Two men approached her at the gym — one commented on her body and left her furious, while the other showed exactly how it should be done
A gym session can feel different when strangers start conversations with someone who is focused on their workout. For personal trainer Lori Curtiss, two separate encounters during a visit showed how much a simple approach can change based on what is said. One man remarked on her appearance, leaving her unimpressed, while another spoke to her in a way she found genuinely kind. Lori shared the experience on Instagram via her account @coach.lori.c on August 15, 2026, encouraging viewers to look at both interactions before judging her point about gym conversations.
The first man was someone Lori had spoken with before, so she did not expect the conversation to bother her. He looked at her and commented that she appeared to have lost weight. The personal trainer did not thank him and simply replied, "Okay." When he asked whether she was trying to lose weight, she explained that her active routine affected her size. He then said she might not notice the change because she sees herself every day. Lori stayed calm and repeated her response before he eventually walked away. The second man then gave her a very different experience, telling her, "You look like you work really hard." The second man was a stranger, but his approach made her feel appreciated rather than judged.
While she was doing triceps exercises, he asked what she planned to eat after her workout. She explained that she usually eats a large serving of meat with noodles or rice because she trains hard. He listened, praised the effort she puts into training, and wished her a good day. Lori responded warmly and thanked him for being kind. To her, the difference between the two encounters was clear: one focused on her body, while the other recognized the work behind her fitness.
For the content creator, the issue was not that men spoke to her at the gym. She made it clear that approaching women is not automatically wrong and that normal conversation can happen in that setting. Her concern was the belief that a woman should welcome comments about her weight, shape, or appearance simply because they are meant to be positive. Lori said she does not care what a stranger thinks about her body, and she does not feel required to show gratitude for such remarks. Her experience showed why focusing on someone's effort and attitude can make an interaction far more respectful and comfortable.
Not every gym interaction ends well, as shown in another incident: a man approached a woman and asked whether she had liposuction treatment. She explained that her figure came from regular exercise and healthy habits, but the conversation took an uncomfortable turn when he brought up his wife. He said she wanted to start working out, yet he believed she should "just get liposuction." He then compared the woman's appearance with his wife's, saying, "It would be great if her body could look like yours."
For more interesting stories, follow @coach.lori.c on her Instagram account.