Working out at the Gym / how to tell someone they smell

ready4fit

Today, was one of the worst workouts ever. It wasn't because of the machine, the work out, or even my body but a person. My workouts on the elliptical are one hour. I was having a good time, stepped it up from last week with my incline and resistance, and before you know it I had been working out for 20 minutes. I looked beside me and no one was there and then there were three other people on the other side.

This girl all of a sudden came out of no where and jumped on the machine. I instantly smelled this musty, old, week old gym clothes smell. I smelt my self and all of my things and it was HER. I'm thinking no way.

I looked at my machine and I had 40 MORE MINUTES TO go. I WAS NOT going to let this girl ruin my work out, run away, and have to log my calories, completely start over and clean a new machine.

I did EVERYTHING possible. I used my workout clothes to mask the smell, I put them over my nose and mouth. This girl reeked so much I smelt her THROUGH my cloth! I was basically suffocating my self while trying to work out and keep up pace to burn the amount of calories that I wanted.

I turned my head and worked out, tried breathing through my mouth strictly, I eventually just ended up switching hands holding my (sweat) cloth , which still smelt better than her sadly and finishing my workout.

My question is. What do you do if something like that happens?

How do you nicely tell someone that they freaking stink?

Let me tell you, it was one work out from hell. But now I can say I've been to hell and back:P Lets just hope that NEVER happens again.

SideSteel

I would bring it to the gym staff rather than tell the person.

SeaChele77

Move to another machine. If not elliptical, then the treadmill, stair stepper, weight machines - there is plenty to do. There was no reason you HAD to stay there.

She may have realized she smelled but she wasn't about to let the fact she forget to take out yesterday's clothes from her gym bag make her miss a workout.

If it happens again - then tell the front desk. Otherwise....move on!

T34418l3angel

Move to another machine. If not elliptical, then the treadmill, stair stepper, weight machines - there is plenty to do. There was no reason you HAD to stay there.

She may have realized she smelled but she wasn't about to let the fact she forget to take out yesterday's clothes from her gym bag make her miss a workout.

If it happens again - then tell the front desk. Otherwise....move on!

This^ honestly I find the fact that you put something over your mouth and nose kinda ridiculous and rude. It's a gym, people sweat and sometimes smell bad, get over it. If it bothered you so much you should have moved, not degraded her because chances are she already knew she smelled and you acted like a child about it.

g00dbyelbs

everyone at the gym smells..the gym itself smells.
stop being a ***** and get over it or move to a different machine...theres really no need to tell her she smells bad, i'm sure she knows.

subcult

Here's what I'd like you to do. This is guaranteed to solve the problem.

Next time you're on your machine and stinkypants comes in and gets on the elliptical next door, act like everything is normal. Then, when she's not looking, you need to remove a $5 spot from your bra. Keep them tucked in your bra cause that's hot btw.

Drop the 5 spot so that it lands right underneath her feet. Temporarily remove your home-made gas mask long enough to gesture to this stank of a lady.
I
"Excuse me miss? I think you dropped that five dollar bill down there".

Now when she bends down to pick up the five spot, you need to quick get off of your machine, and pull your pants down. Slide your butt crack all up and down her back, sort of like how a dog wipes his butt on a carpet.

When she gets up, slightly irritated, stare intently at the 5 dollar bill and then rip it out of her hands.

"OH SNAP! I guess this was MY five. My bad"

Then slap her across the face, pull your pants up, and head over to the squat cage for some barbell curls.

legit lol followed by a snort.

Josee76

Here's what I'd like you to do. This is guaranteed to solve the problem.

Next time you're on your machine and stinkypants comes in and gets on the elliptical next door, act like everything is normal. Then, when she's not looking, you need to remove a $5 spot from your bra. Keep them tucked in your bra cause that's hot btw.

Drop the 5 spot so that it lands right underneath her feet. Temporarily remove your home-made gas mask long enough to gesture to this stank of a lady.

"Excuse me miss? I think you dropped that five dollar bill down there".

Now when she bends down to pick up the five spot, you need to quick get off of your machine, and pull your pants down. Slide your butt crack all up and down her back, sort of like how a dog wipes his butt on a carpet.

When she gets up, slightly irritated, stare intently at the 5 dollar bill and then rip it out of her hands.

"OH SNAP! I guess this was MY five. My bad"

Then slap her across the face, pull your pants up, and head over to the squat cage for some barbell curls.

