A viral video has shed light on “male privilege” at the gym, as one man took it upon himself to interrupt her workout.
The incident, captured by fighter Ameerah and shared on her TikTok page on November 9, shows an awkward encounter in which a man interrupts her training session, attempting to take over her heavy bag.
In the viral video, which has amassed over 22.6 million views, Ameerah can be seen executing skilled Muay Thai moves – jabs, left hooks, and high kicks – with headphones on, seemingly focused and undisturbed.
Suddenly, a man approaches her with a grin and, without permission, joins in on her workout, awkwardly kicking the bag she was using.
Unfazed at first, Ameerah continued her routine until the man went a step further, taking over the bag entirely. His clumsy kicks and punches, painfully landing with his ankles.
Basically, he is pretty useless compared to Ameerah.
The video even shows the man leaving, only to return moments later to once again commandeer her equipment. Visibly frustrated, Ameerah ended her recording and turned off the camera.
It’s safe to say that the incident has really ruffled some feathers across the internet, and people had a lot to say.
One person wrote: “It’s the disrespect that gets me, like you just know they wouldn’t treat another man the same way.”
A second said: “I don’t understand. Was he trying to flirt? Show off? Was he mad? I truly am lost on his entire existence.”
A third person added: “That guy felt threatened by her, so he wanted to show off. She handled it well.”
While a fourth said: “A perfect example of male privilege. What a tool.”
Notable figures in the combat sports world weighed in, too. UFC fighter Alice Ardelean encouraged Ameerah, commenting: “Girl u’re amazing!!! Keep doing YOU!”
Bantamweight World Champion Melinda Fabian chimed in with: “Good work managing the situation, queen attitude.”
Joey Swoll, a fitness influencer known for his takes on gym etiquette, addressed the incident in his own viral TikTok video, calling the man’s behavior “absolutely ridiculous.”
“I don’t know if he’s trying to be funny or get a reaction out of her, but you don’t just work in and take someone’s bag without asking,” Swoll said. “And I guarantee he wouldn’t do this to another man. So to this woman Ameerah, I’m sorry that happened to you.”
Swoll added: “Keep up the hard work, but to that man, leave her alone and let her work out, you need to do better, mind your own business.”
Ameerah, as her Instagram reveals, is no newcomer to the fighting world. She reportedly entered the octagon for an amateur fight in July, and her skillful movements in the video attest to her experience in the sport.
In short, she doesn’t need any help from unqualified men at the gym.