When I first started lifting, my discomfort in the gym was obvious. If I could do my whole workout in a corner, I would.
One day I finally worked up the courage to start experimenting with the squat rack. I was doing lunges, and although I’m certain they were not perfect, they were the best I could do at the time.
In the middle of my set, a man approached me. I had my headphones in, and so I did what I thought was polite and I put the barbell down so I could take out my headphones.
“You’re not going deep enough”, he said. Shocked, I asked him if he was serious. He was.
I put my headphones back in and picked up the bar again. I hoped he would just go away, but he stood there laughing and yelling at me for the whole set, calling me a bitch for talking back to him. When I put the bar back down, I went directly to the change room, grabbed my stuff and went home.
That could have easily been my last day in the gym. But I went back the next day. And the day after that. And now here I am.
I still get unsolicited comments on my outfit, my form, my exercise choice - whatever people can think of honestly. But unless there’s a fire in the building, I put blinders on and I do not ever stop mid-set and I do not allow any comments to impact me or my training. Why? Because I know that I deserve my space, I know that I hold myself accountable, and I know that I deserve to workout in peace.
I say this because many people hide on the treadmill to avoid stares or comments in the weightroom. And from someone that used to share this fear, believe me when I say that the more you push yourself into that space, the more your fucks will disappear.
You are worthy. You are deserving. You are strong. And as long as you never take off those blinders, one day you’ll turn around to see the same person that harassed you lifting your warm up weight. 🙃
Focus on you. And keep pushing forward. ✊
snowghoul
germansingergirl
tangentwithtanner
titsay
