Social interaction at the gym?

[claygrant]

So for those guys who are at the gym regularly, what level of social interaction is appropriate?

[wbhunk]

I myself will admit to being the worst about this -- namely, that when I'm working out, I am so focused that I don't give people the looks, acknowledgement, or "Hi"s that I should.

[brent]

I am just as bad. At the gyms that are very cruisier, gay, and close to my home gyms, guys can be a little too forward. Since I am happily married to my partner of nearly 10 years, I don't like that. So I ignore everyone. At the suburban gyms, I figure that some of the young boys there are at least slightly homophobic, and so I ignore them. I wish people were more friendly, yet not totally creepy in the gym.

[claygrant]

The poll results are kind of surprising.. but maybe we have a biased group here. On another message board (with mainly straight guys), they had a thread in which guys said "If I don't smile at you, don't even smile at me" or "Stay the hell out of my way."

Machismo or just bad attitudes? Nobody should be that misanthropic in a gym, where people share a commitment to working out.

[myophile]

it's strange, because I try to stay focused and generally keep to myself other than interacting with my partner. but i avoid talking to other people more out of shyness / not wanting to bug people / insecurity than anything. going the other way, it's completely different - if someone approaches me, ask me for a spot, whatever, that's cool and i consider it a compliment.

[glammaman2000]

my workouts are very meditative/intense;so i can sometimes cut people off.sorry.but,since my diet is all over the map;i'm often full of caffeine.there are a lot of great,interesting guys at my gym.if i run into the right(wrong?)ones;i sometimes know the workout is shot.

[CanadianGordon]

I enjoy interaction as long as it's between sets or between me, and the person I'm working out with. If I'm trying to do an excercise, you better hope it's not leg day, cause I need all my concentration...

Otherwise you're gonna get your head squeezed inbetween my thunder thighs... In the locker room.

[RadRx]

I probably seem completely aloof in the gym for a couple of reasons.

I need all the concentrated effort I can get at the gym to make sure it's an efficient use of time. Motivation and energy are internally generated for me, and too much interaction with people tends to drain me. Beyond a simple 'hello' and my brain just strays from its course.

Even when I was working out with a trainer I kept having to ask him to cut out the conversation.

[EQQUS]

Well I'd love someone came and said Hi at the gym.. but nobody does.

I have nothing against social interaction at the gym, I just dont get any.

[phoenix]

Its the only time I get in my life where I don't have to speak to anyone, I'm completely anonymous and its amazing.

Even so, I will speak to instructors when they're bored and talk to anyone who talks to me, but thats a rare occurrence.

I play a lot of sports that are social, an active social life, and a highly social career, so the gym is just time where I can be totally switch off to others.

Apologies to those who think there should be a community spirit about it, but its simply the highlight of my day.
I wouldn't change it for the world.

JJ

[xXx]

Hate it, which is why I work out at home.

[Syphon]

It's like as soon as I enter the gym I become invisible. Probably because I'm unimpressive.

Since I work at my gym I occasionally see someone I know and will say hi or have a brief conversation. But that's about it. I wouldn't mind if someone talked to me, but usually I'm just trying to get my workout done and gtfo.

[Stoneman]

I voted don't even look at me. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to even see you. I am just here to try to fix the way I look. That's how I feel at the gym. I prefer a completely empty room.

[WhoDunIt]

I'm a bit of a loner normally, plus I work retail on top of it so when I get to the gym, I tend to just shut up and lift if left alone, kind of as a way to clear my head and get any aggravation and/or stress out. I will be sociable and am more than willing to spot somebody if they needed it though.

[Ragetiger]

Originally Posted by WhoDunIt

I'm a bit of a loner normally, plus I work retail on top of it so when I get to the gym, I tend to just shut up and lift if left alone, kind of as a way to clear my head and get any aggravation and/or stress out. I will be sociable and am more than willing to spot somebody if they needed it though.

I know how you feel, but after a while you'll open up to those in the gym. For me, most of the trainers and a good number of the "regulars" know me by name. Believe it or not, a few will keep tabs on you and will say something about how much you changed. It'll be something to break the ice.

[Slevin]

I don't really like to make conversation with other people even outside the gym but I'm a pretty nice person. I smile and nod at everyone, even the bros who are trying their best to appear "hard." We are all actors upon a stage :P

I like working out so I guess I'm happier than some other people but I couldn't imagine forcing myself to do something I don't like (hence spending years warming up to the gym in the first place).

[WhoDunIt]

Originally Posted by Ragetiger

I know how you feel, but after a while you'll open up to those in the gym. For me, most of the trainers and a good number of the "regulars" know me by name. Believe it or not, a few will keep tabs on you and will say something about how much you changed. It'll be something to break the ice.

Funny You Bring That Up Rage, That's Been Happening More And More Of Late.

[raven79]

I used to workout at a gym and most people just go there to do their workouts and leave. Then there are the ones that go there just to hang out and talk with their buddies. Rarely is it in the middle when people work out and just sort of say a couple of sentences. I wish it was like this, but you are lucky if you go to a gym where this happens.