Feeling Watched at the Gym? Here's What You Need to Know

One of the most frequent apprehensions I've encountered, especially among women who are new to the gym environment, is the feeling of being watched. With a decade of experience as a personal trainer and even more years working on my own fitness, I'd like to share some insights that might put your mind at ease.

Why Might Someone Be Looking Your Way?

For Women and Men Alike:

Admiration: Sometimes, you just stand out. It might be because of your attire, your energy, or even your form. (P.S. I find wearing black helps if you hate looking like you peed yourself. This is my own personal worry so thought I would share.)

Impressed By Your Routine: Your dedication or the exercises you’re doing may catch someone's eye or they are noticing your progress. You do tend to see a lot of the same people at the same time at the gym every week so sometimes people will comment on your progress.

Daydreaming: We've all been there. Lost in thoughts, staring blankly at a point in space that just so happens to be where someone else is. This is usually the most common reason someone is watching you. Pro-Tip: Wave at them. I bet they stop or don’t even notice you’re waving.

Concern About Form: If someone's watching, they might believe you're making an error in your exercise form. But here's some reassurance: A large percentage of gym-goers use machines or perform exercises incorrectly at some point. Even professionals had to start somewhere. What's more, many still witness positive outcomes regardless of occasional mistakes so if this is the case don’t sweat it.

For Women Specifically:

Shared Camaraderie: Women might look at other women as they can relate to their routines or challenges.

The Same Daydreaming: Just as with men, sometimes women too are simply lost in thought.

Remember, everyone's at the gym for their personal growth and fitness journey. It's essential to focus on your goals and not get too wrapped up in what others might be thinking. After all, most of the time, they're probably thinking about their own workouts at least I know I am.