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The original was posted on /r/AmItheAsshole by /u/maybe_im_ok_ on 2023-07-29 15:24:57.
i (21f) have started going to the gym a bit regularly. i recently got off the implant and i’m desperate to lose some weight. i wouldn’t say i’m fat (i’m 5’8 so it usually balances out), just a bit chunky in the wrong places. i got a 24hr membership at a fairly large gym near me and i’ve been going for about 2 months now.
a week ago i went at a rlly busy time (6pm) instead of my usual 11pm bcz i had to be up early cz of travelling to an interview. i was doing some lateral pull downs on the machine and noticed a muscular guy was hovering near me. i could sense him halfway through my set but tried to ignore him. when i’d finished my first one i turned and looked at him waiting for him to say something as he stared back cz it seemed like he was waiting for the machine himself. i eventually just offered up the seat saying he could work in if he needed and he thanked me and sat down.
here’s the problem. he wouldn’t let me work back in. once he finished his first set i waited a few mins thinking maybe he was gonna stand up but he just went on his phone and then started his second set. on his next break i tapped him on the shoulder and asked if i could work back in again. he pretty much just shrugged me off and ignored me. i was a little irritated but i again waited for his next set to finish. i thought i’d just ask how many he had to do left and this man was going to do 10 sets and was only n his 3rd. so after his 4th set i took the screw out the weights and placed it at the weight i needed and then just stood right next to him waiting. he moved the screw back but i took it out again. this went on for a little bit and he was getting visibly annoyed before he stood up and just left without all his stuff. i just shrugged and rest down but halfway through my set i got a tap on the shoulder and it was one of the workers. he said i needed to leave the machine and stop harassing other members to give it up.
i was gobsmacked. i tried to explain the situation but he just kept telling me i needed to get off it and give it back to the man like this was preschool. the gym guy was just stood there smirking and i snapped at him yelling that he really is just some coward for running to a worker bcz i wanted the machine back after i allowed him to work in. i berated him on what working in meant and asked if he ever treats any of the male gym goers like this or does he just like to try and intimidate women bcz of his fragile masculinity. the gym was silent and everyone was watching by the time i’d finished.
i put my headphones in and sat back down fuming. i was half expecting someone to drag me out. some of the other muscular men came over and apologised for what the guy did saying that it wasn’t proper gym etiquette but that i shouldn’t have yelled at him and embarrassed him like that. i think i was justified but now i feel awkward going back to that gym.
AITA?