Guys staring at the gym

[AngiesBack]

I used to suffer from similar insecurities, and the first time my trainer heard me whining about people looking at me while I lifted, he made me do bent over rows FACING all the guys in the free-weight section. Definitely made me see the humor in it.

Now that I've been lifting for a while and most of the guys there know me to see me, it's some of the new guys who are hesitant to grab weights near me when I'm doing shoulder press with 35lbs in each hand ^_^ goes to show you can turn any insecurity around, it's all in your mind!

Angie

[TheresaD.]

I really identify with this. I'm seriously the only woman I've seen in the free weight area The guys at my gym suck and give you the stink eye for taking up space in "their" weight room. I ignore them. I've noticed if you don't make eye contact they seem to lose interest because you look totally focused. I hate being unfriendly but I'm not there to find a boyfriend! It does piss me off when they leave the machines full of weights and just walk off like mommys going to show up and clean up after them Lol

[NotBigEnough206]

I really identify with this. I'm seriously the only woman I've seen in the free weight area The guys at my gym suck and give you the stink eye for taking up space in "their" weight room. I ignore them. I've noticed if you don't make eye contact they seem to lose interest because you look totally focused. I hate being unfriendly but I'm not there to find a boyfriend! It does piss me off when they leave the machines full of weights and just walk off like mommys going to show up and clean up after them Lol

Good forget them, do your thing, I have been going to the same gym for over 4 years, I dont know one person by name, nor do I care for anyone. It does bring a smile to my face seeing a woman in there focused and working hard, squats, bench etc with some weight on there.

[Shazamalopolis]

More then likely if they gawk, you're attractive and your work out is working. Flaunt it if you got it baby! Side note: I sometimes tend to space out while doing cardio and have had a few women give me some really ****ty looks because they thought I was staring at them when I wasn't lol. So sometimes, only sometimes it can be a misunderstanding.

[itwasntme184]

If you're doing free weights then the guys are probably just admiring you...

I've tried to get my gf to do free weights...

but no she wants to be a cardio bunny

[LilJo]

Op:
My advice is to chill. Everybody feels this way when they start lifting around all the guys. The best thing to do is get to know the guys that work out the same time you do. Whenever you start seeing someone there all the time, introduce yourself. The giant muscle head that's seen you lifting is a lot less intimidating when you see him as Bob, the guy who moss's your neighbors lawn, or whatever. It makes showing up at the gym more fun. When you get to.know the people there they compliment you when you're curling five more pounds, or you have a spotter on bench day. Just step out of your bubble every now and then. You'll be surprised how much more motivated you feel.

[adreannalowery]

I turn up my iPod and tune it all out if they don't like me being there they can leave. They do when they see the weights I do the old guys are funny trying to shadow. Don't let it ruin your plans

[QueCono]

OP, this is normal... yes most girls are cardio bunnies and most of the time, the gym might be more male than female. Guys definitely DO look but its just something you have to get used to. Just block everyone out, if you are serious about your workout, this shouldn't bother you. Pretend you are the only one there, do what you have to do and get out of there

[Swung]

I had this problem when I first started lifting. I'd see guys staring and practically run out of there all anxious for no reason. I just learned to deal with it and actually made friends with a couple of the guys that used to do it. I'm in an all female gym now because I've moved and honestly, the women in this gym are worse than the men ever were.

Just ignore it, or stare back!

[W8sB4dates]

For me tere's nothing more motivating than catching guys stop to watch as you lift, especially if it's something you know you're strong at. Definitely pushes me to work harder being one of the few women to brave the free weights ^_^

Yeah this goes both ways. I'm not a creepy starer, but I am always in a good mood at the gym and if I see an attractive woman in the gym I catch a peek and it gives me a little extra motivation. A lot of girls stare and check out guys too and it definately is motivating catching them midstare. As long as your not taking it to a creeper level I think it all good.

That being said I do hate when I see older really nasty guys staring blatently at attractive women making them feel uncomfortable. Then you hear them say, "I'd totally hit that" etc. always feel like saying "Dude there no chance she would let you!".

P.S. Tight yoga pants are like a magnet for mens eyes......as hard as we try not too we have to look!!!!!!

[bodman75]

Thank you SO MUCH everybody for the encouragement.

Today was the first day i attempted to go at Night and there was TONS of people there. I think the best thing for me at this point is to just go in the early AM when it is more dead. And maybe you guys are right, it may be easiest for me to just ask someone how to do something instead of feeling uncomfortable because I'm not confident in what Im doing. As far as a workout buddy goes. My friends seem to be blessed with amazing genetics and cursed with awful laziness. Therefore I dont believe I have one friend who would even consider working out to be on the top 100 of their priority list. LOL But I'm just going to buck up and grin and bear it and get it done!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much everybody for the words of encouragement, tips and pointers!!!!

