xpaperxcutx Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) So I recently joined a 24 hour gym near my girlfriend's place. I love the fact it's so spacious and their equipments have my old gym beat. However, I'm feeling particularly iffy that it's a unisex gym and I have to workout with men. One thing I'm especially not fond of is being ogled at, and I'm noticing that most people seem to crowd around me whichever machine I end up at. Take for example, earlier tonight, I had went for a run on the treadmills. I was minding my own business, listening to my Ipod and focusing on my breathing when suddenly my right side became occupied by another gym goer. Considering that there was an entire row of empty treadmills further on on both my left and right, I became slightly suspicious. But I chalked it up to there being a basketball game on the tv in front of me and thought nothing more of it. Then 30 minutes into running, my right side was taken up by another female but then when she left, a few guys started crowding and talking around me. I had to turn on the volume on my Ipod just to drown them out. Next, when I took to the machines, I noticed that there would suddenly be a guy or two jumping into the machines next to me. To make matters worse, I have noticed a few guys stare at me. I'm not trying to brag and I'm certainly not attention seeking. In fact, I was very self-conscious about working out at a unisex gym, I took to wearing the baggiest gym clothes I have. However, this does not discourage people from staring. Okay, maybe it's because I have blonde hair, but honestly, I was sweating like a hog after my run. Has anyone ever experienced this and what have you done about it? Sorry if I'm making this a big deal but my old gym was Lucille Roberts. Sometimes being around my own gender makes me feel more comfortable. Edited March 17, 2011 by xpaperxcutx
Emilia Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I only ever use unisex gyms, I think there might be some 'women only' ones in London but to me location and classes take precedent over anything else. my advice is just get used to it. it's not that big a deal. I go climbing and surfing as well and people look at each other all the time, mainly because you pick up techniques from others that way. I have to change in beach car parks in front of men from wetsuits to normal clothes all the time. people will use treadmills next to you for the same reason they sit near you in public places, they like company. it really isn't that big a deal
irc333 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Um....get over it? I read this whole thing, I don't see a problem here. The only thing, people seem to congregate AROUND the same gym equpiment you work out at....and that's not a problem. If this bothers you THAT much, perhaps you should consider a home gym? Or one of those work at home DVD Sets like P90X even. (or perhaps the men that are "swarming" you, aren't attractive enough for you? lol j/k.) So I recently joined a 24 hour gym near my girlfriend's place. I love the fact it's so spacious and their equipments have my old gym beat. However, I'm feeling particularly iffy that it's a unisex gym and I have to workout with men. One thing I'm especially not fond of is being ogled at, and I'm noticing that most people seem to crowd around me whichever machine I end up at. Take for example, earlier tonight, I had went for a run on the treadmills. I was minding my own business, listening to my Ipod and focusing on my breathing when suddenly my right side became occupied by another gym goer. Considering that there was an entire row of empty treadmills further on on both my left and right, I became slightly suspicious. But I chalked it up to there being a basketball game on the tv in front of me and thought nothing more of it. Then 30 minutes into running, my right side was taken up by another female but then when she left, a few guys started crowding and talking around me. I had to turn on the volume on my Ipod just to drown them out. Next, when I took to the machines, I noticed that there would suddenly be a guy or two jumping into the machines next to me. To make matters worse, I have noticed a few guys stare at me. I'm not trying to brag and I'm certainly not attention seeking. In fact, I was very self-conscious about working out at a unisex gym, I took to wearing the baggiest gym clothes I have. However, this does not discourage people from staring. Okay, maybe it's because I have blonde hair, but honestly, I was sweating like a hog after my run. Has anyone ever experienced this and what have you done about it? Sorry if I'm making this a big deal but my old gym was Lucille Roberts. Sometimes being around my own gender makes me feel more comfortable.
EasyHeart Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Different gyms have different personalities. Some of them are full of serious weightlifters, some are full of busy professionals trying to squeeze in a workout, some are primarily meat markets. If you throw a pretty new girl into any place where there are single men, they're going to notice her. Nothing can stop that. It doesn't sound like any of them were harassing you or aggressive, were they? It sounds like they were mostly trying to get in your line of sight, probably in hopes of trying to strike up a conversation. That's a compliment! The universal sign of "Don't Talk To Me" in the gym is to keep your headphones in at all times. (It's frankly kind of rude and annoying, because people who wear headphones (except on the cardio machines) tend to not watch what's going on around them and get in everyone's way, so try to be careful about what's going on around you.) If you do that, most guys will stay away from you, but there's nothing you can do to stop them from wanting to talk to you. Does your gym offer free classes? Mine does, and I've notice they're all about 90-100% female and gay male, so that might be an option for you. OTH, the gym is a great place to meet people. I've been going to the same gym for many, many years, and I've met a lot of nice people there.
somedude81 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Are you sure you're not working out in a prison? Surely you can't be the only woman at the gym.
