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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at all the january gym goers.

251 replies

Hannah4banana · 03/01/2017 20:14

I know iabu so it's just a rant really.
It's great that people decide to get fit but I'm struggling to get into classes that I've been going to for over a year and its mobbed sane as last January.
I know it will all die down again by February. The gym booking system crashed today because there was so many people trying to access it!
Good luck to anyone starting a new e revise plan, I hope you manage to stick to it Halo

OP posts:
YourFace · 04/01/2017 20:20

Maybe she was confused and he was handing out anti bacterial wipes to wipe away arse sweat from the spin bikes. Frankly, that's a lot more believable than the make up removal demand.

Am just back from a HIIT class. We were all purple and sweaty, no faces covered in melted make up though. Not even the instructor, who had full make up.

Not everyone sweats facially. I don't. If I did maybe I wouldn't wear it or I 'd choose waterproof or I'd let it run free and not give a shit.

dingdongthewitchishere · 04/01/2017 20:20

You don't have to believe me, you are free to believe whatever you want.I just don't think that you have a very realistic version of the classes in your head and you are making a huge deal of something quite insignificant in real life, which is why clients are not shocked or outraged and offended about. The only drama is the one on this forum.

BitOutOfPractice · 04/01/2017 20:25

You haven't answered my question. Does he do that every week and if so, do the same women return and meekly remove their make up?

BitOutOfPractice · 04/01/2017 20:26

And by the way if I don't reply for a bit it's because I'm st the gym, getting sweaty, wearing whatever the damn hell I like.

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 04/01/2017 20:40

The wearing appropriate makeup in the boardroom only works for jobs

I would absolutely agree that gym staff may be subject to clothing and grooming requirements

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 04/01/2017 20:41

Although has anyone seen Romy and Michelles high school reunion?

Where they do the treadmill, spin and kickboxing in mini skirts and high heels Grin

dingdongthewitchishere · 04/01/2017 21:25

Thank you Rufus I need to watch the film. They don't seem to wear that much make up though!

BitOutOfPractice I really don't know how you picture the scene, it's not a comedy show where the same offenders are being told off every week. If someone removes her make-up once, she tends to just not wear any for the next class. It sounds like you imagine people being humiliated or bullied, whilst the whole thing is quite funny in real life. It's a hobby, a class that clients are really keen to join, and there's a pack of wipes at the door. I have seen newbies told to use them, leave the class at the end very enthusiastic about the exercise and coming back.

Whilst I am aware that MN is very far from the real world, I am amazed that no-one else seem to have heard of similar requirements.

To be annoyed at all the january gym goers.
RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 04/01/2017 21:28

As you say ding it obviously works for them

I have never heard of it

A long time ago i used to do a weights class and the young lady who took it had the longest nails i have possibly seen, very long wavy hair and a full face of makeup

She was awesome (and a bit scary....huge muscles)

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2017 21:38

Ding. Here are your two posts.

I remember a class where the instructor was handing out baby wipes at the door, and asking women to remove their make-up before going inside. It was so funny
but it >The class was (and still is but I moved) very very popular. Whilst it's true that women caked in make up look disgusting in a sweaty class - we are talking a bit more than a touch of mascara here - more seriously, it was an excellent way to expect people to respect the class and be prepared to work at the best of their ability

BitOutOfPractice · 04/01/2017 23:51

I think we are wasting our time Bluntness. Ding clearly sees nothing wrong with what happened even though everyone else sees it as 50 shades of shit. I also suspect the original story was somewhat...erm...embellished.

ColaSpangles · 05/01/2017 00:39

Ding said his gym was in south London - like to see a south London woman being told what to wear on her face Grin probably kick off next wave of riots Wink

Dad what you wear in a professional setting has a bearing on the job in hand sometimes, I agree. What you wear in a gym setting only has a bearing from a health and safety perspective. If some person wants to sweat off her makeup or his St Tropez during a work out, that's their choice. I have gone to the gym straight from work with makeup still on - luckily I don't pour sweat in bucket loads - I leave that to the blokes Wink.

Joking aside, the only thing I complain about in the gym is the pools of sweat some people leave. It's awful when you're caught unawares by it. Yuk. Oh and people blowing their noses into two fingers and then continuing to use the equipment.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 05/01/2017 16:14

So we have established that Ding is a man then? Struggles to find a reason other than that which means failing to see the oppression in the make-up wipe circus Confused

finallyfinishedit · 06/01/2017 13:06

I have just read the thread from start to finish and am completely baffled as to why anyone would be asked to remove their make-up prior to a class? I cannot for the life of me understand why it would hinder or benefit anyone least of all the instructor.

