Woman Gets Two Bullies In Her Fitness Class Banned After Sending Screenshots To The Club’s Managers
Bullies can be found everywhere. At school. At work. And if you thought that at least gyms and fitness classes are safe from them, think again. There is no perfectly safe space from bullying, so knowing how to deal with them is the best way to stop them in their tracks.
Reddit user KatarinaKiev posted about how a couple of fitness bullies made her life hell in spin class and online. However, the story had a happy ending—the terrible twosome got their just desserts while the redditor was left to get fit in peace.
Scroll down to read Katarina’s story in her own words. Let us know in the comments what you think of the situation and if you’ve ever had any encounters with gym bullies, dear Readers. And be sure to check out Bored Panda’s exclusive in-depth interview about dealing with fitness bullies with Paulius Lipskis who is a personal trainer, kinesiotherapist, and the founder of the Mes Geresni (We’re Better) Facebook page about healthy living.
A Reddit user shared her story of how she dealt with two fitness bullies at her spin class
Image credits: Aberdeen Proving Ground (not the actual photo)
Image credits: KatarinaKiev
Bullying comes from being unable to deal with how you feel about yourself
Not going to lie, folks, my experience with people who take good care of their bodies and health has only been positive. But I’m one of the lucky ones, unlike some people who have had to deal with buff bullies.
But what exactly is a fitness or gym bully? Well, they’re people who see themselves as superior to others in a fitness environment and love demeaning everyone weaker than them.
“Competition isn’t a bad thing, however, if this isn’t understood fully, it can manifest in places where it isn’t acceptable. For example, in gyms,” said personal trainer Lipskis. According to him, people tend to bully and degrade others when they feel bad about themselves but fail to acknowledge that. That’s when they redirect their aggression towards others.
“It’s demanding power and respect at the wrong time, in the wrong place”
“By looking for others’ weak spots and showing that they’re stronger than others at the gym, these people can continue to ignore that they’re feeling bad in other areas of their lives. In short, it’s demanding power and respect at the wrong time, in the wrong place.”
Lipskis told Bored Panda that people shouldn’t take things too seriously or start a conflict if they’re dealing with a one-off disrespectful situation. “It’s the perfect opportunity to learn from these people, specifically, that you should compete only with yourself; and those who try to compete by degrading others just end up looking stupid.”
“However, if this sort of behavior continues, it becomes the fitness club’s responsibility. You need to fill out a form and get rid of the people who are muddling up the gym’s atmosphere.”
Respect between gym or fitness club members is paramount
Lipskis explained that gyms have to make ensure that there is positive communication and respect between members. And, if that’s not the case, gyms have to let them go. “I wouldn’t advise getting into a conflict personally, but you should let the gym’s management know so that they can deal with the situation.”
According to Lipskis, fitness bullying doesn’t happen too often. However, in the rare cases that Lipskis sees someone degrading someone else, he steps in: “If this sort of behavior continues, I embarrass the bullies with a joke so that there’s little chance of a conflict. I also don’t give in to provocations. I would tell them to stop what they’re doing and leave if they wouldn’t take the hint. Afterward, I’d let the necessary personnel know about what happened.”
Different strategies for different situations
Bullies might feel insecure and need to ‘prove’ that they’re best around to feed their ego. Or it might be because, deep down, they’re just big jerks whom Karma will catch up with eventually. TL;DR: they feed on attention; they get attention by putting others down instead of lifting them up.
There are different ways to deal with gym bullies. Of course, you can always do what Katarina did and confront them. But no two situations are alike.
Sometimes, ignoring your bullies can be the best way to move forward: if they see that their BS isn’t affecting you, they’ll stop harassing you. You’ve got better things to do than to deal with their childish tactics!
If that doesn’t work, try talking to them about their behavior. A lot of people respect directness. Or, you can do what personal trainer Lipskis suggested and talk to the management at the gym about the situation. Odds are, you’re not the only victim of their disrespectful behavior.
