunity to ask for a spot if they so desire.

I stare some at men AND women in the weights area. My #1 thought "Hmm, that looks neat, I should try it". #2 thought "I want that equipment, are they done yet?".

This is me as well. Not sure if I'd call it staring (maybe a glance?!), but I do, between sets, look at pretty much everyone (men and women).
I may be caught actually staring when I'm impressed with what someone is doing or just how good they look (again, this can be a hot guy like it can be "she has great arms...yep, I want my arms to look like hers").
I downright give the stare of death when someone that's done using the weights leaves without putting them away...drives me nuts

1. it's hot
2. checking out form - good/bad regardless
3. making sure they don't hurt themselves if without a spotter

Haha... I used to not stare, but now I am doing a course to become a CPT and know the correct form, when I see someone using the wrong form it's so hard to not say something.

1. Wow! That's impressive!
2. Wow! She's hot!
3. I hope she doesn't hurt herself.

And the occasional jerk wad is thinking
4. She doesn't belong over here.

Luckily they aren't the general rule.

Honestly it's more likely 1 or 2, but if you ask it's number 3. :laugh:

Do you think that jerkwad is possibly intimidated? I do. LOL

If I don't wear skin tight yoga pants, then I get tangled up in the equipment... but I will never ever wear just a sports bra to the gym. I've almost had my eyes burned out a few times by chick's wearing only sports bras, when they clearly should not have been... and while I like to think that I have a nice body, it's for me and me only.

LOL...yeah, you really have to earn the right to wear a sport bra only.. I haven't notice it as much lately but I used see quite chunky girls exposing their midriffs with pride. At my leanest I have a belly that is still too fleshy to expose.Plus the gym is dirty.

I do the weight lifting in the womens section of the gym cos i go red in the face like doing nothing! so embarrassing, anyone would be going shes gunna drop! I try not to stare, i put my eyes on my phone as i walk in and out of the gym, all eyes are on me, on my muffin top or my red face. I was doing a program and needed the assisted chin up machine and leg press machine and these dudes were like full on looking at me, and all i could think of was "yeah i have a muffin top, yeah im working out in the big boy section and yeah 10 reps is killing me but im doing it hahaha".....give me a few months and i wont mind them watching :P