For years, I’ve worn Beats headphones to the gym, because the bigger the headphones, the less likely it is for people to talk to me while I work out. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to people, it’s that I don’t want to talk to them while I’m in the middle of a workout!
Despite my best intentions (big headphones and a game face on), I still get interrupted all the time. I thought I’d compile a list of the most ridiculous gym interruptions I’ve experienced, in no particular order. Enjoy!
Guy who interrupted me in the middle of a set of lat pulldowns to insist on a fist bump.
Guy who asked me for diet advice but interjected when I began to answer to tell me all about his pet wolves???
Lady who told me she liked “what I’ve done with my body”. It made me feel somewhat like a remodeled home.
Guy who approached me while I was doing glute bridges and implied that he was good at thrusting as well.
Guy who came up behind me while I was doing pullups and held my knees to spot me, when I clearly didn’t need a spot. And then came back and did it again for my next set.
Guy who stared at me as I did dumbbell bench press, forcing me to sit up, remove my headphones and ask him what he wanted. He was just “making sure I didn’t need a spotter”.
Lady who I’d chatted with once who asked me for advice about using a machine, and then winked and said she knew I would know because, “Ohio girls do it better”.
Lort. Help. Me. Have you ever had to deal with annoying people at the gym?
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Jackey says
there’s was this really ripped black guy at my gym yesterday he has some crazy stinky body odor that everyone can smell from like 8 feet away, yesterday when i was doing decline dumbbell chest press, he comes and stands 2 steps away from me and starts swinging dumbbells doing his shoulders, and i’m like yo bruh, are you serious? and as soon as i finished the set, i quickly moved to the cables section to try and finish up so i don’t have to deal with his crazy B.O., but then he comes storming next to me with his crazy B.O. and starts doing hip thrust using the cable while facing towards me, so i finished my set and quickly went back to the dumbbells area, and within 30 seconds, he comes storming back next to me with his stinky B.O. so i ran across the gym room to where all the machines are and he finally stopped following me. I’ve heard that people that are juicing(using steroids) will release stinky body odor as one of the side effects so i think he’s juicing
Chanelle says
Yikes! I hate when people are bad “gym neighbors”. Hope you still had a great workout 🙂
Mhaan A says
My music player is always with me every time I go to the gym because I hate someone disturbs me during my routine.
Kira C says
This is so weird, never had anything like this at my gym at all! Never seen anything either! I guess my gym is full of pensioners half the time because of where I live!
Courtney Gillard says
Oh, yeah. I hate disrupting by annoying people with their annoying comments!
Louise Joy says
Haha these are hilarious! I’m quite lucky in that I never get interrupted at the gym but I can imagine how annoying it can be x
Wildish Jess says
I’m a gym rat and can thankfully say that I’ve never had any of this happen to me before, lol.
Marielle Altenor says
I’m rolling on the floor. Not really but if I was already on the floor while reading this, I would be totally rolling. They all sound lovely! LOL You got the perfect GiF for each of them!
Angie says
Gym creepers are the worst! I can’t believe this happens to you so much-I seriously need to get back to the gym but I don’t want to deal with them.
Anosa says
Hahahahaha, girl you cracked me up.
I only do gym classes so don’t get asked questions and when I am in the normal gym I just pretend I don’t hear nothing lol
Melanie Edjourian says
And that’s why you wear headphones lol. I don’t blame you there are all sorts of people ready to waste time and be a nuisance I used to do exactly the same.
Robin Rue says
These are pretty darn funny! I hate when people ask something and because you don’t give them a good answer they just have to interrupt you. If they didn’t want to hear what you had to say and already had their mind made up, they needed to just leave you be!
Courtneylynne says
Omg why yes! Yes I have lol… Annoying people is the biggest issue with going to the gym. I would be the happiest girl ever if no one ever talked to me again at the gym… But we all know that’s never going to happen lol
Nikki Wayne says
I don’t like being interrupted whenI am working out especially with men. These are really annoying.
Nicole Etolen says
I like what the lady said, sounds like a nice compliment to me. I always wanted to workout at the gym but hopefully I don’t receive annoying comments there.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama’s Place says
Wow this is funny. I can’t imagine people saying each of these things to you, crazy how we speak without thinking sometimes.
