When you hit the gym, the last thing you expect is to get lectured by a stranger. But that’s exactly what happened to one woman—until an unexpected hero stepped in.
TikToker Leese shared her experience after a man approached her mid-workout and made an unbelievably rude comment.
She was using a machine when the guy kept pestering her, asking how long she’d be. She let him know she had only two more sets left. Simple, right? Not for this guy.
Instead of waiting patiently, he hit her with a shocker: “I don’t appreciate being inconvenienced by people who aren’t even lifting serious weights.”
@leese_w Choosing purpose over pleasure 💛 #weightloss #fattofit #overweight #keepingitreal #journey #fyp #goals #onedayatatime #fight #vulnerable #honest ♬ original sound – LeeseW
Leese was stunned. “Excuse me?” she recalled saying, clearly caught off guard. But before she could even respond, another man overheard the exchange—and he wasn’t having it.
He immediately shut the rude gym-goer down, telling him, “Don’t you ever speak to anyone at the gym like that again.”
The unexpected intervention left Leese even more surprised. “I was actually really shocked that someone would step in like that,” she admitted.
Internet Applauds the Stranger’s Response
Leese’s video quickly gained traction, with people praising the good Samaritan for speaking up.
One user wrote, “Bravo to the man who said something. Joey Swoll would be proud. Don’t take it personal, keep doing you!” referencing the fitness influencer known for calling out toxic gym culture.
@leese_w Pretty sure gyms are for everyone 🤷🏻♀️ #gym #fitness #gymculture #health #fattofit #bekind #health #fittok #fyp #gymtok #gymmotivation #gymlife @Jeff Davis ♬ original sound – LeeseW
Leese agreed, responding, “I’m really grateful he said something. It made me feel safe.”
Others encouraged her to report the incident, with one commenter saying, “I hope you told reception! That’s not acceptable. Everyone is there to improve themselves.”
Another person took a more humorous approach, writing, “Well now I’m doing 10 extra sets on the lightest weight possible. Parking myself here now, bud.”
A Bigger Issue in Gyms
Sadly, Leese’s experience isn’t unique.
A 2021 study by The Guardian found that 76% of women feel uncomfortable in gyms, often because they are male-dominated spaces. Another survey from Run Repeat reported that almost 56% of women have faced harassment while working out (via Women’s Health).
While this incident had a silver lining thanks to a bystander’s intervention, it highlights a bigger issue: women should feel safe and respected in fitness spaces—without needing someone else to defend them.
Have you ever faced something similar at the gym? Share your thoughts in the comments!
