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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:
ivykaty44 · 04/01/2017 21:34

Op who/ which medic has said you can't use the bike due to your knee issue?

PossumInAPearTree · 04/01/2017 21:34

I saw a wanker in the jacuzzi once! Grim.

OP, you shouldn't walk in the fast lane if others are in it. They shouldn't have been rude.

TrippyMcTrapFace · 04/01/2017 21:34

Awfully badly timed x post there Hissy, not aimed at you! Xmas Grin

TrippyMcTrapFace · 04/01/2017 21:36

OP you should get a second opinion regarding suitable exercise for your knee. Using a bike is usually the first exercise recommended in rehab.

goldielookingchain · 04/01/2017 21:36

Horrible men however you should of moved from fast lane to another area to do your exercise

YelloDraw · 04/01/2017 21:37

Mega LOL

"Oh you men, you must wait 15 mins for me to finish my walking before you use this fast lane for its set purpose. Because I am a lady with knee pain don't ch know"

They shouldn't have been so rude to you, be really?? You really really think people shouldn't swim in the fast lane so you can walk in it? Pretty stupid.

Trifleorbust · 04/01/2017 21:38

Your medical problem doesn't trump the right of other customers to use the facilities, OP. I can't believe you expected them to wait. They shouldn't have made personal comments but I can absolutely see why they were pissed off by your suggestion.

RustyPaperclip · 04/01/2017 21:40

They were very rude and out of order, however I am afraid the fast lane is for fast swimmers therefore once the pool filled up you should have moved. I still don't think that excuses their language though

Hissy · 04/01/2017 21:41

Trippy Grin

Sparrowlegs248 · 04/01/2017 21:41

They were unpleasant but you shouldn't have been in the fast lane. Or at least should have moved when people wanted to use it for its purpose.

Also agree that bike is usually recommended for knee problems.

Lorelei76 · 04/01/2017 21:45

In my local pool you couldn't even walk in the slow lane
You'd need a leisure pool with no lanes at all?
I don't know what swim hop means.
But it is pretty clear what a fast lane is and it ain't for walking! I think the lifeguard meant you could use it while empty.

hopsalong · 04/01/2017 21:45

YABU, but they were definitely cunts.

Keep going but stick to the slow lane until you can keep up a fast swimming pace for a decent number of lengths. I also do walking/lunging in pool but only if empty and only ever in slow lane. When it's busy, I suck it up and swim crawl fast and get a much better workout. Good luck. I used to be a slow swimmer (though in decent shape from running) but improved a lot after taking just a few adult lessons. Might be worth trying?

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/01/2017 21:46

Also agree that bike is usually recommended for knee problems. How come I can run, but get knee pain when I bike?

HappyLittleCloud · 04/01/2017 21:46

I have actually swum over the top of people fucking about in the fast lane before so it could have been worse.

I can understand swimming underneath someone, but how on earth do you swim OVER someone unless they are swimming underwater?

QueenMortificado · 04/01/2017 21:47

How come I can run, but get knee pain when I bike?

Your bike probably isn't set up properly, esp if the saddle is too low

2017watchoutherewecome · 04/01/2017 21:49

I swim breast stroke, I'm categorically not a wanker - co-ordinating both activities at the same time is too damn hard and tends to attract the embarrassing attention of the life guard which is mortifying because he's my son.
As for the tsunami butterfly swimmer, yes he should absolutely swim between the chatters.
We have a swim hopper at our pool, she's a nuisance too but I've never said anything to her because at least she is trying.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/01/2017 21:50

I've tried bikes, machines, everything. Even recumbent. Immediate knee pain. Maybe I always set the seat too low.

elvis86 · 04/01/2017 21:50

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.

Totally agree with this. OP, YABVVU.

TBH I actually think you were a massive cunt for interrupting people who were using the pool correctly and requesting that they stand aside and allow you exclusive use of the fast lane for 15 minutes to fanny around! I'd have been gobsmacked if someone asked this is of me.Shock

And if you honestly had no issue requesting this and then argued with them when they reasonably refused, I can imagine your tone and attitude and I'm not surprised they were rude TBH. A lot of adults would fight their own battle rather than run to the lifeguard to tell tales.

You're feigning ignorance at not understanding pool etiquette, but a) you obviously knew it was a fast lane as you asked the lifeguard if you could use it, and b) if you were unsure, you'd wouldn't have argued with obviously more experienced swimmers when they put you straight.

Honestly one of the most entitled things I've read on here in ages!

PrettyBotanicals · 04/01/2017 21:52

I swam twice a week, fast, for a precious hour in the first six months after my first child was born.

I had horrible PND and those snatched 60 minutes of peace with my ears underwater saved my sanity.

If I'd come across anyone hopping in the fast lane, who'd then suggested I gave her 15 minutes of my solitary swimming hour so she could tit about slowly on one leg, my language would have been choice too.

Scrounged · 04/01/2017 21:54

OP, did this really happen as you described it?

ivykaty44 · 04/01/2017 21:55

Op please get second opinion on bike and set up

QueenMortificado · 04/01/2017 21:55

MrsTerry worth asking someone at the gym to help you set up your bike properly. Many people set the seat way too low - at the bottom of the pedal your knee should be soft but long (ie, not very very bent)

Plus other stuff with position of your knee to foot alignment and how high you set the resistance so you're not wobbling in the seat

steff13 · 04/01/2017 21:56

Have you thought about a water aerobics class?

TheCatsMother99 · 04/01/2017 21:56

Didn't know the etiquette but still had enough of an inkling to ask the lifeguard if you could walk in there to start off with. Surely the same inkling would tell you it'd be unreasonable to ask someone who wants to use it for the intended use to wait 15 minutes?

Not entirely sure if this is real any more

I'm starting to wonder if this actually happened.Hmm

TheCatsMother99 · 04/01/2017 21:58

I also agree with those saying about knee and bikes. I've got a knee issue, have done for years, and it's the only machine I can use in the gym plus my physio has also told me it's the only thing I should be using.