Ruby Slippers Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I consider myself average to cute, and I get crazy attention from gorgeous guys at the gym. At first, it was kind of flattering -- and distracting! Now I assume they are hoping I am so wowed by their physique that I just have to bed them immediately.
Imajerk17 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) Hmmm. Interesting. I will confess that as a guy I never have the likewise problem, even though I am in great physical shape and look it. Maybe I need to shave my legs or something. They are kind of hairy. I'm curious, asking as a guy, suppose one of those dudes actually had the nerve to try to talk to you--what would be your reaction? (Forgive me if I am wrong, but you did say you were single, right?) Let's say he did it in a nice respectful way that's sort of the opposite from they way these other guys you see are going about it. In other words, he respected your space, no "hovering", but after your workout he comes up to you. Edited March 17, 2011 by Imajerk17
tman666 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Just avoid the squat rack at all costs, lest one of them suddenly decides that you need a spot... "It's all you brah!! You got this! All you!"
mtber75 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I consider myself average to cute, and I get crazy attention from gorgeous guys at the gym. At first, it was kind of flattering -- and distracting! Now I assume they are hoping I am so wowed by their physique that I just have to bed them immediately. Your in a GYM so people will check each other out (men and women) to assess their own physiques? So ladies don't flatter yourselves with comments like this! We're just admiring, nothing more:) Yeah if you don't like the crowd than work out at home or go to those "women only" gym.
Feelin Frisky Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I have a life time membership to Bally Total Fitness which is not gender-specific. The only thing that outwardly annoys me is the "displaying" that a lot of guys do--especially the male employees. They walk three or four abreast at the slowest pace like everyone in the world is noticing them and then do stupid things like walk the wrong way on the track--causing members to have to move for them rather than the other way around. Other than that I mind my own business and don't think of the gym as a vehicle for meeting anyone. If it happens, fine. If not, fine too. I have however encountered some crazy people at the gym--men and women. One woman had a nasty case of tourettes where she said lousy things to people including me. When I realized she had tourettes I opted to give her a wider berth but I saw her deliberately run into people from behind and hit them with her forearm if they blundered on to the track when she was doing her run. She was a totally sick and toxic person.
waynesworld Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Many of the gyms I've been to are just nightclubs in disguise: loud music, sweat and guys constantly trying to outdo each other while hitting on the pretty girl a couple of machines over. Not much you can do about it, except if it's a 24-hour gym, to try to go during off-hours.
Nexus One Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 If you don't have a boyfriend, perhaps a unisex gym will create opportunities in that context.
fishtaco Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 If you work out at a body builder's gym. They'll ogle at guys instead of women. That's the gym where I'm at. I've been checked out before (but I think I failed their visual test, because I'm still trying to improve my body). I don't care, I'm just there to work out and go home. I don't think it's a big deal, if they're not bothering you. Some women also think it's "scary" when they walk into a no bells and whistles body builder's gym, where it's just a warehouse with a bunch of equipment, and guys the size of gorillas grunting and banging weights around. Ever been working out while a giant guy is doing rack pulls? Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! So there are many reasons why women only gym exists. Maybe because I'm a guy, I don't see why anyone would pay more for it, but they're in business, so I'm sure the reasons are real and valid. Sounds to me like you should go back to women only gyms.
threebyfate Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Gyms are creepy as hell. They're also full of old sweat and bacteria. Eww...
Author xpaperxcutx Posted March 17, 2011 Author Posted March 17, 2011 Just avoid the squat rack at all costs, lest one of them suddenly decides that you need a spot... "It's all you brah!! You got this! All you!" Now you tell me...
