Looks at the gym?

So I was curious how all of you handle things like this. Today I was at the gym and I was doing Sumo Deadlifts (awesome exercise BTW.) I was by the squat rack totally just doing my thing and there were 3 men (some older, some younger than me) who just kinda kept looking at what I was doing and watching. At first I thought that maybe they needed the squat rack so I got nervous and started to rush. Then I thought, "Wait, I was here, do what you need to do." It made me very uncomfortable. I felt them thinking "What on earth is this little thing doing this exercise for. Does she actually think she is in shape?!" Now granted, definitely could have been my paranoia but it bothered me because they really looked like they were judging me! Thankfully I was able to turn my frustration into 6 sets of awesome sumos but still, so annoying! I was curious how you all handle or feel about things like this!

Re: Looks at the gym?

YES!!! I'm 5ft tall and lift weights often. I think they stare because they are afriad I'm going to hurt myself.

Re: Looks at the gym?

Hahaha...I just asked DH about it. He said most of the people at our gym do exercises like bench press and bicep curls so even when HE deadlifts people stare. It made me feel better. But i still hate it...it's like move along, do what you are doing and let me do my thing! lol

Re: Looks at the gym?

I self-diagnosed myself with gym anxiety...lol....I always feel that people will stare at what I'm doing...and I'm always afraid someone will come over to "correct" me...but I think it's in my head. Just keep on doing what you need to do. It's almost like you want to stop and say, "Do you need something over here?????" then they'd probably say no and stop looking.

Re: Looks at the gym?

Try being in your third trimester lifting weights. I mean people stare at me like they have never seen a pregnant woman before. Who cares? Do what you have to do and feel good about yourself. Maybe they were watching you because:

a) they were impressed
b) they were checking out the exercise you were doing so they could do it

Keep up the good work

Re: Looks at the gym?

I've gotten them before and comments before in my thinner days. And my thinking is, yes, I will kick your @ss!

Re: Looks at the gym?

Men staring a woman working out..

totally normal..lol. they are MEN!!

Prob think your hot and love to watch

a female work out hard. Good for you

and keep up good attitude and workout.

Re: Looks at the gym?

I"m out of shape... put on a few lbs..

now I'm taking them off.. it's a slow process but I always felt like people were looking at me like "why does she even bother?"

It was discouraging at first, then it kind of motivated me.. I'm down a lot of lbs, and have a long way to go to be where I want to be, but don't let it discourage you, let it motivate you.

Re: Looks at the gym?

I ignore it...my time in the gym is totally about ME...I have limited workout time and I focus my attention on getting the best work out.

Re: Looks at the gym?

When I first started going to the gym I had gym anxiety. Then I decided no one really cares what I'm doing anyway, and just ignore everyone and do my own thing. You're getting a good workout, thats all that matters.

On a side note- that sounds like an awesome excercise- do you have a link explaining how to do them?

Re: Looks at the gym?

I do and I don't really give a sh!t.. I just go about my business.. I happen to know what i'm doing when I go to the gym and just get into a zone and work out.. I don't have time for looks or to chitchat.

Re: Looks at the gym?

One occasion I had a very old man staring right at me while I was doing the open and close thing with yournlegs on the abductor. So mortified that I left and it took me awhile before I went back. Now I just don't pay attention, I go In and do my thing and leave.