Creepy guy at the Gym

I am a long distance runner and normally run on the roads..but because its raining and it can get hot at times I been running in treadmill at the gym. The Gym is small and I am always conscious about myself as everyone is watching everyone else .So I am a on with my earphone listening to music ..After my one hour run I was stretching ..this random dude walks to me and tries to talk to me..everyone at the gym turns there head. He ask some question about running basically he was trying to introduce himself
I was answering without being friendly nor being rude. After that I was trying to avoid any kind of eye contact with him and stay away from him. After that day he has been checking me out and staring all the time when I stretch and always taking the treadmill me next to me even if the rest of the treadmills are empty . This is really disappointing me and I cant concentrate on my run
Did anyone has same experience ??
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Replies

  • Fithealthyforlife
    Fithealthyforlife Posts: 866 Member
    Just bring your husband/boyfriend or a male friend along next time. That should stop him in his tracks.
  • seonf
    seonf Posts: 24 Member
    I'd bring a male gym partner along, or try joining the female only gyms.
  • lcransaw
    lcransaw Posts: 95
    Tell a member of management.
  • lcransaw
    lcransaw Posts: 95
    Tell a member of management.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Honestly doesn't sound like he's crossed the "creepy" threshold just yet. Next time he takes the treadmill next to you move. He might get the hint just from that.
  • red0801
    red0801 Posts: 283 Member
    Tell him u've always wanted to give someone a "private" piercing. He'll never look ur way again.
  • SteveStedge1
    SteveStedge1 Posts: 149 Member
    Honestly doesn't sound like he's crossed the "creepy" threshold just yet. Next time he takes the treadmill next to you move. He might get the hint just from that.

    Yeah, this.

    You may want to consider that in fact he is just being friendly.

    Not every man expects he will have sex with every single woman he talks to during his day. I know, its hard to believe but true.

    Telling management would be a spineless, douche-bag move.

    Part of me sympathizes with you, and the male part of me is slightly annoyed that members of the opposite sex paying attention to you is a "problem" at the gym. Must be nice....
  • CindyRip
    CindyRip Posts: 166 Member
    My son's fiance had this problem and he went in with her an evening and the next morning. He basically put his arm around her while the guy was looking, kissed her cheek and looked directly at the guy. Message conveyed, end of problem the guy stopped showing up when she was there. But if you do not have a guy to help, simple and quietly tell him that he is making you uncomfortable. He probably does not realize, and may think he is flirting. Give him the benefit of the doubt, if he doesn't stop or makes a big deal about it, then take it to management. The whole treadmill thing might be as simple as, "Would you mind taking a different piece of equipment, I have this personal space thing and would feel better with if either side of me was empty." Something creative like that.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    I follow my gut. If my gut screams creep, he's a creep. I would be myself (biotch) and make it a point to move to a different machine. Especially if the creepiness is messing with my workout. He can't follow you to every machine.
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    Honestly doesn't sound like he's crossed the "creepy" threshold just yet. Next time he takes the treadmill next to you move. He might get the hint just from that.

    Yeah, this.

    You may want to consider that in fact he is just being friendly.

    Not every man expects he will have sex with every single woman he talks to during his day. I know, its hard to believe but true.

    Telling management would be a spineless, douche-bag move.

    Part of me sympathizes with you, and the male part of me is slightly annoyed that members of the opposite sex paying attention to you is a "problem" at the gym. Must be nice....

    "You know this one time this woman at the gym kept looking at me and tried talking to me. What a creeper." It sounds just weird. Double standards man. Double standards.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    I am a long distance runner and normally run on the roads..but because its raining and it can get hot at times I been running in treadmill at the gym. The Gym is small and I am always conscious about myself as everyone is watching everyone else .So I am a on with my earphone listening to music ..After my one hour run I was stretching ..this random dude walks to me and tries to talk to me..everyone at the gym turns there head. He ask some question about running basically he was trying to introduce himself
    I was answering without being friendly nor being rude. After that I was trying to avoid any kind of eye contact with him and stay away from him. After that day he has been checking me out and staring all the time when I stretch and always taking the treadmill me next to me even if the rest of the treadmills are empty . This is really disappointing me and I cant concentrate on my run
    Did anyone has same experience ??

    Where do you workout at? I could help protect you. I'm like the Godfather of running. Creeps stay in line for me or they get the horse head in bed.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    just move to a different machine.

    usually if he is being friendly he would have SAID something to you not just plunked himself down. I am friendly with a number of people and none of them come occupy space next to me- or equipment next to me unless they are doing the exact thing I am (which they aren't) or they are chatting with me- which I don't do while I'm working out.

    Just taking a machine next to you is creepy.