Here’s how some people reacted to Katarina’s story online
First of all, I'm not sure OP knows what bullying realy means. Second- so somebody made an unpleasant remark about her. In her post she made a LOT of unpleasant remarks about the two. And at the end she got them fired?Then bragged about it on reddit? I am sorry, but the way I see it she isn't "the adult" here. It's one thing being stupid and narcissistic, but to make somebody lose their job over that kind of b******t...
While these 2 are obviously super idiots, contacting their employer to get them fired seems like overdoing it. You already got them banned from the gym, it should have been enough, to be honest. Oh , this story could be a lot shorter btw
OP did not contact the employers, other people in the class did. It’s her story thus it can be as long or short as she wants. It’s also your choice to read it or not, guess you did not.
Load More Replies...
Boris and Val are clearly a******s, but losing your job and business over being mean at a spin class seems a little OTT...
Sometimes the best way to get through to mean people and make them realize a**holes are not acceptable is to hit them in the pocketbook. It makes you realize that being a jerk means being alone and broke. No one wants to be around that toxicity. Valerie losing her job was a necessity seeing as she was in a job specifically to promote beauty and encourage others to strive to feel good about themselves. If she's going to be two-faced enough to be nice to clients and then crappy to fellow gym members...the company doesn't need that kind of liability. Should they wait until she's crappy to customers and burns the company's reputation?
Load More Replies...
If I understand this right, she imagined that they keep on offending her all the time, went after them on their social account and managed to get them fired from the studio and their workplaces. 1. She has NO IDEA what bullying is 2. She could have sorted out things with "Boris" when he invited her for coffee (If it happened at all) 3. She asked "Valerie" what her problem was, and she answered politely. I guess OP wasn't able to deal with the fact that there was another pretty Russian girl and she was jealous of her. Seriously, what is her problem if "Valerie" is a bathroom iPhone "model"? Each to their own. Hilarious. So she created this drama story and now thinks she's a hero. Whatever "Boris" and "Valerie" talked in their social media accounts, was their own business as long as they didn't tell it out aloud into the face of others. At the end, I wonder if this story ever has happened this way? Because if it did, OP has some serious growin'up to do.
I agree. it sounded like SHE was the jealous Euro chick, not Val. Honestly, as Eastern European I can practically see all the attitude Boris & Val dripped. It's super Euro too. But ignoring people like that is the best bet.
Load More Replies...
This woman is actually worse than the people she hates. That's no way to deal with people. At all. They're being a******s so you don't get mad at them personally and confront them, instead you are proud of literally destroying their lives? That's f****d up. I understand getting them banned from the gym (sorta, it should've been addressed first and if they continued, THEN ban them) but ruining people's lives because they were jerks is going way too far. This cancel culture has to stop.
Wow, they "bullied" you so you ruined their careers? Jesus christ what the f is wrong with people. Why not have them killed? their whole families too!
The funniest part is that they are never held to account because THEIR reasons for being piece of s**t are justified, you see. The message: It's okay to ruin people if you don't like them and they hurt your feelings. Way better than confronting them directly. Stay classy.
Load More Replies...
I really don't understand it ....people go to the gym to work on their physical fitness....why bully someone who is trying to better themselves?? What lame f***s.
I take my hat off to the people I see jogging in our area- not those who have the runners build that are whizzing by, but those who are chubby, overweight, are just about putting one foot in front of the other and look like they are about to collape. They have made the decision, have got out there and are bettering their health, and it's far more than I am doing. I really do admire them immensely.
Load More Replies...
Not to be rude, but this story sounds pretty fake?? It's long as hell and the characters themselves are a little ridiculous
Someone's not a fan of Rocky and Bullwinkle, I see.
