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Relationships

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

Boyfriend ended relationship after gym misunderstanding with friendly personal trainer

533 replies

Wittypeach · 27/08/2026 23:17

Hi everyone, I really need some outside perspective because I am in shock and questioning myself.
My boyfriend and I have had trust issues and were trying to rebuild. We started going to my gym together. I am 35, and there is a young PT there (around 20) who is just a naturally friendly person. He gives out fist bumps and hugs to regular members. I’ve only ever spoken to him about gym classes, a lost ring, and a minor incident at the gym. It is purely polite, casual small talk.
Today, as we walked into the gym, the PT smiled and walked over to give me a hug. Knowing my boyfriend's jealousy, I immediately backed off, refused the hug, and gave him a fist bump instead, whispering "no". The PT got the message and walked away.
My boyfriend immediately snapped. He told me I could finish my workout but that he was leaving. I followed him out to his car to try and talk to him, but he was having none of it. He ended our relationship right there in the car. He called me a "liar" and a "slag", saying no woman of his should be close enough for a man to feel comfortable hugging her, and insisted something is going on between us.
He then drove me home, made me go inside to get all of his belongings from my house, and drove off. He has now blocked and deleted me on absolutely everything and refuses to speak to me.
I feel completely blindsided, humiliated, and sick to my stomach. I actively tried to stop the hug to respect his boundaries, and now I'm being punished and dumped over it. Am I crazy? Is this reaction normal, or is this extreme control and an excuse to leave? Has anyone experienced a partner completely cutting them off like this?

OP posts:
Vulturesoverhead · 29/08/2026 11:57

Oh yes beware the suicide threats.

pinkyredrose · 29/08/2026 12:02

Wittypeach · 29/08/2026 10:44

He has no reason not to trust me!
I can see it all now, it's all because HE was up to no good!
And funnily enough this morning I've had a call off a private number... Shall we take a wild guess who this might be 🙄

I have learned so much from this chat and was the best thing I could of done, to have this many people say the same thing has opened my eyes more than ever.
And I WILL NOT ever be put in this place by a man EVER again.
MUMSNET HAS CREATED A POWERFUL WOMAN!

That's great to read Op! So happy you've seen the light!

He was judging you by his own standards. He can get to fuck!

Potatoespotaarrrrtos · 29/08/2026 12:18

@Wittypeach it will not be easy. You have been conditioned to think you love this nasty piece of work.

You beat this by staying no contact, so you can heal and see more clearly. He will try everything to lure you back in but reread this thread in your weaker moments to remind yourself of who he is!

Just occurred to me, that he threw his hissy fit just before you were off for a fab weekend with friends! This is not coincidence it was another way of wearing you down, and making sure you were prioritising him over your time with friends. Another way of controlling you!

You so young still and have a wonderful life ahead of you, do not engage with men trying to dull your shine!

user293948849167 · 29/08/2026 12:19

Wittypeach · 29/08/2026 10:44

He has no reason not to trust me!
I can see it all now, it's all because HE was up to no good!
And funnily enough this morning I've had a call off a private number... Shall we take a wild guess who this might be 🙄

I have learned so much from this chat and was the best thing I could of done, to have this many people say the same thing has opened my eyes more than ever.
And I WILL NOT ever be put in this place by a man EVER again.
MUMSNET HAS CREATED A POWERFUL WOMAN!

Well done you!

Be careful though, now that he can’t get hold of you anymore he is very likely to turn up at your house to try and beg you to go back to him.
Keep him blocked and stay strong!!! But also be careful, do you have a ring doorbell etc, good security? Did he have keys to your place? If he did change the locks asap. Don’t be scared to call the police if he turns up and won’t leave.

