I mean this in the nicest way possible, but please don't talk to me at the gym. Honestly, I feel bad about asking for this because usually, I am a very chatty person. Meeting new people is one of my favorite hobbies. However, at the gym everything is different.

The gym is a place I go to run off some steam. If I could have the gym completely to myself I am happiest

Maybe you feel like I am being rude, but here is a story that might change your mind.

One afternoon I was pumping out some frustrations with deadlifts. Minding my own business. In my zone and focused.

I could feel his eyes on me. I hate doing deadlifts with an audience. My butt is all the way in the air. Not in a high and mighty way, but an awkwardly one. I have no intention for anyone to be subjected to the sight. When I turned around, sure enough, a man with an obnoxious orange shirt like a constructions sign was staring at me HARD. Like come on, take a picture it will last longer. Oh well, I was willing to let this slide. It is not the first time I was caught wandering eyes at the gym. Usually, I just ignore them, but the guy decided he would come and talk to me. First, he suggested that I stand on the back of the squat rack that was clearly labeled 'do not stand on this'. The guy had no idea what he was talking about. I politely brushed him off and informed him I was going to deadlift the way I was deadlifting.

Why do guys think they can try to correct girls in the weight room? Clearly, this guy was just trying to talk to me, but with my ego slightly bruised I was getting annoyed.

After deadlifts, I headed upstairs to do some circuits. I never expected what came next. Halfway through box jumps, I saw his bright orange shirt behind me.

THE GUY FOLLOWED ME.

I thought that I saw him stare at me all the way up the stairs, but I was hoping that he would leave it there.

I had yet to see him actually working out. He was just staring around the room and mainly at me.

He followed me up the stairs and again made an effort to talk to me. This time he asked me for my number and snapchat, which I was not about to give him, and poured me this story at how he was new to ECU.

He didn't seem like he was leaving anytime soon, so I got up and left the gym entirely.

I promise I am a friendly, outgoing, nice person, except at the gym. The gym is my sanctuary it is no place for someone to try and hit on me or make me feel uncomfortable.

All I am saying is that to give people space who clearly want privacy. Sometimes I work out with friends and we gab the whole way through.

But if my headphones are in, I am tuning the world out.