To be too embarrassed to go back to gym classes

[rookiemere]

I'm a member of a cheap, local gym. Joined with the intention of doing weights, but actually find I enjoy their bootcamp type classes and there's a couple a week I can go to. So far all good.

On Friday lunchtime headed to a class. Already a bit stressed as had big work implementation but was determined to get my exercise in. Class was being run by one of the younger instructors who isn't as motivational, but he seems to be getting a bit better.

So the class is set up for 12 people at 4 different stations, so 3 at each and there is 12 of us there. Great, all good. Except half way through class a middle aged man wanders in and rather than instructor telling him class has begun and is full, he proceeds to make room for him on our row.

The next set of exercises involves some weights. The lady beside me decides to give her 20kg barbell to the man and take his 10kg. I had a 15kg which was pretty light for deadlifts but I was fine with.

She then proceeds to ask me to swap with her, saying I'd be happier with a lighter weight as clearly she wanted my 15kg. I should at that point said I'd rather stick with what I had, but it seemed rude and she already had her hands on my barbell, so I kind of froze and didn't do anything. I was trying to spit out "I would rather stick with what I've got thanks " but the instructor then came over and thought I was struggling with the exercise so we had done the swap by that point so I just did the pointless exercise with a much too light weight.

It's meant to be 3 rounds but I was legitimately busy and sneaked out before the last one.

I usually go to a class this morning, but I'm too embarrassed to in case people comment about it. It's quite a friendly gym, but I'm perfectly happy just to come along and do my thing without too much chatting. I feel quite upset about it as I hate drawing attention to myself, but feel the man was at fault for rocking up half way through and the instructor for making space in a full class for him.

Should I just join a new gym to get over the embarrassment of it ?

Erm, what?

I honestly read your post thinking: 'Presumably she's going to reveal, in the final sentence, that the weight was so heavy that she shat herself when she tried to lift it'!

OP, in the nicest possible way....get a grip.

I'm probably not describing it well. I'm sure the lady who seemed to think I wanted to swap weights will remember it and unfortunately the lady beside her is one of those gym stalwarts at every class and knows everyone.

I'm probably blowing it out of proportion. I just like to be invisible at the gym and do my thing. Work is stressful and I'm being stretched beyond my pay grade and I'm menopausal with a teenage son and elderly DPs ( am only DC). The gym is a safe space for me and now I feel a bit exposed and vulnerable.

I'm off to a musical festival next weekend so I'll have a natural break and hopefully regain my courage to go back after that.

Definitely go back. Dont let this defeat you. Its a small mishap and almost no one will have noticed. It was the extra guy that barged his way in that should feel silly not you. x

You probably were/still are invisible though. I don't see why she would remember it as some sort of awful embarrassing thing you did?

Even in my embarrassing story, I highly doubt the other people in that class remember it or could pick me out in a line up.

Go back!

THEY should be embarrassed- they behaved terribly

You'll be fine seriously. Have your weekend off and then go back. Personally next time I'd be standing next to the woman and using the 20kg bar to make a point.

But I'm childish like that. We get a few (younger!) men in our gym who like to make a lot of drama about how heavy the weights are that they lift. Their weights aren't all that heavy. Myself and a female friend will deliberately go over and UP the weights and then lift them without breaking a sweat. And then up the weight again. Just to prove a point. Never mess with peri-menopausal women, we will end you. 😜

Just go back. Nobody will remember it. If they did, as soon as you do the exercise with heavier weights they will just think you have improved massively in a short week.