Commentary: Gym Attitude and Attire

As I was getting ready to go to the gym the other day, I noticed I dress differently, in certain ways, compared to other days. Usually I'll work out in the morning so I can start my day and shower afterward, thus requiring a hat for my unruly hair. Sometimes I purposely opt for the sorority shirt or a Virginia Tech shirt with shorts matching as closely as possible. It depends on my mood and how much time I have to do my workout. This is when the outfits affect the outcome of my gym behavior.

The hat wearers typically make the least eye contact with anyone and anything, while in their gym session. I know when I'm in the hat, I'm not in the mood to talk, look or acknowledge anyone. When the earphones are playing some AC/DC, I'm ready to pump-up the workout and get on with my day. It's also a way to hide under the hat so I can't see what people are looking at, and they can't see what I'm looking at either. I try my best not to stare when in the groove, because I despise the feeling of being stared at while working out, if not all the time.

Staring also goes along with not wanting other gym goers thinking I'm an idiot and don't know how to use things, even though I've been a consistent gym member since high school. That's more reason why I don't want to know if anyone is staring and sizing up if my workout is good or not. In the long run, it's no one else's business unless I'm about to hurt myself. Then please, shout, yell or say, "You're about to break your back!"

Men and women are both guilty of staring at a hot body, which is uncomfortable and rude. Didn't your mother tell you not to stare? Even Men's Fitness stated in an article "29 rules of gym behavior:" "Staring is smarmy, no matter what she's [or he's] wearing...don't treat it as a spectator sport."  

As a female, observing males while in workout mode is more fun. It's like social hour, and about the only time I see males being really self-conscious; even though they worry about hair and clothes, they never show it. Working out in small groups with their buddies is imitating, because if one does something or sees something of interest, they all copy. They take up more room than needed and are not easily approachable to ask if they are done or if they can move their area over more to the left. The buddies also talk more than they work--in my opinion--which is more annoying when I'm in the hat mood and trying to get my workout finished in an hour. Go out to eat if you want to play catch up!

However, I think a snapshot of my gym behavior and observations is similar to those of other people and similar to how people treat each other in public places. When I have that 8 a.m. class, I wear my hat and prefer no one talk to me for at least 45 minutes. Looking around the room, I can tell I'm not the only one who feels this way. The same holds true while running errands, or going to the mall or restaurant. What someone is wearing--headphones, hats, gym clothes, work clothes, etc. affects how he or she will act and treat others. Many claim they don't worry what other people think and what others do. I beg to differ.

Whether or not I say anything out loud, I'm usually thinking he's sweating and stinky; he must have just worked out, or she's got a hat on; I wouldn't bother her. It's not a judgment so much as observation and thinking ahead to avoid a possible awkward situation. If I know I don't want to be bothered and someone is overly talkative, they'll recieve a weird look. However, if I'm in a more talkative mood, causal conversation on the bus is more welcomed with a friendly look and is less awkward.

Figuring out the gym early on can prepare you for situations in and out of the gym. Body language and what is on the body speaks volumes about the mood that person gives off. If someone is wearing a bright, welcoming gym outfit and appears open to conversation, he or she is easier to approach and converse with than the one in the corner blasting music loud enough to hear if you stand close enough. For me, good mood days would be great for the bright, yellow date party shirt as would the dark, maroon VT shirt on hat days. 

Mastering the 'gym-itude' is more amusing than work and can bring out some constructive outlooks, especially the next time I'm in a public arena.