Weirdo at the gym

[DrPrepper1]

I go to a small gym. There are no swimming pools, basketball, racquetball courts etc. It is just a small gym in a little strip mall. it is open 24/7 with cameras and there are attendants that work there a few hours of the day. There is a guy (probably in his 50s) who is there all the freaking time.. it's like he lives there. I notice him always trying to flirt with middle aged women. He gives me the creeps. Sometimes he will show up and leave within 15 minutes. Clearly, he isn't working out.

There are 2 unisex bathrooms down a hall at the back of the gym. One day I went to the bathroom and I purposely went the one at the very end. When I was washing my hands, I got this weird feeling he was waiting on me. I sat in the bathroom for a few seconds. I seriously thought about removing the toilet tank lid and coming out of the bathroom ready to fight. Then I thought how silly I would look if no one was there, or if it was some girl or someone just passing by. ..so I decided not to. I turned off the light and then opened the door and low and behold this dude was standing there waiting on me to come out the bathroom so he could go in ( the other bathroom was open, available and functional ..I checked). I left pretty much right after that and could have kicked myself for not coming out with the toilet tank lid in my hand. He didn't try anything. But I just got the weird creepy vibe.

I often carry a utility knife or a switch blade with me. It is hard to wear them on my pants when I am on the treadmill. I guess I could remove it and put it on the treadmill while I workout?.. I make it a point to make it like I don't even know he exists. If there aren't several people in the gym and he is there, I won't go. If I am there and there is only 1 or 2 people, and he shows up, I will leave. Lot's of times my husband will go with me, but he can't go as often as I do. This weirdo is a big guy. Is there anything I can do to let him know he doesn't want to mess with me? I do not wear make up, perfume, or fancy clothes to the gym. I wear jogging pants and an oversized t-shirt and I pull my hair back. He will try to make conversation, I engage as little as possible and keep my ear buds in. I can hear him over my ear buds, but I pretend that I can't. He will make his rounds and talk to all of the unaccompanied middle aged women. I am about 5'3 and weigh about 140 lbs.. I would say he is at least 6' and weighs at least 250..

 

[Proud Prepper]

Tell him he needs to check himself(behavour) or someone else will.

 

[TexasFreedom]

Here's a starting point. I assume he drives a car there, get the license plate. You can also ask when an attendant is there if they know his name, tell them how he makes you uncomfortable.

You should be able to get his name/address, maybe DMV has an open database? You then can search his criminal history. If there are flags, you can present that to the club and see if they'll void his membership. You could also tell them you're considering quitting the gym (and your husband) because of this guy. You may need to go to a manager to get a response (attendants have no power). Maybe get other women to join you to get a louder voice.

Most likely it's a lonely poorly-socialized guy looking for a girlfriend, or at least company. Likely some mental issues in there, so thread carefully.

 

[drt4lfe]

Throat punch and swift kick to the nads.......works every time....a small container of pepper spray should not be hard to keep on you while working out.....or buy a big can of Bear spray and change label to Creep Spray and make sure you walk up to him so he see's it.....

 

[DrPrepper1]

Here's a starting point. I assume he drives a car there, get the license plate. You can also ask when an attendant is there if they know his name, tell them how he makes you uncomfortable.

You should be able to get his name/address, maybe DMV has an open database? You then can search his criminal history. If there are flags, you can present that to the club and see if they'll void his membership. You could also tell them you're considering quitting the gym (and your husband) because of this guy. You may need to go to a manager to get a response (attendants have no power). Maybe get other women to join you to get a louder voice.

Most likely it's a lonely poorly-socialized guy looking for a girlfriend, or at least company. Likely some mental issues in there, so thread carefully.

Thank you. I will get his plate number. I had it once, a long time ago, but I never knew what to do with it. That sounds like a good idea.

 

[Silent Earth]

A, Inform the staff
B, Inform the police he may have a record
C, Get a Neck Knife wear it under your T shirt
D, Learn how to use C.

 

[jimLE]

What texasfreedom says. Do a check on the guy. And need be. Go with what drt4lfe says

 

[Brent S]

I go to a small gym. There are no swimming pools, basketball, racquetball courts etc. It is just a small gym in a little strip mall. it is open 24/7 with cameras and there are attendants that work there a few hours of the day. There is a guy (probably in his 50s) who is there all the freaking time.. it's like he lives there. I notice him always trying to flirt with middle aged women. He gives me the creeps. Sometimes he will show up and leave within 15 minutes. Clearly, he isn't working out.

There are 2 unisex bathrooms down a hall at the back of the gym. One day I went to the bathroom and I purposely went the one at the very end. When I was washing my hands, I got this weird feeling he was waiting on me. I sat in the bathroom for a few seconds. I seriously thought about removing the toilet tank lid and coming out of the bathroom ready to fight. Then I thought how silly I would look if no one was there, or if it was some girl or someone just passing by. ..so I decided not to. I turned off the light and then opened the door and low and behold this dude was standing there waiting on me to come out the bathroom so he could go in ( the other bathroom was open, available and functional ..I checked). I left pretty much right after that and could have kicked myself for not coming out with the toilet tank lid in my hand. He didn't try anything. But I just got the weird creepy vibe.

I often carry a utility knife or a switch blade with me. It is hard to wear them on my pants when I am on the treadmill. I guess I could remove it and put it on the treadmill while I workout?.. I make it a point to make it like I don't even know he exists. If there aren't several people in the gym and he is there, I won't go. If I am there and there is only 1 or 2 people, and he shows up, I will leave. Lot's of times my husband will go with me, but he can't go as often as I do. This weirdo is a big guy. Is there anything I can do to let him know he doesn't want to mess with me? I do not wear make up, perfume, or fancy clothes to the gym. I wear jogging pants and an oversized t-shirt and I pull my hair back. He will try to make conversation, I engage as little as possible and keep my ear buds in. I can hear him over my ear buds, but I pretend that I can't. He will make his rounds and talk to all of the unaccompanied middle aged women. I am about 5'3 and weigh about 140 lbs.. I would say he is at least 6' and weighs at least 250..

I've learned in life to trust your gut instinct. If you feel that something is off, don't go unless you can have a friend go with you. Trust your feelings.

 

[Silent Earth]

Trust your instincts, trust the hairs in your neck, if something doesnt feel right it probably isnt.

 

[user 6493]

well a neck knife will make you feel better but if you know his car stay out of the place while he is there,talk to the staff and if all else fails find a new gym,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

one more thing,,next time he is there and you are not alone,point blank tell him he scares you and to stay away from you

it just might be all you need to do

 

[Kevin L]

Trust your instincts, but be open-minded to the idea that it may not be what you think.

I come off as strange (but non-threatening) to many people because I have Asperger's syndrome, and I struggle to interract socially.

Have a low-key, non-threatening talk with him.

Don't assume until you know more.

All my best.