At the Gym; why no men?

J

JOhnH

Touchdown! Greaser!
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I'm at the gym. There is a large room on the side with a solid glass front wall. They use the room for various group activities; yoga, zumba, pilates, aerobics, etc.

The room is always full of women with maybe a man or two.

The women range from lithe young hard-bodies to 350+ pound whales to geriatrics. It's kind of fun to watch. The young hard bodies are all so energetic and graceful. The whales look like peasants stomping grapes. The old people run the same gamut. But they are all in there working their hearts and lungs out. Why so few men?

Being that I am 63 yrs old and my flexibility is not what it used to be, my wife convinced me to join a yoga class with her. It is great and I feel it really helps. (we don't do the advanced classes). But I am the only man in there? Why don't men participate in these classes more often?

But don't get me started on the yoga pants. I never knew any material could stretch like that without exploding.
 
No problem, enjoy the view

Perhaps it is connected to why women live longer

Yoga pants are one the great contributions of the early 21st century

Men tend to not like the classes and tend towards individual activities and/or team sports.

Congrats on making it to the gym!
 
paflyer said:
This is a problem?
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First world problem - obviously.

I'm in the same boat (plane?) with JohnH, and I'm not complaining one bit. I started going to yoga classes about 5 yrs ago when I was 48. 99.5% of the time, I'm the only guy in there. For those that haven't tried it, you'd be amazed at the feeling of being able to move freely and breathe. Range of motion increases, along with posture. Only problem seems to be my plane partners always seem to elect me to do any under dash work in the Cherokee....I might be the only one of us that can reach things while laying on back with the Johnson bar in an obscene place and feet hanging out the door.
 
I have observed the same thing. I think the reason for it is that, on average, men tend to be more self motivated for exercise at the gym than women. And I work out with a lot of women. This is also the reason that more women use trainers than men do. The men that do use a trainer, just do it for a while to get a program set up or adjusted, and then move on. Many women use the same trainer as part of their routine, for years. Sort of a social/companionship type of thing.

I do spin class a lot. Unlike body pump, aerobics, "kick boxing", etc... this is a venue where the M to F ratio sometimes reaches parity. I don't "need" spin, but I do it to placate some of my women that love to do spin. (And yes I sometimes teach it as a substitute instructor.)

I mean I hear the same thing over and over again:

Indian chick: "I'm so glad you're here today. Cardio yesterday was torture with no one to talk to." (Sure baby, I'm there for you.)

Japanese chick: "I have to do spin tomorrow. I just can't push myself on this cardio machine like Roger pushes me in spin class." (It's all about Roger. Roger this, Roger that...) (Oh by the way his name actually is Roger.)

Korean chick: "I like to run on my own. But all of my friends like to do classes and group exercises. I don't understand why." (You're the exception, baby. And you don't even talk to anyone else except me. Well, back when you used to talk to me anyway.)

White chick #1 and #2: "We come here together so we can motivate each other on the floor and in cardio." (Some dudes do that too, nothing wrong with that. I mean, I sociate with my women too, I just don't show up with them.)

Trainer: "Yeah, I'm like a second husband or a boyfriend to all of these women. I'm the only outlet they have. I ask them how their day went yesterday, and they spill out their life story for the past week the entire session."
 
Never been able to complete Yoga X on P90X. Painful! I'd rather do plyometrics over yoga.

Heard yoga pants might be outlawed soon??? God help us if we outlaw one of the greatest inventions known to man.:D
 
For me, and I know this because I've thought about it. I don't like to be told what to do. In a class situation, there is always this instructor up there telling you what to do next. I don't like that. I'll do what I feel like doing. My wife does yoga almost every day. If not at the fitness center, she rolls out her mat, and goes to some site on the internet. I went to a couple of classes with her, but I just didn't like it. She also likes to do spin class, and I do spin class once in a while with her, because I really like the bikes that they use, but I always bring my own play list, put on my head phones, and I do my own thing.
 
JOhnH said:
I am the only man in there? Why don't men participate in these classes more often?
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Most guys spend much of their life being told what to do. Either by their spouse or whoever holds their chain at work. Therefore, they DON'T want to be told what to do in their off-time.

Therefore, guys choose escapist hobbies like golf, fishing, hunting, boating, drinking, flying, etc. where nobody is telling them what to do.
 
