Dealing with Bullying in the Gym

Bullying is a sign of weakness. Everyone would have faced a bully in their lifetime. Either as a person is a victim to a bully or a person who has avoided the bully, on knowing his or her attitude. Bullying is common in all places like schools, colleges, or workplaces. In general, a bully targets a weak person and tries to prove that he or she is stronger in certain aspects compared to the targeted person. Bullying does not essentially have to be throwing a trash can on a person, playing harmful pranks, or beating a person to death. Bullying can also be a single word that could affect a person psychologically.

A gym is commonplace for both strong and weak people. So, it is a place where a quite number of people to prove their strength taunts someone else. The following are stories shared by my clients. These are their personal experiences dealing with bullying in a gym environment – Some may be vague but are still examples of bullying.

Oindrella, UK

“Two ladies have the same personal trainer. One of them has been hitting the gym for more than 2 months, and the other one followed the gym routines for less than a week. A day came, where the two ladies were supposed to work out on the same timing. The new girl and the other one was talking and got to know that they enrolled under the same personal trainer, she started asking for diet routines that the other one follows, and so on. It looked like they became friends in their first meet. ”

“They started to work-out together, and just after sometime the new-girl started giggling at the other one. And the other women’s face turned a little grim. It looked like the new girl was able to finish her sets on time, and the other one was struggling to finish the routine. The other one started to mutter within herself and took a break, and she started to work out alone, ignoring the new girl. When the new girl asked something, she said, let’s ask the trainer once he comes. The new girl started giggling again. The other one started to speak now and explained like, each body is different, and I don’t belong to your age group. And the new girl turned serious and started to her workout. ”

Solution: What the other lady did was the right thing. She stood up for herself and also uttered those words politely. It states the lady is matured. 

Su wan, UK

“I use to do cardio on a particular treadmill all the time. I had no specific reason. I simply find the treadmill free every time, so, I hop on it, and start doing cardio. Weeks passed by, there was a change in my weight but no big difference in my appearance. Suddenly, a toned body crossed me telling you to look bigger than before, better change the treadmill you are using. I told him, mind your business. He replied this is my business. I was offended and had to take a break to come out of the anger. The comment kind of hurt me and demotivated me.”

Solution: Your answer to his comment, is unnecessary. Always remember this quote, none can make you inferior unless your consent – Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Jenny Walter, UK

“In my gym, I have a rope exercise routine. I saw a couple using it. They both must be 50+ years old. Once they finished it, I asked them if I can use it. Once I was done with, the old man approached and told me, you did a good workout with this and tried to squeeze my arm, I quickly moved out by telling Ok to him. I felt like, all his eyes were over me the entire time and he had no right to touch me, as he is not my friend or well-known person.”

Solution: You should have mentioned it to the authorities in the gym. He had no right to touch you, whatsoever his age is. By reporting, the authorities would have at least told him in the right way. 

Jackey, UK

“I have faced the people who are bossing around the Gym, I once unknowingly became a victim of their bullying. They were doing power-lifting, a guy asked me to pass the barbells weighing 25 kgs first, I passed him. Later, he asked me to take another 25 kgs, I did both the times because he was lying on the bench and lifting. Later, he started to add on the weights for the sake of making fun of me along with his friends. I realized it very late and felt embarrassed.”

Solution: You should have ignored his request in the first place, and moved to the other side. As he was doing the exercise along with his friends, he could have got help from them. When you are stepping into the gym, be conscious about your progress. You did nothing wrong here, yet do not encourage such attitudes. 

Final Thoughts

The people who worship the body tries to be fit and do exercises regularly. Not everyone is going to be a person who judges the people who are not fit or weak. Because they might have crossed the path that you are crossing right now. Make friends with those people and concentrate on your progress.

There may be two reasons to bully the people around in the gym. One is because they are dumb enough to convince themselves as superior to others. Second, by demotivating or making fun, they think you might reach out for their help, and they want to teach you and earn through it. Just ignore the bullies around there who try to demotivate you.

Are you dealing with bullying in your gym? Contact me via my contact links below – No matter who your are or where you are, I’m happy to offer my advice on helping you deal with this issue.

Bullying has no place ANYWHERE, especially at a gym.