Woman went ballistic at me in the gym

[JennaR]

My gym had a big refurb recently, all brand new kit etc and it is really nice.

The issue is that there’s now very little ‘free’ space where you can place mats and do work on these.

The only space is directly in front of 3 of the machines (chest press etc) where there is a mirrored wall, there’s room for about 3 people to be working on mats in a row and the machines are about a metre away. This space is intended for mat work and it’s where they are hung up.

Yesterday, I was working out on one of the mats with ear pods in. There was a man using the machine directly behind me.

After being there for about 5 minutes, I noticed a woman walk over to me so took my ear pods out. She started ranting at me saying I was trying to get her boyfriends attention and why was I being so attention seeking by exercising right in front and ‘bending over’.

I quite firmly explained I was using the space as intended. She kept going on and then said I can do what I want because ‘she’ll be the one fucking him tonight’.

The man was silent throughout and once she finished going on, they walked off together.

Another member nearby came up to me and checked I was okay.

I’ve told a couple of people this today with mixed views - one thinks I probably shouldn’t have been there and it’s a stupid design, and the other says the woman was out of order.

Would welcome any views - it’s a hotel gym with regular members and I didn’t recognise them so am hoping they were guests and I won’t see her again.

Some people are unsettled by being berated by strangers. You've clearly got a thicker skin

Most of the replies agree with you, I can’t speak for the deleted posts obviously (poss gym man’s partner?)

“I quite firmly explained I was using the space as intended. She kept going on and then said I can do what I want because ‘she’ll be the one fucking him tonight’.”

I would have been tempted to reply: “But he will be thinking about me” 🤭

10/10 for you for explaining, that you were using the mats in front of the machine as that is the only place you can use them.

Omg that is nuts!!

They could have told her to be respectful or leave. She was def insecure and her bf was probably looking at you intensely- but why scream at you? She should have a go at him for perving over an innocent woman doing her gym. Sorry about your experience. I recently had a lady tell me to go somewhere else because she wanted to be by herself stretching out in a similar set up to yours with 2-3 places. Don't know what's wrong with people 🤷‍♀️

I really do think that 99% of what’s on mumsnet these days is made up shite. Just a general observation.

Fucking hell!

I think it's something to do with hotel gyms and pools that brings out the crazy in some people. Some people act like nobody else regularly uses the facilities, and that everyone must be a guest at the hotel. They then start a pissing contest marking their territory.

Recent gems where I go...

• The couple in their 50s at the end of one of the swimming lanes. I noticed she had her arms around his neck. Only once I started swimming did I realize she also had her legs wrapped around him. He then carried her around the swimming lane, scowling at the 3 of us doing lengths. A flashing neon sign saying 'extra-marital affair' would have been easier to ignore.

• the lady who used the lane rope as some sort of communal loofah to exfoliate her arse and thighs, rubbing it up and down them

• another lady who during her stay seemed unable to dry her hair in the changing area unless standing naked in front of a full length mirror. Said mirror was right as you came around from exiting the pool, so it was quite a shock to get a simultaneous front and back view of her in all her glory.

• the young guy who never used the treadmill, but sat on it texting and setting up his playlist before heading over to the weights.

I've given up going there on the weekend. Regulars seem to stick to going during the week. I now know why.

Definitely report

FPNI!

I can well believe this there are oddballs around. There’s a middle aged middle class dog walker near us who will suddenly have an outburst. She shoved Dd and said “I f ing hate teens”. She tried to push another friend in front of a car and will shout obscenities but initially appears normal. They walk amongst us.

Clearly! This so obviously reads as it’s the other woman’s issue not ops that I’d have told her to fuck off and carried on with what i was doing.

If she speaks to a stranger like that imagine how she speaks to him that’ll be why he was silent

She sounds unhinged. I’d tell the manager about it. What a loon!

You did nothing wrong..you are not theirs to control

I wonder if it was some weird sexual role play they were setting up if they were staying in the hotel?

Nevertheless awful to experience and it would be a good idea to report in case they stay again ..there or elsewhere if it’s a chain hotel.

Horrible ..sorry OP..nasty folk

I'd have said 'Can I fuck him tomorrow then?'
And run 😂

This ^

Wouldn't be surprised if this is some weird kink of theirs. Basically involving you in their sex stuff without your consent. Ick.

She’s clearly massively insecure so unless you were naked, I’d forget all about it!

I would have laughed in her face and told her to seek therapy.

I would complain to the gym and see if they are able to identify her and revoke her membership. You were doing nothing wrong. She behaved incredibly badly and verbally abused you. Completely unacceptable.

OMG that's awful. Did you report them to the staff? That's really unacceptable. Hopefully they'll not roll up again, but if they do do report them. It would be awful if they were new members.

You definitely need to report. After a spate of insanity at my gym they are now zero tolerance. Any reports of bad behaviour and they will pull the footage from the incident, block the pin so users have to buzz to get in and then be told the reasons why their membership has been cancelled. If they kick off they then get banned at all locations of the same group.

You were using the equipment in the intended area, in the intended way. She’s a lunatic.

LOL knowing my gob I would have replied with - if I wanted to fuck him, you being here won't get in my way, wouldn't have helped the matter at all but hey ho

Hahaha. I mean you’ve almost got to feel sorry for her, she’s that insecure she seriously thinks that you are doing your workouts just to entice him. And he’s a wet wipe too!

You poor thing, that must have been awful for you. However the woman made a complete idiot of herself.

Complain to the management.