We all have different workout styles. One area where that difference can be extreme is competition. Some folks are competitive and are always trying to be faster, lift more, or out-skill their friends, workout buddies, or strangers at the gym. Others could care less about what the people around them are doing and are instead competitive with themselves. They constantly work hard to beat their own personal records.
I think a little friendly competition is positive because it can be really motivating, so tell me . . .
True Religion
Ernest Jones
Sephora
Most definitely! Organized sports for sure --- in fact I usually warn people before I set up a tennis match or soccer game.
In the gym I am competitive too, but it's silently. If there's someone on a machine near me sweating more and working harder it usually pushes me to work a bit more. In pilates class if I see someone really pushing themselves to do advanced moves, it inspires me too. And if I'm strength training and a woman my size is lifting heavier weights, it inspires me to go up a couple of pounds.
1In organized sports, yes, but in the gym? Hell NO. I like to do my own thing and not pay attention to others - and it pisses me off when people clearly try to "outrun" me, etc. on the treadmill. WHO CARES?!? It's also distracting. That's why I love my gym - the people there do their own thing; there aren't any competitive wankers around!
2NO! I had enough competition going on with school, uni, and now work. Sport is my way of getting rid of stress and being happy - no place for competition in there!
3good to know i'm a "wanker"
4It's okay syako, I'm a wanker too. I always push myself a little bit harder when someone beside me is going all out on a machine. It's not like I'm obvious about it or anything so I don't see the problem.
5Not at the gym...
but ALWAYS in a race!
... especially in a tri, where your age is written on your calf ... seeing a bunch of 26s and 27s in front of me on the run pushed me to run past three women in my age group
6I dont want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I kinda agree with bigestive. I think its kinda weird when people do that. You can totally tell. It semi-creeps me out, too and I've had female (and male) gym stalkers so I guess I take it personally.
I just like to do my own thing when I'm at the gym, I'm happy with myself no matter what, and I'm usually having so much fun while I'm there that I barely notice anyone else...so I'm very disinterested with what anyone else is doing.
In a way, I guess I'm very self-involved/impressed when it comes to my gym work outs. Sorry
7well I just want to clarify that it's not like I sit and stare at people and/or taunt them when I'm at the gym.
In fact, I think that if it were the flip side, and I was on the treadmill running really hard and I noticed that someone else was also working out really hard nearby it would make me smile that I inspired them to work out harder.
You're at the gym. You have to expect that other people will see what you're doing.
8I always try my best - mostly compete with myself. eg. Trying to beat my old time, or set up a goal for myself.
9I played competive softball and volleyball almost my whole life (including college) so YES I am definitely competitive when it comes to sports! (Well those I know I am good at
)As for the gym...I just push myself to MY greatest limit. It sometimes helps to look around
and see if anyone else is dying in my bosu or kwando class like me because if they aren't then I know I have to step it up! 
But I try my hardest not to compare myself to other's in the gym because I know my strengths
and weaknesses and I just want to improve overall!
10Hi Sy!
Being a little competitive at the gym doesn't have to make people uncomfortable. I mean, it's not like I'd follow someone around or something, or be super obvious is someone is inspiring me to work harder.
11I'm competative in everything I do. Its not that I cant push myself hard by myself but if I have a time or weight to beat it makes me go just that little harder. But then again I am also a competative martial artist so I'm used to the self motivation being kicked up a notch by friendly competition against others.
12When I was running, I got a little competitive when someone was obviously running faster than me. I can't imagine being irritated because I inspired someone else to work harder... Maybe people who don't take it well should consider a home-gym option.
13I'm that guy in yoga class who is always showing off. The upside (for others in the class) is that I'm known to go past my limt and fall on my ass.
14I'd love to see that West!
I was thinking of all you just now in my Pilates class when I was really pushing myself *without* looking at anyone else.
Hi Foxy!
15I'm not competitive at all! Except maybe if I'm playing tennis against one of those people who tries to serve so hard all the time but only gets 1 out of 10 serves in. I like to beat those people!
16No, I'm not competitive. When I'm working out, I'm very self-focused, and I don't pay attention to those around me. I'm enjoying the movement, raised heart rate, i.e. the exercise high.
However, I think people notice me. A couple evenings ago, after I was done with my jog, a man came up to me, and said,"Great workout!" I replied,"Thanks, you, too!" (Even though I wasn't paying attention to him
)
17I'm not competitive with exercise but when I'm around people that are, I usually end up feeling a little bit bad about my own abilities.
18I definitely push myself more when there are other people around.
19I'm only really competitive with myself. I try to push myself a bit harder each time, but I never really care if I'm doing better than the person on the next treadmill. I ESPECIALLY don't care if the person next to me is some older fatter person walking at like 3 mph with the incline set at 2. I'm sure she's getting whatever workout she wants to get, just like I'm getting my intervals done too.
But if I'm running a race, I do try to show off and I like to try and outrun everyone near me...I get a big kick out of doing that.
20I never thought I was, or I never used to be. I would always read or do homework on the treadmill. But I recently started taking a yoga class and yeah, it burns me up if I see someone else has their leg higher up than me or is doing a more difficult variation. With the flexibility nothing I can do yet, except vow to get there soon, but I have definitely started to push myself harder. Now I don't even wait for the instructor to suggest a variation, I just look for the two ladies who I know are the most advanced and watch to see what they do, since they know all the poses and immediately go for the hard version. Today the instructor actually said "good one!" to me after an inversion! I felt so proud, haha.
21Competitive yoga is never a good idea. I used to come back from my yoga class so messed up trying to compete with the flexible ballet dancers.
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