Jamal Johnson, a senior at Pitt, has worked in the Petersen Events Center gym for three years…. Jamal Johnson, a senior at Pitt, has worked in the Petersen Events Center gym for three years. He sits at the front booth swiping cards and watching students work out.

Sometimes he sees people socializing more than getting fit.

“There are a few girls that put on makeup, dress up and try to get guys to look at them,” he said with a smile. “Then you’ll have guys that stare at girls while they work out. But a lot of people that come here are serious about working out. I still see a lot of flirting and public display of affection, like kissing, instead of working out.”

Though many are quick to criticize the conversion of the gym to a social center, some say it’s mostly a myth.

“I see more guys coming here to socialize than girls,” junior Quentin Trisler said. “I come here to work out, not to socialize. Come here, get the job done and leave. I think it is a misconception that the gym is a place to socialize.”

Trisler, who works out at the Pete frequently, said he rarely observes students flirting.

“Some people think the gym is a good place to get noticed, but I think most people are in here to do their own thing,” he said.

Not everyone believes the Pete is so innocent, however.

“I think some guys come here to pick up girls,” sophomore Toni Salandro said. “It even happened to me once. I get all sweaty and stuff, so I don’t try to pick up guys. I do see girls with makeup and cute little outfits coming here, but there is very little flirting going on.”

Justin Orr, a junior who also frequents the Pete, isn’t sold on the idea of the gym being a social institution.

“Girls get all dressed up and stuff, and guys definitely look at the girls in there if the opportunity arises,” he said. “I never talk to anyone at the gym. I just keep my headphones on. I don’t really see a lot of flirty socializing overall.”

Mikey Johnson, a junior who works out every other day, agrees with Orr.

“I do see guys that get all dressed up, but I see girls doing it more,” he said. “I usually do look at girls, but it is weird to try to pick up girls at the gym. It’s not what I’m there for.”

Lisa Bush, a sociology professor at Pitt, said there probably isn’t much difference in the expectations of the genders.

“There aren’t going to be great differences between the way males and females perceive the gym,” Bush said. “I have no reason to think there would be a gender difference in the way students see the gym.”