Nicole Escat says
These are the possible things that I am afraid might happen to me when I go to gym. I’d rather work out at home.
Julie Syl Kalungi says
Take it as a compliment, they just want to ogle your gorgeous bod Beautiful 🙂
tauyanm says
there is a guy in my apartments gym, who loves to use all the gym machine all at the same time. it was a mess and horrible experience so i never went the same time as him haha then yesterday, a girl, keep on walking around the gym trying to think how to use the machine I guess, or i dont know, but it was annoying hehe first time i saw her at the gym,
Lisa Rios says
My goodness, you made my day. I am laughing hard on all those funny pictures. I don’t go to gym, but I can relate to the experience you might go through when you face such annoying people!
NAZMA IQBAL says
hahah these are so funny.but unfortunatley non of them happend with me in gym
Amy Deverson says
Haha this post made me laugh! I never really go to the gym, mainly because I can’t afford it at the moment. Having a run outside sounds much better though just to avoid these people!!
Ana De- Jesus says
Lol it did make me chuckle especially those assholes who were watching you and claiming you needed someone to spot you. As a bodybuilder I think you would know better than them.
Elizabeth says
Gosh, it’s enough to put you off going to the gym! Some folk!
Toni says
Oh my goodness on all of them! But the one that really got me was the guy who could thrust well. I might have slapped him LOL.
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
Oh wow, these are definitely not just happening inside the gym for me but as insensitive those people are for disrupting your routines, I enjoyed a few chuckles reading this. The stares can sometimes be a sign of concern but if some people must know, staring is staring. It’s always an awkward state.
melissa zia says
the gifs match perfectly! nothing yet as I don’t really go enough to the gym
Ashleigh @Dash of Evans says
Thank you for the laugh! I am a strange person magnet–people stop me everywhere to tell me the randomest stories. I cannot stand when people are in my space at the gym!
Rosey says
I do have one. No one anywhere around you and the new person who comes in take the machine directly beside you.
Emily Leary says
Hahahaha omg you have seriously ‘interesting’ patrons at your gym! I’ve never had anyone say anything like that!
Hannah says
This cracked me up – I have never been to the gym hahah x
Tara says
I cannot believe some of these! Where do people get off?
Hannah says
Hilarious! For me, it’s the trainer who wants to tell me how to do an exercise better. Get lost.
Fashion and Style Police says
These made me laugh. I like to have my headphones on when I do go to the gym.
Bonnie @wemake7 says
Lol these are sooo funny! I guess I have never run into these but there is one that works at the gym and is always flirting around, it’s kind of sickening lol.
Kristi says
Oh my… you cant make this stuff up. People…people… get the hint… headphones mean “don’t bother me please”.
Echo says
I am laughing so hard at these. People don’t talk to me at the gym. It’s probably because I get red really fast and look angry, LOL!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
This is why I really didn’t like going to the gym for the longest time…I just want to be left alone when I’m working out!
The London Mum says
Oh my god hahahah. I have to say gyms are too over friendly it kind of puts me off. I’m a chatty friendly person so I can often give the wrong signals if anyone starts chatting to me.
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
Thanks for making my day. These are simply hilarious.
Melissa Dixon says
Oh these had me cracking up. I don’t know what I would do if any of these happened to me. I would probably mess with them back or become violent depending on my mood. It’s good to have a sense of humor about these things.
Roxy says
HAHAH!. The GIFs really made this hilarious! I must say I haven’t experienced any of these interruptions. I’m the girl in the gym that looks confused as to why she’s there. lol
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama’s Place says
I am laughing so hard, I can’t believe this. Ohio ladies do it better? with a wink. OH my. I am not sure what I would have done there.
natalie z says
This is the worst! It is hard enough for me to workout at the gym even worse if I feel the need to “socialize” with a stranger
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Your stories are so funny. They seem to be predominately males who interfere the most.
Funny thing though is that this could happen to a guy too; my husband’s brother would always have some silly stories of guys trying to yap with him for advice and such when he was at the gym.
You can definitely see a pattern here of the types of goofy people out there at the gym.
Thanks so much for the chuckles though – you gave me a good laugh today.