Author xpaperxcutx Posted March 17, 2011 Author Posted March 17, 2011 If this bothers you THAT much, perhaps you should consider a home gym? Or one of those work at home DVD Sets like P90X even. (or perhaps the men that are "swarming" you, aren't attractive enough for you? lol j/k.) I'm a workout fanatic, I may not have P90 but I have Hip Hop Abs, Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire. The only problem is that I'm currrently living shortterm with my girlfriend and her apartments too small to jump around in. Different gyms have different personalities. Some of them are full of serious weightlifters, some are full of busy professionals trying to squeeze in a workout, some are primarily meat markets. If you throw a pretty new girl into any place where there are single men, they're going to notice her. Nothing can stop that. It doesn't sound like any of them were harassing you or aggressive, were they? It sounds like they were mostly trying to get in your line of sight, probably in hopes of trying to strike up a conversation. That's a compliment! The universal sign of "Don't Talk To Me" in the gym is to keep your headphones in at all times. (It's frankly kind of rude and annoying, because people who wear headphones (except on the cardio machines) tend to not watch what's going on around them and get in everyone's way, so try to be careful about what's going on around you.) If you do that, most guys will stay away from you, but there's nothing you can do to stop them from wanting to talk to you. Does your gym offer free classes? Mine does, and I've notice they're all about 90-100% female and gay male, so that might be an option for you. OTH, the gym is a great place to meet people. I've been going to the same gym for many, many years, and I've met a lot of nice people there. Heart, I understand that certain people like to be social, but when I work out, I tend to be in my own little world. I have nothing against people, but it's distracting if they start conversing with you while you're running 6.0mph on a 1.0 incline and you're huffing and puffing. At my old gym there are classes everyday, however because of my living arrangements right now, I can't always go to my old gym.
Author xpaperxcutx Posted March 17, 2011 Author Posted March 17, 2011 Hmmm. Interesting. I will confess that as a guy I never have the likewise problem, even though I am in great physical shape and look it. Maybe I need to shave my legs or something. They are kind of hairy. I'm curious, asking as a guy, suppose one of those dudes actually had the nerve to try to talk to you--what would be your reaction? (Forgive me if I am wrong, but you did say you were single, right?) Let's say he did it in a nice respectful way that's sort of the opposite from they way these other guys you see are going about it. In other words, he respected your space, no "hovering", but after your workout he comes up to you. Well, I would probably be too sweaty to stay and chat. I'd excuse myself and head to the Ladies' room. I have a life time membership to Bally Total Fitness which is not gender-specific. The only thing that outwardly annoys me is the "displaying" that a lot of guys do--especially the male employees. They walk three or four abreast at the slowest pace like everyone in the world is noticing them and then do stupid things like walk the wrong way on the track--causing members to have to move for them rather than the other way around. Other than that I mind my own business and don't think of the gym as a vehicle for meeting anyone. If it happens, fine. If not, fine too. I have however encountered some crazy people at the gym--men and women. One woman had a nasty case of tourettes where she said lousy things to people including me. When I realized she had tourettes I opted to give her a wider berth but I saw her deliberately run into people from behind and hit them with her forearm if they blundered on to the track when she was doing her run. She was a totally sick and toxic person. The underlined. As much as I would love to meet new people and make friends, it's impossible for me to actually want to socialize when I'm in sweats and watching my reps. I'm sure others do not mind making new gym buddies but I do find it easier for myself if I workout alone. I like to get in, work out, and get out in a timely fashion without being sidetracked.
Author xpaperxcutx Posted March 17, 2011 Author Posted March 17, 2011 Are you sure you're not working out in a prison? Surely you can't be the only woman at the gym. No, I was not the only woman, there are were about 4 other girls in the gym. I was working out at 11 at night, though, and most of the machines were fairly empty except for the barbell areas where most of the guys were.
Titania22 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 I go to a gym with an 85% female membership. I think it works well. There are a smattering of guys around, but many more gorgeous young women. I haven't noticed people crowding each other at all. Papercut, it might be annoying now, but the good news is when you are older, you will be completely left alone, except for when you are actually wanting to attract. You get to experience the extremes in your lifetime, which is not an opportunity everyone gets.
somedude81 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Heh, so the thread title should be. Unisex gyms are so weird at 11 pm. It's a different crowd at late night and was only a few of you girls there. Have you gone during the day?
irc333 Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 Heart, I understand that certain people like to be social, but when I work out, I tend to be in my own little world. I have nothing against people, but it's distracting if they start conversing with you while you're running 6.0mph on a 1.0 incline and you're huffing and puffing. That just means you're out of shape. *Ducks* lol
johan Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 If it's unisex, and it's the other sex, what were you doing there? Aren't you the wrong sex?
irc333 Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 I dunno myself, it's hard to figure people out these days <shrug> Papercut, why does this bother you exactly...?
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