The Biggest Mistakes in the Gym

[summer123]

So what is it about it that bothers some of you if somebody copies you? It may help them if they can't afford a personal trainer and certainly does you no harm or takes anything away from you.
I would be delighted if I thought that I could be of help to somebody and flattered if somebody copied me as that would mean that they admired me and what I was doing.

See I don't see it that way; I see it as someone following me, ridiculing what I do and saying (not in words) "I am going to do exactly what you do and then try to do better, I am better then you and I am going to make you know it". I go to the gym and I just want to be on my own doing my own thing and keeping to my own goals!

Actually my biggest new 'find' in the gym is that I can jump into the spinning room and have any of the bikes for an entire hour or more by myself, no one in there so no one bothers me, the air con works better in there too and I do so much better then if I were in the gym itself on a bike. I guess its a personal thing but I tend to see other people as judgemental rather then adoring!

 

[BiancaV88]

it seems everyone is judgmental. which is why alot of people dont like to go to the gym. Maybe they are self-conscious?

I think youre being kinda judgmental thinking that they are trying to better you...I think people just learn from each other, no offense. I always ask girls what they are doing and what for because I am not knowledgable and they glady tell me, show me how its done and that's that. Its not copying-its learning.

 

[ecky1]

I agree with Bianca. It is much more likely that somebody is copying you because they haven't got a clue what to do and are embarrassed to ask for help and advise than that they are trying to beat you at anything.

 

[Coach Palfrey]

See I don't see it that way; I see it as someone following me, ridiculing what I do and saying (not in words) "I am going to do exactly what you do and then try to do better, I am better then you and I am going to make you know it". I go to the gym and I just want to be on my own doing my own thing and keeping to my own goals!

Actually my biggest new 'find' in the gym is that I can jump into the spinning room and have any of the bikes for an entire hour or more by myself, no one in there so no one bothers me, the air con works better in there too and I do so much better then if I were in the gym itself on a bike. I guess its a personal thing but I tend to see other people as judgemental rather then adoring!

I'd have to say that a person copying you should be seen as a form of flattery. If you don't want others around why join a gym?

 

[BiancaV88]

I agree. Buy your own equipment and do it at home since people get in your way.

 

[Jynus]

I agree. Buy your own equipment and do it at home since people get in your way.

not everyone has thousands of dollars lying around for the cost, or the space to have a proper gym setup...

Just get a gym membership and stop thinking the world is out to get you... trust me, it's not..

 

[summer123]

it seems everyone is judgmental. which is why alot of people dont like to go to the gym. Maybe they are self-conscious?

I think youre being kinda judgmental thinking that they are trying to better you...I think people just learn from each other, no offense. I always ask girls what they are doing and what for because I am not knowledgable and they glady tell me, show me how its done and that's that. Its not copying-its learning.

If that was aimed at me I think you need to reread what I wrote. I don't feel that anyone is better then me. I do feel people try to copy what I do as they are saying "I think I am better then you" to me, not the other way around.

And I don't feel they are learning from me, if they wanted more info they could/would ask, not do what I do then try to put their machines up one level when I do, or try to better me or follow me around for 2 hours. I don't feel at all flattered I feel suffocated. I want a break from people, I go to the gym, ramp up the music and go. I don't like to be followed around and I don't think I am alone in that.

I guess its a matter of being there and seeing what I see.

 

[Spinner19641]

I've always been stared at - in the gym, on the street, in my car, anywhere really. And no, I don't dress or look weird but total strangers will make comments (never negative, usually complimentary), truck drivers yell 'sexy' when I am driving or make 'kissy' faces, I've even had stalkers - it is utterly freakish behaviour.

I have asked friends if that happens to them and they have all said no (that surprised me as I thought it happened to everyone). I have evaluated my dress code and it is quite conservative - jeans, t-shirts, boots, nothing fancy, I'm not that way inclined. I'm not doing anything to warrant special attention in any way.

So I figure it's not my problem. I don't know why people pay so much attention but I have learned to pretend I haven't noticed and move on.

