I got shouted at in the gym today, AIBU?

What a nasty woman. I'm with the no sprays or strong perfumes crowd. A lot of us have asthma or COPD and we like to use gyms too.

Hmmm ........it's not particularly pleasant to breathe them in although there are more constructive ways of raising issues with people

I said YRBU because you should not let her get to you. She sounds like an angry hateful piece of work. I wouldn’t take it personally or even think it’s about your looks, she just wanted to have a rage at someone.

I am sad you had so much hassle in one day. I really hope you do go back to the gym. The woman sounds crazy. I wonder is she troubled with her MH.I hope she thinks about her comments and apologises. Deodorants are needed so the second person was out of order as well. I think a lot of people have a short fuse theses days, there is no excuse for her truly awful bad manners. I send a virtual hug to you.

The other woman was the ugly one, not you. Please don’t put yourself down because of her nasty comments. You are entitled to use the gym without being harassed.

Then don't go there.

This is a consequence of validating TERFs in action.

It’s not- many gyms have signs and have had them for many years. I was once sprayed in the eye because the person didn’t realize I was bending to get something from the locker when she sprayed herself (and didn’t aim well).
use roll on or get wet wipes.

The woman is batshit. I don’t see an issue with the body spray. Aerosol deodorants and sprays are very bog standard. If the gym has a policy against them they should advertise it clearly. Otherwise you are free to use in the changing room.

Complain. Don’t let it bash your confidence though. It sounds like you’re doing really well with going to the gym in the first place.

That woman was probably a MNetter who spends her life posting about women's only spaces on here.

Just what I was thinking.

That's upsetting but I do wish people who use body spray in public spaces would realise it is a really bad asthma trigger for some people. I often have to change train carriages if teen boys get on after footie practise. I know they are trying to be the opposite of antisocial by making themselves smell nicer but when you can't breathe and have to gather your bags and run to the next carriage and hope you packed your inhaler, mid-attack, it's pretty hairy.

It can really affect people with asthma, the dusty ones are awful. Depends how it’s used ..considerate people spray under clothes to protect others (which may have been the case here)…sounds like a horrible and unacceptable experience

I’m sorry this happened OP.
And because I can see the pushback on calling yourself ugly coming in, I want to share this video essay on lookism and the politics of ugly that I found interesting. I know people have good intentions when they tell people not to say they’re ugly but I think people forget that “ugly” is often political and the issue isn’t that people are so but rather how we see people’s humanity based on their desirability.

The first person is obviously visually impaired or just insane. I always move well away from other people when using body spray in the changing room and only use the tiniest amount. I think that it's the courteous thing to do or better still do it outdoors. Changing rooms are often poorly ventilated.

You say you're short, OP, so you must mean below average size for a woman. It's a very odd thing for a woman to mistake someone who's what - 5ft-5ft 4in? for a man so don't take it personally. The problem is obviously with her. I'd complain too.

Wtf! She sounds nuts. Take no notice

I agree with a PP who said the most athletic people are likely to be the friendliest and most encouraging. That's been my experience. My personal theory is that they're on a constant happy chemical high from all the exercise they do.

you are NOT ugly OP. No-one is. So please do not say that

Her behaviour, was awful - complain.

in regards to a spray for future reference, ideally outside/cubicle away from everyone is best IMO!

What a horrible gym visit OP. Very upsetting. The first shouter needs to be spoken to by the gym manager. This means you will need to make a complaint.
Actually what the first shouter should have done is told the gym manager about her concern a man was in the space, instead of taking it up with you directly.

On the spraying - gosh unless there is a large and explicit "no spraying" poster on the wall i would not even given a thought to spraying a bit of deodorant if I had been in the same position.

The spray thing is absolutely not ok. Don’t do this. It’s really unpleasant for other people.

But you should’ve made an immediate complaint about the woman on the gym floor.

Twice this week I've seen people lose it and be both aggressive and horrible to others, strangers to them, in public- once on a bus, a woman, and once from a driver in his car. It seems to me that increasingly people are carrying around so much anger that they look out for, and create, opportunities to let it out somehow. This was unpleasant and embarrassing for you but you didn't cause it or deserve it. Don't let it put you off going to the gym if you possibly can - your health and well being is more important than some rude witless stranger. Maybe think of some witty comebacks in case you come across her again!