Fit girl problems/ gym stories

24

Replies

  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I am with the OP on this one.

    I do my lifting after work and tend to bump into the same regulars all the time, some of whom I am quite friendly with.They are used to seeing me there and they know that I know what I am doing and that I lift heavy. There are very few women lifters using my gym.

    If I change my lifting schedule and lift during the day, there is a different crowd who are not used to seeing women lifting heavy. In one instance recently a guy helping me unload a bar (he had left it loaded and was walking off until he saw me approach it) questioned me twice when I asked him to leave the 20 kg plates on the bar. Always in such instances I smile nicely and say thank you, and carry on lifting.
  • I like it when girls offer to help me! Heh heh :happy: KOC
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    I hate it when people off to help me when I am struggling with something. Just let me suffer people, it burns moar calories.

    Meh! I'll burn more calories by doing a darned good lifting session than by setting up and the more effort I exert on setting up, the less I have left in the tank for squats/deadlifts. So if someone offers to help me with the bar, I'll take it.

    That said, I'm still in a deficit so I'm edging towards burning out at the moment.

    For me, it was the time I wandered into the gym between meetings to look for a foam roller to use for 15 minutes and asked the curl bro in the weights area if he knew where they were. His response, "I don't know, I just lift." My response, "I just lift too, which is why I need the foam roller... bloody DOMS."

    :huh:

    Of course you burn more calories that way. My point wasn't that she should have let him, it's that she said she was struggling with the new equipment so him asking if he could help wasn't because he assumed she was helpless, it's that she actually appeared to need assistance.
  • Noamsh
    Noamsh Posts: 79 Member
    Maybe I'm in the minority but I LIKE when a man is polite enough to help when I'm struggling to do something. I find it insulting when they see me having difficulty and don't offer to help. Call me crazy...


    Same here.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    I like it too when men offer to help me :)

    This explains many of your previous threads.
  • SpecialSundae
    SpecialSundae Posts: 795 Member
    I hate it when people off to help me when I am struggling with something. Just let me suffer people, it burns moar calories.

    Meh! I'll burn more calories by doing a darned good lifting session than by setting up and the more effort I exert on setting up, the less I have left in the tank for squats/deadlifts. So if someone offers to help me with the bar, I'll take it.

    That said, I'm still in a deficit so I'm edging towards burning out at the moment.

    For me, it was the time I wandered into the gym between meetings to look for a foam roller to use for 15 minutes and asked the curl bro in the weights area if he knew where they were. His response, "I don't know, I just lift." My response, "I just lift too, which is why I need the foam roller... bloody DOMS."

    :huh:

    Of course you burn more calories that way. My point wasn't that she should have let him, it's that she said she was struggling with the new equipment so him asking if he could help wasn't because he assumed she was helpless, it's that she actually appeared to need assistance.

    Ah. I missed the sarcasm.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    When i was testing out all the machines at my new gym to see how much i can do on each one because I am used to free weights, I was probably looking like I was screwing it up royally, and someone on here I was reporting back to who thought I was actually attempting an actual workout even told me so. Back to IRL... this really buff ripped soap opera handsome blonde guy, smiled at me and made direct eye contact as he walked by. He proceeded to tear that gym up like a pro and never missed an opportunity to show me his pearly whites and jack o lantern smiley eyes as he passed. What a cutie. THE NERVE!

    Last week a regular sized dude was schooling me 4 treadmills away as I started humbly on my couch to 5k. He mosied his blue eyes over to the treadmill next to me and started what I can only assume was his cool down as it was much slower pace like walking. When he saw me go into my cool down he waited until I looked like I could actually speak then he proceeded to tell me how cool my vibrams are and that he was thinking of getting some how do i like them? After my answer he remembered to add "cute" and a wink before leaving. :wink: THAT's how you leave 'em wanting more guys. No meanness just brief kind convo and don't dawdle or get in her way. Also...I need to remember to wear my wedding band to the gym, oops. LOL.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Oh shoot I just realize I misread this thread and probably don't belong in here posting. I thought it said "fat girl problems" 'doh!
  • RECowgill
    RECowgill Posts: 881 Member
    I already put this on my wall but I though I share here to get some funny stories

    So today, some guy asked me if I wanted help when I was setting up the bar for deadlifts (granted I probably looked a little funny cause we got a new platform with a super gripping floor and new plates that handle very differently to the old ones)
    I said: no thanks I'm alright but I thought: what do you think I'm going to do with this bar once I'm done? Sit on it while I'm doing my nails?
    I know he probably just wanted to be nice but that was insulting!

    Also one of the guys that's always there at this time and knows me looked very amused, might well be because of my expression when the guy offered me to help...