I can get the same or greater exercise just walking /running up and down the ramp looking at all the planes... For FREE....

Why pay for a gym membership?:idea:
 
Bill Watson said:
No problem, enjoy the view

Perhaps it is connected to why women live longer

Yoga pants are one the great contributions of the early 21st century

Men tend to not like the classes and tend towards individual activities and/or team sports.

Congrats on making it to the gym!
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Agreed 1000%....:yes:
 
kyleb said:
Most guys spend much of their life being told what to do. Either by their spouse or whoever holds their chain at work. Therefore, they DON'T want to be told what to do in their off-time.

Therefore, guys choose escapist hobbies like golf, fishing, hunting, boating, drinking, flying, etc. where nobody is telling them what to do.
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Golf: Pro shop
Fishing/Huntin: Game warden
Boating: Coast Guard
Flying: FAA/ATC/CFI

Nobody?

But there is some truth to that I guess. Like when I'm attending spin class, I don't really do what the instructor says to do. I just go full out for the entire session, and I've normally been on the bike at least an hour or more prior to the start of the class.
 
...and that second pic was at WalMart right? Trying out the exercise equipmet. :rofl:
 
Sac Arrow said:
Golf: Pro shop
Fishing/Huntin: Game warden
Boating: Coast Guard
Flying: FAA/ATC/CFI

Nobody?
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I've done all of those things and have never felt the presence of one of the "authorities" over my shoulder. I'm aware they exist, but they have never gotten "inside the bubble", as it were.
 
Have done a few yoga classes,and spinning ,the view from the back of the classes,can be eye opening.
 
Interesting thing is, I joined Crossfit about 8 months ago, which if anyone is not familiar with it, is basically a combination of olympic weight lifting and cardio with some pretty taxing workouts, there are as many women in my classes as men, if not more. I just thought that was interesting with all the 'serious' weight lifting involved, i.e., deadlifts, clean and jerks, snatches, etc.
 
BrianNC said:
Interesting thing is, I joined Crossfit about 8 months ago, which if anyone is not familiar with it, is basically a combination of olympic weight lifting and cardio with some pretty taxing workouts, there are as many women in my classes as men, if not more. I just thought that was interesting with all the 'serious' weight lifting involved, i.e., deadlifts, clean and jerks, snatches, etc.
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I saw what you did there.....;););)
 
Little bit of a rant here.

Ladies. Leave.... your dude at home. Seriously. You know why? It's an identity thing. If you were here alone, we would be all about "Oh look, that's Marsha over there. Damn she looks hot in that spandex today." Otherwise, you are "Mike's chick" or even simply "That chick that belongs to the dude over there."

Conversely, dude, seriously, bringing your chick here (and we know it's the other way around) is seriously emasculating. You may be a cool dude, but we still look down on you for being Papa Whiskied. This is your time for you. This is your temple. Your shrine. Your outlet. Develop your "relationship" someplace else where it doesn't detract from achieving physical excellence. Maybe the bar. Maybe the restaurant. Or cuddle up in front of the fireplace and read a Danielle Steele novel together while sharing that box of filled chocolates you were going to give to receptionist before she quit. There is a reason why I have abs and you don't. And you really, really don't want your chick comparing my abs to yours, trust me.

And then there is the other category of the geeky, semi fit white guys with the exotic Asian chicks who bring their Asian chicks for no other reason than "Hey look fellows, I may be a geeky white guy but look I have an exotic Asian chick, na, nananaa nah..." Yeah pal, she may be looking to trade up, just sayin... Again, I got abs dude, and shoulders.

I will give the old white guy with his Korean wife a pass. Dude probably met her when he was stationed in Korea before I was born. I'm assuming one of them is still fit to drive but probably not both. Not sure he can get around without her.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Little bit of a rant here.

Ladies. Leave.... your dude at home. Seriously. You know why? It's an identity thing. If you were here alone, we would be all about "Oh look, that's Marsha over there. Damn she looks hot in that spandex today." Otherwise, you are "Mike's chick" or even simply "That chick that belongs to the dude over there."

