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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wonder why people go to exercise classes but don't put any effort in?

49 replies

carabos · 30/10/2012 13:52

I go to classes (Spin and Pump) three times a week. Obviously this costs money. I don't understand why there are people in every class who moan and groan about how much they hate exercise and do all they can to minimise the effort they put in - no resistance on the bike, next to no weight on the bar.

There were four women at Spin last night who didn't break sweat. One of them, in full make -up, didn't have a hair out of place at the end.

Why would you do that? Its like being back at school, except that they don't have to be there - so why bother?

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 30/10/2012 13:53

I wouldn't give what anyone else does or doesn't do a second thought tbh.

squoosh · 30/10/2012 13:54

They're hoping to lose weight via osmosis.

pinkyredrose · 30/10/2012 13:55

And this bothers you?

StuntGirl · 30/10/2012 13:56

Why do you care what other people do? Hmm

Original poster
carabos · 30/10/2012 14:02

It doesn't bother me, and I don't care, I was just idly wondering why you would do that.

OP posts:
FredFredGeorge · 30/10/2012 14:07

I think it's always worthwhile wondering why people do something that costs money but don't use what they're paying for. It doesn't mean you care, just that knowing why will help you understand other people better.

So no, YANBU to wonder that.

I've no idea why though.

redexpat · 30/10/2012 14:07

If it's a one off then I just assume that they've got a lot on and dont have the energy. Also people dont really understand that the more you put in the more you get out. But a good instructor would encourage them to do more.

Oh and I once had a woman in my class who simply doesnt sweat, no matter how hard she works.

Otherwise maybe they're not convinced that it is something for them, iyswim. Maybe if they found something they really enjoyed they would give it some welly.

TartyMcTart · 30/10/2012 14:08

It bothers me Angry

I go to circuit training and the hall isn't that big so to have people women in full make up getting in the way when they obviously don't want to be there is bloody annoying.

I can cope with it more at the gym as it's easier to avoid the non-effort makers.

crashdoll · 30/10/2012 15:02

It wouldn't bother me. All those people sweating would just make the room smellier and hotter.

pictish · 30/10/2012 15:03

Yabu...they can do whatever they like as it goes.

PerfectStranger74 · 30/10/2012 15:11

Yanbu. I'm an instructor, and I take it personally that people will come to my class and take up a place and waste their time coming. It doesn't look good on me if people don't improve after a few weeks or months of coming to my class! There is only so much you can do as an instructor to motivate and kick arse, and in a private gym, when I complained that there was no room for 'coasters' in my class, my manager said I have to accommodate all types as they are paying my wage.
I suppose some may do it to justify the rest of their lifestyle to themselves

mutny · 30/10/2012 15:12

Yanbu to wonder why any body does anything
And tbh in certain classes it can effect others. At out gym for example you may not be able to get into a class.
Some people just go through motions and expect results. I do free weight, kettlebells and spin and there always people like this.
I just let them get on with it.

ScaryFakeNails · 30/10/2012 15:16

yabu. I'm fit, I run regularly.

I go to exercise classes as a bit of fun. Usually I go with a friend or as a way to make sure I'm not on the sofa eating. If you want to take it really seriously and make leaps with your fitness thats your choice, not everyone has to do the same.

My mother goes to zumba and body pump, she does fuck all really and just uses it as the one chance to chat to her mate Pauline that doesn't involve cake.

Also this crap about full make-up, ffs, I run after work sometimes, I will be in full make-up, it doesn't influence how far or how well I run.

fraktion · 30/10/2012 15:18

When I started pump I did it with virtually no weights just to get the basics down so YAB a bit U.

YANBU if they know the routines better than the instructor though!

OldCatLady · 30/10/2012 15:19

I'm totally one of these people...I do one of three thinhs: go with the intention of working hard but become embarrassed, get bored, and give up and do absokute minimum. Or I say 'I must go 3 times this week', force myself to go, hate it, and barely do anything because I don't want to be there, but forced myself. Or lastly, I like to build up my fitness slowly, if I over do it; I know I won't come back, so I take it easy and do a bit more each class.

