Women Feel Seen After This Guy Calls Out Gym Bros Who Can’t Stop Staring

Unfortunately, not all gym goers are there to work on their fitness. Some go there to watch others do it, which can be seriously uncomfortable for the person being stared at.

A TikToker, going under the name ‘lucasfall_03’, recently shared his piece of mind on such observers, calling out the people who treat the gym like a zoo. His video didn’t take long to go viral, and many netizens in the comments shared their experiences of dealing with people who do more looking around than working out.

This guy went viral on TikTok for calling out men who treat the gym like a zoo

Man discussing gym behavior with text overlay "Do Everyone A Favor.

Image credits: lucasfall_03

He pointed out that some males do more observing than lifting weights

Text highlights how some men view the gym as a zoo, focusing more on observing than exercising.

Text discussing gym dynamics with young adults and mention of women at the gym.

Man with towel in gym sitting, looking contemplative, holding a water bottle. Fitness equipment in background.

Image credits: Wavebreak Media (not the actual image)

Text discussing how many men visit gyms to stare at women.

Text on gym behavior, mentioning men staring at women, likening it to a zoo.

Woman lifting dumbbells at the gym, highlighting workout routines.

Image credits: senivpetro (not the actual image)

Text excerpt discussing gym culture and behavior norms for men.

Text highlighting concerns about gym culture and treatment of women.

Image credits: lucasfall_03

For many people, the feeling of ‘gym-timidation’ is all too familiar

Many people nowadays can’t imagine their lives without going to the gym. It’s part of their routine, a way to release pent-up tension, or simply make sure they stay in shape. But despite all the positives going to the gym brings, it can make people feel uncomfortable, too, and I’m not talking about muscle pain here.

As a matter of fact, there’s even a term that was coined to describe the uneasy feeling going to the gym—or the idea alone—can cause; it’s ‘gym-timidation’ and for many people, the gym-timidation is real. A survey carried out by My Protein found that the majority of gym goers experience anxiety about going there, to some extent, at least; though the reasons for them feeling this way tend to differ.

One reason for feeling somewhat uncomfortable is performance-based anxiety, which, according to the study, affects roughly 30% of the respondents. For others, it’s not their performance, but their looks that they focus—or worry—more on; the survey found that the vast majority of people (as much as 90% of them) are worried about how others at the gym will perceive them. Moreover, roughly one-in-four respondents say they experience appearance-based anxiety when working out.

Unfortunately, asked about reasons why they don’t enjoy going to the gym, more than a fifth of respondents said it’s fear of judgement—a concern preceded only by fears over Covid—that makes them feel ‘gym-timidated’.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

Many women and men alike have experienced unwanted attention when working out in a gym

According to the aforementioned survey, the number of people at the gym is also a concern for those keen on working out, which is why 44% of them try to avoid going there at certain times.

If a crowded gym wasn’t bad enough, a larger number of people means a higher chance of someone doing more observing than weightlifting, as Lucas put it in his video. He emphasized that some men at the gym he was frequenting wouldn’t even try to hide the fact that they were staring at women working out.

While some might think the women don’t notice them staring, they definitely do. As do men, who, too, are sometimes looked at in a way that makes them uncomfortable. According to a survey carried out by Mindbody, nearly six-in-ten women have felt inappropriately looked at as they were working out, Metro News reports. Out of their male counterparts, close to four-in-ten have experienced what that feels like.

Moreover, while both sexes are not immune to such behavior from fellow gym goers, women are more likely to receive unwanted romantic attention while trying to work on their physical well-being. The survey suggests that 37% of gym-going females have received unwanted romantic attention, as have 27% of males.

According to the poll, one thing that would make gym goers feel more comfortable is having separate sections for men and women or having same-sex instructors. But it’s safe to assume that the thing that would make everyone feel best is if people stopped staring at others who are just trying to exercise. In the words of TikToker Lucas, “If you go to the gym, go in there, do whatever you gotta do, work out, and leave”.

Image credits: splitov27 (not the actual image)

Lucas’s video was viewed close to 585k times on TikTok

@lucasfall_03#gym♬ original sound – LucasFall

People shared their two cents in the comments, some knew what it’s like working out next to someone doing too much observing

Text saying "I've mastered tunnel vision I've gotten so good at acting like I don’t see" related to gym and men staring.

Comment by Lori about gym experiences, noting challenges women face, with 6193 likes.

Comment from user Rachel saying, "Imagine how tired we are," related to gym experiences.

Comment discussing how unwelcome attention happens at work, school, and in public places, highlighting gym experiences.

Comment on social media post about gym culture, user agrees with the opinion, showing 129 likes.

Comment about gym experience, highlighting attention from men at the gym, with 109 likes.

Comment on gym experience about avoiding eye contact, highlighting the discomfort some feel in gym environments.

Comment on gym behavior discussion with 88 likes, expressing disbelief and concern.

Comment discussing validation of concerns about men staring at women in gym; 75 likes.

Comment discussing women's experiences at the gym, highlighting discomfort and unease related to being stared at by men.

User comment discussing different experiences at two gyms.

Comment discussing home workouts versus gym, highlighting peace in personal space.

Comment on gym behavior: man uses bench near woman during workout in empty gym.

A conversation about gym perceptions with the text discussing unhealed anger, alongside a profile picture and a heart symbol.

Comment expressing opinion on gym behavior with a profile picture, stating, "I've learned to block it out completely; men are so weird.

Comment from Kayla Johnson about gym experiences and being watched while stretching.

Comment about leaving a gym due to being followed, highlighting concerns about men's behavior at the gym.

Comment with profile picture, discussing gym focus with a heart reaction.

Comments discussing gym behavior, with users noting men choosing equipment next to women even when others are available.

Comment on gym behavior of men, highlighting rare acknowledgment, with high engagement shown by likes and replies.

Comments discuss gym behavior; one says it's infuriating with 2600 likes, another agrees with 178 likes.

Comments about gym bros staring at themselves, with one agreeing on a social media post.

Comment exchange about going to Planet Fitness with elderly people, referencing the gym experience.

Comments on social media referencing gym behavior and gender dynamics.

Comments discussing how men stare at women in gyms like a zoo, with emojis and reactions.

Text exchange discussing gym experiences, focusing on avoiding eye contact and reactions from others.

Comment on men at the gym staring at women, stating it's an issue in public spaces, from user Chrissy with 3,171 likes.

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