Conversely, dude, seriously, bringing your chick here (and we know it's the other way around) is seriously emasculating. You may be a cool dude, but we still look down on you for being Papa Whiskied. This is your time for you. This is your temple. Your shrine. Your outlet. Develop your "relationship" someplace else where it doesn't detract from achieving physical excellence. Maybe the bar. Maybe the restaurant. Or cuddle up in front of the fireplace and read a Danielle Steele novel together while sharing that box of filled chocolates you were going to give to receptionist before she quit. There is a reason why I have abs and you don't. And you really, really don't want your chick comparing my abs to yours, trust me.

And then there is the other category of the geeky, semi fit white guys with the exotic Asian chicks who bring their Asian chicks for no other reason than "Hey look fellows, I may be a geeky white guy but look I have an exotic Asian chick, na, nananaa nah..." Yeah pal, she may be looking to trade up, just sayin... Again, I got abs dude, and shoulders.

I will give the old white guy with his Korean wife a pass. Dude probably met her when he was stationed in Korea before I was born. I'm assuming one of them is still fit to drive but probably not both. Not sure he can get around without her.
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Hey, I have abs too, they are just a little muffled by some muffin top, all will be good in a month or two.
 
I think the reason why you don't see many males in yoga/pilates classes is that flexibility isn't usually emphasized in many sports. Strength and endurance are usually the key points, so distance running and free weights are where guys spend most of their time. I've never done yoga, and even skipped that section with the P90X workout. My main problem with it is my attention span is short when doing stretching and holding positions for extended periods. With running, sports, weight lifting, etc., I'm always moving.
 
SoonerAviator said:
I think the reason why you don't see many males in yoga/pilates classes is that flexibility isn't usually emphasized in many sports. Strength and endurance are usually the key points, so distance running and free weights are where guys spend most of their time. I've never done yoga, and even skipped that section with the P90X workout. My main problem with it is my attention span is short when doing stretching and holding positions for extended periods. With running, sports, weight lifting, etc., I'm always moving.
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I think the biggest surprise for me with pilates is how hard it is to hold those positions and poses, it really hurts.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Little bit of a rant here.

Ladies. Leave.... your dude at home. Seriously. You know why? It's an identity thing. If you were here alone, we would be all about "Oh look, that's Marsha over there. Damn she looks hot in that spandex today." Otherwise, you are "Mike's chick" or even simply "That chick that belongs to the dude over there."

Conversely, dude, seriously, bringing your chick here (and we know it's the other way around) is seriously emasculating. You may be a cool dude, but we still look down on you for being Papa Whiskied. This is your time for you. This is your temple. Your shrine. Your outlet. Develop your "relationship" someplace else where it doesn't detract from achieving physical excellence. Maybe the bar. Maybe the restaurant. Or cuddle up in front of the fireplace and read a Danielle Steele novel together while sharing that box of filled chocolates you were going to give to receptionist before she quit. There is a reason why I have abs and you don't. And you really, really don't want your chick comparing my abs to yours, trust me.

And then there is the other category of the geeky, semi fit white guys with the exotic Asian chicks who bring their Asian chicks for no other reason than "Hey look fellows, I may be a geeky white guy but look I have an exotic Asian chick, na, nananaa nah..." Yeah pal, she may be looking to trade up, just sayin... Again, I got abs dude, and shoulders.

I will give the old white guy with his Korean wife a pass. Dude probably met her when he was stationed in Korea before I was born. I'm assuming one of them is still fit to drive but probably not both. Not sure he can get around without her.
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The reason you have better abs than I do is that you haven't grown up yet and mine have had 63 years to find a hiding place. Now if you were to compare your abs to the abs I had at your age, I think you might be a little jealous. And when you realize that when you are my age you might look like me, you will be even more depressed.
 
Fit old guys look bat**** insane. Hope to be one. Muscle mass correlates well with aging healthy better then anything else. Don't let it go without a fight.
 
PaulS said:
I think the biggest surprise for me with pilates is how hard it is to hold those positions and poses, it really hurts.
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No doubt, none of it is easy once you get into the intermediate and advanced stuff. I just get bored with it! That's one of the benefits of crossfit and circuit training is that it changes up frequently so you don't get bored.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
SoonerAviator said:
No doubt, none of it is easy once you get into the intermediate and advanced stuff. I just get bored with it! That's one of the benefits of crossfit and circuit training is that it changes up frequently so you don't get bored.
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Yep. Crossfit kicks your butt in so many different ways. :D
 
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