    So what are funny stories that happened to you in the gym? Anyone ever insulted you by accident?

    If a woman offered to help set up my plates the obvious answer would be YES.
  • complicatedmoves
    complicatedmoves Posts: 84 Member
    GIrls try to compete with me on the elliptical and arch machines. I have no idea why they do it, but I always 'peddle' to the beat of my workout songs. So if I am going at a moderate rate, and a fast paced song comes on next...they tap out.
  • the_dude00
    the_dude00 Posts: 1,056 Member
    I only offer assistance to people who I see using terrible form that I know will lead them to injury or the operating table. Maybe I'm non threatening but only one person has ever given me a nasty response back, and the majority have been overwhelmingly appreciative
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Maybe I'm in the minority but I LIKE when a man is polite enough to help when I'm struggling to do something. I find it insulting when they see me having difficulty and don't offer to help. Call me crazy...

    This is why men can never win. You help someone and you risk being a jerk. You don't help someone and you risk being a jerk. Might as well just be a jerk and own it versus trying to be nice.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Maybe I'm in the minority but I LIKE when a man is polite enough to help when I'm struggling to do something. I find it insulting when they see me having difficulty and don't offer to help. Call me crazy...

    This is why men can never win. You help someone and you risk being a jerk. You don't help someone and you risk being a jerk. Might as well just be a jerk and own it versus trying to be nice.
    Really, you make an excellent point. Just be yourself, and if it's the kind of jerk we like we will flock to you like moths to a flame, while we tell our besties what a jerk you're being. Me personally I like the jerks that offer to help me, if they think I need it. That day, that guy knew I was lollygagging around testing things out and he didn't care so that was fine. I just stayed out of the way of what clearly looked to me like a program...while he took every chance to get in my face with his big toothy sweaty hotman grin. What a jerk!

    l_b92955e0-d3e4-11e1-9860-85415f000007.jpg lol, it only works if they're cute. LMFAO.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    i would love to have a racking, deracking and bar set up slave. but generally this type of stuff doesnt offend me when guys offer to take packages off my lil lady hands. i dont have to prove anything to any body, and if someone wants to do manual labor for me then who am i to deprive them of their fun? :laugh:

    one thing i do hate are the guys who put 45 pound weights on the CLEARLY marked 25 pound section in such a way that the 25 poun plates are behind them so you have to remove the 45 pound plates to get to the ones you need..

    oh i also hate that guy who's like 6'2 and over, leaves the bar set up super high on the rack WITH 45 pound plates on them :devil: if i ever figure out who that guy is, there'll be hell to pay!
  • Different perspective here...I'm a black woman with visible muscles...but I can't lift THAT heavy yet.

    Yes it's nice to feel strong, but perhaps because I live in a white-dominated environment and I'm probably quite sensitive anyway I get the impression that people don't really acknowledge your femininity.

    In my old gym, the guys (by the way I was the only woman ever in the weights area) would leave all the weights on. I'd often struggle for 10 mins+ of each workout removing/re-racking weights. Not a single person ever offered a hand.

    In my new gym I am often pleasantly surprised at the number of guys who will offer to help even before I begin to struggle. And grateful. Is it objectifying/old-fashioned chivalrous and making me a 'weak' female? Maybe, but considering how little help I get generally (due to the perception that I must be very strong/have it all together - seriously, my friends have told me this) I'm very pleased.

    Yes it is true that I can do most things myself but it is nice to have it offered. So thanks to all the kind guys in my gym ;)
  • TonyStark30
    TonyStark30 Posts: 497 Member
    I was at a bus stop and a girl was struggling with her baby and folding down her stroller, and an Old Lady who was next to her had a go at us men. "why aren't you helping the young lady??!"

    Personally I was thinking why didn't the old lady take the baby from the woman so she could fold her Stroller with both hands as that is the issue not being a young lady!!!

    Only way to win is to be lucky and do exactly what that person wants you to do without them telling you what that is.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    A young guy called me ma'am and lived to tell.
  • jayrudq
    jayrudq Posts: 475 Member
    ^^^^ Ha! ^^^ I get called Ma'm all the time, probably because I am, and I still hate it! And believe me, when I am called "miss" I hear it and appreciate it.

    I help people wherever I see them need help. Especially older folks - struggling with packages, can't find their car in the parking lot, lost or confused. I know I will be them someday...

    I also gratefully accept help from others if I need it, decline if not. I am grateful that I am noticed and my presence is recognized by another. There is nothing worse in this world than to be invisible. And there are sooooo many who are.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Maybe I'm in the minority but I LIKE when a man is polite enough to help when I'm struggling to do something. I find it insulting when they see me having difficulty and don't offer to help. Call me crazy...