BB~

I go to a pretty small gym 3 days a week around 8:30am...there are ALWAYS more girls than guys working out, but I was just the opposite of you....lol
I did my free weight/machine workout first, then I entered the FEMALE ZONE with treadmills, abs, legs cardio...nothing but females....I didn't even know how to use some of machines they were on
Soooo what I did was go up to the first female (old lady around 60 I believe) and asked her if she could show me the proper way to use some of the machines? She smiled and said "don't you want the free weight room" LOL

I love it!! I explained I already did my workout in there and in a way, felt stupid for asking, but you know, glad I did and made some new friends....Point is: Be yourself, do want YOU want to do, if every man is staring it's probably because your an attractive woman actually lifting weights (which most men are not use to seeing)!! AS you keep going at the same time (early morning)...people won't stare as much and you will be all set!! Good luck and keep us posted

[5more]

A gym full of guys is rarely a problem I like to look too.

[lSOFit]

^^^yesss.

Im usually the only girl in the free weight part of the gym, at first i felt awkward. but now i love it, i dont mind if they look, if they stare, i just stare back and give em a "Whats up?!" ...usually solves the problem.

[bodman75]

^^^yesss.

Im usually the only girl in the free weight part of the gym, at first i felt awkward. but now i love it, i dont mind if they look, if they stare, i just stare back and give em a "Whats up?!" ...usually solves the problem.

That's the way to look at it I usually zone EVERYTHING out when I hit the gym. Put on my beanie, crank on my ipod.....and it's me and the weights!! I look around when I'm resting to see if I missed anything good (lol), but usually no-one bothers me. I will say "hey" to people when I first get there though because I am a friendly guy and they are there for the same reason I am!!!!

[VoxExMachina]

That's the way to look at it I usually zone EVERYTHING out when I hit the gym. Put on my beanie, crank on my ipod.....and it's me and the weights!! I look around when I'm resting to see if I missed anything good (lol), but usually no-one bothers me. I will say "hey" to people when I first get there though because I am a friendly guy and they are there for the same reason I am!!!!

It seems you have quite the career. Congrats.

Lauri Kalima, born in 1982 in Helsinki, Uusimaa, is a Finnish track and field star and model.



Kalima is the 2007 Finland 100-meter National Champion and the 2006 100-meter runner up. He runs the 100, 200, and 400 meters for track, while also modeling clothes and showing off his incredibly sculpted body for Finnish modeling agencies, Fondi and Uniq Fitness.

His modeling credits include campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Nike, Umbro, and D&G. In addition, Kalima has appeared on the inside spreads of Finnish Cosmopolitan magazine.

[medjen]

It seems you have quite the career. Congrats.

Lauri Kalima, born in 1982 in Helsinki, Uusimaa, is a Finnish track and field star and model.



Kalima is the 2007 Finland 100-meter National Champion and the 2006 100-meter runner up. He runs the 100, 200, and 400 meters for track, while also modeling clothes and showing off his incredibly sculpted body for Finnish modeling agencies, Fondi and Uniq Fitness.

His modeling credits include campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Nike, Umbro, and D&G. In addition, Kalima has appeared on the inside spreads of Finnish Cosmopolitan magazine.

Bwahahaha!!! BUSTED!!



What say you, Mr. Fraud-man75?

[Ijaved]

I know this thread was started ages ago but I'm going to chip in...

It took me a WHOLE YEAR before I dared to enter the weights area I'm my Gym. Yes I know, ridiculous, but I couldn't get the courage to go and used to feel like a failure.

Now I print off my plan and take it with me... More than anything people are interested to see what I'm doing and realise I'm taking it seriously. I think for guys its a bit weird for them seeing a woman using weights... They'll talk about it for a wk then get over it!

Okay,

This is my first post on here, I have definitely been lurking for a while. I have a set nutrition plan and workout routine that has been reviewed by a personal trainer who also competes. So, I know what direction I'm going in, etc.

Here's the thing, it feels like NONE of the women at my gym do ANYTHING but CARDIO!!!! The cardio machines are constantly full and I am the ONLY chick even going NEAR the weights... Which is fine for them I guess, However the guys just stare at me, talk amongst themselves, it drives me NUTS. So much to the point where I end up leaving the gym early, pissed off and not wanting to go back. It is seriously killing my motivation.

I went to the gym tonight, walked in and saw there wasn't ONE girl in the whole gym... I LEFT.... that's right, didn't even complete a workout. I feel like crap about this, but honestly, its really awkward. I feel like...what? is my technique off? what the F**K are they staring at?

AHHHHHHHH Its enough to drive me crazy.

Have any of you ladies encountered this problem and what do you do about it?? I should add that I am a NOVICE, I am not super confident in my form/etc or really where all the equipment is at in the gym which makes it more awkward for me.... and so Im not going to walk around like I am the best SH** since sliced bread, because I'm not... so what do I do??? HELP!

I am just wondering how to get over this mentally, its becoming completely counter productive.

[RevSpunkwater]

Doesn't really matter to me if girls work out next to me in the gym and aren't getting in my way. I'm not there to impress them, I'm there to pump iron. But it's nice when a girl lifts weights because it says to me that she's finally come to her senses. And every so often I look when there's something to look at because, let's face it, I'm 25 years old with wild oats to sow. Nothing wrong with that, I reckon.