Did you just write this!? This brought tears to my eyes! I guess it could be a solution lol

Josee76

everyone at the gym smells..the gym itself smells.
stop being a ***** and get over it or move to a different machine...theres really no need to tell her she smells bad, i'm sure she knows.

If YOU smell at the gym..... WEAR DEODORANT!!!! It's disturbing to workout next to someone who chooses not to have proper hygiene! I agree with the OP: it makes it for a very long workout!

OnionMomma

I've had this happen, with a man. We just tried to get our workout (weights) in his area done as quickly as possibly. This is a bonus as we are pushing ourselves with little rest...LOL

On machines, we just grin and bear it, or move to another machine or even a different machine.

Everyone stinks every now and then. It happens to the best of us.

Contrarian

There used to be a woman at my gym named Onion Vagina. Okay. Maybe that wasn't her real name, but that's what we called her, because she smelled like she washed her vagina with an onion.

Anyway, some people smell. I just move away. Maybe you could have a stink-off with this woman and teach her a lesson?

Tiffikat

Here's what I'd like you to do. This is guaranteed to solve the problem.

Next time you're on your machine and stinkypants comes in and gets on the elliptical next door, act like everything is normal. Then, when she's not looking, you need to remove a $5 spot from your bra. Keep them tucked in your bra cause that's hot btw.

Drop the 5 spot so that it lands right underneath her feet. Temporarily remove your home-made gas mask long enough to gesture to this stank of a lady.

"Excuse me miss? I think you dropped that five dollar bill down there".

Now when she bends down to pick up the five spot, you need to quick get off of your machine, and pull your pants down. Slide your butt crack all up and down her back, sort of like how a dog wipes his butt on a carpet.

When she gets up, slightly irritated, stare intently at the 5 dollar bill and then rip it out of her hands.

"OH SNAP! I guess this was MY five. My bad"

Then slap her across the face, pull your pants up, and head over to the squat cage for some barbell curls.

lol wth?

MinMin97

That would be an occasion where I might just go ahead and say something.
That is not rude, especially if you are discreet to tell only her.
If she reacts badly, you could let the staff/manager know about the problem
They don't want that atmosphere in the gym, either.

Sarah47201

I would have moved if I had that much more to go...but I usually go during the dead part of the day. Maybe switch the time to when it's less busy? 11a-2p is slow around my gym. If you asked the staff I'm sure they'd tell you the slow time.

sh4690

I would bring it to the gym staff rather than tell the person.

This x

helloiloveukitty

If it were me I'd just move machines or deal. I can't imagine confronting her would do any good, she's probably aware she smells or smelled that day and did not care. If it continues to happen and you can't get away from her I would tell the staff but be prepared for them to not do anything.

Some people smell. Some people are gross. Some people are rude and don't care about other inhabiting the same space.

SideSteel

I would have moved if I had that much more to go...but I usually go during the dead part of the day. Maybe switch the time to when it's less busy? 11a-2p is slow around my gym. If you asked the staff I'm sure they'd tell you the slow time.

You could also ask the staff:

"Excuse me can you tell me when the non-smelly-*kitten* people are usually here?"

stephanie1133

I've had something kind of similar happen, except it was extremely strong perfume which immediately triggered an asthma attack. I moved (after I went and took my inhaler). It's just not worth it to me go complain to staff, or to confront a total stranger.

blueandigo

After I've been working out for 2 hours I smell bad and I hate it. This is even when I use deodorant etc. But then I just leave the gym and get cleaned. I mean this must be some kind of death smell of you're complaining of it when you're in the gym. I mean hello, you're in the gym.

SeaChele77

everyone at the gym smells..the gym itself smells.
stop being a ***** and get over it or move to a different machine...theres really no need to tell her she smells bad, i'm sure she knows.

If YOU smell at the gym..... WEAR DEODORANT!!!! It's disturbing to workout next to someone who chooses not to have proper hygiene! I agree with the OP: it makes it for a very long workout!

But who is forcing you to stay on the machine next to someone who smells? Okay a workout interrupted - big deal - move to another machine. People sweat -deodorant may not cover all the stink. Its a gym, we sweat, we smell - its being a human!

I guess you don't stink and you smell like roses all the time. Lucky for your machine neighbors!

kimothy38

It still amazes me why people get so hostile on here. There's no need to rip shreds off someone!!!!!
I understand where you are coming from because some people smell so bad that it makes your eyes water. Having said that, it would have been more mature for you to move to another machine if that was at all possible. Inconvenient I know but better than embarrassing the girl. You are judging her because of the smell but you don't know her story. She may have a medical condition or something. She may get treated like that by people all the time. You just don't know. Have some compassion.

