If your significant other gifts you a gym membership or a personal fitness session(s), how would you react?

Your question reminds me of a story my Dad always told- which was true. We lived in the woods in Pennsylvania. My Dad bought my mother a chainsaw for her birthday- and promptly asked if he could use it.

Like any gift, one that can be taken several ways is a dangerous risk to a great relationship.

Buying a woman a diet plan? Or a gym membership? Pretty risky. Like buying her clothes that are too small... Or a gift card to have a maid come in to clean the place up. Better have good medical coverage.

Even if the person is an exercise nut, you may be buying into a gym they do not like, one they tried and had an incident, or one they are avoiding.

I think of this ad and the comparison to getting money back on your insurance when there are no claims: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9NpOykwCbU

Of all the gifts, a gym membership has one of the highest chances of being a disappointment.

Especially for women. And if you think I am wrong, you must see this well known (in male circles) ad about being in the doghouse for your gift choice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twivg7GkYts And especially listen to the parole board's suggestion...

Mark

There is so much offense in this world! Seems like people are always looking for it, and they absolutely can find it! Take the gift (because that's what it is), and just be grateful! If there is a hidden message, it has probably already been brought up in many other ways. Don't go looking for one! There is also the possibility that you have mentioned in the past, whether you remember it or not, that you would like to either lose weight, get in shape, feel better, etc., etc. Most likely, it was just something nice he thought you might like to have. It could have been a blender, or a string of pearls. The fact is, it's a gift. Be gracious, and use it if you want. The great thing about a gym membership is the final fact that it will help you get and remain healthy! No down side to that!

I would be thrilled. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to work out.

Once my husband sad to me that I was gaining weight and I told him to get a smaller woman and walked away. Never heard that again and we are still married, 20 years. With my first husband, I lost all this weight and was going to the gym and he was cheating. LOL I feel like if you're going to make personal changes, it has to be your inner self at play. Once you make the decision than get the support you need from the outside.

In life you can see the glass as half full or half empty. An you can look for the good in all things & people or the bad.

An in much the same way you could be offended by someone giving you a gym membership, or you might consider they care about your health & want you by their side for the rest of their lives.

I say speak life, happiness & love and look at the world as Jesus would & you will see many things differently. Have a Blessed Week

Another untraditional answer-

Deep thoughts here..... recognise that if someone gifts you something unusual.... ask this question? What are they projecting?

Have you ever encountered a person that was either angry or upset or sad or??? What was the action or emotion about? What were they upset /bothered about? Many times a person projects these things but it is actually an inward reflection of themselves. Think about holding up a mirror in front of that person - what do you see bit more importantly and if they are being honest, what would they see about themselves?

I would say that this is a cry for you to help him? Go get him a gym pass now and let him know that you are more than willing to go with him on this new adventure together. His reaction may be ecstatic - he might actually say how great it is and that he’s delighted that this is something for you to do together and to challenge each other.... Better health is always welcome, yes?!?!

But.... If he doesn’t want to do that and was really truly only wanting to give it you, then it might be time to reassess the relationship all together. (Especially if you are comfortable and at peace in your own skin.)

Here’s to your health!

I think it depends on the relationship. I'm really into running and working out, so if it was the right gym, I would love the gift. If I was struggling with my weight and unhappy about my body, I would take the gift as a suggestion that he wanted me to look different. I think the point of a gift is to bring joy.

I love going to the gym and I'd would be happy with the gym membership. I think the reaction would really boil down to the guy's personality. If he is kind and caring, I think it should be taken as a loving gift. On the other hand, if he is putting the woman down or making sarcastic comments that offend her, maybe accidentally punch him :-) On a health note, start going to the gym, start exercising no matter what age. It makes a huge difference, so think positive, and be thankful for the membership in any case.

I can't answer that question unless we were told the backstory, but I can answer this one. What's the best response when your wife asks, "Honey does this dress (blouse, jeans, etc) make me look fat?"

The correct answer is this: "Not at all, honey!" while beaming. Then without missing a beat, look down at your own shirt and turn your head from side to side, asking quizzically, "By the way, does this shirt make me look bald?"

As Don Miguel Ruiz says in The Four Agreements: Don't take anything personally.

You probably got this pass as the gym was pushing all its members to recruit new members and they were offering prizes to anyone who could bring in a certain number of new members. I have been a gym member long enough to know they occasionally apply some pressure to get their current members to act as their sales force and sometimes either the incentive is worthwhile or you agree to take some passes and hand them out just to shut them down.