Depending where you work it also wouldn’t hurt to tell someone he might turn up and that you don’t want to see him.

grinandslothit · 29/08/2026 12:58

Wittypeach · 29/08/2026 10:44

He has no reason not to trust me!
I can see it all now, it's all because HE was up to no good!
And funnily enough this morning I've had a call off a private number... Shall we take a wild guess who this might be 🙄

I have learned so much from this chat and was the best thing I could of done, to have this many people say the same thing has opened my eyes more than ever.
And I WILL NOT ever be put in this place by a man EVER again.
MUMSNET HAS CREATED A POWERFUL WOMAN!

You are lovely and I'm glad that this thread has helped you. That's a bit of the magic of this place women helping women

QueenietheGreat · 29/08/2026 12:58

@Wittypeach
Well Done You
Now it's all upwards and onwards!

Girlwithavibe · 29/08/2026 15:04

Wittypeach · 29/08/2026 10:44

He has no reason not to trust me!
I can see it all now, it's all because HE was up to no good!
And funnily enough this morning I've had a call off a private number... Shall we take a wild guess who this might be 🙄

I have learned so much from this chat and was the best thing I could of done, to have this many people say the same thing has opened my eyes more than ever.
And I WILL NOT ever be put in this place by a man EVER again.
MUMSNET HAS CREATED A POWERFUL WOMAN!

I absolutely love this !!!
When woman lift each other up !!!!
You go girl !!.
You are worthy of a decent man u are trustworthy and you can do this 💪

Notquitethetruth · 29/08/2026 23:23

Wait until he hears about this new powerful woman who knows her worth!!
Onwards and upwards.

changeme4this · 30/08/2026 06:46

If and when he turns up, please do not open the door to him in any circumstance.

WarriorN · 30/08/2026 07:08

Wittypeach · 29/08/2026 10:44

He has no reason not to trust me!
I can see it all now, it's all because HE was up to no good!
And funnily enough this morning I've had a call off a private number... Shall we take a wild guess who this might be 🙄

I have learned so much from this chat and was the best thing I could of done, to have this many people say the same thing has opened my eyes more than ever.
And I WILL NOT ever be put in this place by a man EVER again.
MUMSNET HAS CREATED A POWERFUL WOMAN!

This is fab to read! Onwards and upwards!

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/08/2026 07:29

Glad you have reliesed he is a knob and escaped an abusive and cheating relationship

but

what the PT did was also very unprofessional and no need to be hugging clients

summitfever · 30/08/2026 10:14

Brilliant op. Be warned there will be ups and downs in how you feel. When you start to soften up again come back and read this and it’ll pass. Keep strong through the weak moments and keep the fucker blocked at all costs. Well done very proud of you 😊

WarriorN · 30/08/2026 15:21

Hi op hope you’re still ok?

This is a fab skit on shit Bfs if you need a laugh!

Boyfriend ended relationship after gym misunderstanding with friendly personal trainer
Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 00:50

WarriorN · 30/08/2026 15:21

Hi op hope you’re still ok?

This is a fab skit on shit Bfs if you need a laugh!

Omg this clip is hilarious! Send all these shitty men her way!

OP posts:
PinotandPray · 31/08/2026 05:52

Wittypeach · 29/08/2026 10:44

He has no reason not to trust me!
I can see it all now, it's all because HE was up to no good!
And funnily enough this morning I've had a call off a private number... Shall we take a wild guess who this might be 🙄

I have learned so much from this chat and was the best thing I could of done, to have this many people say the same thing has opened my eyes more than ever.
And I WILL NOT ever be put in this place by a man EVER again.
MUMSNET HAS CREATED A POWERFUL WOMAN!

