Never Met A Jerk At The Gym

dirty_dirty_eater

We frequently get stories here about someone being a jerk at the gym. So many people here complain of being offended at the gym that I just don't understand how, over the last 30+ years of on and off gym use, I've never been offended.

Sure, sometimes (this morning) I find that whoever was in the gym last night failed to re-rack their weights. Sometimes people loiter a bit long on a bench when I would like to use it. Sometimes they fail to wipe the sweat off of the stairmaster when they get off of it.

It is entirely possible that some stud has watched my workout with disdain, or some hot chick has wished she had something better than a sweaty old guy on the machine next to her. I just don't see any reason to assume that.

I go to the gym to get a workout, improve my body and my outlook on life through the physical release. I don't go there to be offended, which may be why I'm not.

wonderbolt

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

vtmoon

Some people get stuck on the small things in life. I would be annoyed a little by lack of gym etiquette but once I handle it (wipe done, rerack, etc) the issue is over to me.

vtmoon

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Did he give you an explanation for his sexual assault?

taunto

Chances are, there are jerks at your gym

Chances are, there are sexist people amongst those jerks

Just deal with it like in real life and tell them to piss off instead of making a thread about it and crying all over. Everytime you cry, you basically validate the jerks and give them pleasure in their actions.

RockinTerri

I would tend to agree! The worst encounter I had at a gym was someone who scoffed at my grandmother and I for being in the steam room together. That was at Vic Tanny's about 20 years ago. Other than that - I've only found people at the gym focused on what they are there for, with the occasional chit-chat.

chubby_checkers

I've had one person in all of my gym going years that said something rude. It wasn't my problem, but his, so it didn't bother me. I made fun of him in my head and went on with my day.

dirty_dirty_eater

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Yes, I'm sure there are legitimate reasons to be offended. Unwanted touching certainly applies. Unfortunately, no woman has ever subjected me to that. :-)

The vast majority of experiences at the gym do not rise to that sort of level.

_noob_

I've had a dropped 50 lb weight (from someone else) roll on my foot before.

dirty_dirty_eater

I've had a dropped 50 lb weight (from someone else) roll on my foot before.

Maybe they read some of your threads here and wanted to introduce themselves?

Factory_Reset

I've had a dropped 50 lb weight (from someone else) roll on my foot before.

Maybe they read some of your threads here and wanted to introduce themselves?

THIS

djeffreys10

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Did he give you an explanation for his sexual assault?

I thought she would enjoy it. Sue me.

LauraMacNCheese

I've had a dropped 50 lb weight (from someone else) roll on my foot before.

Maybe they read some of your threads here and wanted to introduce themselves?

you, noob :bigsmile:

ItsCasey

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

That is not a time to be offended. It's a time to rack the bar, turn around, and introduce your foot to his crotchular region.

1PatientBear

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Or, just playing devil's advocate here, maybe he thought you were struggling and was trying to spot you. Granted, he should have asked you but there MIGHT be a legit reason for him touching you.

beachgod

I've met a clean one.

vtmoon

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Or, just playing devil's advocate here, maybe he thought you were struggling and was trying to spot you. Granted, he should have asked you but there MIGHT be a legit reason for him touching you.

If you sneak on someone mid lift you are risking them injured cause you might startle them and cause them to lose form or the weights. Unless you grab the weights in a way to lessen the weight on their muscles/form.

1PatientBear

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Or, just playing devil's advocate here, maybe he thought you were struggling and was trying to spot you. Granted, he should have asked you but there MIGHT be a legit reason for him touching you.

If you sneak on someone mid lift you are risking them injured cause you might startle them and cause them to lose form or the weights. Unless you grab the weights in a way to lessen the weight on their muscles/form.

True. Like I said, just saying there is a possibility that no harm was intended.

mickipedia

When I had my induction at the gym I was being shown all of the cardio machines (cross-trainer, treadmill etc) and he demonstrated how to use them.. Then when I asked how to use the weight machines and what free-weights he suggested he said "you don't need to worry about that, it's only for men"

A few weeks later I'd researched online how to use them all and taught myself.. I see the instructor in the gym now when he doing his own workout and I can lift heavier than him.

Ooh yea

dirty_dirty_eater

When I had my induction at the gym I was being shown all of the cardio machines (cross-trainer, treadmill etc) and he demonstrated how to use them.. Then when I asked how to use the weight machines and what free-weights he suggested he said "you don't need to worry about that, it's only for men"

A few weeks later I'd researched online how to use them all and taught myself.. I see the instructor in the gym now when he doing his own workout and I can lift heavier than him.

Ooh yea

So, you chose to be motivated instead of offended. Good for you.

mickipedia

When I had my induction at the gym I was being shown all of the cardio machines (cross-trainer, treadmill etc) and he demonstrated how to use them.. Then when I asked how to use the weight machines and what free-weights he suggested he said "you don't need to worry about that, it's only for men"

A few weeks later I'd researched online how to use them all and taught myself.. I see the instructor in the gym now when he doing his own workout and I can lift heavier than him.

