I hope they don't start removing mirrors from all the gyms...

[TXlib]

Study finds mirrors hinder women's workouts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mirrors are as common as paint on the walls of health clubs, but what is so inspiring about watching yourself gasping and drenched in sweat?

For exercise novices, not much, according to one study, which found that women who exercised in front of a mirror felt worse than women who exercised without them.

More...

---

Hey, if they take out all the mirrors, how can guys surreptitiously check out the hotties? (You know, the "oblique peek"...)

Seriously, this brings up a point I discussed with some gym buddies a year and half ago, or so:

Women, generally, really don't like being chatted up or picked up on in a gym. I've heard from several that they think they're at their least sexy, all sweaty and funky from their workout.

On the contrary, many guys are really turned on by a woman who's flushed and shining with sweat, breathing heavily and, perhaps, a bit musky after her workout. My theory is that this is not unlike her physical condition just after sex. Of course guys will be turned on by that!

So, the upshot as I see it is that the gym is probably not the ideal location for single men to make their first move, but it is a great place for women to make theirs.

Discussion? Agree/disagree? Think I'm fullashit?

[TrogL]

1. Gyms need mirrors

so you can check your form.

If you lift improperly you can hurt yourself.

[TXlib]

2. well, yeah, there's that, too.

:silly:

[VOX]

6. Exactly. Safety check...

If you're lifting off balance, you need to correct. Only mirrors can give you the visual feedback you need.

[MissMillie]

3. Funny....

I thought the mirrors over by the free weights were there so you could make sure your lifting form was correct--you know: posture, extension, positioning, etc.

Maybe my naivete has something to do with the fact that I pulled myself off the market a while ago (for purely emotional reasons) and I don't think of the gym as a place to "pick up" or "be picked up". In fact, I don't think of any place like that these days.

[ZenLefty]

4. Women love working out in my gym

Most of the men at my gym are gay. I'm one of the few hetero- guys to work out there. Few? I think there's three of us. Gay men don't stare at women working out, and I think the women appreciate it. (Maybe they stare at me, but honestly I could care less. I take it as a compliment, when it comes right down to it.)

But back to the subject of mirrors. They're really needed for weightlifting. You just can't get the symmetry and balance that you need staring at a brick wall, or without someone watching you. Any kind of dumbell lift I do, except maybe curls, a mirror is crucial to watch and keep proper form. Even when you've been working out for decades, you can slip into bad form if you don't keep yourself in check. I don't think gyms will ever abscond with mirrors for this reason.

I've heard that there's been success in dividing a gym into men/women sections, to make the women feel more comfortable. Makes sense to me, since there aren't enough gay men around to populate every gym in the world. :)

[Melsky]

5. I'll add this to my list

of reasons I will never go to a gym again. It's hard enough to get myself in there to exersize, without worrying about guys checking me out and rating me.

[TXlib]

7. Some gyms have more of a "Meat-Market" rep than others

The gym KCDem and I used to go to was not a singles gym; it was a family place.

And there are women-only gyms, too, and some gyms are adding women-only sections or times.

[StaggerLee]

8. We have a gym in my town

That has assigned days for each gender. It seems to work well.

[BiggJawn]

9. Only one mirror when I work out...

The rear-view on my helmet.

Seriously, though, I've considered setting up the video camera and making passes so I can analyze my form.
I have a dynamic-tracking VCR here at work so i can break it down into 1/30 of a second bits...

Women don't wanna be picked up at the gym, the laundromnat, the grocery, church....So where the hell DO they want to be "met"?

Frankly, I don't blame 'em. Exercise is serious shit, I got no time for socializing, and I don't want a lesser-skilled "tagalong' holding me back from a good, thumping ride.

[prolesunited]

15. I resent this remark

What makes you think this is the case for a woman?
"I don't want a lesser-skilled "tagalong' holding me back from a good, thumping ride"

I KNOW I can beat you! I'm just sayin' }(

I agree with the sentiment and that's why I prefer riding solo, but don't assume that a woman can't keep up with you. :D

As for women not liking to be picked up at the gym because they don't feel like their best, I've never had that problem myself. In fact, I find exercising REALLY gets my blood going if you catch my drift. I'm not sure if it's the raw physicality of it all or the shirtless or tank-topped men with their rippling arms and pecs, but it certainly works for me. :evilgrin:

[BiggJawn]

23. Uh, I wuz talking about my girlfriend....

She can kick my ass in the weight room, but starts grousing either at the 7 mile or 15 MPH mark....