    Move. if not - bring a large friend in next time and get very chummy with large friend.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    call the police!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Wow....kind of weird but there was this guy the other day that was talking about a girl on a treadmill and was pretty sure about her schedule....weird coinky-dink..lol.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    The real creeper test is if they try to give you gifts, like personal photos or stuffed jackalopes. Did he try to do this with you?
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    The two best options I see here are to move to a different treadmill if he takes the one next to you, or to come with a friend, preferably a guy. If I were said treadmill dude, either of those would pretty much get the idea locked in, lol.
  • Maybe just tell the guy you feel like he is giving you too much attention and you want space. Some people are pack mentality and would rather be next to someone they have talked to before.

    Maybe he is watching your form from a running standpoint trying to be more like you... not to kidnap you and throw you in his car... but to be a better runner himself.

    Maybe he doesn't realize it creeps you out as you haven't said anything. Until you ask him to stop doing something involving a manager is very rude.
  • Shelleybean29
    Shelleybean29 Posts: 95 Member
    I had a creeper at the gym I go to. He came in every day with jeans on and motorcycle boots. He had no intention of working out. He would literally sit on a machine, stare at women and yawn.

    One day I was on the lovely thigh machine and he approached me. Let me just say it is never ok to approach a woman to strike up a conversation while on that machine. Sorry, not interested in chatting it up while I am spread eagle. He was actually asking me to go to a bar with him and take a ride on his motorcycle.

    Just be honest and tell him you are not interested in conversation while working out. Move to another machine and ignore him! If he doesn't get the hint then tell management.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    ... Did anyone has same experience ??

    Yes. I had the exact same experience. That same guy was bothering me last week. I can't stand that guy.
  • ngressman
    ngressman Posts: 229 Member
    I also go with a friend that prevents the guys taking the treadmill next to me. If he is really giving you the creeps it's best to tackle it head on. Tell him he is making you uncomfortable, and then if he still persists get management involved. Or adjust your schedule to avoid him?
  • Blitz_40
    Blitz_40 Posts: 110 Member
    I had a bad experience in a gym setting once and it's a terrible feeling. I was on the bench, had just unracked when all of the sudden a guy stepped right up on me, like his dangly bits directly over my face, practically straddling my head. I'm in a co-ed college weight room, not a soul around. I'm holding about 140 pounds in a reverse grip & I couldn't even lift to rerack because he wouldn't move. My buddy showed up (late!) after a few tense minutes & the guy left but it was a helpless feeling. I've never been back to a gym of any kind and that was over 20 years ago.

    If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone and listen to your instincts. Have someone walk you to your car too. If you can, go at a different time so maybe he won't be there.
  • BrienJD
    BrienJD Posts: 541 Member
    Honestly doesn't sound like he's crossed the "creepy" threshold just yet. Next time he takes the treadmill next to you move. He might get the hint just from that.

    Yeah, this.

    You may want to consider that in fact he is just being friendly.

    Not every man expects he will have sex with every single woman he talks to during his day. I know, its hard to believe but true.

    Telling management would be a spineless, douche-bag move.

    Part of me sympathizes with you, and the male part of me is slightly annoyed that members of the opposite sex paying attention to you is a "problem" at the gym. Must be nice....

    "You know this one time this woman at the gym kept looking at me and tried talking to me. What a creeper." It sounds just weird. Double standards man. Double standards.

    This.

    I see these type threads more and more.

    What the hell is wrong with a guy trying to get to know a girl at the gym? Is this now off-limits?? Proximity is one of the basic Laws of Attraction.

    If you haven't told him you aren't seeing someone or aren't interested then what's the issue. Has he been inappropriate towards you? if not, why label him a creep? Just because he's trying to find a way to become familiar with you and thereby get to know you? And maybe even, god forbid, work up the courage to ask you out or something?

    If I am missing something please enlighten me. Of course if there is more to the story and my comments are off the mark then I will apologize to the OP.

    But for now, what gives?
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    I had a bad experience in a gym setting once and it's a terrible feeling. I was on the bench, had just unracked when all of the sudden a guy stepped right up on me, like his dangly bits directly over my face, practically straddling my head.

    Crazy spotters are everywhere. Avoid the gym for 20 years was a good call after this experience.
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    I had a bad experience in a gym setting once and it's a terrible feeling. I was on the bench, had just unracked when all of the sudden a guy stepped right up on me, like his dangly bits directly over my face, practically straddling my head. I'm in a co-ed college weight room, not a soul around. I'm holding about 140 pounds in a reverse grip & I couldn't even lift to rerack because he wouldn't move. My buddy showed up (late!) after a few tense minutes & the guy left but it was a helpless feeling. I've never been back to a gym of any kind and that was over 20 years ago.