Austin H. says
I have not any experiences like this. People should know their boundaries and give people their space. Some people can be down right rude or just plain strange.. Haha
Mauie says
The gif’s are hilarious. I’m not much into working out at the gym but your list is really funny!
kelly tupick says
Those are some funny lines that they used. Really, what were they thinking? Had a good laugh though.
Sam | North East Family Fun says
OMG at all of these! MAJOR EYE ROLLS! Haha. Hope you had some witty responses x
Angie Scheie says
That’s pretty hilarious:) I think you get a lot more comments than I have…but I avoid “that” room and stick to cardio machines lol. The times I do weight machines what distracts me are the guys you grunt at the top of their lungs. I get making noises…but as loud as you can? Seems excessive lol.
Jenny says
Ive never experienced anyone bugging me while working out. Sounds like they had good intentions, just didn’t know how to properly go about it. Lol
Crystal says
Oh man! You’d have to assume that most of these people had good intentions, but are just clueless. They may be annoying, but I’m getting a good laugh.
Southern & Style says
That is seriously my biggest pet peeve about going to the gym! I’m from a small town, so everyone always wants to chat about the latest gossip and news while working out and I’m just like nope…I’m in my zone people! Lol
xoxo, SS
Melanie Smith says
We always have these kind of people at the gym hahaha. This is so funny!
Bella says
Well this we very entertaining to say the least! When I go to the gym I avoid eye contact at all costs – gym time is me time.
Kendall says
Hahaha I got a good laugh from this!! I found myself agreeing 100% with some too! I can’t believe someone actually offered a spot – kind of weird if you ask me! :p
Heather Pfingsten says
This is why when I use a public gym, instead of my elliptical, I go with a herd … a.k.a. my mom and sister. Normally when I go with a group people tend to leave me alone. These are the reasons why people hate working out. ANNOYING PEOPLE! ICKY!
Stacey says
Im sure its annoying at the time, but all these crazy interruptions do make a funny read! When are guys going to learn that acting creepy or obnoxious is not going to give them good attention!
Star Traci says
Wow! Pet wolves?!? And that spotter thing is a little creepy. I never get to the gym so it’s usually my children interrupting me with requests for milk, fixing things on iPads, and all around 1st world problems — LOL!
🙂
Traci
kristin says
I can’t believe people would just stop you at the gym from what you’re doing. Totally would be hard to deal with.
felicia says
Oh my goodness! I can only imagine what you get at the gym. I don’t go, so I don’t get the comments…. LOL!
Victoria Stacey says
Pet wolves? Haha that’s really funny! I don’t get interrupted at the gym (probably because I don’t go often haha).
Kathleen Kennedy-Leon says
seriously I needed a laugh!! thank you for giving it to me tonight!! great blog post!! too funny!
Brandy says
This reminds me of what people say to pregnant people .. things not to say that is. I am shocked at what everyone says. Laughing at the same time .. so surreal!
sophia says
This is so funny. The adventures of the gym.
Angela Harris says
Ha Ha! This is great. I have been there to many times. I feel for you girl. This post just made my night. Thank you.
Helene Cohen Bludman says
Oh my! Funny but also very annoying for you.
Elizabeth O. says
As much as I enjoyed reading this post, I’m sorry you had to experience all of these and you’re probably going to keep experiencing them as you go along. It’s definitely annoying every time you get interrupted while you’re busy concentrating on your work out, I feel you.
Meagan says
These are too funny. Some of these would make me pretty mad.
Diana says
I used to wear headphones so people wouldn’t bother me at the gym but I would still get shoulder taps for flirting. So then I signed up for a gym in West Hollywood hoping the predominantly gay neighborhood would help me just be able to work out without being bothered.
Katy {ashadeofteal} says
These are all hilarious! They also reinstate why I prefer to not go to a gym. I can’t imagine someone grabbing you as if you really needed a spotter!
Cindy Ingalls says
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry about these comments. Some of them are gross. I workout at home so I don’t really have these problems.
Ashley @irishred02 says
This is hilarious! I get interrupted with guys asking me why I’m not smiling ..um what?!
