People tell me I look mean at the gym and the truth is, I completely understand why.
I have, what I like to call, a “resting gym face“.
Resting Gym Face [ res-ting-jim-feys ]: noun.
1. showing a lack of desire for social interaction and/or blank expression in the gym.
Julianne’s definition
In any other setting, I like to have a friendly, approachable appearance. I enjoy smiling at people and making them feel like they can talk to me. However, when I’m working out, I intentionally make sure I use my “resting gym face” (RGF). I always avoid eye-contact, have my beats on blast, and rarely look pleasant.
Allow me to explain why:
1. I’m focused.
Being an involved college student means that I’m lucky if I can allow myself more than 1 hour of gym-time. This means that I do not have the flexibility to leisurely workout. I take minimal breaks and focus on pushing through my sets. In my mind, one small conversation takes away one entire set of an exercise.
2. I feel gross.
No one likes to have a conversation with sweat dripping down their face. I personally feel like the most disgusting human being on this planet when I workout. The LAST thing I want to do is put myself in a situation where someone has to look at me. Thankfully, I mainly only have this issue at my school’s gym because it’s always filled with people I know.
3. Gym Time = Me Time
While some people designate watching television, taking baths, or reading as their “me time”, I prefer to go to the gym. I consider myself to be someone who lives for other people. Acts of service is my primary love language, so I like to take care of everyone. My gym-time is my only time to really only focus on me. I do most of my self-reflection and unwinding during my workout.
The moral of the story is that I’m not the only one who uses an RGF. If you see someone who looks like they have a resting gym face, allow them to work out in peace. Remember that their stoic expression and lack of desire to converse is not personal. It just simply means that they’re on the grind!
Discovering Balance: What Feeling Healthy Means to Me 
I definitely agree with your points here. Personally I like to work out with friends but when I’m alone I like to get in and get out. Really like the term resting gym face–it goes great with your introductory Kanye imagery.
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Julianne! This is so great! I can definitely agree with RGF. I think what I agree most with is the fact that I’m focused on my workout. I do have such a limited time and I’m trying to push through a set so how my face looks is the last thing on my face!
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I feel like I also have “resting gym face”, although I don’t intentionally do it, it kind of just happens lol. My “me time” at the gym is when I attend yoga class. I find it so relaxing, and it helps me relieve daily stress. – Amy
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I love this! When you are in the gym you aren’t trying to make friends or worried about anyone else, you are focused on you. I am always thinking, “are people watching me, how do I look, what does my face look like, I wish I was fit as whoever “. I’m very selfconscious at the gym that I can’t fully focus on my workout because 1) I really don’t know what I’m doing 2) in my head I feel like people are staring at me being like “that is not proper form or what is she doing”. Yet in reality, everyone’s working on their own workout and could care less about me lol. When I see people with RGF I know they are in the zone.
-Kristen M
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