Apparently, a lot of women prefer to have their own area, even if the equipment is lame.

And after talking to a lot of the women that workout on that side, they really have no interest in trying to figure out how to use the equipment. They also said the men really intimidate them. When I ask "Why? What do they do that intimidates you?" their reply is usually something like "they just make too much noise, they sweat a lot and I'm not comfortable in that atmosphere."

I usually reply with "What type of atmosphere is that? Serious exercise?" Needless to say they just say they don't want to workout around men.

ARE THEY CRAZY?!!!

So I suppose it is a marketing ploy, because from what I can tell, many women are super intimidated by super fit men/women, so having their own flaky little area serves their purpose. I have seen women on that side whose "workouts" last 15 minutes and then they leave. Or their workouts last an hour, but they NEVER break into a sweat. To each his own.

1) Initially to quit a bad habbit but now for strength and how I look. Yes I am a little narcasistic and vain like that.

2) Injury or lack of time.

3) My workout partner is my brother so we talk a little bit but we do not stand around an equipment for hours chatting and doing 2 sets. Sometimes, I see my neighbor or family members in there and we catch up briefly, 5-10 minutes pre / post workout.

4) Men in the free weight, Women in the classes and about equal on the aerobic machines.

To ILM's post:

Some women think that its not sexy when they sweat; yes I knew a few of them before. They workout and the moment that they sweat, they reduce the intensity. Additionally, some men at the gym might be on steriod as they walk around with a frown on their face. I mean they might have had a bad day or what not but omg, they look like they are going to shoot someone.

Also, I don't know about you guys but there are some unique people at the gym. I've noticed some usual behavior such as: using the same equipment all the time and waiting for it even though there are 5 exact same machines free or using the same locker or locker location all the time. To some, it may not be odd but women tend to be more concern about attract "eccentric" men and being stalked so they may be avoiding the "men" section.

I think I'm totally sexy when I sweat! But I don't wear makeup to the gym so I really don't care what I look like. I'm there to work out

When you're working out and sweating, your skin gets that beautiful glow, you get that pump, and your body never looks as good at home as it does at the gym. Period. So I get to check out the guys, and they get to check out me. It's a win-win scenario

Some guys have that psycho look, but most are OK once you acknowledge their existence. There was this one guy at the gym who never talked to anybody. He would just work out, and he kinda had that look -- very focused, no talking, no smiling. I decided to talk to him one day because we were both doing pecs/shoulders and bumping into each other getting our DBs. I just smiled and said "sorry". That's all the encouragement he needed. He talked my ear off. He was a really nice guy. Just very, very shy

Unusual behaviours at the gym? I think if we all took videos at the gym, we could turn our vids into a sit-com

As for stalking, etc., I've never had any problems with guys at the gym, probably because I don't look or act like a "victim". Predators have a tendency to pick easy prey, i.e., the weak and fragile. I'm definitely not easy prey.

1. To get myself in better shape and looking healthier.
2. I have a number of commitments that take my time. Biggest problem is the FD/EMS responsibilities. A call can throw a wrench into my plans for the gym that day. Luckily firefighting is a nice workout when it is something.
3. I don't speak to anyone at the gym nor to I know anyone that goes to the gym.
4. More men by far. There's a few regular women who come in, but you never see more than 3 at a time. There's usually at least half a dozen men in the gym.

A little off-topic here, but have you ever been near some ppl with bad BO's? Generally sweat is not fragrant but some sweat just reek more than others. A couple of times I've literally had to hold my breath or get off the machine I was at to get some fresh air. While I was breathing through my mouth, stupid thoughts ran through my head like what if instead of the odor going in my nose, it's going inside my mouth down my throat !!

he he

A person would have to be pretty stinky to be called stinky in a gym. But BO? I've not experienced that yet. Some people might smell a bit sweatier or "ripe" if they've had a brutal workout, but nobody has BO. We're Canadian. We all smell good up here

Well it depends on the Gym doesn't it?
- My local council gym is populated by overweight, dodgy looking middle-aged guys.
- The fitness first I'm at now is divided 60/40 between really fit guys at the free weight section and hot cardio addicted gals. I'm probably one of the least attractive people there!
- My wife's suburbian health club is 90% woman. Man are a rarity there. When I visit, I'm always amazed by how pristine the place looks, coincidence?

someone at my gym stank to high heaven last night. I noticed it when I walked in the back entrance and then went to the front to scan my card (stronger up front) and unfortunately it lingered through my warm-up and then whichever patron left, took it with them.

I think it was more unwashed gym clothes stink but who knows...

the one I smelled was more like armpit-stink....reeeeek!!! hell we all stink when we're sweaty (unless we're Canadian...lol..Hi ILM!!) but the one I was talking about is likened to halitosis in bad breath. I'm sure he was a nice man but he was probably not aware of his own scent seeing as he was nonchalantly pedaling away on his bike while my face was scrunched up trying to hold my breath in

unless i haven't seen it, someone should start a thread about our pet peeves in the gym...

I have smelt it all....

Re-used dirty sweaty clothes / bracers (knee, back, etc)... blaa...
The smell of house or car that soak into the skin and comes out with sweats. Cigarette smoking, curry, animals, restaurants, etc
My nose becomes pretty sensitive and can smell some woman on their period at times.


Now, if you smell like you just took a shower and then sweat your butt off from working out then you do not smell at all. But please please wipe up after yourself.

Another reason why I go to the gym? To see myself flex because its the only place that I can do it in public without seeming too vain.

Truth. Also, a few other things will keep me from going to the gym-- but they all boil down to me thinking they are worth doing more than training. School is the biggest one now.

Regarding gender and gyms: clearly there's a market for it with the success of female only gym chains like Curves. I'd suggest perhaps that women have smaller comfort zones when starting to exercise than men, so they tend to congregate where there are others like them (as at Curves). That said, I think there are a lot of women that train, and train hard, but are adverse to lifting weights (I'm guessing) for fear of bulking up. Being around heavier weights and bulky guys only gives reinforcement to that notion.

As for BO, I think the far larger problem would be perfumes, lotions, after shaves and that sort of thing. It's not unusual for me to be doing an endurance routine when a strongly-scented person gets on an elliptical just behind me and I have to catch my breath.

To get strong and fit.

The end of days.

Not really, but social gain is a consequence.

More women in the morning, and mostly men in the evening.

On the women being intimidated factor:

I once was doing a "fight gone bad" and to take my mind off the pain, I would make random animal noises and sing lyrics to songs. At the top of my lungs.