Yesterday at the gym two completely different girls kept looking over at my machine as I ran on the treadmill(you know the part that shows how long you've ran, mph, calories burned etc). I kept trying to ignore it but it got so distracting that I really didn't get to enjoy my workout like I usually do. I never worry about what others are doing in the gym. Am I over reacting? Has anyone experienced this? What do people get out of that?

I try to see the positive in it, maybe you were inspiring them to go faster/longer/harder incline.

It's annoying as heck but there is nothing you can do really. Unless maybe you bring a gym towel and drape it over?

I've done it before. Curiosity, I guess. Motivation. Inspiration. Repeatedly, though? Okay, that's rude and annoying. I don't know that I'd confront them, but definitely try the towel trick. I like to do that for myself so I'm not focusing on my own time/calories/etc. (though actually I just take my glasses off, can't see! ha!)

I look at other people's displays all the time. It helps pass the time. It comes from my early days when I used to race friends on the treadmill...first to 5k.

I wouldn't worry about it. If it does worry you, do what others have said and cover it.

Yes, and when I finished, the woman on the treadmill next to me said: "What workout were you doing?"

I'd been doing intervals of a minute of full-out running fast as possible and then walking for two minutes ... I was following the cardio workout outlined in New Rules of Lifting for Women.

She just seemed curious about interval training.

Everyone's so positive about it haha it actually really bothers me too?? What I usually do is I get the paper the gym teachers use to write my workout on and cover some of the stats. They usually stop then.

Lol...I can see where that can be annoying- especially if you're working hard/sweating. The thing is- how close do they get when they look at your machine? If they get really close- then THAT'S definitely annoying. If they're staring from a distance, I'd find that less annoying.

-Daniela

Look, everyone is looking at everything in a gym. That's what happens in a gym. And, most of the time, people are looking at things much worse than a treadmill display. When I squat, eyes are on my @rse.

Just ignore it.

What other people think about you is none of your business.

Yeah, I see how that could be bothersome. I think sometimes people are just curious or nosy, maybe insecure (competitive), seeking inspiration, bored, etc. If it's this noticeable, though, it seems excessive imho. Even though it's a gym and people watching happens, I don't see an excuse for being intrusive.

How about making eye contact with them when they look over? I find people who sneak peeks tend to feel shy once the other party makes it obvious they're aware they're being watched. Maybe look over and give them a smile every time they do it? A little awkward, yep, but hopefully once or twice will send the message. If that doesn't work, you could also look over at them, smile, and take a look at their display... though that's really bordering on the snarky. :P

I've looked to see what training program they are doing, and I often look to see women who have the same body type as me-to check on their program. If it was a problem for them, I'd assume they'd say something, but I'm not blatant about it.

I basically do this.

They either look away awkwardly, or I trip and fall off the treadmill.

Either way, they stop looking at the machine screen.

I used to surreptitiously look. It was me measuring myself against that person- was I moving as fast as they were? Could I go as long as they did? I'd take it as a compliment- you're motivating that person.