Load More Replies...
they might be bullies but OP is a 30 year old coward. Why not confront them when they give you those dirty looks? Why send those screenshots anonymously? A part of being adult is having the ability and skill to confront people otherwise everyone will walk all over you even if they aren't bullies
I have a problem with ANY fitness class that becomes competitive. Anyone who shows up should be commended, and the competition should be internal -- that is, each class member should push beyond the comfort zone. But I'm also not a fan of spinning classes. There are far better ways to get in shape, without the blaring music and alpha dog culture. Beyond 30 minutes of cardio, unless you're training for an endurance event, you're reaping diminishing returns. Gym jerks. One more reason to work out at home.
She was a horrible person as well for taking screen shots and passing then around, getting them banned and getting them fired. I was a size 24 when I started at the gym and got down to a 2... the best revenge is living your best life and shutting them up with positive action in your part. Horrible and petty...
Gald to see I'm not the only one - getting them thrown out of the gym, fine. But having them banned from every branch and then fired from their jobs is completely unacceptable. She had a free trial, she could've gone to a different gym, she wasn't paying for it. Sometimes, it's best to walk away.
Exactly. It´s just plain old censorship. I´m glad to find normal people here.
Load More Replies... 
Meh. The person writing this is no better. Think that “oh well, you can be a Starbucks barista” comment is meant to be complimentary? You’re just as judgmental as the people you droned on about.
It's someone who is thin but not fit. It's possible to be underweight AND have too much body fat, especially if you got thin from smoking or crash dieting a lot.
Load More Replies...
kinda remind me of the playmate who ruin her carer by posting a photo of a fat women in the shower on social media
Know a guy a bit like Boris. Capable of being a nice guy but is just a little to boneheaded to see it through. He is fit and works out everyday but he will s**t talk about other folks at the gym. I told him he was "that guy" and the reason I didn't like going the gym. I'm not overweight but I could benefit from having a workout regimen.
Someone losing their career over this is gross. It's right they were kicked out of the club, but not right that they have lost careers over what is basically hurt feelings. So much snowflakery and attention seeking. Toughen up, the world can be a cruel place.
Seems to me that the author has issues, she went out of her way to check those two's social media accounts, made copies of their chats and passed it on to others. Does no one else think something is wrong here? She was not bullied, she has chips on her shoulders and snooped and went out of her way to have these people blocked from the gym and fired. Karma is coming for you woman, and please see a psychiatrist.
I would just a whole lotta beans before class. Oops I'm the only one now. Lol
hahah omg this girl sounds SO RUSSIAN! I can practically hear the entire story in my head in Russian lol :) that's why is so long winded. We talk in long sentences. Back to the story - sure, they were both big asses, however i think it would have been sufficient to just send screenshots to everyone involved. Talking trash on my FB wall doesn't qualify me from being banned from the gym. Definitely taken too far. Just ride the bike girl, who cares?!
I was recently banned from my gym after first mentioning a member constantly sitting on the counter and even putting her feet on the counter. The first mention I was told, "Ya you're right." ( I mean just pull up a chair, nobody wants your nastiness on the counter. The second time I decided to take a photo to send to Corp. The girl jumped off the counter and yelled "Do yOu wAnT mE tO pOsE FoR yOu?" I'm like "no I already got what I needed." She kept running her mouth and i had headphones on so I'm like "shut the f up b." So one of the employees told me that CURSING is not allowed. I apologized and left. Then when I get home, I found out they MESSAGED MY HUSBAND. I'm like he is my HUSBAND not my DAD. So i promptly called them and again, they told me cursing around perspective clients is not allowed. Again i apologized and said it won't happen again. The next day I called in to talk to the manager. She said "Unfortunately we're going to cancel your membership because of the cursing."
Good for you Katarina. This particular gym did the right thing. Many do not expel bullies. Bullying should never be justified. Many people do not feel good about themselves, have a low self esteem, and they do not go around and abuse others in order to feel better about themselves.
I'd love to make a big amount online work! Unfortunately I also want to have a computer without 5 terabytes of malware.