That aside, I love my gym (and wear make-up all the time as I am too ugly not to quite frankly). I do feel self conscious sometimes because I am very thin and feel ridiculous but hey ho. I would love to be strong and so keep going at it.

Oh as for the influx of newbies, I love seeing new people in the gym, the more overweight or unfit they are the more impressed I am as I can imagine the courage it must have taken them to get there Smile. I was really scared to join a class for 2 years but eventually took the plunge and love it! The other people in the class didn't eat me or laugh at me either I am pleased to report (well not in front of me anyhow!).

QueenMortificado · 06/01/2017 13:51

I think it's great seeing newbies too but I wish people would be careful and get help if they need to - I saw a girl yesterday try and lift a very very heavy weight and dropped it on herself, she was later carried out on a stretcher

Be careful please!

Buttonmoonb4tea · 06/01/2017 14:13

I've read most of this thread sorry not sorry haven't read it all. For the PP's saying why walk on a treadmill? Why drive to the gym? Newbies do their head in etc etc. The newbies have made a decision to get more active. Some of these will stick it out, some won't because of their fear of being ostracised by individuals like these PP's. but hopefully those newbies will have a go again at becoming more active and healthier in both mind and body. Because let's not forget the benefits of exercise on mental health.

I've been a newbie, many times over. Do I give a shit what the regulars think? No I don't, that's because I know in the long run that being more active benefits both my physical health and mental health.

Can you imagine what it feels like for a newbie who has lead an inactive life, overweight and lacking in self esteem to hear comments like this? God some people have no fucking empathy or understanding. Honestly there are some self righteous turds in this world

SpangledShambles · 06/01/2017 20:19

Well said Buttonmoon Grin

PersianCatLady · 06/01/2017 20:46

It bothers me when I can't get to use equipment because there's a mass of people who won't stick with it using it wrongly. Likewise people who get on the treadmill to walk.
Do you even know how entitled that statement makes you sound??

Everyone who has paid to join the gym is entitled to use the equipment in any way they see fit as long as they are using it safely.

DarthPlagueis · 06/01/2017 21:09

"It bothers me when I can't get to use equipment because there's a mass of people who won't stick with it using it wrongly. Likewise people who get on the treadmill to walk."

It bothers me when someone who pays a relatively small fee thinks that they own the place and should be able to judge others. Unless you're Duncan Bannatyne or Richard Branson you can get lost.

haveacupoftea · 06/01/2017 21:18

This is why people can't stick to going to the gym. Gyms are full of arseholes.

BaDumShh · 07/01/2017 13:17

A few people have said that they want to join a gym but are put off by the thought of regulars staring at or judging them.

I have been a gym regular for about 5 years now, in a few different gyms. And honestly, 11 out of 12 months there is no judgement, bitchiness or snidey behaviour in gyms at all. The regular people just come in, get on with their workout, don't pay any attention to anyone else, and leave. People who are seriously into fitness WANT others to enjoy it too, and will never judge anyone new for giving it a go regardless of their age/size/shape.

The one month out of 12 where this isn't the case is January. In every gym I've been a member of, the atmosphere changes in January and I find it a lot more bitchy. Groups/pairs of young girls giving side eye, whispering and staring. Lads sniggering at a woman in the weights section like she has no place to be there. I can only assume it's the "January gymmers" who contribute to this as it honestly never happens any other time of the year - Feb-Dec you never get a second look by anyone. I went for the first time in 2017 this morning (I though Saturday AM would be quiet...I was wrong) and felt so uncomfortable. This never happens any other time in the year.

So for this of you who are put off by joining a gym as you feel you'll be judged/stared at....please do join one. But maybe wait until February.

BitOutOfPractice · 07/01/2017 14:04

This is why people can't stick to going to the gym. Gyms are full of arseholes.

No, they are not "full" of arseholes. There are some arseholes at gyms, like every other place on earth. But most people aren't arseholes in gyms.

BaDumShh I'm intrigued as to why you would think Saturday morning would be quiet. It's one of the busiest times of the week all year round

finallyfinishedit · 07/01/2017 14:15

Yes I would have thought the first 'proper' Saturday in January would be just about the busiest 4 hours of the year Grin!

BaDumShh · 07/01/2017 14:29

BaDumShh I'm intrigued as to why you would think Saturday morning would be quiet. It's one of the busiest times of the week all year round

Saturday morning is one of my usual times and it's not normally too bad. I figured most people would have gone out and gotten drunk last night so wouldn't be arsed to get up and go to the gym this morning! Clearly I was wrong! Grin

BitOutOfPractice · 07/01/2017 14:36

I go every Saturday morning. It's always busy at my gym.

ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 07/01/2017 15:57

Saturday morning is usually quiet at my gym too, before 10 in any case.

This morning was a lot busier than normal but I had no problem getting the equipment I needed so no problem there!