Do you talk to people at your gym?

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Puzzleheaded-Web1519@reddit

You didn’t really give it a proper chance with just one visit. Gyms are primarily for exercise. If you make friends that’s a bonus. You could have tried going at different times, don’t they do group classes? Do a Google search for local gyms and try them out. You might find one that fits your requirements. Start with a hello. If people don’t want to talk they don’t make eye contact. Another ice breaker is if you ask a member the correct use of a piece of equipment. Everybody is willing to share their knowledge. Another hint that people don’t want to talk is when they wear them big ear muffs, I assume they are playing music. Hope you get into the gym culture and increase your social contacts.

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Odd-Paramedic-3826@reddit (OP)

nah, it was grimy and cold and i didn't really feel safe. Like i said the only other local gyms are expensive health clubs

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aje0200@reddit

I would say a bouldering gym is more sociable than a regular gym.

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Odd-Paramedic-3826@reddit (OP)

I'd quite like to get into bouldering, nearest one is about 15 miles away though and i don't have a car

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Boring_Character_345@reddit

Nope, I go to a busy city centre gym and I just like to get in and out in as short a time as possible. Theres a few people who go to the gym who I know from outside the gym so I would catch up with them when I see them, but I don’t treat the gym as a social space

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TheNotSpecialOne@reddit

Nope, never a conversation with anyone. Only if I bump into a mate but even then it's a quick chat

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CauseOptimal8501@reddit

I have seen people chat before and after class sessions that obviously didn’t know each other from the start. If someone tried to chat with me out of the blue on a machine it would weird me out, feels like a social taboo.

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Tough-Isopod-2140@reddit

no i try to get my workout done and head out of there i have my earphones on all time even if the battery dies out, i don't mind saying hello and being friendly but im really not there for the social aspect but when i go in the morning i do find that less people that i know are there but i get more random gym goers who seem to be older and do have more time on their hand that will make conversation with me pretty often. its kinda of annoying but i don't want to be rude lol

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CowDontMeow@reddit

Yep, I’ve been going for almost 3years now and there’s a lot of regulars, you ask or offer to work in on machines and getting chatting, eventually it spirals into “can’t just do a workout with headphones in without 10 different people stopping for a chat”. I love the social side of it though and on weekdays it’s pretty much work>gym>food>shower>watch tv in bed for an hour so if my 90min workout gets dragged out to 2hrs because people wanna chat im okay with it. Gone to the pub with gym friends a few times but just importantly I love 10-15mile walks in nicer weather and now _always_ have someone that’s down for it.

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SherbertResident2222@reddit

This is Reddit. Suggesting that people talk to each other is going to be a non starter.

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KiltedBaklava@reddit

Honestly the replies here blow my mind. It’s sad that as a society we’ve gotten to the point that going somewhere full of other people doing the same activity as you ISN’T seen as a place to make friends or have conversations. If you’re reading this, TALK TO PEOPLE. We’re the only animal on the planet that can do that. Don’t waste it!

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alltorque1982@reddit

THANK YOU!!!

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KiltedBaklava@reddit

Yes you can make friends. Go regularly. Work out. You’ll start to recognise faces. Smile. Don’t stare. Eventually you’ll get a smile back. Small comment to start. ‘Looking good bro!’ ‘Do you know how this machine works?’ Or the classic ‘Can you spot me?’ Then take it from there.

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alltorque1982@reddit

I hate the fact that PureGym is referred to as normal. Those places are vile, toxic unfriendly and I've hated every single time I've stepped in one. Everyone's a wannabe influencer and you're tripping over tripods and phones everywhere. Find a proper gym. An old fashioned place which you IMAGINE is scary and full of meatheads and you'll be pleasantly surprised. I've made friends, got tips, found coaches, discussed nutrition and had social events through those types of gyms. They remember you too, and are always willing to help and chat (within reason obviously, remember you're there to sweat and work hard primarily).

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Crazytimesinlove21@reddit

I’m with you on this, I use PureGym for cardio stuff in the mornings at certain times of the year and train in what others would call a hardcore gym. Strongman/powerlifting/bodybuilding, lots of self made bits of kit. Tried PureGym in the evening and a few times working away, had to queue to use kit, stuff just dumped everywhere and bars left loaded up. I’ll always try to find a smaller hardcore place and a few of them haven’t even charged me for a day pass as it was recommended word of mouth. (I’ll leave money in an envelope anyways) The place I use at home seems very off putting when you first walk in, but once you talk to others in there you honestly won’t find a nicer bunch of folk. The trick is to try and gauge who is there just to train and get on with things and who has a bit of time to kill. That said I would put money on it that not a single person at my gym would refuse to spot you

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alltorque1982@reddit

Thank goodness! With the downvotes I thought I was being completely unreasonable! That's exactly what I've found, even my wife who was massively anxious about the gym joined a PureGym and hated it. She said there would be groups of lads hogging machines just sat on their phone, staff were unhelpful and people queuing. You're spot on. I mainly stick to hardcore style gyms and they're always so friendly. One I go to every couple of months when I'm there for work they remember me, remember my job and we always have a catch up. So friendly.

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KiltedBaklava@reddit

I’m with you pal. Used to train JD and I recon 25% of the folk there went to film themselves and hook up with each other. I now train in an independent and the vibe is completely different. Not to mention the selection is so much better and I almost never have to wait for anything!

