If youve ever worked out, you probably have encountered the dreadedfitness mansplainer.
Or if you decide you want to say something back, we feel that too.
Set firm boundariesand enforce them.
Aladdin Color Inc/Getty Images/Amanda K Bailey
He proceeded to offer suggestions about adjusting my form, specifically my knee and body alignment.
His tone made it seem like I was doing it wrong and he needed to provide guidance.
But he kept insisting on his viewpointhis unsolicited advice was completely disrupting the energy for the class!
Cut off their intended spiel from the get-go.
I smiled back, gave a look of consideration, simply said, No, and walked away.
My younger self would have fallen for the trap of having my not good enough button pushed.
Do a little splaining right back.
Im in a learn-to-row class.
All of a sudden, a man in the class started explaining proper rowing technique to me.
I was confused because it wasnt like I was strugglingI wasnt evenrowing!
So I pretended he was asking for confirmation of what the instructor had told us.
I said, Yep, thats right.
Thats what they said.
A little later, I gave him some advice back.
Becky Kuypers, LPC, mental skills coach at26.2 Coachesin Chicago
4.
Reply with a question.
My polite response is often Do you know what Im training for?
I play professional volleyball, am a strength coach, compete in figure competitions, and play golf.
Bring on the sarcasm if youre feeling spicy.
I was on a press trip to Italy, at the gym with another American writer.
Women have less upper body strength.
His response was something like, Im just trying to help!
Use your expertise to correctthem.
He rolled his eyes at me.
Usually its some off-hand annoying comment about trying to add weight to the bar or lift more.
…but if it escalates, let management handle it.
Im an amateur bodybuilder who has specific goals.
If they are persistentas some people areI will ask what their qualifications are to be giving advice.
Sometimes theres the one who thinks they know everything and wont leave me alone.
I walk away and report them to management.
Its a safety thing.
One guy in particular kept giving unwanted advice and kept at itI could hear him over my music.
Eventually, I lost it.
I told him exactly what I thought of him and his advice.
I cant remember my exact words, but I wasnt nice.
After that, no one gave me advice, and there were a few women who thanked me.
I guess I wasnt the only one.
No one should feel uncomfortable at the gym.
