There is a mantra out there for nervous gym-goers that they
shouldn’t worry because every person at the gym is too busy with their own
workout to watch what they are doing.
Personally, I find this a load of crap.
I may be busy at the gym with my own workout, but that doesn’t mean I’m
not watching what’s going on around me.
An hour at the gym (whether running on the indoor track or between
lifting sessions) means lots of downtime.
Yes, I am going through routines and thinking about form, but I still
pay attention to the people around me.
What do I look for/at?
Eye Candy
I’m just gonna start with this one and get
it out of the way. Yes, I look at
cute/hot/muscular people at the gym. If
you work out at my gym and are doing something active (ie: not machines), I’ve
probably checked you out. And, from the
upstairs track to the lifting area and basketball court downstairs, there’s eye
candy. I look. Get over it.
J
What are You Wearing
From cute clothes to race shirts to funny shirts
to my continued obsession with what anyone wears on their feet, I’m
looking. I like the superhero shirts the
best with race shirts coming in a close second.
And, if you’re in barefoot shoes, I’m instantly smitten. <3
Good Form Lifts
My gym is notorious for lifters with terrible
form – ie: half squats and curling in the squat rack. So, when I see someone breaking the rules to
lift barefoot or see someone doing a squat past parallel at the gym, I stop to
watch so I can learn something. If I see
one of these people doing something I don’t know how to do, I might ask about
proper procedure. (Note: that’s still a
might…I don’t like to interrupt others’ workouts.)
Inspiration
This is my favorite. Especially people who transform themselves. I see someone working their tail off and not just chit chatting and I love it. Whether it’s speed training or lifting or boxing, you can tell the people at the gym who are serious about their training. And, if I see something WOW, I compliment. Most inspirational are the a-typical gym rats that I see all the time -- anyone who doesn't fit the gym type. This includes the senior citizen I saw walking around the track with a cane (good for him!) and the larger men and women at the gym plugging away to create their own personal transformations. These people pull at my heartstrings and remind me that everyone starts somewhere.
So, final word? If you think nobody is looking when you are working out, you're naive. People watch...all the time. But, that doesn't mean that they are judging you. Don't put your insecurities into other people's heads. Maybe that girl is looking at you because she likes your shirt...maybe YOU are HER inspiration. Because everybody starts somewhere...