[Ang123]

I really identify with this. I'm seriously the only woman I've seen in the free weight area The guys at my gym suck and give you the stink eye for taking up space in "their" weight room. I ignore them. I've noticed if you don't make eye contact they seem to lose interest because you look totally focused. I hate being unfriendly but I'm not there to find a boyfriend! It does piss me off when they leave the machines full of weights and just walk off like mommys going to show up and clean up after them Lol

We must go to the same gym! I could have written everything you said! LOL Most of the guys have after several years stopped staring and just accept me as one of the free weight users. However ever once in awhile I get some young punk will purposely try to block me from getting to the dumbbells because he thought that was funny. A lot of the really young guys there are very cruel to women, the older guys are nice to me. I've had one guy come over and tell me I shouldn't be lifting heavy weights. I noticed I had a heavier weight in my hand than he did ironically. Oh well they can kiss my b*tt. I'm switching gyms soon though and worry if I will have to go through this all over again at another gym.

[kyliesmiley]

EVERYONE stares at the gym. You just have to remember everyone is there for the same reason: improve their bodies. And sometimes people are just in the zone and accidentally stare at someone, lol. But i think it can be uncomfortable, but we are all having insecurities at some point and all working out to improve our bodies

[schabowy90]

I can't believe some of the responses here. You people are over thinking this.
If you're attractive, in decent shape, guys look at you cuz they think you're hot. Just like when you girls peep at some hot guy doing curls.
No guy really gives a **** if you're doing rows or tricep kickbacks with proper form.
If you're hot and wearing yoga pants get used to it, you're attractive and nothings gonna change in any gym across the globe you go to. Take it as a compliment.
Imagine some lean very attractive guy going to a hot yoga session, women are gonna stare at him and probably talk to their friend after its over about him.

Also wtf am I doing in the female section.

[PSachs]

tldr,

yoga pants.

[sophiestarrr]

Oooooohhhhhh I love it

Seriously though, go, do your thing, and leave.

After a while they won't even notice you there, or they'll just subconsciously think "oh here's the weightlifting chick" and resume what they were doing.

[TheresaD.]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice. I am trying to be more friendly as suggested and just focus on my mission for the day. My Ipod gets a lot of use now and I'm finally feeling more comfortable around the big guys. I have noticed people warming up a little because i'm there so much so that's a good thing I guess its more about my attitude than what the people around me are doing.

[TheresaD.]

I can't believe some of the responses here. You people are over thinking this.
If you're attractive, in decent shape, guys look at you cuz they think you're hot. Just like when you girls peep at some hot guy doing curls.
No guy really gives a **** if you're doing rows or tricep kickbacks with proper form.
If you're hot and wearing yoga pants get used to it, you're attractive and nothings gonna change in any gym across the globe you go to. Take it as a compliment.
Imagine some lean very attractive guy going to a hot yoga session, women are gonna stare at him and probably talk to their friend after its over about him.

Also wtf am I doing in the female section.

I wasn't wearing yoga pants just a thong....maybe thats the problem Jk Your right, over thinking it a bit. It just creeps me out when huge guys give me the stink eye, I'll just flex at them Lol

[diamondedge]

I can't believe some of the responses here. You people are over thinking this.
If you're attractive, in decent shape, guys look at you cuz they think you're hot. Just like when you girls peep at some hot guy doing curls.

You're right. But sad thing is, I will peek in hopes of seeing someone attractive doing awesome curls, but instead I see either clueless guys with lousy form using momentum to build their reps and flexing in the mirror after every set, or girls with two pencils in their hands doing what I assume should be curls. It's rather depressing, but it makes me that much happier when I actually spot someone who knows what he/she is doing.

I'm also the only woman lifting weights at our gym, other girls do either cardio, aerobics or spinning. There's a good number of them tossing kettlebells though.

All in all, if you've got time to look around to see who is watching you, you're not working hard enough. Try to redirect your thoughts and energy to something more useful.

[Quadzilla99]

I wasn't wearing yoga pants just a thong....maybe thats the problem Jk Your right, over thinking it a bit. It just creeps me out when huge guys give me the stink eye, I'll just flex at them Lol

I'm staring at the pics on ur userpage right now...creepily.

[Freak17]

My female friends ALWAYS ask me to be their partner at the weight room simply because no other girl is around and I think they probably get intimidated by big guys. I just don't get it though. The first time I started lifting I was in high school I took a weight training class with football players and there was only one other girl who ended up dropping, I was the only girl there and I was like 100 lbs... I never gave a ****!! Just stay focused on what you're doing and get it done.

[Chesticles2]

Many of those "men" you speak of haven't evolved much past the caveman days. Its inevitable im sorry. I personally dont like working out near the ladies becuase its distracting

[AlessandrinaS]

If you just keep going and doing your own thing, eventually they will get used to you and acknowledge that your there all the time... They will understand your dedication to weight lifting and as someone else said earlier RESPECT you for it! But they'll never completely stop looking...they're men!