OMG!! Almost punched this guy @ gym!

Elizabeth_C34

So I cant believe that in this day and age, there is still stereotyping going on at the gym. I went to the Y today to do some strength training... I was doing some bench presses.. now Ive JUST started adding strength to my workouts, so Im still only doing 35lbs.. Im proud of my 35lbs press... I plan on increasing it soon, but I know it looks kinda dumb to those guys who can bench press a gajillion pounds.

So Im happy benchpressing away with my Ipod and this huge beefcake roidrage looking fool taps me on my shoulder.. so I put the bar up and pull my earphones out and say "Yes?"... Well he points to the treadmills and says "The cardio section is over there, where those girls are" so I say "Thanks, I knew that already though, today is my strength day"... so he actually has the balls to say to me "Little girl, this is the MENS area... I think you are lost"... So, I gather up my courage... look him in the eyes and say "NO, this is the 'everyone who pays to be here' area". He stood there looking at me like he might pick me up and carry me to a treadmill... and we have our little wild west stare down and he walks off muttering something about "knowing my place"...

I couldnt believe it!! Is this 2012 or what?? Any other of you lady weight trainers deal with this kinda crap?

I was insulted at my gym last week also.

A girl told me I was "too fat for the squat rack" along with a whole host of other lovely comments about how I look squatting.

My hat goes off to you for having the fortitude to stand up for yourself. I just froze and then got very upset later.

If you haven't already, make sure you report this turdmonkey to the management at your gym. He has no right to say that to you or anyone else.

geckofli

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BjornBorg

Not all guys are idiots, just most of them... :-)

GemmieNoWobbles

OMG! What a complete *kitten*! I am so sorry someone was that sh*tty to you! Like everyone else says well done on sticking up for yourself, I'd personally report him and would probably have also kicked him in the balls! What a complete knob! I cant believe there are people out there like that!

karmaticgeek

After my initial stunned disbelief, I would report this tosser to the staff. You're paying to use the equipment and services there, not to be abused by misogynists.

FitJoani

I would have pointed to a corner and said 'thats where you sit for time out when you are a bad boy' get away from me. Ugh what a douche!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

geckofli

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Werewulph

Oh man, you're braver than I would be in a similar situation.

Those are the same guys that believe they were born with their muscles and make fun and laugh at guys who are just starting out like they originally had. They're a bunch of jerks, and the main reason I do all my training at home.

I believe strength is both the body and the mind, and he is lopsided massively.

I agree with other people here, it would have been best to report him to the staff.

P.S. I pictured him with a popped collar and a fake tan for some reason.

karmaticgeek

P.S. I pictured him with a popped collar and a fake tan for some reason.

Hahaha love it!

Victoria2448

So I cant believe that in this day and age, there is still stereotyping going on at the gym. I went to the Y today to do some strength training... I was doing some bench presses.. now Ive JUST started adding strength to my workouts, so Im still only doing 35lbs.. Im proud of my 35lbs press... I plan on increasing it soon, but I know it looks kinda dumb to those guys who can bench press a gajillion pounds.

So Im happy benchpressing away with my Ipod and this huge beefcake roidrage looking fool taps me on my shoulder.. so I put the bar up and pull my earphones out and say "Yes?"... Well he points to the treadmills and says "The cardio section is over there, where those girls are" so I say "Thanks, I knew that already though, today is my strength day"... so he actually has the balls to say to me "Little girl, this is the MENS area... I think you are lost"... So, I gather up my courage... look him in the eyes and say "NO, this is the 'everyone who pays to be here' area". He stood there looking at me like he might pick me up and carry me to a treadmill... and we have our little wild west stare down and he walks off muttering something about "knowing my place"...

I couldnt believe it!! Is this 2012 or what?? Any other of you lady weight trainers deal with this kinda crap?

Another reason why I train at home...avoid idiots at all cost!:laugh:

If that guy came up to me I would have challenged him, to do a move that he wouldn't have been able too and laughed while he struggled. Being strong and muscular is great but if you don't have functional fitness and flexibility it don't mean a thing!

Kirsty_UK

No need to repeat what everyone else has already said, but I'd love to know the result when you report him - please report back!

takehimaway

I won a year gym membership, and this discouraged me.. I just want to be thinner, not be harassed by every person on the planet. -hides-

Elizabeth_C34

I won a year gym membership, and this discouraged me.. I just want to be thinner, not be harassed by every person on the planet. -hides-

Don't you dare use this as an excuse to not go. Use it. Remember that people like this guy who insulted the OP are the problem not you. They are the ones so full of nastiness that it spills out of their mouth to complete strangers.

Peta22

I admire you for sticking up for yourself AND for going to th gym in the first place! This is just one of the reasons why I won't go to these places - the last thing I need when I'm trying to work out is to have to deal with intimidating meatheads!

saragato

I don't know if the rules for all YMCA's are the same, but I know it's stated blatantly at mine that you are not to harass any other member in any way. I don't know what the punishment is for harassing someone but considering the Y's a place for just about all ages I'm sure they have a strict policy.

Stuff like that's actually why I left the last gym I joined years ago. They had a co-ed section for cardio and weights and a woman's only section upstairs which often had less people. I stayed there because I was new but the women who would come up there were rude, but it was because I was big. I never saw even slightly heavy guys or women in the place and they sold protein shakes at a bar, proteins bars and powder, and their drink machines were Powerade and Red Bull so you can guess the kind of gym it was.

