<p>I'm a fat kid (5'7"; 200lbs) who likes to work out. In particular, I like to run and use the weight machines. </p>
<p>The school that I'm going to this fall is a huge athletics school. We're one of the top Div II schools in the country and we have produced more All American athletes than any Div II school in history. My point being, there are a lot of fit kids running (literally; we've won the last 6 NCAA National women's XC championships) around this place. I'm not one of them. </p>
<p>But like I said, I like to work out nonetheless. I currently live in a small town with a nice rec center that serves only 400 people, so I usually have the weight room or indoor track to myself and don't have to worry about being stared at or talked about. In college, this won't be the case. But I want to use the facilities nonetheless; I'm paying for them, first of all. </p>
<p>So, all of that said, aside from my small-community rec center, I've never used a public gym. I run outside a lot and you would think that would mean that I'm used to people potentially watching me, but I live in the middle of n-o-w-h-e-r-e and I doubt that anyone is looking. Fortunately, my college is only 30 minutes away (I kid you not when i say that I can see my campus with binoculars from my house) and it's in a town of 11,000 people, the biggest town around for about an hour's drive. There are 3,000 students at the school.</p>
<p>I'm a mildly self-conscious fat kid and I've never really used a public gym. What should I expect (if any of you athletes have experience with kids like me in the same gym/room as you)? I'm kind of worried that first of all, the athletes will think I'm wasting "their" space and gym equipment. Secondly, obviously, I don't want to be glared at or mocked because of my weight. </p>
<p>Do I have anything to worry about? Thoughts? I'll be going to the school for 3 weeks in July for a scholarship program, and I plan to test out the waters then.</p>
<p>Firstly, if it’s a sports powerhouse, usually the varsity athletes will have a separate facility than the general student population.</p>
<p>I think the place you’re least likely to be mocked if you’re overweight is the gym. It’s like hey, you’re trying to get in shape - you’re trying to improve yourself, what is the gddmn problem, ya know?</p>
<p>Plus, all the fit people in the gym – everyone knows that everyone started off somewhere, everyone started out weak and out of shape, everyone started at that level. I would put this anxiety behind you.</p>
<p>As a regular gym goer, no people do not care. In fact, i like to see overweight people at the gym because they’re putting in the effort like peter_parker said.</p>
<p>I think the place you’re least likely to be mocked if you’re overweight is the gym.</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s quite true. As one example, I’ve heard people say about others they have seen in the gym, “We don’t want to see their rolls jiggle!” in reference to fat people who run. Some, and I don’t know how many or how few, might think being healthy gives them the right to rag on those who are outwardly out of shape. My guess is that most of these people don’t have the balls to say it to whoever’s face though, so who cares.</p>
<p>And to ASC, as a fat girl in college who visits (one of the) college gyms (and I’m starting to much more frequently) I honestly think you should just not worry about it. Since I started going in November, I don’t think I’ve had one encounter. Maybe something was said behind my back, but what do I care? I don’t know these people, and I certainly didn’t realize they said anything. At first I was very worried and had the exact same questions you do, but I just went enough times, and I got over it, so now it’s not a big deal to me. No one can tell you not to use that gym, and you should not be ashamed for using it for what it’s meant for! :]</p>
<p>I used to be 5’ 8" and 236, so I can understand why you would be self-conscious. But after going to the gym for 5-6 years, I’m now 158. Obviously for part of that time I was the “fat kid,” but now I’m not. I have to be honest, when I do see a fat person either when I’m running in the park or working out in the gym, I sometimes do think to myself “wow he’s really fat, lol, I’m glad I’m not like that anymore,” but then I quickly focus again on how much time I have left until I finish running my third mile, or how many reps I have left before I can move from the squat rack to the weight bench. After I leave the gym I’m not thinking to myself “wow, there were a lot of fat people in there,” but something more like “wow, I’m so happy that I finished another tough workout.” I’m too wrapped up in my own stuff to think too much about how fat that other kid on the treadmill is, and this should be true for anyone who is serious about being in the gym anyway. You have as much right as anyone else to be in there, so I just say go and do what you need to do so that one day soon you won’t have to be the fat kid anymore.</p>