You can't ever really know what another person is thinking and any attempt to 'guess' is just making stuff up because you can't possibly really know. And they're are total strangers to you so why even bother to try and guess.

My advice is if you don't like the attention you are getting (good or bad) then ignore it.

 

[summer123]

I've always been stared at - in the gym, on the street, in my car, anywhere really. And no, I don't dress or look weird but total strangers will make comments (never negative, usually complimentary), truck drivers yell 'sexy' when I am driving or make 'kissy' faces, I've even had stalkers - it is utterly freakish behaviour.

I have asked friends if that happens to them and they have all said no (that surprised me as I thought it happened to everyone). I have evaluated my dress code and it is quite conservative - jeans, t-shirts, boots, nothing fancy, I'm not that way inclined. I'm not doing anything to warrant special attention in any way.

So I figure it's not my problem. I don't know why people pay so much attention but I have learned to pretend I haven't noticed and move on.

You can't ever really know what another person is thinking and any attempt to 'guess' is just making stuff up because you can't possibly really know. And they're are total strangers to you so why even bother to try and guess.

My advice is if you don't like the attention you are getting (good or bad) then ignore it.

I wish I were able to just ignore what goes on at my gym! I don't mind people watching- I normally smile back but when someone starts watching my machine, clocking the same details on their machine, trying to go one level above mine no matter what I do (and some of my training is well wierd- no fixed pattern at all!) I find that very hard to ignore and its because I feel they are looking down on me and it just makes me so mad!

Still. It does fuel my workout at times- I have had some of my highest heart rates at times like those!

Guess there really is a silver lining here!

 

[Spinner19641]

I wish I were able to just ignore what goes on at my gym! I don't mind people watching- I normally smile back but when someone starts watching my machine, clocking the same details on their machine, trying to go one level above mine no matter what I do (and some of my training is well wierd- no fixed pattern at all!) I find that very hard to ignore and its because I feel they are looking down on me and it just makes me so mad!

Still. It does fuel my workout at times- I have had some of my highest heart rates at times like those!

Guess there really is a silver lining here!

I think you live in London (?) which seems to have more than it's fair share of 'crazies'! But people en masse are a bit crazy and it's either ignore 'em or join 'em!

I think women are trained to pay far too much attention to 'feedback' - we are trained to please others rather than ourselves. Eventually it drives us crazy or we end up exhausted.

Eventually we learn only to pay attention to people who have some 'credibility' with us. No credibility, not interested! Don't know you, don't care what you think!

I know it sounds harsh but we all need a filter system so we only take on board what we actually need to deal with.

 

[kasal]

I think the biggest mistake i see at the gym is the boys trying to free lift the heaviest weights going at the gym, and after pushing them up JUST ONCE they then get their mates to help them out and 'spot' them. Why they just cant pick up a lighter weight and put more effort in on their own baffles me, seeing as just by their mates spotting them is taking at least 5kg of the weights! mad ness!

This thread has made me realise that i may need to change my gym routine as all i seem to do is cross trainer, running machine or cycling or rowing and occasionaly the sit ups and press ups! oopsy!

 

[Jynus]

I think the biggest mistake i see at the gym is the boys trying to free lift the heaviest weights going at the gym, and after pushing them up JUST ONCE they then get their mates to help them out and 'spot' them. Why they just cant pick up a lighter weight and put more effort in on their own baffles me, seeing as just by their mates spotting them is taking at least 5kg of the weights! mad ness!

This thread has made me realise that i may need to change my gym routine as all i seem to do is cross trainer, running machine or cycling or rowing and occasionaly the sit ups and press ups! oopsy!

Just once is a valid training method. In fact I would say it should be encouraged for anyone serious about working out and wanting to make strength and mass/tone gains.

This is assuming it's part of a 5/3/1 rep template and not them just walking up and only doing 1 rep total for that entire muscle/movement group.

 

[girthy1]

I hate people coughing on their hands then picking up weights. Very rude