WilliamsPeggy

To the OP...HOLY COW!!!! I can't believe that happened! What a complete jerk of a guy!!! I'm SO PROUD of you for sticking up for yourself. Yes, that area is for EVERYONE & you have every right to be there. What a bully...I'm just still so appalled. Good grief!

kurtisgoingskinny

What the hell?! This is the point where I actually think of going from socialistist to feminist! But as soon as all the people like him die, the world will be a good place for women too.
Keep it up, girl! Never let a man affect your life, and especialy not when he tries this hard.

DIVAFIT43

Way to hold your ground! I don't go to the gym any more because I have home equipment. I have an "intimidating" presence, so even in my gym bunny days I never had a muscle head challenge me while in the "men's" area. Keep doing you girl!

LorinaLynn

The good news is that with his attitude, it's going to be really hard for him to reproduce. Consider him a genetic dead-end and know that his species will soon be extinct.

Jennacita

What a d***! I workout at home so I don't have these problems. And I could never imagine being treated that way. He is obviosly intimated by strong women.

Lorrie_73

OMG, thank you for this post! I was laughing out loud the whole time I read it! It was such an insulting encounter, but your humor in how you recounted the showdown was priceless!. I am so proud of you for entering the strength training area of the gym. That has to be the most intimidating area due to all the meatheads. You took it on head on and didn't back down when confronted by this guido!

I have worked out most of my adult life in a gym. Back when I was trim and in shape, and now all puffy and fluffy. I worked out in many gyms in many cities and never encountered this. I so appreciate my gym right now. But in all seriousness, you are a paid member and they must have some code of conduct. I would report him.

Louise1583

I think a firm "PISS. OFF." would be my response! And I think it would be the "little girl" comment that would rile me the most.

Well done for keeping your cool! It's the only thing you can do to win when someone is trying to bully you.

coraliethomas

I was insulted at my gym last week also.

A girl told me I was "too fat for the squat rack" along with a whole host of other lovely comments about how I look squatting.

My hat goes off to you for having the fortitude to stand up for yourself. I just froze and then got very upset later.

If you haven't already, make sure you report this turdmonkey to the management at your gym. He has no right to say that to you or anyone else.

Oh my gosh Im sooo sorry this happened to you!! Use it as motivation... Some day someone like you will be at the gym next to you, and you will be skinny, and then you can give them the motivation you needed instead of insults! Head held high girl... at least you were there, doing squats!

4flamingoz

So I cant believe that in this day and age, there is still stereotyping going on at the gym. I went to the Y today to do some strength training... I was doing some bench presses.. now Ive JUST started adding strength to my workouts, so Im still only doing 35lbs.. Im proud of my 35lbs press... I plan on increasing it soon, but I know it looks kinda dumb to those guys who can bench press a gajillion pounds.

So Im happy benchpressing away with my Ipod and this huge beefcake roidrage looking fool taps me on my shoulder.. so I put the bar up and pull my earphones out and say "Yes?"... Well he points to the treadmills and says "The cardio section is over there, where those girls are" so I say "Thanks, I knew that already though, today is my strength day"... so he actually has the balls to say to me "Little girl, this is the MENS area... I think you are lost"... So, I gather up my courage... look him in the eyes and say "NO, this is the 'everyone who pays to be here' area". He stood there looking at me like he might pick me up and carry me to a treadmill... and we have our little wild west stare down and he walks off muttering something about "knowing my place"...

I couldnt believe it!! Is this 2012 or what?? Any other of you lady weight trainers deal with this kinda crap?

4flamingoz

Good for you for telling him off-I would've found a staff member and reported him. Girls-we rock and lunkheads like him can't stand it. Rock on everyone-feed em all beans, or join a fitness club that encourages everyone to keep on movin.

samntha14

The good news is that with his attitude, it's going to be really hard for him to reproduce. Consider him a genetic dead-end and know that his species will soon be extinct.

Love this comment!
So sorry you had to go through that. Like so many other women I was intimidated the first few times going into the free weight area. Now I get the looks of either being impressed. Most of the guys are nice and helpful. I wish there were more girls over there with me Keep at it lady! Great job standing up for yourself...and woman-kind LOL.

JJinWI

Little penis' (or is that "penis's"?) make men say the most obnoxious things.

AllTehBeers

*snip*

I'd totally find a way to infiltrate that area with women and see how he likes THAT! He'd positively turn purple when he saw how long he'd have to wait before using equipment by the time I was done.

I love this idea. Wouldn't that just p*ss him off!

Elizabeth_C34

I was insulted at my gym last week also.

A girl told me I was "too fat for the squat rack" along with a whole host of other lovely comments about how I look squatting.

My hat goes off to you for having the fortitude to stand up for yourself. I just froze and then got very upset later.

If you haven't already, make sure you report this turdmonkey to the management at your gym. He has no right to say that to you or anyone else.

Oh my gosh Im sooo sorry this happened to you!! Use it as motivation... Some day someone like you will be at the gym next to you, and you will be skinny, and then you can give them the motivation you needed instead of insults! Head held high girl... at least you were there, doing squats!

Yeah it was horrible at the time, and I was not happy with how I reacted. I should have stood up for myself like you did, but I just went into shock and shut down instead.

I've gone back already and hit my squats again. Tell hell with mean people.

My friend told me when I said something about it to her last week that really it's the people who insult us who are the worse person because they are so full of vile nastiness that it spews out of their mouths to complete strangers. Makes sense to me. Don't let this guy get to you at all. Keep doing your thing

DiannaMoorer

*snip*

I'd totally find a way to infiltrate that area with women and see how he likes THAT! He'd positively turn purple when he saw how long he'd have to wait before using equipment by the time I was done.

I love this idea. Wouldn't that just p*ss him off!


YES!!! Get your friends together and completely overwhelm him in the gym.