TL;DR Self Indulgent Gym Rant

My gym membership grants me access to all locations of Sports Clubs gyms. Last night I decided to try out a new location near my home. If I liked it, that would make gym visits much more convenient. I would be able to go to the gym, go back home, make breakfast, shower, and walk to work without having to carry my gym bag with me all day.

Upon entering this facility I was greeted with the scent of vomit with a hint of feces. I'm serious, it smelled the way my bathroom smelled when I had food poisoning. I'm gonna go ahead and assume that perhaps someone hit the cardio too hard and hurled. I am not going to assume it always smells that way, but that was rough. I would not want to be breathing heavily with that scent in the air. The first floor held the cardio machines. There were fewer than I was accustomed to at other NYSC locations, but not a big deal for me. I only do a quick 10 min cardio warm up.

I went upstairs to the free weights section. No vomit smell. Score! It's pretty packed. I look for a power rack or squat rack. At the other NYSC locations they are usually next to each other. I see the squat rack in use, but no power rack. NYSC has its own staff of personal trainers so I go to the nearest one.

Me: Excuse me, could you tell me where the power rack is?

PT: What?

Me: The power rack? Or does this location not have one?

PT: -points- Over there.

Me: No, that's a squat rack.

PT: -points- Oh, you mean that?

Me: No, that's a Smith machine.

PT: -points- I think that's it.

Me: No, that's another Smith machine. You know what? Never mind, I'll just wait for the squat rack. Thanks!

PT: No problem. You tryna build that booty? -smiles-

Me: (kicking him in my imagination) No, not really. Thanks again!


I know it was a harmless exchange but it really pissed me off that he assumed I was trying to build a booty. It was a completely sexist remark. I have not a single doubt in my mind that if I was a man talking about using the squat rack that he would have said something else entirely.

And hey! I have noooooo problem with anyone who wants to squat to build a booty. I love a nice round booty on guys and girls alike. That is an absolutely valid and awesome goal for anyone. But it's not *my* goal and he assumed it was just because I was a woman interested in weighted squats. He's a personal trainer. He needs to work on his craft.

Hey Mr. Trainer,

1. Learn what a power rack is. Seriously. There is no reason a fitness professional should not know the difference between a smith machine and a power rack. OR if you don't know what it is, say so. Maybe you think that will make you look dumb or unprofessional. It won't. It will make you look honest and increase your credibility. Pointing at the wrong equipment makes you look dumb and unprofessional.

2. When a person, client or not, tells you "I'm gonna do xyz", do not tell them what you think their goals are. You made an assumption about my goals which kinda annoyed me so I ended the conversation and walked away from you. What you should have done is asked me what my goals are. Then we could have had a conversation. I would have said,

"Well lifting weights has helped me to manage my depression in ways I haven't thought possible, so I'd say my number one goal is to not be depressed. The close second is that I need to increase my lower body strength considerably. I do a lot of hiking and I injured my hip last year so I lost a lot of strength. Actually, I am about to become an assistant hiking guide, so it's in my professional interests to increase my lower body strength. I'm also slightly over weight so lifting will help me maintain my lean mass while I eat at a caloric deficit."

And a conversation would totally blossom from there. Maybe he'd give me tips. Maybe he'd ask me what program I was following. Who knows. But that's how that conversation should have gone. In fact I have had conversations like that with other trainers at other NYSC locations.

Last but certainly not least, I had a creep following me around the gym. Yes, following me.

I did my 10 min warm up on a stationary bike. He chose the bike next to mine. I thought nothing of it. He kept looking over at me. Still thought nothing of it.

I went upstairs. I did my OHP in the free space area, or whatever you wanna call it. A couple of minutes later, there he is. Just standing there. Looking at me. He picks up a kettle bell and does I don't know what. Looking at me. I got such a creepy, threatening vibe from this guy. I can't explain it. Gut feeling of dread.

The squat rack freed up so I hauled *kitten* over there to finish OHP. I finish my OHP, set up for squats. Get the bar on my back and who do I see in the mirror only 2-3 feet behind me.? CREEP. ****ing ****. He starts doing dumbbell shoulder press RIGHT BEHIND ME while staring at me though the mirror. No, not looking at himself to keep form, looking at me. I do my squats as fast as I can.

I move to another open space area to do deadlifts. My friend appears and does walking lunges in my direction. Good Lord Jesus. I only had to do 5 reps so I was out of there fast.

I find another quiet corner to do my good mornings. Yet again, there he is, this time stretching. While he looks at me. I did my GMs decided to blow off my other accessory work and got the hell out of there.


WHOA. What a night.

Wanna share your horror stories? Comment on mine?