The Gym is Like High School

[va32h]

I am trying to get fit, and I joined a gym. Not a fancy one, just the one run by our local parks and rec department.

Today was my first day - and oh my gosh, is it ever just like high school! Cliques everywhere, all in the same kinds of clothes, whispering to each other and staring at "the new girl". I even got "tattled" on for going two minutes over the alloted 25 minutes per piece of equipment.

Don't people ever grow up!

 

[terryX]

I am trying to get fit, and I joined a gym. Not a fancy one, just the one run by our local parks and rec department.

Today was my first day - and oh my gosh, is it ever just like high school! Cliques everywhere, all in the same kinds of clothes, whispering to each other and staring at "the new girl". I even got "tattled" on for going two minutes over the alloted 25 minutes per piece of equipment.

Don't people ever grow up!

That's why I work out at home. Bought all the free weights I need and a stationary bike and treadmill. I spent some money but I consider it money well spent. I hate to work out with other people!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I know you meant this post in all seriousness, but it made me laugh! How pathetic that grown-ups behave this way!

My folks used to go to a gym at the crack of dawn, and everyone going at that hour was either retired or a hard-core athlete, definitely there to work out. A young neighbor couple joined the same gym, but went in the evenings, and said it was a real meat market, lots of singles, and the women wearing very skimpy outfits and tons of make-up.

I hope you won't find it too off-putting that you quit going; you can maybe try going at another time. Or maybe tough it out until you become one of the cool kids!

 

[PlutosFriend]

Ewww that doesn't sound like a nice place to go and work out. Ignore the B******

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I work at AND work-out at a personal training studio. It's just me and the trainer, no cliques about it.

 

[Hercules10]

A young neighbor couple joined the same gym, but went in the evenings, and said it was a real meat market, lots of singles, and the women wearing very skimpy outfits and tons of make-up.

I wanna know where these gyms are!?

 

[PlutosFriend]

I wanna know where these gyms are!?

I love it
Maybe it is an age thing. I am 39 and am at the point of not caring what the others think. Work out and let them whisper who gives a rip, right?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Not all gyms are like this. The gym I attended was very homey and we were all friendly with each other. No time limits on equipment, either. As adults we were all able to compromse and share. The only reason I quit was because I was having time issues.

 

[Melissa M]

That's why I go on my lunch hour. It's other professionals who are in too much of a hurry to get back to work to worry about everyone else. We all just focus on our workout, then get the heck outta there.

 

[Goofyluver]

No, some people never grow up!

 

[Chattyaholic]

That's one of the reasons I've never wanted to join a gym.

I have a treadmill and exercise DVD's - good enuf' for me!!
And during the warmer months I love walking outdoors - by myself or with DH.

 

[Stephres]

I work out at the Y and there are some snobby mommy cliques but I just go in and do my thing and leave. The women in the kid's gym are amazed that it takes me 30 minutes to work out when most everyone else leaves their kids there for over an hour. I guess when you don't chit chat you can get done faster!

 

[Anewman]

I stopped going to puclic gyms, I hated it when persons would knowningly stay on the machine longer than allowed when they could see there was a line of us waiting.

 

[Jpgirl]

I work out at a gym and I've taught at the Y and done personal training at people's homes and no people don't grow up. I had a class where all the Type A's were in the front row and nobody had better take their "spot" . Then I had instructor wannabees who would try to "outdo" me (or whoever the instructor is), again . They gym I belong to now is nice. The women aren't as catty but the men-whoa-they make women look like innocent babies. Always walking around like peacocks. And why do they have to stop doing what they're doing whenever I or another woman "invade" the free weight area to lift?? At least the guys at the Y never acted like that. I don't work at this gym so not many people know I'm a trainer so I just love all the misguided "advice" I get from the guys. Geez no wonder people hate joining gyms. But really try it-there are some normal people and we can be fun.

 

[Kimberly]

I would suggest to join a larger gym. Most larger gyms do not have time limits on equipment because they have a larger selection and greater number of them. I wouldn't bother with a small gym like that because it can feel cliquey too, much like the gym was at college for me. You learn to ignore people after awhile though...

Just join a bigger gym. They offer better things like group classes such as spinning, weight training, pilates, yoga, karate, rock climbing, and a variety of everything.

If you are in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington and their surrounding suburbs, I would try their sports clubs. They're some of the best: My Sports Club

Edit: Yes, any gym can be like a "meat market" at times. But when you live in a suburban area, it's pretty much the only place to meet people of similar interests.

 

[Beth76]

They tattled on you for going over time? Whatever happened to just asking someone to get off? Sorry you had a bad experience, try going at a different time to see if there's a different crowd. My Y's a little cliquey too. Fortunately, no one's really rude but everywhere you look there's always little groups of people chatting away. None of my friends work out so I'm one to just work out and leave.

 

[dementia412]

Try going to a park or a new school.... parents form their little groups, and just cut anyone new or different out. I remember when my older girl was in a playgroup. When one of the other kids had a birthday party my DD was not invited... that was okay, but she did invite kids her child never spoke to, kids half her age, all the boys. My daughter was the only other kid her daughter's age, and one of the few who played with her girl. It wasn't about her daughter though... it was obvious the party was about HER and HER FRIENDS! After that I was tempted to stop attending, but unlike that woman I was there for my kids. You are at the gym for you, let them kiss your tush!

 

[va32h]

They tattled on you for going over time? Whatever happened to just asking someone to get off? Sorry you had a bad experience, try going at a different time to see if there's a different crowd. My Y's a little cliquey too. Fortunately, no one's really rude but everywhere you look there's always little groups of people chatting away. None of my friends work out so I'm one to just work out and leave.

I know! That's what I thought - you couldn't ask me how long I'd been on the machine like a normal person?

Since it was my first day, I didn't know that when all the machines are taken, there is a 25 minute time limit. I also didn't realize that the time counter on the machine stops if you stop. It took me a couple minutes to figure out the controls on the treadmill, and that's how I got "off" in counting my minutes.

And we are talking about honestly TWO minutes. The gym employee was embarassed to come up to me about it.

I chose this gym because it's cheap and close by. I am going to try going at a different time and see if I get a better crowd.

 

[Ranatra]

That sounds awful!

I've been at my gym for 15 years now and I really like it. It's one of the only ones with an inside track for running/walking. I go first thing in the morning and I'm usually one of the youngest ones there. (51)
It's mostly all seniors during that time and it's nice and quiet and not very crowded.
If you go in the evening, it can be a little bit like a meat market. I NEVER go in the evenings.

 

[sweet angel]

I almost wish my gym was a little more of a meat market. LOL

Actually, I had a choice..join the smaller, cheaper, meat marketier gym near my house and fight with myself to go home, change and go back out, or...

join the larger, double the price, non-meat market gym across the parking lot from my job.

i opted for the one by my job. i go, on average 4-5 times every week. very convenient.