‘Guy looked for a second at me then waved me off and said to get lost’: Entitled gym goer waves off fitness trainer who tries to enforce phone rules during his workout, gets caught lying about talking to his doctor, and is sent to talk loudly elsewhere

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Oct 1, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

Some people treat the gym like their personal WiFi lounge, phone glued to their ear while balancing a barbell and broadcasting their business to the free weights. There's always that guy who has much more pressing issues than bench pressing so they're busy chatting with someone through their AirPods, waving off everyone who dares say gyms are for training not talking. Treating staff and trainers as if their suggestion to move the call elsewhere is a mild weather report. The only thing heavier than his bench press is his sense of self-importance.

Sure, some gyms have areas where you're technically supposed to take calls, but there's always someone pushing the boundaries like phone privileges are up for negotiation.

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  • Entitled gym patron tries waving me away so he can talk on phone while he bench presses

    Cheezburger Image 10558821376
    via pics five

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I am a fitness trainer at a gym where the rule clearly state if you're working out but get a phone call or text take the phone to designated area where you're allowed to answer your phone which is a lounge for phone calls and texting for our patrons.
    via Goddessviking86
  • A patron I know approached me yesterday about a guy who was on his phone talking as he was doing his workout completely ignoring the gyms rule.
    via Goddessviking86
  • I approached him and it took till I did a loud whistle for him to hear me.
    via Goddessviking86
  • I asked him to wipe down the equipment he was using and take his phone call to the designated area where people could have phone calls.
    via Goddessviking86
  • Guy looked for a second at me then waved me off and said to get lost.
    via Goddessviking86
  • AGE ME
    via RossHelen

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I whistled few more times till he finally heard me again and this time he said, "Did you not hea.
    via Goddessviking86
  • .." he realized who he was talking to as I'm one of the two lead trainers.
    via Goddessviking86
  • I asked why did he feel entitled to ignore me, he gave the lame excuse that he was talking to his doctor and when he showed his call of the recent call as he was still on the call it said for who was on the phone someone named Lovely Kitten and I said, "And who is Dr.
    via Goddessviking86
  • Lovely Kitten? I've never heard of them." He then wiped down the bench, bar he had weights on, put the weights back and made his way to the lounge.
    via Goddessviking86
  • Honestly people it's in the gym membership contract when you join the gym any phone calls or texting take to designated area please don't be doing so while in the fitness area.
    via Goddessviking86
  • Cheezburger Image 10558821888
    via LStockStudio

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Update: for some asking some gyms have one lead trainer but my boss has two to help the gym be more effective.
    via Goddessviking86
  • As for the phone/text lounge my boss decided we needed a designated spot for people to take their texting and phone calls with rule being do not leave that lounge until your phone call is fully over as well you're done texting, if you're caught a second time answering a text or phone call you'll be asked to leave the gym, third time results in a membership termination.
    via Goddessviking86

  • Trainers end up improvising, whistling like referees, making small talk about imaginary doctors, or rolling out their best sarcasm to remind everyone that texting and deadlifts don’t go together. Patrons usually get the hint after a public nudge, especially when their “doctor’s call” shows up in the caller ID as a pet name. 

  • bdcva Is it OK to talk/text while on cardio machine?
    via bdcva
  • OP Goddessviking86 As far as I know if it's a treadmill or exercise bike no issues because those are timed so those are ok but treadmill mind your stepping and both do mind the time you're on them, if it's a leg press or anything that's not timed then no
    via Goddessviking86
  • dancingtomyowntune What an absolute moron and then tries to excuse his pathetic behaviour by saying he's talking to a doctor. So glad you called him out on 'Dr. Lovely Kitten'
    via dancingtomyowntune
  • DementedPlatypus She must be a veterinarian.
    via DementedPlatypus
  • Panic Realistic8860 every single person in the gym that day was silently very happy you put this guy in his place. You did what everyone was thinking......
    via PanicRealistic8860
  • TenaCVols Wonder if he pays Dr. Lovely Kitten by the hour?
    via TenaCVols
  • aground here Another b - why do people stand right next to the dumbell rack to do sets? Step back enough that others have access to the rack. (You can still see yourself...)
    via agroundhere
  • srsrgrmedic Can't talk on the phone and work out.. but they lady next to me has a film crew and trailer full of lights and cameras set up
    via srsrgrmedic
  • formerflautist57 There were so many times I'd walk into the gym locker room, where there are multiple signs saying no phones, to have a person having a conversation on their phone. Seriously? You aren't more important than anyone else. Take your phone call elsewhere.
    via formerflautist57
  • Waste-Job-3307 I'm sure a lot of his buddies would like to talk to "Dr." Lovely Kitten too. smh
    via Waste-Job-3307
  • Dranask Sounds like he needs his contract cancelled, as he's failing to comply.
    via Dranask

  • The lesson here isn’t hidden in a membership contract. Sometimes a gym is just a place to pick up weights, sweat, and remember that nobody’s phone conversation is as interesting as they think. It only takes a few whistles and a raised eyebrow to send someone and their phone to the sidelines. In the end, everyone just wants to get through a workout without eavesdropping on a soap opera that includes bonus sound effects. The real gains are in learning to bench press without broadcasting it to the entire zip code.

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management boss workplace-stories hr gym manager bosses fitness work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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