Nasty people (dirty looks at the gym)!

[choc_puddin]

Just a question- does anyone else have a problem with people giving you stares or blatantly telling you you shouldn't be at the gym? I get this because I am very thin- yet muscular (I'm a long distance runner) and people tell me that I'm too skinny to be at the gym or they just give me evil 'death glares' while i'm on the treadmill.
This upsets me and I don't know how to reply as I cant stand confrontation.
I try to shrug it off but it still hurts. Its has come to the point where I leave uni an hour early, sometimes skipping a chem lecture just to get my training in and avoid the nasty 'afterworkers'
I have been avoiding the gym and training outside when the weather is nice, but sadly I can't do this on all days and the gym is the only option. Plus I also use the gym for weights and yoga sessions.
I am saving up for my own treadmill and weights machine- but they are damn expensive and so this will take a while!
How do you think I should handle the situation? anyone else had the same troubles?

[hollywoodveg]

Sounds like crazy people, I wouldn't even bother with them.

[choc_puddin]

Sounds like crazy people, I wouldn't even bother with them.

yea, i try not to let it get to me, but I'm just a sensitive person and take things really personally
sometimes i just feel like: :gun:

[*AHIMSA*]

There are mean and nasty people everywhere you go. If you are certain they are acting meanly and treating you badly simply because of your appearance, you have the option of changing gyms, going to the management, putting up with it or ignoring it. Have an MP3 player? Zone out and ignore!

[isowish]

they think athletic people shouldn't be at gyms? :think:
how do thy think people stay athletic?! :dizzy:

[choc_puddin]

There are mean and nasty people everywhere you go. If you are certain they are acting meanly and treating you badly simply because of your appearance, you have the option of changing gyms, going to the management, putting up with it or ignoring it. Have an MP3 player? Zone out and ignore!

I would LOVE to go to another gym, but my current one is local and so easier to drive to. I do zone out with my mp3, yet my gym has mirrors and when I look up i see people just glaring at me. What the %$#@!!! I just don't get it.
I would like to go to management but really what are they going to do? Tell people to be nice and behave? Its ridiculous the way some people are acting.
Thanks for the advice though :D appreciate it

[Michael]

People in the gyms around here tend to be like that. I don't know if it's a self-esteem issue on their part or what. Either too much or not enough. I'm kind of surprised gyms haven't tried to crack down on it (maybe by creating several smaller workout areas vs. one big one), it discourages a lot of people from going.

[choc_puddin]

they think athletic people shouldn't be at gyms? :think:
how do thy think people stay athletic?! :dizzy:

YES! Exactly my point! I don't see why only overweight people are 'allowed' at gyms. I think anyone is allowed at gyms

[animallover7249]

You shouldn't let it bother you. Most likely, they are jealous of you. It happens! Take it as a compliment :p

Don't let them ruin it for you. You deserve to be there just as much as any of them.

[choc_puddin]

People in the gyms around here tend to be like that. I don't know if it's a self-esteem issue on their part or what. Either too much or not enough. I'm kind of surprised gyms haven't tried to crack down on it (maybe by creating several smaller workout areas vs. one big one), it discourages a lot of people from going.

I really think its a self esteem thing. Even I'm insecure when I see a really ripped and cut person working out- but that just motivates me to up my game :D
My gym has several work out areas- 2 weights room (1 free weights for the serious body builders and the machine weights for weaklings like me), a cardio room, a circuit room and several studios for classes and spinning. Its a good gym, but there are mean people everywhere I guess :D

[choc_puddin]

You shouldn't let it bother you. Most likely, they are jealous of you. It happens! Take it as a compliment :p

Don't let them ruin it for you. You deserve to be there just as much as any of them.

right on :cool:

[hopi100]

Oh, choc_puddin, I hate to hear that!! Though I can assure you you're not alone. Like you, it amazes me how people seem to glare at athletic, fit people who would actually dare to WORK OUT at the gym. :) Silly. It's easier said than done, because I have a hard time with this myself, but just give them the cold shoulder. No sense in playing into their nonsense. :)

In the meantime ... good luck! And keep going. :)

[karenlovessnow]

I know you said you hate confrontation, but maybe you could just go up to the next person you see staring at you and say hi or something. Introduce yourself and be really friendly. That'll throw 'em for a loop!

[hollywoodveg]

YES! Exactly my point! I don't see why only overweight people are 'allowed' at gyms. I think anyone is allowed at gyms

Maybe it's where you live? I dunno. I live in hollywood and most people are as thin as a piece of paper, never seen anyone bothered because of it.

[Bof]

You could take advantage of people staring at you by having some good messages on your shirts. (You could even have one with 'You lookin' at me?' on it)

[animallover7249]

Or animal rights messages.

[Fyvel]

"Oh, do I have something on my face?" :p

[Vegan Joe]

While you're working out, work on your skin. It needs to be a little thicker. In time you will find people who are comfortable around you, and who you can feel confortable knowing they are there on your team. I try to be nice with everyone at the gym I go to, but still some people will not let themselves be friendly.

[Jon_Veggie]

I don't like gyms, which is why I choose to exercise at home, always feel self conscious around the muscle heads! I find that some good home gym equipment, such as a lateral thigh trainer, combined with bodyweight exercises and going for jogs/long walks can be just as effective to stay fit.

[Bells]

I honestly think most people are just thinking "Why can't I be more like her?!"

I do understand, though. It's like if you are not the least bit overweight, there's something wrong with you.

[Byzantea]

They're just too shy to ask you out. Try wearing a T-shirt that says, "I'm single and a nice person!" or something.

[choc_puddin]

hehe, thanks for the support guys ^^

I do have a shirt that says "what are you looking at?" but I only wear this sometimes, as I prefer my 'dry-fit' clothing (for sweaty issues :D)
while I was working out yesterday someone was doing the 'ole staring and glaring business, so I smiled and waved and they got really embarrassed!
mwahahahahahaha :vebo:

[Jennifer N]

I've seen overweight people get made fun of, too. It's just incredibly rude.

[KellyBon]

I work at a gym and we have members of all sizes. I'm also a long distance runner and triathlete. I could care less if someone made that stupid ass comment to me!

[Gym.Femme]

I think that some gym rats (I'm one, so I don't mean that term in a bad way) are just rude to anyone who isn't a huge bodybuilder type. I would just ignore it. Thankfully I haven't had any comments towards me personally, but I've heard lots of women talk about rude comments. Especially women who can lift heavy, you get a lot of, "Oh, can I help you with that" *insert eye rolls*