Almost got into a fight at the gym. What should I have done?

frerri · 2016-01-31T09:25:50+00:00

The wolf does not care for the oppionion of the sheep.

You did good. Just smile at this small dog trying to show of his masculinity and continue what you where doing calm and steady.

IVIaskerade · 2016-01-31T10:05:34+00:00

Read the first point of this article and this post. They cover the basics of defusing hostile persons.

stillnoturday · 2016-01-31T19:12:33+00:00

I see his side even though you tried to cover it up. You and your douche bag friends were talking around a walkway leaving no where to pass.

You're real lucky when you "got his attention" you didn't get the attention you deserved. Also reporting to gym staff first off its his word vs yours they won't do shit.

Sounds like you tried to be a tough guy without wanting to do what tough guys do.

niczar · 2016-01-31T09:46:46+00:00

Be careful, could be a psycho. If he's juiced up, could be very dangerous.

JGTD · 2016-01-31T14:44:28+00:00

As a martial artist, I wouldn't bet on the idea you would have gotten "seriously hurt".

It's not the ones boasting and pushing for a fight you have to watch out for. Generally there untrained. However don't bet on that.

More often then not its the ones that stand there and dont make a sound, the ones that have seen that first punch coming a thousand times, the ones that train 5 days a week for that one moment, that simply stand there and smile at you that you have to watch out for.

As for how to handle the situation, here's my advice:

Don't get close to someone if the situations looking to turn physical, even I've gotten dropped by someone simply because I didn't keep a decent distance to stop a strike. It doesn't matter how good you are, if there half an inch away and your hands aren't up, 9 days out of 10 your not going to stop it. They only have to swing there arm at your head. You have to practically guess where the strikes coming from, in a sense pre-empt it in all of half a second with your minds eye, then send signals from your brain to bring the right hand up or move to avoid it. Not going to happen. Keep your distance so you have more time, milliseconds in time make the biggest changes.

Control your own body language, if your aggressive sub consciously that will aggravate them, move to passive positions (feet shoulder width apart, neither in front nor behind) and if your trying to negotiate use your hands in front of you as you talk as that allows you to have your hands up without them realising it.

Keep an eye for his "mates", chances are he'll make eye contact with someone if anyone else is inclined to do you damage with him, keep your back to a wall if you must.

Title	Almost got into a fight at the gym. What should I have done?
Author	[deleted]
Upvotes	3
Comments	9
Date	January 31, 2016 6:46 AM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/43i4it/almost_got_into_a_fight_at_the_gym_what_should_i/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/almost-got-into-a-fight-at-the-gym-what-should-i.187097 https://theredarchive.com/post/187097

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