Load More Replies... First of all, I'm not sure OP knows what bullying realy means. Second- so somebody made an unpleasant remark about her. In her post she made a LOT of unpleasant remarks about the two. And at the end she got them fired?Then bragged about it on reddit? I am sorry, but the way I see it she isn't "the adult" here. It's one thing being stupid and narcissistic, but to make somebody lose their job over that kind of b******t...
While these 2 are obviously super idiots, contacting their employer to get them fired seems like overdoing it. You already got them banned from the gym, it should have been enough, to be honest. Oh , this story could be a lot shorter btw
OP did not contact the employers, other people in the class did. It’s her story thus it can be as long or short as she wants. It’s also your choice to read it or not, guess you did not.
Load More Replies... Boris and Val are clearly a******s, but losing your job and business over being mean at a spin class seems a little OTT...
Sometimes the best way to get through to mean people and make them realize a**holes are not acceptable is to hit them in the pocketbook. It makes you realize that being a jerk means being alone and broke. No one wants to be around that toxicity. Valerie losing her job was a necessity seeing as she was in a job specifically to promote beauty and encourage others to strive to feel good about themselves. If she's going to be two-faced enough to be nice to clients and then crappy to fellow gym members...the company doesn't need that kind of liability. Should they wait until she's crappy to customers and burns the company's reputation?
Load More Replies... If I understand this right, she imagined that they keep on offending her all the time, went after them on their social account and managed to get them fired from the studio and their workplaces. 1. She has NO IDEA what bullying is 2. She could have sorted out things with "Boris" when he invited her for coffee (If it happened at all) 3. She asked "Valerie" what her problem was, and she answered politely. I guess OP wasn't able to deal with the fact that there was another pretty Russian girl and she was jealous of her. Seriously, what is her problem if "Valerie" is a bathroom iPhone "model"? Each to their own. Hilarious. So she created this drama story and now thinks she's a hero. Whatever "Boris" and "Valerie" talked in their social media accounts, was their own business as long as they didn't tell it out aloud into the face of others. At the end, I wonder if this story ever has happened this way? Because if it did, OP has some serious growin'up to do.
I agree. it sounded like SHE was the jealous Euro chick, not Val. Honestly, as Eastern European I can practically see all the attitude Boris & Val dripped. It's super Euro too. But ignoring people like that is the best bet.
Load More Replies... This woman is actually worse than the people she hates. That's no way to deal with people. At all. They're being a******s so you don't get mad at them personally and confront them, instead you are proud of literally destroying their lives? That's f****d up. I understand getting them banned from the gym (sorta, it should've been addressed first and if they continued, THEN ban them) but ruining people's lives because they were jerks is going way too far. This cancel culture has to stop.
Wow, they "bullied" you so you ruined their careers? Jesus christ what the f is wrong with people. Why not have them killed? their whole families too!
The funniest part is that they are never held to account because THEIR reasons for being piece of s**t are justified, you see. The message: It's okay to ruin people if you don't like them and they hurt your feelings. Way better than confronting them directly. Stay classy.
Load More Replies... I really don't understand it ....people go to the gym to work on their physical fitness....why bully someone who is trying to better themselves?? What lame f***s.
I take my hat off to the people I see jogging in our area- not those who have the runners build that are whizzing by, but those who are chubby, overweight, are just about putting one foot in front of the other and look like they are about to collape. They have made the decision, have got out there and are bettering their health, and it's far more than I am doing. I really do admire them immensely.
Load More Replies... Not to be rude, but this story sounds pretty fake?? It's long as hell and the characters themselves are a little ridiculous
Someone's not a fan of Rocky and Bullwinkle, I see.
