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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have been shamed at the gym

311 replies

Bonbon12 · 04/01/2017 20:42

I am a plus size lady who has made it her New Years resolution to lose weight. I joined a gym in December and mainly use the pool. I suffer from knee pain so I have to use the pool for my exercise I can't do running or bike.

So I do little bit of swim-hops/walking which helps my knee and also helps me lose weight. When I arrived I went into the fast lane as it was completely empty and was the smallest lane. It suddenly got really busy and that made other lanes quite busy.

Then two men moved into my lane. They started a fast swim. I asked them could they wait another 15 mins for me to finish and that I have a knee problem so this is helps me.

They replied that "that's not our problem and that the pool was for those who do real exercise". I replied it is real exercise and then I heard one of the men mutter "it's not the lard lane" and I left straight away.

Aibu to think that these men are complete cunts.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bonbon12 · 04/01/2017 21:10

Okay maybe I was being unreasonable but I am new and didn't understand the etiquette of the pool.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 04/01/2017 21:10

Then just use the slow lane..

crashdoll · 04/01/2017 21:10

I still don't get why didn't move to a slower lane.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 04/01/2017 21:10

This so happened
Hmm

Soubriquet · 04/01/2017 21:11

Even newbies can work out that slow=slow and fast=fast

So I'm not buying that either.

Sirzy · 04/01/2017 21:11

How did you know you were in the fast lane then?

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 04/01/2017 21:12

Yeah fast lane is for walking slowly in Hmm
That's nothing to do with etiquette it's common sense

Alorsmum · 04/01/2017 21:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Bonbon12 · 04/01/2017 21:13

Okay I can't go back in time and use a different lane it's done now.

OP posts:
Pikawhoo · 04/01/2017 21:13

Obviously they're very rude, but it's also rude to go slowly in the fast lane (just like with driving!). Just start in the slow lane and stay there, it's basic swimming etiquette.

Strongmummy · 04/01/2017 21:13

Sorry, but swimmers like you drive me nuts. It's simple etiquette to move to another lane if you're holding people up. They were of course arseholes.....if indeed this conversation took place

Hissy · 04/01/2017 21:13

Did there really need to be a sign to tell you not to do this?

Seriously?

If it were a cycle track, would you have pootled along on a scooter asking racers to wait?

I'm with Gallavich now tbh.

GinIsIn · 04/01/2017 21:13

I don't get how you still think you were only maybe unreasonable! You may not understand the pool etiquette, but you understand how common sense works, right? Hmm

SidAndNancy · 04/01/2017 21:13

Okay maybe I was being unreasonable but I am new and didn't understand the etiquette of the pool.

Confused isn't it smack in the face obvious?

At mine there's even arrows on the board to say which way you need to go.

PurpleDaisies · 04/01/2017 21:13

Yeah fast lane is for walking slowly in
That's nothing to do with etiquette it's common sense

People do this at my pool. It's so frustrating and one of the many times that I'm pleased I can do a very good scary teacher voice to get them to move.

TheWitTank · 04/01/2017 21:13

Oh well, it's done now. Put it down to experience and rude fuckers, keep up the excersise and perhaps pick an open swim session until you feel confident with lane swimming? Good luck!

FatalKittehCharms · 04/01/2017 21:14

Okay maybe I was being unreasonable but I am new and didn't understand the etiquette of the pool.

Well done for admitting it OP Smile

Best of luck with the weight loss.

monkeywithacowface · 04/01/2017 21:14

You didn't know it was poor etiquette to ask two paying swimmers to wait around for 15 minutes whilst you hogged the FAST lane to yourself? Pfft

MuppetsChristmasCarol · 04/01/2017 21:14

They were unnecessarily rude, but the fast lane is there for fast swimmers, so you were also being unreasonable.

PurpleDaisies · 04/01/2017 21:14

Okay maybe I was being unreasonable but I am new and didn't understand the etiquette of the pool.

Excellent. You know now and I hope it doesn't put you off going back. Smile

HarryPottersMagicWand · 04/01/2017 21:14

Really?

You honestly think that because you have a bad knee, this entitles you to have the fast lane all to yourself and anyone who turns up should wait on account of your medical problem? It's a bad knee fgs. DH has one as well, I've never heard him refer to it as a medical problem, you sound quite dramatic about it. I struggle to think that the lifeguard would have said this. It's more likely he would have said "yes you can use it until people arrive who want to use it for its intended purpose." There was no reason at all that you couldn't use the slow lane, everyone else is moving slowly there too.

Alorsmum · 04/01/2017 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DailyFail1 · 04/01/2017 21:16

I was a plus sized lady who had 1 hour every other day to swim timed laps - my time was so limited it my shower etc was all timed to a t. I would have been furious had you asked me to wait 15 mins so you could do exercises in the fast lane. Agree that calling you names was shit, but that was the only shit thing they did. Strongly suggest you either go to an aqua class or during general/non-lane times. Alternatively try a leisure club/gym with a pool if you have any with a reasonable price tag. DW Sports, for example.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/01/2017 21:16

Just remember at the pool the rules are the rules and you must obey.

Honestly the politics are hilarious. Keep going and enjoy. Look around, you will see the most bizarre shit.

londonrach · 04/01/2017 21:18

They were rude as were you. I cant image anyone asking someone to wait 15 minutes in a public pool. Id get very cold. Move to slow lane next time.

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