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Gorilla_in_a_gi@reddit

I've actually recently swapped from my "athlete development gym" to puregym because of the number of tripods, wannabe influencers, and vile hygiene (seriously, there were bite marks on some of the kit), whereas the pure gym is clean, I don't spend an hour waiting for a bench while a gaggle of sarm goblins PR the bar and locking collars and record themselves.

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alltorque1982@reddit

That's so crazy! I guess that other poster is correct in that it's about location! Maybe I've been unlucky! What you described there (except bitemarks wtf?!) Has been my experience at all puregym type places! Either way I'm glad you found somewhere good, enjoy 😀

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Gorilla_in_a_gi@reddit

Thanks! Yeah, reverse delt flys had a full imprint on the top of the seat rest, I couldn't believe it.

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alltorque1982@reddit

That is grim 😕

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RainbowPenguin1000@reddit

I’ve been to three pure gyms and never seen a single tripod.

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alltorque1982@reddit

I travel all over the UK and go to gyms when on overnights. I don't mean just PureGym as the brand (although they are the worst) I mean any big shiny 24 hour overly commercial place. Whenever i find a local gym owned by a local, the experience is friendly and supportive, can get a cheap day pass to try it out etc. I get there will be exceptions, but this has been broadly my experience over the last 20 or so years.

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Jealous_Flatworm6413@reddit

No. AirPods in. Just leave me alone for my happy hour

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ferdia6@reddit

Whoever suggested this to you is a cretin

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rockdecasba@reddit

I train at an independent gym and yes I can have a conversation with just about everyone who goes there. I know their occupation, know what makes them train and know what their partners names are. It's a very nice way to live.

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Sugarlips_80@reddit

At the gym no. If I attended a regular gym class (in a group) same people each week....maybe, over time (a lot of time I dont like people!). By that is mean talking to them before or after class not during. Why would anyone want a conversation when hot and sweaty and trying not to die!! Likewise when I am out on a walk. I walk for silence and peace. I will smile and say good morning but thats it. The few times I have met a "chatty" walker I have had to change my route for weeks to avoid them! Making new friends is hard, but there are easier ways to do it in more sociable setting like a hobby club, book club, group activities etc.

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MaltDizney@reddit

Nah, conversation would slow me down. At best a nod greeting to one or two regulars as we pass. I've only got a few minutes and things to do. I have seen others socialise, but I don't know if they were friends who come together, or they just like a chat with other gym members.

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Super-Surround-4347@reddit

Always makes me chuckle when people suggest 'talking to people in the gym' to make friends or meet women. Nobody is there to chat.

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PudWud-92_@reddit

No because usually I only have 45 mins - 1 hour max after dropping little one off at nursery before starting work. I put my headphones in as soon as I step out of the car and they stay in for the duration of my work out.

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chincheckmcgee@reddit

As someone that has worked in gyms for a very long time now - it does happen, and it is a great way to make friends. There are gym members that end up going on holiday together, nights out, etc. There’s a real reluctance to engage socially with other people in this country (and it’s very prevalent on this app) but it can happen at gyms so give it a go

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gingerprop@reddit

Fuck no, I actively try to avoid the 'gym talkers' because they make your workouts alot longer. Id rather be in n out and then fuck off home to sit around doing nothing.

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kylehyde84@reddit

I have an hour usually to be done and out. If I end up in a stop and chat it screws the timetable

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sillwuka@reddit

Rarely but I do say hi to the receptionist when entering.

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TerryWagwan_@reddit

no I keep to myself … I think it’s a bit odd going to the gym to talk or people watch.

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EnvironmentalCard813@reddit

Despite being a bit introverted, ive made casual friends at the gym (although I always forget to ask their names, now it's been too long and awkward to ask), id never try in a commercial 24h gym, but i prefer gyms that are a bit more weights focused and more frequented by body builders and power lifters. Find it way easier to make friends because everyone there is so passionate about weight lifting, they actively want to help you if you ask, with your form, giving advice etc and frankly being around such monsters lifting crazy big weights really pushes me to work harder

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freenEZsteve@reddit

Depends. I see some coworkers at the gym and we talk in the changing room. I have also talked with people in group classes and intentionally group work outs (martial arts, cross fit, running and yoga) but arrive separately and I don't know them from outside, I wouldn't want to be bothered by them so I don't bother them

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Ok-Middle8656@reddit

Gyms used to be the kind of place you could do this. But that was back in the day when it was a very niche activity and everyone else thought you were a weirdo for going to one.

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datguysadz@reddit

I'm probably not at my most sociable at 5am but I am still on nodding terms with a lot of the regulars, and will fully converse with one or two. There's one ignorant discourteous little fuck who doesn't even hold doors open on the way in/ out who I'm not a fan of though.

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Cunthbert@reddit

I do a little bit. My gym is a small independent gym so it’s always the same old faces. I tend to just focus on training but I’m pleasant and chat when people approach me. Others really see it as a place to socialise and make friends, which is good for them.

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NumeroRyan@reddit

Typically with my routine, I have exactly 60-70 minutes for my workout each day before work. Even just a polite catch up with someone is the difference between an extra set or not!

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No-Decision-6019@reddit

I don’t really however I’m a regular there and some of the other regulars have opened a conversation or a little nod to say hello I don’t mind people approaching me for a conversation but being the one to open it is not my bag

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Ezika7@reddit

I’ve never said a word at the gym. Never seen anybody else talking either unless they arrived together. Just the way I like it 👌

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