Current Events > Why do some people have such a hard time going to the gym alone?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Or even just exercising alone? Some guy on Snapchat yesterday asked if anybody wanted to go to the gym with him. When no one was available, he stayed home and stuffed his face with food. I notice more and more people have been doing this. "No one wants to exercise with me so I'll just sit home and eat instead". That's not really helping at all. It's great having an exercise partner but sometimes, you need to take initiative and do it yourself.
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People are social.
Some people only do things because they are social.
It sounds like the person you described is not into working out but rather hanging out.
Nothing wrong with that. Still healthy. That is why group exercise is so helpful and popular.
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is it weird to lift weights alone? i feel like you need a spotter or you might die

It's a lot easier to get the best out of certain exercises if you have a spotter. Asking a stranger to spot you is scary.
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Asherlee10 posted...

This is not a trend that I've seen.

For the most part, I see people going to the gym alone.

Where I live, at least, many people I have interacted with can't exercise alone. I'm always getting requests to go to the gym with someone because they want a gym partner.

Melonfarms posted...

People are social.
Some people only do things because they are social.
It sounds like the person you described is not into working out but rather hanging out.
Nothing wrong with that. Still healthy. That is why group exercise is so helpful and popular.

Yeah, nothing wrong with hanging out or group exercise. Though, if you really want to lose weight, then exercising alone is an option and it's not as bad as some people think it is. Some people think it's horrible that I go running in the morning by myself when it's actually very relaxing.
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Going to the gym alone is perfectly normal.

However, going to the movies alone...is not something I'd be comfortable doing.
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lukabrosci posted...

is it weird to lift weights alone? i feel like you need a spotter or you might die

Sometimes, I lift weights alone but only if I can handle it. I wouldn't try to push myself if I didn't have a spotter.

Jiek_Fafn posted...

It's a lot easier to get the best out of certain exercises if you have a spotter. Asking a stranger to spot you is scary.

True, but you can make a potential friend in the process!
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3_1_1_FTW posted...

Going to the gym alone is perfectly normal.

However, going to the movies alone...is not something I'd be comfortable doing.

I hate going to the movies alone. I know I won't be talking to anyone during the movie but I love walking right out of a movie at the end and discussing it with another person. Going alone, I can't do that until I'm back home and on the internet.
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Gym buddy helps motivate each other to go and workout. Its the passing of time csuse when you go alone in the gym, it feels like you count the time while with a buddy, its fun and time passes easier
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Jiek_Fafn posted...

It's a lot easier to get the best out of certain exercises if you have a spotter. Asking a stranger to spot you is scary.

There's nothing scary about asking someone to help you. They almost never say no
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Maybe he needed a spotter. Also it's a lot more motivating to have a good gym partner with you.
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HBOSS posted...

Gym buddy helps motivate each other to go and workout. Its the passing of time csuse when you go alone in the gym, it feels like you count the time while with a buddy, its fun and time passes easier

It is fun but it can be distracting. One time, I went to the gym with a group of people and they were too busy chatting and flexing in the mirror than actually exercising. It was very annoying and I never went back with them. I can say that I wish I had someone to motivate me sometimes.
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That guy is an idiot. He can workout at home, alone, without any equipment.
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I kind of agree. I do see it all the time where people need a buddy, otherwise they won't go to the gym. However, if you can't motivate yourself and go to the gym alone, what's the real point of you going to the gym?

And working out alone can be enjoyable. After a long day at work, sometimes just having my music and myself is enjoyable.
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The only group of people I know that only want to go with a partner are people that are new to it and just gotten started.
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Smashingpmkns posted...

Maybe he needed a spotter. Also it's a lot more motivating to have a good gym partner with you.

True, but this particular person doesn't really lift. All he likes to do is use the leg press machine. Nothing wrong with that but he could focus a lot more on other areas like his tremendous amounts of belly fat.


faizan_faizan posted...

That guy is an idiot. He can workout at home, alone, without any equipment.

Yeah, my dude isn't very smart. He's retaking general chemistry again for the third time when school starts back up in the Fall.


NightMarishPie posted...

I kind of agree. I do see it all the time where people need a buddy, otherwise they won't go to the gym. However, if you can't motivate yourself and go to the gym alone, what's the real point of you going to the gym?

And working out alone can be enjoyable. After a long day at work, sometimes just having my music and myself is enjoyable.

Right? I love listening to music and going at it. You can't really do that much with a gym partner. If people want a work out buddy so bad, they can just go to the gym and meet people. Most people at the gym are super friendly. Sure, there are a few people who are full of shit but you can't do anything about a bad apple.

apocalyptic_4 posted...

The only group of people I know that only want to go with a partner are people that are new to it and just gotten started.

Newer folks are like that. It's okay at first because going to the gym can be a little nerve wracking when getting started.
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Number39 posted...

there's no point in benching without a spotter

Only if you're doing 1RMs and nothing else. Plus you can ask other people for spot.
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Number39 posted...

there's no point in benching without a spotter

Benches typically have safeties on them, and if they don't for some reason, you can either lower the weight you are using to be safe or just ask someone to spot you.
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I find that it's a huge waste of time usually, since you end up having way too much time in between sets. Waiting for buddy to go, changing weights, talking. I like to just hit the weights hard and fast and get out of there in less than an hour.

It's cool if you need a spotter, but you can usually just ask another regular to give you a quick spot whenever.
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Motivation. I used to meet a friend to go running twice a week. If she had to cancel, I couldn't bring myself to still go out and run.
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3_1_1_FTW posted...

Going to the gym alone is perfectly normal.

However, going to the movies alone...is not something I'd be comfortable doing.

I had to do that once when Rogue One came out. Nobody I was friends with wanted to see it, my best buddy who would always watch movies with me was busy. It felt...horrible.
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