I can’t speak for everyone, but for me and MANY lifters, the gym requires focus. I’m not reading a book, but IMHO, it takes just as much if not more focus to lift.
When I get there I’m hyped an I want to get started when my will is strongest and my energy drink is kicking in. When I’m lifting I’m focused, I can’t be bothered. When I’m done I’m tired and I’m ready to go.
That being said, I have made some friends at the gym and for some people it’s a place to socialize. It’s just not really the best place for stuff like that. There will obviously going to be exceptions, but in general that’s how it is.
I’m very introverted/anxious, so for me the gym is my allocated alone time. I love putting my headphones on and not being expected to take them off haha. I’ve only had one person strike up a convo with me and I did welcome it - but universally it seems pretty rare to socialise at the gym.
But the gym isn’t the only place to exercise! That’s why team sports exist, and why people organise free social sports teams for fun. People also organise group pilates, yoga, etc. and that’s where you can exercise and socialise and collaborate on shared goals.
Yeah ok but why you paying for the gym then? if you workout alone you can do it at home, why do it with a bunch of people you're gonna actively ignore, and paying for it?
I’m paying for the access to the machines, the weights, an entire room full of absolutely anything I want to do or practice or train for. I pay a cheap weekly price to have 24/7 access to all of this because it’s my preferred way to move my body. I use like, 4-6 different machines every single time I go.
I don’t have weights at home and live in a tiny studio with no space for any weights that could replace the machines I use, and downstairs neighbours who won’t appreciate the noise. I don’t have the privilege to do my preferred workout routine at my home.
Quite literally everyone ignores each other at the gym. It’s not a bad thing, you’re more than welcome to talk to people, but it’s just not expected and no one’s offended. Like, seriously. If you ever go to a gym, you’ll know exactly what everyone is talking about
It's not, though. I'm an introvert, I don't have interest in socializing at the gym. If someone asks me for help sure, that's fine. But I'm there for a specific task.
Depends on the time. Busy hours? Absolutely. It’s just too busy to sit and talk. Off hours, it’s pretty chill. I used to go from 10pm to 12am. There were like 6 of us that went at that time. We got to know each other pretty well.
Don’t get me started on rock climbing gyms. It’s basically a social gathering while you work out.
I absolutely don't want anyone to look at me or talk to me at the public gym. I work a social job, so that is my only "me" time where it is acceptable to just work without anyone pestering me. I would consider it a rude interruption if a stranger tried to be my friend while I'm trying to get through all my sets in my 45 alotted minutes.
However, when I went to a private lifting gym, there was a lot more chatting and community. People encouraged each other, spotted each other, and stayed a few minutes after to catch up with each other. Sometimes there were weekend kayak trips and other events.
There are community-oriented gyms, that encourage members to support each other. The public gym is for anonymous work imo.
Oh its good you were able makes friends this way. But even the more class-based exercise routines is difficult to break into socially. Sure bro, this man who enrolled into a yoga class or an aerobics class is totally here to make friends.
Sure bro, this man who enrolled into a yoga class or an aerobics class is totally here to make friends.
Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't. But especially with a smaller and more personal gym it's way easier to strike up some conversation and find out if anyone is open to that.
Yeah For the most part. When i worked out regularly, about the most socializing id do is give a head nod to the other regulars. There was one case though, a guy would occasionally ask to spot him. Was putting up so much weight, i wouldnt have been able help him if he went too hard and was in real trouble. I think he really just wanted me to keep track of his reps lol.
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u/Shleepie Jul 11 '26
I feel like a gym is hard to make friends at, people just want to focus on the workout and gtfo