Amy Jones says
Hahah this post gave me a good laugh! I’m more of an indoors workout person so I’ve barely ever visited any gyms but these sure seem annoying
Amber NElson says
I always try to keep my headphones in so that nobody will talk to me or interrupt what I am trying to get done.
Jeanine says
Oh man. I honestly don’t think I could do a gym. I’m nothing like you so people probably wouldn’t pay any attention to me unless its to giggle, but still…. no thank you I hate when people interrupt!
Christine - The Choosy Mommy says
Haha oh these cracked me up! I tend to just stay to myself when I am working out because that is ME time…any other time I am more than happy to chat but just leave me be when I am getting my sweat on!
Jess says
Thankfully the gym I go to is always pretty quiet and the people I do see there are mostly “regulars” so we kind of nod/smile at each other and then get on with things… These all sound so frustrating!
Tiffany VanSickle says
This is fantastic! I haven’t been to the gym in years but 2 of our neighbors were out talking last weekend when my husband and I were going for a quick, 1-mile run. They tried to stop us to talk…BOTH times we ran past! (We basically live on a circle. 1.5 laps is 1 mile! 🙂 ) I was trying to beat my previous time, which made it even more frustrating for me!
Rhian Westbury says
What stupid ways. I tend to put my headphones in and almost ignore people at the gym as it can be awkward to talk to people x
Jenn says
Nope. I don’t go the gym much, but this post has me laughing out loud. People are crazy.
Kelly Hutchinson says
This is so darn funny! I was just talking to my friend about annoying people. I don’t get interrupted, but I love to spot those annoying people at the gym. I have “The Clean Freak Guy”, “The Big Hooped Earring, Love To Text While Using Space On The Leg Press Machine Girl” and “The White Guys Can’t Jump Or Dance On The Treadmill Guy.”
Chanelle says
Lol! These are amazing!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
I get irrationally angry when people interrupt me at the gym. I have in ear buds for a reason!
Michele says
I can’t say that I have–not even back when I went to a gym–but then I had a personal trainer who did a great job of annoying me!!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
I normally get the people who stare, and then when I ask them, say something like “You look familar…and are you done with that treadmill?” LOL
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This did make me laugh, although I can see why it would be annoying. The first bump one amused me especially.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
This is such a funny post. I can’t believe what people say at the gym. A lot of these are actually hilarious. I’ll share this post with a few friends of mine.
Amy Desrosiers says
I actually just started using wireless headphones at the gym. Sometimes I just wear them even if the music is not on so people leave me alone.
candy says
I just got my laugh of the day. Guess it wouldn’t matter what time of day you go to the gym, they are there all the time.
Pam says
Oh, wow. People have certainly said some ridiculous things. I can’t get over the guy with the pet wolves.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
The senior citizen women at the gym always give me the side eye when the old men chat with me. All I want to do is workout, I’m not looking for a hookup.
tara pittman says
Sounds super annoying. My pet peeves like this is when I work on my laptop at a restaurant.
Ashleigh says
Haha this is hilarious! I would never stop any one at the gym to say such ridiculous things!
May Palacpac says
Hahahaha! So what have you done to your body that this woman just have to mention it the way she has. You must really be fit, she couldn’t find the right words to compliment you. 🙂
gingermommyrants says
People can be so annoying lol. I cant believe the guy said he was good at thrusting to. I would have burst out laughing at him.
Stacie V says
I can not imagine someone just walking up to you and holding your knees. That would be so creepy. I work out at home so I do not get interrupted.
Lisa Bristol says
Big headphones are a great idea. It is hard to see the earbuds I use. People try to chat all the time at the gym. I just want to get my work done.
Dana Rodriguez says
OMG that is so funny. Especially Mr. Thrust LOL!!
Ann Bacciaglia says
Wow pet wolves lol. You really needed to be interrupted to hear about that. You would think people would not bother you because they would not want to be interrupted either.
Rachel says
Well the guy with the pet wolves sound really interesting, I wonder if he did really have them!