Lorrie_73

You are probably a gym rat if you spend that long on an elliptical. So let's assume you know what the usual gym and sweat smells are. This was clearly different and rude people don't need to stalk your post and insult your intelligence to make themselves sound smarter.

It is a hygiene issue. I would've honestly moved to another machine, but I have also had gym staff ask me before if the person next to me is bothering me because of a sweat issue. It wasn't their smell, but they are notorious for sweating like a firehose all over equipment and not cleaning up after themselves, leaving pools of sweat in the elliptical steps, as well as flinging sweat on others. I guess mention it to gym staff or move to another machine.

lilmisfit

There used to be a woman at my gym named Onion Vagina. Okay. Maybe that wasn't her real name, but that's what we called her, because she smelled like she washed her vagina with an onion.

I seriously LOL'd at this! :laugh:

TonkaDanteFriend

Dang OP. Life is tough, huh?

12skipafew99100

In beauty school we were taught that if someone smelled that was sitting in our chair we were to take a cotton ball and put a little seabreeze on it and clip it to their cape on their back. It has a nice smell and blocks out any nasty smell that may be coming from the person.. Perhaps you could do this and clip it on your own sleeve on the side of the smelly person.

postrockandcats

I would have just moved, to be honest. Putting your shirt over your nose seems a little over the top.

I'd never tell a total stranger that they smelled. If it were a reoccurring thing, I'd take it up with management.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

Uh isn't it that an hour on the elliptical machine is way too much? You should have moved out of that machine instead.

FearlessRobb

First off. I would be bringing new cloths every time i went to the gym. ewwww i cant even wear the same underwear 2 days in a row nvm gym cloths ur sweating in lol

Adynata

Dear OP. There are many times in our lives that we may accidentally smell bad. For example, as a fellow woman, I am going to assume that at some point in your life, you have experienced The Dreaded Unexpected Early Time of the Month Panic (more commonly of course known by its abbreviation TDUETMP). TDUETMP notoriously occurs during inescapable meetings, exams, presentations, and other socially awkward situations. TDUETMP is known to cause a spreading sensation of fear that everyone surrounding you has noticed, is judging you, and is soon to shun you from all future interactions.

I appreciate that the woman you were describing was not suffering from TDUETMP, but from a different embarrassing smell related problem. However, it seems to me that this is the only time you've ever encountered this woman smelling bad, so I think you should give her the benefit of the doubt. I'd like you to imagine a time when you yourself has smelled less than pleasant, such as the example I have given before, and then imagine how you might react if a person near you covered their nose unsubtly in front of you.

If the problem persists, and you still feel so strongly about it, then please at least have the balls to approach her yourself. You do not need to humiliate this woman further by dragging a member of staff in to it.

MinMin97

everyone at the gym smells..the gym itself smells.
stop being a ***** and get over it or move to a different machine...theres really no need to tell her she smells bad, i'm sure she knows.

If YOU smell at the gym..... WEAR DEODORANT!!!! It's disturbing to workout next to someone who chooses not to have proper hygiene! I agree with the OP: it makes it for a very long workout!

But who is forcing you to stay on the machine next to someone who smells? Okay a workout interrupted - big deal - move to another machine. People sweat -deodorant may not cover all the stink. Its a gym, we sweat, we smell - its being a human!

I guess you don't stink and you smell like roses all the time. Lucky for your machine neighbors!

There's gym smells...I kinda have a good neuro association with that...it's a smell that accompanies a great workout.
But stench? Come on!
Some folks have come into the gym and make a large room stink.
There's one guy i walk past at the gym, and I avoid him..don't know quite how to describe the strange metabolic smell he gives off.
On a day when I feel i'm working with enough disruptive dynamics, a chronically stinky person might get some feedback from me.
I think this could go either way...tell her, or move. Your choice.

Bunski

Uh isn't it that an hour on the elliptical machine is way too much? You should have moved out of that machine instead.

I'm curious as to why an hour on the elliptical is too much? (and I agree with what you say about moving from that machine, that's what I would do) I'm sure some gyms have time limits on the equipment, but I've never been to one that has, so it isn't hard to imagine the OP's gym is the same way... spending an hour on one machine doesn't seem outrageous to me.

Channing

I believe this kind of judgement is why people are intimidated by gyms. At least that person is there, doing their thing, trying to improve their life. If it really is disrupting your workout, move.