Yes OP!! 🩷 here’s to the wonderful future you deserve without men like that dragging you down!

all the best 🌻

Yello24 · 31/08/2026 06:53

Just read your updates OP. Excellent. There’s another men out there now who would hate Mumsnet and is probably telling everyone he left you because you were a cheating slag. Let him. Not your problem any more. People who matter will know the truth

Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 13:29

A wonderful weekend for me !
Danced in the mud and rain and got some theorpy in doing so !
Heart feeling heavy now the excitement is all over but not heavy enough to be stupid!
Onwards and upwards!
Much love to all
❤️

OP posts:
RigsbysCat · 31/08/2026 13:39

Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 13:29

A wonderful weekend for me !
Danced in the mud and rain and got some theorpy in doing so !
Heart feeling heavy now the excitement is all over but not heavy enough to be stupid!
Onwards and upwards!
Much love to all
❤️

I'm so pleased you were able to have a nice carefree time 🙂

Think how much better your life will be going forward without having to tippy toe around this jealous, cheating loser.

You are worth 10 of him and don't you forget it. My daughter is a similar age to you and has just started divorce proceedings because of her husband's totally unreasonable behaviour. I was telling her about your situation and she said the way she gets through hard days is by trying not to think about how sad you are right now, but how much happier you will be in a year's time without him in your life dragging you down. Good luck x

NeverDropYourMooncup · 31/08/2026 13:48

Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 13:29

A wonderful weekend for me !
Danced in the mud and rain and got some theorpy in doing so !
Heart feeling heavy now the excitement is all over but not heavy enough to be stupid!
Onwards and upwards!
Much love to all
❤️

Ah, but why heavy? You know that he would have absolutely hammered you about who you saw, who you danced with, who looked at you, that you must have picked up at least five men over the weekend, etc, etc, etc.

You've had a great time and you are free of having all of those memories tainted by his response because he's already fucked off.

Vulturesoverhead · 31/08/2026 14:31

Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 13:29

A wonderful weekend for me !
Danced in the mud and rain and got some theorpy in doing so !
Heart feeling heavy now the excitement is all over but not heavy enough to be stupid!
Onwards and upwards!
Much love to all
❤️

It’s always hard in those first few weeks. I remember fixating on someone that I KNEW wasn’t for me, but how it ended just got in my head. I just kept telling myself that it was mind games and my brain couldn’t be trusted, head wobble, move on. It took a YEAR, but oh my god it was so right.

Ohbabypinkpanties · 31/08/2026 14:59

Wittypeach · 27/08/2026 23:26

I just feel really hurt and abandoned!

Your 35. Not 12, 27 or 25.
This is absolutely controlling and abusive behaviour. This man is absolutely disgusting and dangerous and you know this.

RUN.

CurlyKoalie · 31/08/2026 15:15

Wittypeach · 28/08/2026 07:52

I don't live with him, I work and have friends but I have not told anyone the full extent of what he's done as I've been too embarrassed.

You are embarrassed because you know you deserve better.
Your friends would tell you this if they knew just like everybody else posting had said.
You have put enough time and effort into this relationship. He has repeatedly shown he is not worthy.
This isn't " love". It's a toxic one way relationship with jay you have been enabling by putting up with his poor behaviour.
Please don't get back with him, he isn't worth it.

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 16:02

Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 13:29

A wonderful weekend for me !
Danced in the mud and rain and got some theorpy in doing so !
Heart feeling heavy now the excitement is all over but not heavy enough to be stupid!
Onwards and upwards!
Much love to all
❤️

Did you open up to friends about it? That’s the key for this not happening again…. Opening up to friends in RL who genuinely care for you

GrantMyWishes · 31/08/2026 16:03

When you're feeling a bit low OP, put on some of the music you heard over the weekend, and dance your heart out, it'll make you feel so much
better.

Potatoespotaarrrrtos · 31/08/2026 17:14

Wittypeach · 31/08/2026 13:29

A wonderful weekend for me !
Danced in the mud and rain and got some theorpy in doing so !
Heart feeling heavy now the excitement is all over but not heavy enough to be stupid!
Onwards and upwards!
Much love to all
❤️

You will have moments! We’ve all been there. Ditching useless let alone abusive men is HARD when they’ve got under our skin!

Make sure you are resolute and brave. This WILL pass and you will look back and thank the gods you did not give any more of your precious life to this creep!

So glad you had a wonderful weekend, you deserved it! ❤️

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