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

[carabos]

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?

You sound a lot like me WhoKnows

Everyone keeps droning on about the 'high' - I have never ever felt it, not even once!

I do not want to be super fit but keep my weight down so I tend to stick to the machines, the classes are quite daunting and quite bitchy.

I'm one of these, but had a baby 7weeks ago so trying not to overdo it. Just easing into it.

I do karate and go twice a week. Usually I work very hard, but sometimes I go just to get out of the house/ indulge in some gossip. I still have to work (the sensei doesn't allow you not to!) but I won't put in the effort that I normally would.

Occasionally I won't put in as much effort because I've overdone some other exercise (running, for e.g) and don't want to put too much stress on my muscles and joints.

And when I was pregnant, although I still went to training, there was a great deal I wasn't allowed to do (sparring/leg raises/crunches) and some I couldn't do (too much sumo stance= weeing possiilities ).

So there are many reasons why people might not put in the effort that you do, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're not getting anything out of it.

(At least I sweat profusely after even two minutes exercise, no matter how gentle, so I look like I'm Giving My All)

My kettlebell class is worst. My pt does the class and several women openly say they only go because he is attractive. He is, if you like tall, dark, toned and handsome. :)
its upsetting for him and he asks women who say this not to come back. I also think that most decent instructors know when someone is trying and not doing very well and just can't be arsed.
Tbh the classes at the gym are bitchy. I laugh because a few of the long termers glare at new comers. I just help them pick a bell and try my best to make them feel less conspicuous.
I can see why some people get embarrassed in classes.

I will admit to buying gym equipment (e.g dumbbells) and expecting them to tone up my bingo wings just by sitting in their box though.

Unfortunately it's not working yet- but I live in hope. [hgrin]

YANBU you can totally tell when someone is 'trying', they may not be as into it as you (poss injured or just started), but you can tell they are commited. However, I go to combat and attack regularly and in Combat there are always women just totally half hearted. because everyone should theoretically be in sync it really messes it up! If I'm near one, it really throws me off! Don't see it in attack though, don't think you can be half hearted in that!

Also I wear makeup to gym as its been on all day, but I do know the types you mean. V annoying in our gym as not much space in classes.

Oh and plenty of men do this.
I lift weights alot and when in the free weight section there are always men wondering about doing 5 reps here or there having a long chat whilst taking up a bench. or looking longingly at the local rugby league team while they work out, but don't do anything.
One of them asked me why I can lift so much and told him because when I am there I do it. Simple. Some people think that by being there it will work.
tbh its only a bother when they are effect others. If they are not, they can do as they please.

YABU - it's up to the individual how much effort they put in. If they don't feel like it/don't want to, why not. Also, for classes like body pump, surely it's better to start off on a low weight and get the technique down, rather than going in full welly with tons of weights, getting your technique all wrong and then injuring yourself? I go to around 3/4 classes a week. Sometimes I put a ton of effort in, sometimes I don't. It's my choice.

What I LOVE is the people who really get into it. There's someone in my Zumba class who acts like they're at an X Factor audition. Keeps me entertained.

I agree it's the choice of the individual how much effort they put in, unless it impacts others.
Like with my karate example. Fine you don't want to do the exercise. But that means your partner is penalised. It's frustrating.

But with spin etc. I agree that my neighbour's effort or lack of has no impact at all on my workout.

YANBU!! I used to moan endlessly about this, in my arrogant days pre baby. I'm more tolerant now though. I just accept that for a lot of women, going to the gym isn't actually about breaking sweat and working hard. It's about getting out of the house, doing something, and telling their friends 'oh I was at combat last night'.

Doesn't bother me a bit, unless they come down the front where the big girls are and get in my way. Which they don't usually do. They are back of the classers, mainly.

And I agree, you don't see it so much in attack simply because in attack, you have nowhere to hide.

Although the worst thing in an exercise class is the woman in front of me that does not wear underwear need her jogging bottoms and is constantly picking said jogging bottoms out of her arse while I am trying to do a plank. Very distracting. :)
I am moving next week.

YANBU to wonder. I will sometimes go along to classes but my coordination is pathetic so anything that uses fast-moving routines - aerobics, body combat, body jam, step, salsa-cise, Zumba - leaves me jogging on the spot looking like a deer in headlights wondering desperately what is going on. Occasionally I'll go to a class just to get out of the door and use tiny weights because I'm just shattered.

Mutny - I'm really sorry!

Seriously, this ALWAYS happens to me and I don't know why!

God I hope not. :) she is really nice, but makes me so uncomfortable. Especially as she puts her hands down her jogging bottoms.

I get that clothes ride up and what not. But she doesn't wear knickers at all. She clearly is working hard as she ends up with a sweat imprint that trails down her bum crack. :)
and sometimes her arse is hanging out.

OP... you're not working hard enough at the gym. I go for fitness, I barely register other beings in the room with me, least of all what they're wearing and how much make-up they have on or how much is sliding off.

I really find these questions so silly... "AIBU to go to bed early because I'm tired..." and the like... Think and wonder what you want to think but no need to dress up a wish to 'have a pop' at non-like-minded people as a question though, surely?

lying heaven forbid that someone should come on an Internet forum and post a silly question for the amusement of themselves and others.

Note to self: make sure future posts are worthy.

YABU. You'd think badly of me as I kept the resistance really low at spinning last week regardless of getting bellowed at by the instructor. I've been off injured, and need to build my fitness levels back up.

I had a personal training session as well, and the look of disappointment on the instructor's face when she realised she couln't give me a beasting in case it triggered my back off...

Do you close your eyes as you walk into and out of the room Lying?

We had a few of these at Karate, we made every effort to accommodate different abilities and needs. But fit and able bodied men and women who have been coming long enough to have a reasonable level of fitness and ability being paired with newcomers and not bothering makes the club look bad.

I had up to 12 students at a time, I don't care how good you are, but those who weren't trying often got told to start trying or go home. Not fair on the other 11.

Also just wanted to add, any instructor regardless of sport should be aware (and go to effort to make sure they are aware) of illness, conditions and injuries in order to run the class safely. Nothing worse than bellowing at a woman who has a bad knee and making her feel bad in front of others or encouraging her to make her condition worse.

Quote: "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."

[hblush] I arrive and leave in my workout gear AND I sweat profusely AND I have to go home on the bus. [hblush] And it's got nothing to do with not taking it seriously - it's because the showers at my gym don't have locks on the doors and I hate the thought that someone might barge in on me when I'm starkers!!! [hblush] [hblush]

Or they might be planning to run home.