PS - I do sometimes work hard, and I don't sweat, no matter what!!

juniorant · 30/10/2012 15:22

I am one of the women you describe and if you are asking a genuine question this is why I go to the gym/classes and moan and really do minimum effort.
I really really hate exercise - there has been no class gym or sport i have enjoyed but now I have kids I have to do some or I would be really fat.
I am so self conscious in the gym and intimidated by women like you who are "into it" that I sometimes wear makeup to make myself feel more confident but every time I go to a class or gym I get that stomach churning feeling and prefer to go with a friend if possible. I also moan and look really miserable and again this is a bit of a cover for how embarrassed I feel.
I never thought of it from your point of view or an instructors (who are full of confidence and intimidating to me) so will try to act a bit more enthusiastic from now on.
I know you will say find a sport i enjoy but I have tried tons of different things so now I just go to get it over with but will make an effort not to look as miserable as i feel :0)

Cozy9 · 30/10/2012 15:25

So many women use the gym as a social occasion. I go on my own and am not happy if I don't finish up soaking with sweat. You can tell the women who arrive and leave in their workout gear aren't really taking it seriously, my car would stink if I didn't shower at the gym.

MrsVincentPrice · 30/10/2012 15:30

YANBU to wonder why people would do something so illogical, but as other people have said they may be using it as a social occasion.

TBH I think it's only since I discovered Jillian Michaels that I really understood that my body will not change unless I push against its current limits.

CajaDeLaMemoria · 30/10/2012 15:31

I got asked to leave a class at the last gym I was a member of, after somebody complained that I wasn't putting any effort in.

I was. I have a muscle condition that makes moving very painful. I manage walking etc in the day without most people noticing, and refuse a wheelchair, so apparantly I'm fine. I was putting in as much effort as I could - but it probably looked like nothing. It made me feel like I was doing well to be going, and I was trying. Obviously that wasn't enough.

Coincidentally, even my future FIL doesn't believe me. He has always maintained that I'm just lazy. My MIL believes me, either because she's nicer or because she's been at home when paramedics have come/come to hospital appointments. I could easily prove it to FIL, but why should I have too?

It's not always like it looks on the cover. It takes me a bloody long time to do my hair and put make-up on, so if I do, it's staying on even at the gym. And if I want to pay and go even though I can't keep up, or use much resistance, or look like I'm not trying, I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed too.

It took me weeks to get the confidence to go, and convince myself I should go and do what I can. I felt great for it. Then some busybody complained. God knows why. Now I'll have to build up the confidence to leave the house again, let alone go to the gym and try and make myself feel good.

Hammy02 · 30/10/2012 15:33

When I was really into the gym, (a long time ago), it bugged me when women just sat on the machines having a natter. Not even using the equipment. Never mind that all the other machines were taken! If you want a natter, go to the pub or a cafe. If you want to exercise, go to the gym.

TeapotsInJune · 30/10/2012 15:33

I don't put a huge amount of effort in when I go to kick boxing but it still nearly kills me Grin

I go more for the social side of it to be honest :)

valiumredhead · 30/10/2012 15:33

Caja I bet it was a mums netter!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/10/2012 15:34

Provided they are paying and not disrupting anyone else it's up to them how much they do. Maybe the level of effort they are putting in does seem a lot to them, maybe they have a pre-existing injury that limits how much they can do, maybe they hate it but know they ought to be doing it and it is better than slumping on the sofa. I have never enjoyed pushing my body hard exercise wise, that rush of endorphins is not something I get at all, I detest feeling hot and sweaty, if you are like me it is just a slog and the temptation to slack is very easy to give in to.

DorothyGherkins · 30/10/2012 15:37

My DH's ex used to go swimming every week, for about five years. It only came out recently, she never used to go in the pool (always took swimsuit and towel.) She used to meet up with a friend and they would sit in the cafe for an hour and half!! Everybody assumed all these years she was keeping herself fit with her weekly 'swimming' sessions.

BartimaeusNeedsMoreSleep · 30/10/2012 15:37

YANBU

I do karate (or did before getting pregnant) and I just couldn't understand why people would turn up several times a week and do practically nothing. No effort, as little participation as possible (irritating when they're your partner) and taking up valuable space in the tiny room Angry

I can understand having an off day, or having the occasional day when you turn up and realise you really can't be arsed, but this was week after week, month after month. They didn't seem to enjoy it, moaned about being told to take jewellery off, complained about how complicated things were and just didn't progress at all.

Very strange.