Ooh yea

So, you chose to be motivated instead of offended. Good for you.

I was initially offended, I've had loads of guys try and intimidate me so I get off their benches and I simply stay on them for longer just to annoy them.

It's quite bitter of me but it keeps me working for longer

HeidiMightyRawr

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Did he think he was helping / trying to spot you or something?

Not trying to defend the guy, I'd be pissed off at that too as I like my personal space. I just think he might've been a little ignorant and thought he was doing you a favour. I've seen similar happen to some guys at my old gym, random people coming to help spot them. I understand how it can be dangerous if you're not expecting it, I don't like random people spotting my squats at all! (apart from my partner)

In you think that might be the case, it would probably help to have a word with him after, tell him you're managing fine on your own and if he does it again, then feel free to go and complain to staff / have a go at him.

HeidiMightyRawr

When I had my induction at the gym I was being shown all of the cardio machines (cross-trainer, treadmill etc) and he demonstrated how to use them.. Then when I asked how to use the weight machines and what free-weights he suggested he said "you don't need to worry about that, it's only for men"

A few weeks later I'd researched online how to use them all and taught myself.. I see the instructor in the gym now when he doing his own workout and I can lift heavier than him.

Ooh yea

Good for you!! I hate that sort of BS "advice", surprised it still exists tbh!

ygglove

I didn't run in to any jerks either- When I HAD a gym membership (I work out at home now).. a group of extremely fit/hot guys came to work out next to me and my friend... I was like "oh great how awkward", and then they started laughing (and of course my subconscious thought that they were making fun of two fatties at the gym)... but it turns out they were just having a good time working out. They ended up helping us out with exercises, and encouraged us. Soo sometimes the person you think is being a jerk- might really be YOU and your subconscious.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I've been the jerk in the gym, giving the 2 guys doing curls in the 2 squat racks flack for hogging up the squat racks (it burned by biscuits even more when I figured out they were lifting partners). Other then that, I've not been a jerk and I've not encountered a jerk. Mostly I get questions about my routine and inquiries if I'm a trainer.

sarahrbraun

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

Or, just playing devil's advocate here, maybe he thought you were struggling and was trying to spot you. Granted, he should have asked you but there MIGHT be a legit reason for him touching you.

yeah...I don't think so. I've had a trainer spot me on squats...I honestly did not know he was there until I needed him. He still never put his hands on me. Actually, the only time ANYONE has put their hands on me was when I was having issues with form while doing BOSU lunges. My trainer grasped my ankle and positioned my foot., after asking permission.

MG_Fit

Last week, when I was doing squats, a random guy came over and put his hands on my waist.

I don't go there to be offended, but that's kind of hard to ignore.

That's funny, the same thing happened to me the other day ...

fishgutzy

I try to avoid all conversation with anyone I do not know when I am at the gym. Though one time I did mention to one lady that she looked like she had lost a lot of weight over the time I had seen her going to the Y. Didn't say anything else. Wasn't a line or conversation starter. Just a simple acknowledgement.
The only other time I say anything is when someone obviously knew is trying to figure out a machine and an attendant isn't nearby to help. Would I be a jerk if I just stayed silent watching them struggle and delay the workout? Maybe.
I can't control what others do but I can control my own behavior and reactions.

Laces_0ut

Some people get stuck on the small things in life. I would be annoyed a little by lack of gym etiquette but once I handle it (wipe done, rerack, etc) the issue is over to me.

exactly. for some reason a very high percentage of MFP users let the small things really bother them. maybe there is some psych correlation here. people that tend to let every little thing bother them tend to over eat and thats why there are so many easily offended people here?

shutupandlift13

I have only been offended by someone sneaking into the squat rack while I went to fill my water bottle during a break between sets... even though I left everything racked as well as my phone and workout book IN the rack. But he got scared and ran away when I came back.

Oh and quarter squats... those are offensive.

ItsCasey

Some people get stuck on the small things in life. I would be annoyed a little by lack of gym etiquette but once I handle it (wipe done, rerack, etc) the issue is over to me.

exactly. for some reason a very high percentage of MFP users let the small things really bother them. maybe there is some psych correlation here. people that tend to let every little thing bother them tend to over eat and thats why there are so many easily offended people here?

I think we've just reached a tipping point in society where people actually believe they were born with the right to never have to see or hear anything that offends them. Thus, if they find something offensive, they don't have to just get over it like people did in the olden days. They get to whine about it and ask that something be done to prevent it from ever happening again. So, everything is now offensive.

But putting your hands on people ... that's something that is just not going to go unaddressed with me. I don't freaking care what your intent was; keep your damned hands to yourself. It's something you should've learned when you were like 5. And anyone who knows anything about lifting should know better than to walk up behind someone who is mid-squat and put their hands on that person.