    If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone and listen to your instincts. Have someone walk you to your car too. If you can, go at a different time so maybe he won't be there.

    You let a guy standing over you stop you from going to a gym for 20 years? Also 140 lb. bench with a reverse grip? Wut?
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    Honestly doesn't sound like he's crossed the "creepy" threshold just yet. Next time he takes the treadmill next to you move. He might get the hint just from that.

    Yeah, this.

    You may want to consider that in fact he is just being friendly.

    Not every man expects he will have sex with every single woman he talks to during his day. I know, its hard to believe but true.

    Telling management would be a spineless, douche-bag move.

    Part of me sympathizes with you, and the male part of me is slightly annoyed that members of the opposite sex paying attention to you is a "problem" at the gym. Must be nice....

    "You know this one time this woman at the gym kept looking at me and tried talking to me. What a creeper." It sounds just weird. Double standards man. Double standards.

    This.

    I see these type threads more and more.

    What the hell is wrong with a guy trying to get to know a girl at the gym? Is this now off-limits?? Proximity is one of the basic Laws of Attraction.

    If you haven't told him you aren't seeing someone or aren't interested then what's the issue. Has he been inappropriate towards you? if not, why label him a creep? Just because he's trying to find a way to become familiar with you and thereby get to know you? And maybe even, god forbid, work up the courage to ask you out or something?

    If I am missing something please enlighten me. Of course if there is more to the story and my comments are off the mark then I will apologize to the OP.

    But for now, what gives?

    Apparently "stranger danger" has stayed with some people for way too long.
  • freyaheart
    freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
    He does sound kind of creepy to me. I wouldn't tell the management yet. Keep your distance. Like someone suggested if he takes the machine next to you move to a different one. If he really starts to get weird then it is time to talk to the gym staff about it.

    I might even try going at a different time if you can. Just be careful and if it really starts to bother you do not hesitat to tell the staff.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    I am a long distance runner and normally run on the roads..but because its raining and it can get hot at times I been running in treadmill at the gym. The Gym is small and I am always conscious about myself as everyone is watching everyone else .So I am a on with my earphone listening to music ..After my one hour run I was stretching ..this random dude walks to me and tries to talk to me..everyone at the gym turns there head. He ask some question about running basically he was trying to introduce himself
    I was answering without being friendly nor being rude. After that I was trying to avoid any kind of eye contact with him and stay away from him. After that day he has been checking me out and staring all the time when I stretch and always taking the treadmill me next to me even if the rest of the treadmills are empty . This is really disappointing me and I cant concentrate on my run
    Did anyone has same experience ??

    Probably not.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Honestly doesn't sound like he's crossed the "creepy" threshold just yet. Next time he takes the treadmill next to you move. He might get the hint just from that.

    Yeah, this.

    You may want to consider that in fact he is just being friendly.

    Not every man expects he will have sex with every single woman he talks to during his day. I know, its hard to believe but true.

    Telling management would be a spineless, douche-bag move.

    Part of me sympathizes with you, and the male part of me is slightly annoyed that members of the opposite sex paying attention to you is a "problem" at the gym. Must be nice....

    "You know this one time this woman at the gym kept looking at me and tried talking to me. What a creeper." It sounds just weird. Double standards man. Double standards.

    This.

    I see these type threads more and more.

    What the hell is wrong with a guy trying to get to know a girl at the gym? Is this now off-limits?? Proximity is one of the basic Laws of Attraction.

    If you haven't told him you aren't seeing someone or aren't interested then what's the issue. Has he been inappropriate towards you? if not, why label him a creep? Just because he's trying to find a way to become familiar with you and thereby get to know you? And maybe even, god forbid, work up the courage to ask you out or something?

    If I am missing something please enlighten me. Of course if there is more to the story and my comments are off the mark then I will apologize to the OP.

    But for now, what gives?

    Apparently "stranger danger" has stayed with some people for way too long.

    All of this. Not every guy is a creeper.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    It honestly doesn't sound like this guy was creepy at all. To me, it sounds like you are extremely self conscious and can't handle someone bothering to look in your direction. In that case, run outside in the rain.
  • JDHINAZ
    JDHINAZ Posts: 641 Member
    Go with your gut. If you feel this particular guy is paying attention in an inappropriate manner, then keep your distance. If it continues, and you can't change your schedule our routine enough to keep a little distance, it wouldn't hurt to find out more about him. Ask someone who works there if they know him and if he's an up standing guy. It may be that he's just socially awkward, or maybe they'll confirm your concerns. I wouldn't report him, but it's worth being a little cautious.