Any time a woman approaches or speaks to you (as a man), you have to respond “I have a girlfriend” and put your earbuds in as fast as possible.
Nope, just use reasonable attempts to reduce the number of other people’s faces you’re recording.
Nope, most of us prefer it that way. Pretty ladies make us lift more, change my mind (my wife wears form fitting clothes as well). Nothing wrong with wearing clothes that make you like the way you look. Just don’t get all weird if someone else likes the way you look too (throwback to when I got hit on by a gay dude at my gym - I was flattered as fuck, no homo).
No, no, and no. I usually go with a semi-forceful “You using this?”, then ask to work in so they get out of my way. Rude? Maybe, but I’m actually cool with working in too. Don’t make it weird. A smile goes a long way.
All that being said, there are some dudes who are TOTAL fucking weirdos at the gym. Gents - do your part here. I go out of my way to stand in their line of sight when I notice it. Sometimes I’ll hold eye contact with the dude so they get the point.
PS for the TikThots who do this shit intentionally - take your fucking makeup/lashes/nails off, then try making this video a second time… you aint that special.
I genuinely appreciate how vulnerable you are on here. I can tell empathy is a strong virtue for you. I guess another way of thinking about it is: if they scare you off from being you, much like you mention they scare men off from engaging, didn’t they already win?
I wouldn’t think that’s rude! I appreciate anyone who has the confidence to speak up and say what they need in the gym. Everyone is so freaking timid and passive aggressive that when someone’s direct, it’s refreshing.
Thanks for all your input on my questions. Awesome feedback.
Whoa! Good for you! In 22 years of lifting I’ve only had two interactions with weirdos. One was truly predatory (Chris took care of that) and the other was just obnoxious. But aside from those brief occurrences, most guys have been appropriate. Wait… minus high school weight training. lol
This does kind of remind me of something kind of funny: back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was in high school, there was still this thing called “newspapers.” Some young reporter/ photographer team was doing a story on the local gym or sports or something. Anyway, they came right up to me while I was lifting and took a bunch of pictures with a big camera right in my face. Never said anything, never asked if it was ok, nothing… and then left when they were done. Can you imagine that now? Rolling in and photographing a teenager without saying anything? Anyway, just kind of a “times have changed” story… in that case probably not a bad thing that they have.
I just find it strange as if they were not going to post those video on line anyway.
I have been offered sex directly while wearing jogging and baggy t-shirt. Now that is different. The offender got some witty comments back. And my bf laughing is ass off.
Photos and Videos: A lot of people have training partners, so it’s no big deal if the partner is filming vs. just standing there anyway, as long as he or she isn’t in someone’s way.
Now, if a tripod, studio lighting umbrellas, and a bottle of fake sweat comes out and it becomes a 60-minute photoshoot or Tik-Tok dance in the middle of a crowded gym, that’s a bit out of line.
And actually, we used to encourage people to film their sets to evaluate form in the pre-social media days. So maybe a tripod isn’t so bad in an area of the gym that’s not crowded anyway.
I also think about this: T Nation articles would have about 65% fewer videos if our coaches couldn’t film in a public gym. Not all of them have their own facility. I’m certainly glad they take pics and vids of what they’re writing about. Otherwise, those would be some boring articles, and not very helpful. Same can be said for training logs.
Hey now, newspapers were a thing when I was in school too. I bet it was a huge honor to get your picture in the paper! That does seem like a foreign concept now though.
No, seriously, some people feel more confident and get a better workout if they like what they see in the mirror. Make-up even counts here too. It’s not even about other people. Heck, even I’ve changed shirts because one “made me look fat”… and I’m not looking to attract a stray. I just didn’t feel confident, which can lead to a crappy workout.
It’s a two-way street I suppose. Wear less and a woman might get hit on more often. Maybe she wants that and maybe not. But she has to be cool with it if it happens, as long there’s no douchebaggery. Humans seek pair bonding and women get approached – respectfully or otherwise – no matter what they’re wearing. Biology happens.
What we’re seeing going viral here lately is gross though: woman doesn’t wear much, sets up a camera, and feigns offense if any male gives her a fleeting glance. She’s going to be pretend-offended no matter what of course. Attention and “victimhood” is the goal – their pathetic “currency” as you’ve called it.
Funny enough, that last video like this that went viral, turns out the woman also had an OnlyFans type of page. “Don’t look at me! That’s costs $9.95 a month!” Maybe that was the actual goal – drive the beta-boy white knights to her “tip jar.”
In real life, we look at people all the time. But a person can’t guess what the looker is thinking:
Maybe I like your shirt. Maybe I’m wondering why you’d tattoo that on your back. Maybe I’m impressed by your form or the weight you’re using. Maybe I’ve never seen that exercise before. Maybe you’re using bad form and I’m praying for your joint health. Maybe I’m wondering if you’re finishing up because I want that machine or rack.
And yeah, maybe I’m thinking “nice butt!” Hey, you (our imaginary person here) are training that thing; don’t be surprised if someone notices.
I played in a really small town in a rural area… wayyyyyyy less of a big deal than it sounds. Plus, I’m pretty sure I just happened to be the person in the gym when they felt like doing that.
But is there a way to differentiate yourself from “influencers” who are posting thirst traps? Also, isn’t it funny that the slang “thirst trap” refers to photos that are meant to sexually entice… but the women posting them almost seem to be setting thirst traps in real time. What a coincidence.
I get the impression most people who start training logs are doing it for accountability and to keep track of their numbers over time. Not necessarily a “look what I can do!” type thing.
Editing this to say: I’m totally a “look what I can do” person. Youngest child, got attention for the dumbest things, still got that in me.
I love getting hit on and cat called. Why? Because eventually that will stop. Enjoy it while it lasts! Actually, I can’t really remember the last time it happened. Shit.
Ah, getting your picture in the paper when you live in a small town is an even bigger honor! You get to be a bit of a celebrity! Any chance you still have it? That would be a fun thing to post.
When you think about it though, women who make a big deal out of getting attention are really telling us that it doesn’t happen that often. How do we know this? Because someone – male or female – who gets a lot of attention is used to it by now. It’s no biggie because it happens all the time.
But a woman who freaks out over it is basically saying, “EVERYONE LOOK! SOMEONE GAVE ME AN OUNCE OF ATTENTION! AND I HATED IT EVEN THOUGH I SELL MY BODY ON ONLYFANS! PLEASE GIVE ME ATTENTION SO THAT I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT ATTENTION!”
Exactly!
