What do people think of obese people when you see them in the gym working their ass off? Personaly I it's great that they have started training but I wonder if anyone of them would make fun of them.

I know people make fun of them. People in my gym do at least. Obese people are often uncoordinated and unsure of what they are doing and are easy targets.

I'd rather see fatties in the gym than at a Donut King.

I don't think anything about them at all, unless they are wearing spandex, or curling in the power rack. Then I get an attack of the rage.

Apart from that, when I'm training, everyone else in the gym could be furniture for all I care.

I'm happy to see them there. At least they're trying to make some positive changes. One stopped me after my workout the the other day and was asking for all kinds of advice. I guess I looked like I knew what I was doing. Then she asked me what I though about Body for Life...

I would never make fun of an obese person. I try not to notice them, which I have also seen some of them take as an offense. I have seen one or two seemingly expect for people to be staring at them so if you don't notice them, they will do their best to be noticed just so they can judge a response. Just like anyone else, if they catch me in the eyes, I'll nod or whatever. I wouldn't go out of my way to act differently with them than I do anyone else. I do know that most don't stick with it and I think that has to do with their own insecurities. I remember being the skinny kid in the gym. I am sure their experience is magnified.

I work out at a gym that teaches sport Judo and Japanese Ju-Jitsu, which we often see peoeple who is fat and fights well. (in fact I know a guy who represented NZ in commonwealth Judo trains in the gym)

so no, people in my gym do not make fun of fat guys as you just don't know what you might up against.

Geek boy

I used to lift with a guy that was morbidly obese. I felt kind of inspired by his effort until he quit lifting and started making excuses every time I called him to lift. After that I just figure he is a fat stupid pussy that deserves what he has. Eventualy he will suffocate in his sleep from the weight of his chest and that will be sad.

People go to them gym to improve themselves. We were all beginners at some point. So if is the obese guy dying on the stairmaster, the skinny kid trying his damndest to bench that bar, or the old couple with matching outfits and fanny packs, more power to them. Yeah, sometimes it is amusing to watch, but you have to be the better man, keep your amusement to yourself and keep as positive an environment as you can.
I know a lot of people don't like to work out in a 'mixed' or 'family' atmosphere, full of beginners and not as dedicated trainees. Well, to those people, go to another gym or work out at home.

I saw an obese girl on the tread mill today. I was glad she was doing something.

My obese father (who had to be weighed on a special scale in the basement of the hospital a fewm os ago) won't set foot in a gym and refuses to even try anything resembling excercise at home.

I think it's great for them, but to be honest most of them come and go and they always stay the same.

I think its great! It takes alot of guts to get in there when your body is less than perfect. Hell, I remember being self-consious when I started and I wasn't overweight!! My gym is attached to a hospital so we have all kinds. I've seen athletes, moms, grandmas and there is even a mentally challenged girl who lifts free weights! light ones but she is doing it! Its definately a diverse place!!

I too am happy that overweight/ obese people are in the gym, at least trying to help themselves.

What is unfortunate though, is how many overweight people I see doing tons of isolation exercises and ab roller crunches. I get frustrated because I know they could be making much better progress with some assistance. I wish everyone knew about T-Nation, they would be a lot better off.

Jeff

making fun of overweight and obese folks trying to work out is pretty much pathetic...

if you're really so pathetic that you must throw a slam at people who are lipolytically challenged, instead make fun of all the french fries they down at WacArnolds, that's worth making fun of.

There are plenty of people who go to the gym year after year, doing the same routines and same weights and never improving. It's probably more apt to laugh at those people.

I know i'm not the most in-shape person at my gym, so i know i've got no right to talk shit or make fun of anyone. It's cool if they are out there trying to better themselves, whether they have been told they have to, or they just want to. It's not fair to laugh at them because they are bigger and are maybe not able to do everything that markedly less people are able to do, but it's also not fair to automatically pity them, either.

It makes me sad when i see some people (mostly the younger boys in the corner who grunt and roar as they have push-up contests) obviously making fun of them.... i usually give the people a mental "thumbs-up" for doing something good for themselves and treat them like anyone else.

The gym I belong to has an incredible weight loss program and I have seen obese people lose 100's of pounds through training and diet. While I would rather not look at them, they are an inspiration to what is possible.

I think those that decide to go that step and make it work can be models for those that take the surgery method. Why anyone would choose to reduce the size of their stomach rather than work out is beyond me. And though much maligned, I think that show "The Biggest Loser" serves some good for our OBESE soceity. IMHO

I like to see them in there busting their ass and trying to make changes for the better.

But when a year or three later they look the exact same, are they just another class of gym moron? Maybe they are too embarassed to ask questions? Yet most of us have the same approach to giving advice: don't unless asked. So, what to do? Additionally, I would guess that fat people, especially ones in the gym, tend towards hyper-sensitivity and take any attempt at positive guidance totally the wrong way.

So, like most things, fat people in the gym: good AND bad.

Bastard

i despise fat people, but can't fault them for trying to do something about it.

When I see them in the weight room, with a log and a plan, I'm happy for them.

When I see them on the eliptical trainers, week after week, I feel bad. Those ones are likely to give up and stop coming to the gym.

Mate at least they are in there having a go. It's good to see them hitting the weights instead of the pies.

Everybody starts somewhere !