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.

’Roid Rage.

You need to report this to the gym management, asap

This lady was acting crazy. But the strangest part of your story was your friend who told you that you were in the wrong!!

She has issues don’t worry about it.

You just lost ALL credibility with this post, OP. I’m out

She IS a loon.

But there's another question which is - has the gym made an arrangement which suits them (maximum value per square foot) but which makes women 'the floorshow'?
do you feel that the current arrangement makes you vulnerable to inevitable objectification by men?

They sound like a pair of arseholes who deserve each other. They should be reported though.

She’s nuts.
I still think you should tell staff!

OP she is a lunatic and you need to report it.

I'm baffled by some of the replies here. I cannot see what's wrong with mats in front of machines. How is this making women a floorshow? Do men not use mats? Do women not lift weights?

Also I'm massively resent the assumption the reason she's insecure is because she is a little plump. Utterly ridiculous. She is a lunatic and would be a lunatic at any BMI.

I go to our local place a few times a week with my partner. Inevitably there are younger (and slimmer) women than me flexing their muscles in tiny shorts and bras. I couldn't care less.

It is a stupid design but that doesnt change the fact non of it was your fault and shes full crackers

I would report this to the hotel..could id the woman from cctv and ban her and/or change the design/ set up to a more appropriate one, plus compensate you as an apology..win win

She’s bonkers.
Thank God I’m old and can lurch around the gym without anyone thinking I’m after their man.
Sorry that happened. 🙁
There are a surprising number of unstable people wandering around gyms.

This. You don't go to a gym to be harassed by a stranger.

Who the hell thinks you’re being out of order for working out appropriately in the designated space? This woman sounds pathetically insecure and her partner sounds like a wet lettuce for letting her behave like that and doing absolutely nothing. How embarrassing, and how dare she? You’ve paid to be there.

I’d be tempted to report this kind of behaviour. Bang out of order. Particularly if you were the insecure type who’s braved the gym and suddenly found themselves being yelled at for no reason. Silly cow.

Totally and utterly forget about her. You did nothing wrong. Or you could report her. But don’t doubt yourself.

Insecure much ? (Her)

😂

What a fruit loop!!

She was very jealous of you. Just ignore.

Loads of gym crazies at the minute.
I couldn’t be arsed with it.

YADNBU. This woman sounds unhinged.

They could ban them from coming back, it's anti social abusive behaviour

This.

Her threat system pushed her into ‘fight’ mode, and you were on the receiving end.

The fact he said nothing and just went off with her afterwards says a lot too.

Even if they can’t do much, I’d feed it back, if nothing else, lets them know about it the flaw in their layout design.

Please don’t let it deter you, you were not in the wrong. Most people who working out are really minding their own.

It doesn't mean OP is hot. Can't trust judgement of the unhinged shouty woman. Who must be tired out by her insecurities. "She's nuts" is the only definite verdict.

Also wonder if she was being highly controlling of HIM. That performance was for his benefit (detriment). Either to "prove her love" or warn him she's watching what his eyes do.

Telling the management what happened would be appropriate. You'd rather have a space to do mat work in peace. They aren't meeting customer needs.

I am surprised to find out that mat work during the gym session is a thing. Maybe a lot of regular gym goers don't know about it, too.

She may be the one f**ing him tonight but I bet he was thinking about you 😆 Sounds like he has form but that’s not your problem and she made a bit of a twit of herself. Does sound like a silly layout in that Gym. They’ll probably have all sorts of agg 🫣

tell the staff make a complaint she should be banned