Should I be offended?

[sumoboy]

So, last night I was at my gym, and one of the regulars (typical "Captain Upper Body" - all legwork is machines/Smith) comes up to me and the conversation goes something like this:

Capt. Upper Body: Hey man, I see you never use the stuff everyone else uses, why are you always in the power rack?
Me: I just choose to focus on barbell training.
C U B: Are you training for a show or something?
Me: No, I just want to be stronger and more fit...
C U B: No offense, but are you taking steroids? You seem a little bigger each day and some of the guys are talking...
Me: (at this point, I was ready to start my last set of RDLs, and not really paying much mind to this convo until he dropped the "steroid bomb".) ::laughing it off:: Naw man, I have just been very strict on myself with my diet....I try to get a lot of sleep....and I have really been focusing on barbell training the past few months.
C U B: Oh, okay...well, see ya around.

Did I play it off well? In the moment I was kind of offended. I realized where I was, my gym, where I like to be as much as possible and didn't want to look like a jerk. Part of me was mad that I got accused of steroids (I DO NOT take them, all I do take is protein, fish oil, and a multivitamin.) Should I have taken it as a horrible attempt at a compliment? Perhaps his delivery was off....I don't know....

[RoadDawg]

Take it as an unintended compliment by stripping bodylanguage and tone of voice, this conversations hints that the guy was just curious

[baughmjk]

Definitely take it as a compliment... sounds like there might even be a little jealousy going on there.

[sumoboy]

Yeah, I thought about it a tad more, and if someone that sees me almost daily notices changes in me, then I must be doing something right.

I credit all the good info and people on this forum for the help.

[LiftingNerd]

Are you training for a show or something?

At this point you should have responded, "Yeah I'm a dancer. Can't you tell? Ballet."

P.S. This is in no way a shot at ballet dancers, male or female. I know it takes an incredible amount of skill, which I in no way possess.

[mjh]

when a random stranger says it: take it as a compliment, albiet a bit of a back-handed one.

when someone you know says it: play the indignant "you should know me better than that" card.

[Tikuane]

No, not unless you are offended by the presence of idiocy

his is like being accused of cheating in a game after you have just administered an excellent ass whipping. I should think you might feel inwardly content?

[Ploppytheman]

So, last night I was at my gym, and one of the regulars (typical "Captain Upper Body" - all legwork is machines/Smith) comes up to me and the conversation goes something like this:

Capt. Upper Body: Hey man, I see you never use the stuff everyone else uses, why are you always in the power rack?
Me: I just choose to focus on barbell training.
C U B: Are you training for a show or something?
Me: No, I just want to be stronger and more fit...
C U B: No offense, but are you taking steroids? You seem a little bigger each day and some of the guys are talking...
Me: (at this point, I was ready to start my last set of RDLs, and not really paying much mind to this convo until he dropped the "steroid bomb".) ::laughing it off:: Naw man, I have just been very strict on myself with my diet....I try to get a lot of sleep....and I have really been focusing on barbell training the past few months.
C U B: Oh, okay...well, see ya around.

Did I play it off well? In the moment I was kind of offended. I realized where I was, my gym, where I like to be as much as possible and didn't want to look like a jerk. Part of me was mad that I got accused of steroids (I DO NOT take them, all I do take is protein, fish oil, and a multivitamin.) Should I have taken it as a horrible attempt at a compliment? Perhaps his delivery was off....I don't know....

People always accuse those who are successful of cheating, hacking, etc because they don't do the research or put in the effort to actually get the gains us winners do.

[Bluegreyhound]

Are you training for a show or something?

At this point you should have responded, "Yeah I'm a dancer. Can't you tell? Ballet."

P.S. This is in no way a shot at ballet dancers, male or female. I know it takes an incredible amount of skill, which I in no way possess.

lol

Some ballet dancers are really strong for their size. Can be very athletic looking too.

[LouisCyr]

Remember, that the vast majority of these poser types have never heard of real strength training, compound lifts etc. To them, they have only heard of 'working out' for cosmetic appearances, pec decs etc. You could use a oppurtunity like that to politley talk about dinosaur training, old school lifting etc. - let them know that alternatives exist, tell him about good web sites etc. he may actually take it into consideration.

[Jim Slade]

Don't be offended, by the way you describe the fella he's a typical confused gym user if he's seen your improvement he'll just make the most obvious assumption which sadly these days points to steroids.
Just think of yourself as an ambassador for real training, training with a purpose, lifting for a real reason. Perhaps you'll win over another "barbody" trainer to the cause.