Actually, I wasn't even thinking gender when I made the "tagalong" remark....
But we're on the same page. there's social rides, then there's "Let's burn off that holiday dinner" rides. The burners are best done solo.

Unless you know some bikees who're into pacelines....

[prolesunited]

24. In the immortal words of Emily Litella

"Nevermind" :+

[TEXASYANKEE]

10. I hate mirrors!

I would never work out in front of a mirror ... but that's just me. When I work out, I use (mostly) the treadmill and elliptical machines, which thank goodness don't require a mirror. HOWEVER, that does not stop me from drooling over, lusting after, and generally appreciating the well-muscled guys who routinely hang out in the mirrored section. I am shameless! :-)

[SoCalDem]

11. As someone who's not even taking a swimsuit to Tahiti, let me say this..

The ones who really need a gym are probably too self conscious to go where people will giggle, whisper and gawk..

They really should separate it by degree of fitness.. Remember the 1sdt grade "reading groups"?? Bluebirds,hummindbirds, cardinals..??

As you "advanced", you moved to a different group..

[Shrek]

12. Have you looked at this place?

http://www.curvesinternational.com/

It's for women only, and from what I understand the giggling and whispering are non-existent. Supposedly they're targeting women who are too shy or self-conscious to visit a typical health club, so they go out of their way to put customers at ease.

My wife's interested in checking them out when she gets a chance.

[SoCalDem]

14. They have one here...

Years ago there were "figure salons", but of course the "instructors" were usually lithe young twenty-somethings and the clientele , mostly out of shape ,50 somethings.. They were popular for a while and then the co-ed gyms sprang up..

Sometimes I think the stationary bike, a real bike and a walking buddy may be the best bet... That and half-sized portions..:)

oh wlll.. someday :)

[hippiechick]

17. i have friends who have joined Curves

...and love it.

i prefer the funky smelly old co-ed gym, myself.
guys leave me alone because i don't wear victoria's secret clingy leotards & makeup - i'm there in cutoff sweats and kickin' some ass
on the treadmill.



:hippie:

[SOteric]

13. If it really reminds you of a woman after sex...

wouldn't y'all just roll over and take a nap?

[mojowork_n]

18. That's funny.

I might want to light up a cigarette, too, except that it would feel so strange, with all those mirrors on three walls of the fitness class workout room...

Actually, that's another point that no one's mentioned... with all those multiple images of everyone reflected in a 280 degree arc around the perimeter of the room, I'd tend to think *everyone* is sort of on their best behavior, most of the time.

[Skittles]

16. JESUS

can't a gal sweat up a storm without some schmuck hitting on her?

[GOPisEvil]

19. This is why I don't chat up women at the gym!

I figure my chances of success are next to nil because a gym is where a great deal of women feel the least sexy. However, I can state, without equivocation, that some of the women at my gym are quite beautiful (on the exterior at least) even when they are sweaty.

Of course, I'm not much for just chatting up women anywhere, so why would the gym be any different? :silly:

[TEXASYANKEE]

20. Where women don't feel sexy?

I'm not sure I agree with that. I work out at a gym several times a week and the reason I don't chat up guys is not because I don't feel sexy, it's because I want to get the workout over with.

You have a great personality, GOPEvil, you should try talking to these women. I think you would be pleasantly surprised.

[GOPisEvil]

21. Eh, let me have my irrationalities!!!

Actually, I don't like being bothered while I'm working out, so I figure other people wouldn't care for that either.

Where's the little *blush* emoticon? Thanks for the compliment!

Speaking of the gym, it's on hold while I WORK LATE!!!! :grr::mad:

[Shrek]

22. Working late?

Yeah . . . writing lounge posts is a real back-breaker.

Wish I could get paid to do that :evilgrin:.

[GOPisEvil]

25. Hey! I'm entitled to a break every now and then!!!

YOU try writing training manuals all F***ING DAY!!!! :argh::mad::grr: