Men @ the Gym

[Gearloose]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

I do however, love it when women lift in those super short shorts .

LOL!

There's a few of those in my gym. The machines are set up in a row facing the recumbent stationary bikes. There's been several times my wife has had to put Visine drops in my eyes after the workout (cornea flash burn!)

Girls--gotta love 'em!

Gearloose

To be honest though, my wife has needed the eyedrops a time or two from guys in baggy gym shorts on the bikes!!

[ginnal]

Hate to break up this elitist freak circle jerk, but most people aren't looking to make a lifestyle out of working out. They aren't so wrapped up in worshipping their bodies that they feel the need kill themselves in order to impress their contemporaries.
Most people are just looking for moderate results and very often need to work towards that slowly.
If you care that much be sure to walk over and express your rage instead of venting on a messageboard.

[threenorns]

the point being made is that far too many ppl don't go to the gym to actually get into any shape of any kind. too high a number of them are there to impress others by saying "yeah, so i was saying to so-and-so at the gym last night" or "yeah, well, [hoist crotch of jeans] i work out six days a week".

otherwise, why would some women wear MAKE-UP? if you plan on expending energy and getting sweaty, makeup is NOT on the wardrobe list.

and if you think "body worship" is what it's all about, then *someone*'s being elitist and it ain't us. i bust my ass whenever possible and it's got nothing to do with worshipping this sorry old carcass but to keep it running in top shape for as long as possible.

[Gearloose]

[quote=threenorns]the point being made is that far too many ppl don't go to the gym to actually get into any shape of any kind. too high a number of them are there to impress others by saying "yeah, so i was saying to so-and-so at the gym last night" or "yeah, well, [hoist crotch of jeans] i work out six days a week".

otherwise, why would some women wear MAKE-UP? if you plan on expending energy and getting sweaty, makeup is NOT on the wardrobe list.

QUOTE]

I suppose it's also for the same reasons other people go to singles bars.
There's a few of those types at our gym too, but they've all mostly cleared out since spring and end of school year. Our local YMCA gym has been all but empty for the last month. Some days there's only 4 or 5 people on the treadmills & bikes and 2 or 3 throwing weighs around. I haven't seen more than a dozen people in the gym at a time there since the first of May. It's a real welcome break from the New Years Resolution crowd followed a few weeks later by the "get in shape for Spring Break" crowd. (college town)

I agree with the point that if someone pays their membership dues, they have a right to be in the gym and work out at any intensity level (or lack thereof) they choose or are capable of. It's their nickel. What chaps my butt cheeks is those who ignore the posted rules of the gym and the common rules of etiquette and courtesy--in other words, the station hogs so eloquently described by others.

Gearloose

[Shamrock]

Theres a lot of respect in a gym. People move out of the way for the "bigger" men/women. Not because thier physcially scared of them but because the respect that effort that went into their bodies.

Gym etiquitte definately is important though. The circle of yakkers rambling about what they want to do tonight. Not so much that they're obstructing space and restricing an efficient routine, but the fact that they're accomplishing nothing.

This does touch on another point. I do aplaud anyone that gets up the initiative to get into a gym and change their life for the better. But when you see people who haven't researched a proper routine and lack the skills and general know-how you can't help but feel bad. Not because I think I'm superior in any way shape or form, but because their doing what I call de-motivation. Sure they have the drive to change, spend an hour or two sweating and get into a gym. But look at the gains they'll see in a month, two, six, etc. Slim to nil. Then how do they feel? Even more depressed perhaps that much closer to giving up on their health and physique.

No one can offer the 100% motivation to someone else to get them in the gym, that has to come from within. But if you're not willing to seek information and do the research its only a matter of time before you start becoming dissapointed.

[Kitty]

I like to live my life with a live and let live attitude.
I wanna get big so i work my arse off. Some people like it and some don't but either way its their opinion and i let them have it.
Who am i to judge who's working out 'properly' and who isn't. I don't know their aims or level of commitment.
If they are using something i want and are chatting i'll either ask how long they think they'll be (which lets them know i'm waiting), or i'll ask if i can jump in with them.
Either way i get to workout the way i want and so do they.
Having said that the only thing that does bug me is when someone wants a full blown conversation with me while i'm working out. I sometimes have to remind myself to be polite in this instance ha ha.

Peace

[arbit]

Originally Posted by threenorns

i mean, i didn't even know it was possible to do a bicep curl and NOT have the muscle flex.

That is a great quote

[Stephen286]

I also work hard at the gym, but I think those new years resolutioners are doing a good job by trying to go to the gym. I wish they would stay at the gym because then they could be happier,healthier people. Working out isn't just something you do for a little bit. It should be essential ia all people's lives. It is a part of being healthy. And sadly in the U.S. health is definitely not a priority (just look at all the Fast Food chains). I am glad there are other people who live healthy life styles. Maybe we can inspire others.

[Merrida]

I "just" transitioned out of one type of gym into another. (Around the time I took my last little DF vacation). I had been working in a gym that was really geared (no pun) to the power lifters, body builders, and I saw more T&A than in a bar,....the guys were pumping up, the girls were in makeup draping on equipment watching the guys pumping up....but that was the atmosphere, and it permeated.

My current club is geared toward the financially well-off who have a very different attitude. Not only are the members more conservatively attired, but interestingly enough, they also frown upon the show-offs, and they take their fitness (not just physique) very seriously. The crowd tends to be more serious whether doing their own routines or training, but generally speaking, doddling isn't tolerated well.

We have 'em, the stragglers, the packs, the lipstick-and-eyeshadow crowd,....but it was so interesting to make such a dramatic cross-over and understand this required an entirely different set of skills on my part as well.

[threenorns]

we get all of them at our gym, but based on time of day.

i used to go around 1pm and the only ones there would be two hard-core lifting pairs and a bunch of seniors and obese undergoing prescribed regimens

now i go at 5pm and there's a lot of the after-school/work crowd (eye candy! yay!) with the requisite groupies.

between 6 and 8, the only women to be found are in the aerobics half but the weight half gets so packed with men they sometimes have to close the curtain dividing the room.

interestingly enough, there are a LOT of ppl at 7am - mostly serious and groggy and not much fun.

note: a young guy came up and asked me for a spot and some advice yesterday. so we were talking and i was astonished to discover that he (and others) are nervous about asking me anything because i'm always "so serious looking". i wasn't sure if i should feel complimented or offended - just because i'm not wearing tight lycra and makeup, i'm a bitch?

...


well, okay i AM a bitch, but still!

[Lift2Live]

Bitch is such a strong word. I would bet more that they thought you just didn't want to be bothered or aren't as approachable as some people can be. It's funny how we think of ourselves and how different that is to how we come off to others. I'm very approachable and open and love helping people out, but I am sure I come off very snobby because I am very shy.

[threenorns]

but! but! but! i WANNA be a bitch!!!! lol

i'm exactly the same as you - i love meeting and talking to people, but i have this annoying social awkwardness that crops up at the damnedest times, especially at the gym because of my size. i also hyperfocus and when i'm visualizing my next lift, i'm not concerned with whether or not my facial features are set in a pleasing arrangement, lol.

[Lift2Live]

If you wanna be a bitch, be my guest! lol

I think part of the problem is that people are intimidated by those who are into intense lifting. I mean really, would you want to bother some guy or gal who just finished grunting out reps that made their face contort into what I think Jack Nicholson looked like in The Shining after breaking through the door?

[threenorns]

Roflmfao!!!!

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