Load More Replies... they might be bullies but OP is a 30 year old coward. Why not confront them when they give you those dirty looks? Why send those screenshots anonymously? A part of being adult is having the ability and skill to confront people otherwise everyone will walk all over you even if they aren't bullies
I have a problem with ANY fitness class that becomes competitive. Anyone who shows up should be commended, and the competition should be internal -- that is, each class member should push beyond the comfort zone. But I'm also not a fan of spinning classes. There are far better ways to get in shape, without the blaring music and alpha dog culture. Beyond 30 minutes of cardio, unless you're training for an endurance event, you're reaping diminishing returns. Gym jerks. One more reason to work out at home.
She was a horrible person as well for taking screen shots and passing then around, getting them banned and getting them fired. I was a size 24 when I started at the gym and got down to a 2... the best revenge is living your best life and shutting them up with positive action in your part. Horrible and petty...
Gald to see I'm not the only one - getting them thrown out of the gym, fine. But having them banned from every branch and then fired from their jobs is completely unacceptable. She had a free trial, she could've gone to a different gym, she wasn't paying for it. Sometimes, it's best to walk away.
Exactly. It´s just plain old censorship. I´m glad to find normal people here.
Load More Replies... Meh. The person writing this is no better. Think that “oh well, you can be a Starbucks barista” comment is meant to be complimentary? You’re just as judgmental as the people you droned on about.
It's someone who is thin but not fit. It's possible to be underweight AND have too much body fat, especially if you got thin from smoking or crash dieting a lot.
Load More Replies... kinda remind me of the playmate who ruin her carer by posting a photo of a fat women in the shower on social media
Know a guy a bit like Boris. Capable of being a nice guy but is just a little to boneheaded to see it through. He is fit and works out everyday but he will s**t talk about other folks at the gym. I told him he was "that guy" and the reason I didn't like going the gym. I'm not overweight but I could benefit from having a workout regimen.
Someone losing their career over this is gross. It's right they were kicked out of the club, but not right that they have lost careers over what is basically hurt feelings. So much snowflakery and attention seeking. Toughen up, the world can be a cruel place.
Seems to me that the author has issues, she went out of her way to check those two's social media accounts, made copies of their chats and passed it on to others. Does no one else think something is wrong here? She was not bullied, she has chips on her shoulders and snooped and went out of her way to have these people blocked from the gym and fired. Karma is coming for you woman, and please see a psychiatrist.
I would just a whole lotta beans before class. Oops I'm the only one now. Lol
hahah omg this girl sounds SO RUSSIAN! I can practically hear the entire story in my head in Russian lol :) that's why is so long winded. We talk in long sentences. Back to the story - sure, they were both big asses, however i think it would have been sufficient to just send screenshots to everyone involved. Talking trash on my FB wall doesn't qualify me from being banned from the gym. Definitely taken too far. Just ride the bike girl, who cares?!
I was recently banned from my gym after first mentioning a member constantly sitting on the counter and even putting her feet on the counter. The first mention I was told, "Ya you're right." ( I mean just pull up a chair, nobody wants your nastiness on the counter. The second time I decided to take a photo to send to Corp. The girl jumped off the counter and yelled "Do yOu wAnT mE tO pOsE FoR yOu?" I'm like "no I already got what I needed." She kept running her mouth and i had headphones on so I'm like "shut the f up b." So one of the employees told me that CURSING is not allowed. I apologized and left. Then when I get home, I found out they MESSAGED MY HUSBAND. I'm like he is my HUSBAND not my DAD. So i promptly called them and again, they told me cursing around perspective clients is not allowed. Again i apologized and said it won't happen again. The next day I called in to talk to the manager. She said "Unfortunately we're going to cancel your membership because of the cursing."
Good for you Katarina. This particular gym did the right thing. Many do not expel bullies. Bullying should never be justified. Many people do not feel good about themselves, have a low self esteem, and they do not go around and abuse others in order to feel better about themselves.
I'd love to make a big amount online work! Unfortunately I also want to have a computer without 5 terabytes of malware.
Load More Replies...
159
78