<p>I’m a varsity D3 swimmer and I still feel self-conscious when I’m in the weight room or cardio room instead of on the pool deck since I’m out of my element and I’ve never been great at dryland.</p>
<p>Whenever I see someone working out that isn’t necessarily in the best shape ever, all I ever think is “Good for them!” Even I don’t have that athletic ripped build, and I was pretty close to making a B national qualifying cut this year (our team couldn’t afford the new LZR speed suits that you saw everyone wearing in the Olympics this summer).</p>
<p>So you should definitely take advantage of your school’s gym in the fall! Just bring your iPod and go for it. Good luck!</p>
<p>Nobody cares. Echoing other posters in this thread: the only sentiment most people have is “good for them” because they’re trying to get in shape.</p>
<p>As others have noted, at a school with a huge emphasis on athletics, the athletes will have their own workout facilities. </p>
<p>I work out at least 4-5 times a week at the campus gym and have never heard any rude comments about overweight students/faculty members who are working out. Good for you for wanting to improve yourself and good luck with your fitness program!</p>
<p>Actually, I think most people feel the same way as you. They’re probably so wrapped up in themselves that they aren’t thinking about anyone. Think about when you’re in a gym, how many times do you actually pay attention to the people around you and scrutinize their appearance? </p>
<p>^^Come on, Vitare, display some mature sensitivity here.</p>
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<p>Awesome, I’m a D3 swimmer, too. I feel kind of the same about being out of my element, but I pride myself on my body so it’s usually fine.</p>
<p>My boyfriend recently decided to get into shape, and this year he decided he wants to learn how to swim. He’s not the skinniest guy, he’s kind of bulky. I’ve been helping him out by going to the pool with him occasionally to help with technique. The first time we went to the pool he started swimming around, and the lifeguard approached him with a pretty apologetic manner and asked him to go swim in the kiddie pool since he was afraid of my boyfriend drowning. Haha. My boyfriend felt pretty embarrassed, but he’s been going to the pool just about every other day and swimming in what he calls “the ■■■■■■ pool”. He’s gotten so much better, and the lifeguard recently commented on his improvement, along with how he can probably go swim in the normal pool now.</p>
<p>I guess my point is that nobody will care how you workout, as long as you display dedication and commitment to what you’re doing. I like your attitude about working out, and I think you should keep it up. Personally, I’m impressed with anyone who shows rigid dedication to working out everyday, no matter their body type. Also keep in mind that anybody who “glares” or “mocks” you about your weight is only projecting their insecurities onto you.</p>
<p>Also, my question is how you can workout and still be overweight? This is another topic, but perhaps you should try reevaluating your diet or other health habits.</p>
<p>Seriously nobody cares, in fact, If I see an overweight person at the gym I will think to myself “good for them” because they are trying to get back in shape. The only thing people care about at the gym is themselves and working out. Not everybody that goes to the gym is skinny and athletic, just make sure that you get into a routine and don’t just go to the gym for a week and then stop.</p>
<p>I work out at a gym with many many different types. In general, no one cares. In fact, however, I’m always glad to see heavy people working out because I know they’re doing something good for themselves!</p>
<p>There’s a quote I love:</p>
<p>“If exercise could be purchased in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.”</p>
<p>The only people I have a problem with at the gym are the people who walk around the track, blocking the running lanes with their lazy walking. If all your’e going to do is walk, go walk outside!</p>
<p>@ catsushi: You can be both overweight and in shape, they are not mutually exclusive. Some people burn fat better than others. Some people were born big. You obviously have never been near a football team. The lineman are big and fat, but they are fast, and in great shape. Some people get better genes than others</p>
<p>Athletic prowess does not equal in healthy shape.</p>
<p>NFL O Linemen, for example, are extremely fast and strong, and function best near the maximum weight allowed (375 lbs). However, although very impressive athletically (in terms of raw strength and speed) - this is pretty unhealthy. I guess using body fat % is probably a good indicator.</p>