    No you aren't alone. I would rather use my time and strenght doing the lifts not getting ready to do the lifts.

    For example I was benching 105 and then wanted to row 105 (deload due to injury) so I made my husband come move the bar off the bench...he wasn't doing anything else.

    And if he is there and has been screwing around with my bars he has to help fix em too....
  • Bucky83
    Bucky83 Posts: 1,194 Member
    He could have a gym crush on you and just needed a way to talk to you : ) That happens right?

    This is what I was thinking!!
  • funforsports
    funforsports Posts: 2,656 Member
    Fit Guy Problems

    Helps lady, gets called a jerk
    Doesn't help lady, gets called a jerk
  • mayaocean
    mayaocean Posts: 355 Member
    Fit Guy Problems

    Helps lady, gets called a jerk
    Doesn't help lady, gets called a jerk

    I don't want to live on this planet anymore.
  • If some guy wanted to help me I wouldn't have even given it a second thought, thank you very much. I have guys putting my weights away for me after Body Pump. I find it flattering cause they aren't helping anyone else in the class. (And it's not because I look weak):glasses:
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I already put this on my wall but I though I share here to get some funny stories

    So today, some guy asked me if I wanted help when I was setting up the bar for deadlifts (granted I probably looked a little funny cause we got a new platform with a super gripping floor and new plates that handle very differently to the old ones)
    I said: no thanks I'm alright but I thought: what do you think I'm going to do with this bar once I'm done? Sit on it while I'm doing my nails?
    I know he probably just wanted to be nice but that was insulting!

    Also one of the guys that's always there at this time and knows me looked very amused, might well be because of my expression when the guy offered me to help...

    So what are funny stories that happened to you in the gym? Anyone ever insulted you by accident?

    So you're visibly struggling loading the bar. Some guy offers to help and you're INSULTED? Oh please!

    thats what i thought!
  • Maybe I'm in the minority but I LIKE when a man is polite enough to help when I'm struggling to do something. I find it insulting when they see me having difficulty and don't offer to help. Call me crazy...


    /\

    This
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    It's a trade off- I have friends who come over JUST to talk to me- and some of them have gym crushes on me- but the reality is- if they are sitting there and I have to change weight between sets- they will get off their duff and help.

    All of them.

    And if they don't- I'll just look at them with a blank dead stare and then go- are you going to sit there like an *kitten* or are you going to help?

    But I have no issue doing it alone- I think it might weird me out if someone just walked over to help me- but I'm a pretty familiar face at my gym- they know if I'm putting the weight on the bar- I can lift it- so most of them don't budge- but if I'm struggling anyone would come help.

    it's a balance.

    And- as far as chivalry- my BF actually stands by the door of his car to open it for me- and he will come open it for me and hold his hand out- I'm not broken- I am quiet capable of getting in and out of a car alone- that is not the point. At all- and you need to know the difference between kindness and condescension. not every act of kindness is based on the premise that you are physically incapable.

    When it comes moving time with furniture- we BOTH get down and lift the things.. he knows it- and I know it. It isn't about the weight- and it isn't his unspoken commentary on my strength.

    edit- back on topic:
    I dance at my gym- I train there- not just lift. I have people who walk up to me all the time and interrupt me while I'm dancing- it's very annoying- I try to be pleasant but it's annoying.
  • TheSwollMinister
    TheSwollMinister Posts: 246 Member
    I wouldn't think twice about offering to help. People overthink things...
  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    I already put this on my wall but I though I share here to get some funny stories

    So today, some guy asked me if I wanted help when I was setting up the bar for deadlifts (granted I probably looked a little funny cause we got a new platform with a super gripping floor and new plates that handle very differently to the old ones)
    I said: no thanks I'm alright but I thought: what do you think I'm going to do with this bar once I'm done? Sit on it while I'm doing my nails?
    I know he probably just wanted to be nice but that was insulting!

    Also one of the guys that's always there at this time and knows me looked very amused, might well be because of my expression when the guy offered me to help...

    So what are funny stories that happened to you in the gym? Anyone ever insulted you by accident?

    So you're visibly struggling loading the bar. Some guy offers to help and you're INSULTED? Oh please!

    My thoughts also....

    As the old saying goes...
    No good deed goes unpunished.....
  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    A young guy called me ma'am and lived to tell.

    you would hear it all the time if you were around me. :wink:
  • MityMax96
    MityMax96 Posts: 5,778 Member
    I think I may have offered a woman help the other day at the gym.....on leg press or something....I can't even remember now.
    I guess I will be re-thinking this from now on.....

    Sheesh....