Ask HN: Racing People at the Gym

#1

Post by Dorcy64 » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 4:21 AM UTC

Ever since I started watching Motivational GYM YouTube Shorts, I started seeing myself turn everything into a competition. I tried to swim laps over the person swimming next to me at the gym. By the end, I had foot cramps and realized I might have created a worse experience for them. Last week I had taken a treadmill next to someone who was using it and made sure I ran faster than them, and longer.

As I try to understand how my actions affect others, how do you feel when the person next to you is moving at a faster speed or trying to one-up you? To me, competition is sometimes the only thing that motivates me. Not trying to prove anything.

Re: Ask HN: Racing People at the Gym

#2

Post by carl_dr » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 4:25 AM UTC

I cycle, and when I see another cyclist up the road, I do all I can to catch them. If one overtakes me, I ask if I can try and keep their wheel.

I’m sure some think something negative about it, but for me, it keeps my exercise interesting and makes me faster and stronger. I probably wouldn’t cycle half as much if I didn’t do it.

I can’t say if the people overtaking me had that same thought when they saw me up the road, but I bet some do.

I can see in a gym environment what you are doing is a bit more in their face, but do whatever you need to motivate yourself.

In a gym it’s likely you’ll end up making friends with someone where you can push each other to new heights!

Re: Ask HN: Racing People at the Gym

#3

Post by quickthrower2 » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 5:13 AM UTC

I think this is instinctive. So it is good to get the logical perspective to kick in: you are on a scientific path to make yourself healthier and reach your goals in your time. Think of the gym as individuals taking their prescribed medicine rather than a comp. You wouldn’t get ego about someone else being on a higher dose of paracetamol!

Re: Ask HN: Racing People at the Gym

#4

Post by nullish_signal » Fri, Nov 04, 2022, 6:56 AM UTC

If you're worried about stressing someone out, go slower, if you want to compete with someone, challenge them

Re: Ask HN: Racing People at the Gym

#5

Post by Dorcy64 » Tue, Nov 08, 2022, 2:18 AM UTC

carl_dr wrote: post #2

I cycle, and when I see another cyclist up the road, I do all I can to catch them. If one overtakes me, I ask if I can try and keep their wheel. I’m sure some think something negative about it, but for me, it keeps my exercise interesting and makes me faster and stronger. I probably wouldn’t cycle half as much if I didn’t do it. I can’t say if the people overtaking me had that same thought when they saw me up the roa…

I completely agree! I think that friendly competition is the way to go