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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Gym class clique ignores me but chats with others, how to handle?

82 replies

Butterflyface2023 · 25/03/2026 09:27

I’ve been going to my local gym for almost two years now and usually attend a mix of classes. I’m there fairly regularly, so I see the same faces across the week and weekend. The general atmosphere is friendly — lots of chatty people, a mix of ages, and a steady flow of new members. I’ve met some lovely people and usually feel quite at ease.
There’s one thing that’s been bothering me, though. There’s a particular group — mostly women and one guy — who all seem very close. They chat before and after classes, and it’s clear they spend time together socially outside the gym. They’re friendly with others, but with me it’s… odd. I’ve tried saying hello a few times, and they either barely acknowledge me or ignore me completely. When I walk into the room, they don’t look up or say hi, even though they do with others. Interestingly, one of the girls will chat to me when she’s not with the group.
It’s starting to play on my mind more than I’d like. I’m not sure if it’s territorial, cliquey, or just a personality mismatch. People often tell me I’m pretty, so part of me wonders if that’s a factor, but I’m aware I might be overthinking.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of dynamic in a gym or class setting? **

OP posts:
TellySavalashairbrush · 27/03/2026 15:48

Not sure why so many of you are jumping down the op’s throat for the opinion she expressed. I can appreciate that it has a whiff of being back in the background about it , not being part of the popular crowd, them talking to some and not others and then leaving you to question what’s wrong with you.
The best thing is to ignore and certainly don’t put yourself out to be friendly. If they say hello, then nothing wrong in responding but I certainly wouldn’t make much effort if they don’t bother with you.

MeSeM · 27/03/2026 20:07

BiscoffCheesecakes · 27/03/2026 13:05

I can relate but in my situation it's the instructor who ignores me! I've been going to her classes for nearly 5 years & she was fine in the beginning but for over 3 years now she's ignored me. She goes round saying hello before the class & looks straight through me. She only ever speaks to me to tell me if I'm not doing a move right. Bizarre & unprofessional behaviour imo

But in your situation I'd find other people to talk to

🫂 I'm sorry to hear this instructor ignores you & yes completely concur it's strange how she'll just speak to you, if she wishes to tell you, you're doing an exercise wrong ~
Well done to you for rising above her coldness & continuing to go to her classes 🫂
It's admirable to be of such strong character as I know numerous souls would stop giving their custom to a rude /ignorant teacher
Really well done to you 💚

Ewg9 · 27/03/2026 21:36

They don't sound very nice if they have ignored you or worth bothering with, I'd try rise above it and ignore the twats.

BiscoffCheesecakes · 28/03/2026 21:52

MeSeM · 27/03/2026 20:07

🫂 I'm sorry to hear this instructor ignores you & yes completely concur it's strange how she'll just speak to you, if she wishes to tell you, you're doing an exercise wrong ~
Well done to you for rising above her coldness & continuing to go to her classes 🫂
It's admirable to be of such strong character as I know numerous souls would stop giving their custom to a rude /ignorant teacher
Really well done to you 💚

To be honest I've pretty much stopped going to her classes. All the other instructors are really welcoming & friendly (well she is, just not to me!). I just pay a membership fee so can go to any classes i want to

mondaytosunday · 29/03/2026 03:43

Or it could be you’re not pretty enough!
There was a group at my gym - all petite size 8s, shoulder length streaked blond bobs… well that’s not me. One became very friendly as she wanted a favour. It took a few weeks to sort but as soon as it was worked out she drifted off, though I still thought we had gotten beyond a certain point (we’d met up for coffee a few times, she’d confided in me some worries etc). I found out through mutual friends she was doing a workshop at her house (to raise money for a charity) and I asked her if I could come too. Well she shot me down by saying ‘oh no it’s just for friends’. Well ok. Sorry.
I did actually go in the end because someone dropped out and it really wouldn’t have been viable otherwise so I swallowed my pride and went and then it clicked: they were all carbon copies of each other, except me. I just didn’t fit the mould.
But seriously, don’t give this a second thought. I’ve gone to classes with a couple friends and we chat to each other and while we do smile and greet other people I don’t really engage in any chat with them. It doesn’t mean anything.

MeSeM · 29/03/2026 21:40

BiscoffCheesecakes · 28/03/2026 21:52

To be honest I've pretty much stopped going to her classes. All the other instructors are really welcoming & friendly (well she is, just not to me!). I just pay a membership fee so can go to any classes i want to

I really don't blame you for pretty much stopping going to her classes, I'm sure I would have stopped
The fact that this aforementioned instructor is welcoming & friendly to everyone else, besides you ~ makes it worse... If teachers /instructors are just generally unpleasant to everyone as a whole, you know to not take it personally ~ Isolating just one of her clients, is most commonly described as "ostracism or social exclusion" When an instructor is pleasant to everyone else but singles out one person to ignore, it is a deliberate act of targeting & most likely unconscious bias ~ I'd have to speak to her on a
1 to 1 directly & ask her why...
Because it's unacceptable & I'd be worried she might be doing the same to a less strong character in a class I don't attend

BiscoffCheesecakes · 30/03/2026 14:47

MeSeM · 29/03/2026 21:40

I really don't blame you for pretty much stopping going to her classes, I'm sure I would have stopped
The fact that this aforementioned instructor is welcoming & friendly to everyone else, besides you ~ makes it worse... If teachers /instructors are just generally unpleasant to everyone as a whole, you know to not take it personally ~ Isolating just one of her clients, is most commonly described as "ostracism or social exclusion" When an instructor is pleasant to everyone else but singles out one person to ignore, it is a deliberate act of targeting & most likely unconscious bias ~ I'd have to speak to her on a
1 to 1 directly & ask her why...
Because it's unacceptable & I'd be worried she might be doing the same to a less strong character in a class I don't attend

Oh yes I'm sure she's doing it to others. I think I know why she's like it with me. But what happened had absolutely nothing to do with her & I sorted it out with the person concerned & it's all been fine with them. It happened around the same time as she started ignoring me. She also goes way over the top with her favourite people. If it becomes really obvious I will either speak to her or to someone higher up

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