LaaLaa says
LMAO, loved the GIFs! When I use to go to the gym, it was with a buddy – the only people to intervene would be a personal instructor looking for clients.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Every. Single. Time. I’m not as super fit as you, but I don’t know why people still take that to mean I only come to the gym to talk! I came to work out. I have plenty of people OUTSIDE of the gym to talk to
Cathy says
Oh my gosh, I don’t want to believe you, but this is the kind of stuff you can’t make up. I don’t often work out at the gym, but I empathize because it happens to me when I’m running, too. I was literally running down the sidewalk once, music in my ears, sweat pouring down and there was a couple coming the opposite direction with a toddler. She was adorable, but I did NOT appreciate that her parents allowed her to run top speed at my legs and try to hug me. Again, she was cute, the parents not so much.
Chanelle says
Hahah oh man. You really can’t make this stuff up!
khrista says
So funny! I have never been a fan of working out at a gym. That’s why my husband and I workout at home!
Rebecca Bryant says
And now you know why i don’t go to the gym. At least when i go walking the only person out to bug me is bambi or thumper.
Angelic Sinova says
This post made me laugh so much! Thankfully, I’ve never encountered anything too crazy at the gym. I like to go to the gym and concentrate on working out out not mingle with people lol.
Heather says
Oh my goodness I’m dying! These are hilarious. I despise the gym.
Monica says
Luckily, I work from home and can go to the gym in low traffic times so I don’t have to deal with this. Like you, I go in with my headphones and don’t make eye contact!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Honestly, I stopped going to the gym because of all the meat heads. I hate being gawked at and there were some real idiots at my gym.
Farrah @ New and Natural Mom says
Lol!! I am also some one who works out at home, so I haven’t had to experience this. I get enough “advice” from other people who think they know it all, but I’m doing things per medical advice. 🙂
Leta says
Wow, sounds like some choice people at your gym! Why would you interrupt someone mid-exercise? Weird!
Sarah says
Hahaha OMG I can’t stop laughing! This is great.
Brent Arceneaux says
I can count my trips to a gym on one hand and thankfully didn’t bump into anyone like the gymgoers you mentioned. Some people just can’t take a simple hint.
Maria says
Lol…this was hilarious! I don’t go to a gym, I work out from home. So, fortunately, I don’t have to deal with all sorts of annoying interruptions like those.
Aimee Smith says
This is hilarious. Why are people at the gym so weird!?
Janeane Davis says
It was fun to read about all the people who interrupt you at the gym. I know they are all annoying, but it was fun to read abou them here and not have to experience them!
Claudia Krusch says
I’ve never got any attention at the gym! Loved reading your post, so much fun! Sorry you were interrupted, though!
Dawn McAlexander says
You don’t have to be at a gym to deal with annoying people. Although you meet some of the weirdest ones there. My husband and I were working out one time when this guy just gets right in front of him and just starts flexing his muscles, like they were impressive. They weren’t.
Heather says
LOL! I never had a problem, everyone stayed away from me! I was a competitive power lifter! We did build a gym in our new home though, the music in gyms is so annoying!
Cathi Crismon says
Oaky Chanelle. Your list gave me a good chuckle. I have a very strong feeling that you can handle any situation!!
Lisa Favre says
Haha, oh my gosh! I can’t believe someone insisted on a fist-bump while you were mid-workout. These are ridiculous! After my pregnancy, I’m going to want to go to the gym but I certainly hope I don’t get interrupted this much!
Jeanette says
Holy cow! I can’t believe the nerve of some people! I have never had anyone approach me at the gym…yet! But now I will probably be more wary of anyone who passes by! At least it makes for some entertaining conversations and blog posts!
kristin says
Luckily I guess I don’t get this kind of attention at my gym. This would totally be annoying!!!
Felissa says
Some of these are just hilarious. I have no idea what I would say to some of these people!
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
The gym I go to has a very high population of senior citizens. Monday morning it is PACKED with them chatting about their weekend. The old men talk to me constantly. I watch Netflix while on the treadmill and have to keep pausing my show because they ask what I’m watching.
Chanelle says
Hilarious! But not when it’s actually happening I bet. Lol.
Tara says
Oh my gosh! How did you ever keep a straight face with some of these people? I like to concentrate on what I’m doing at the gym and interruptions are the worst unless it’s something that’s important.
Kathy says
Luckily I work out from home. When I use to go to the gym I never had any issues with anyone. This is one reason I love having some equipment at home so I don’t have to work out with others around.