10 Most Embarrassing Moments at the Gym

1. Passing Gas

Picture it: You’re in a deadly quiet yoga class. You’re breathing, you’re downward dogging and - whoops - now you’re farting. Even worse, it’s loud enough to rip the fabric of the space-time continuum.

Farting can happen anywhere, but never is it more common than at the gym. All that jostling gets your guts stirred up, often leading to unexpected and unstoppable gaseous emissions.

How to Deal

• Pretend it never happened. This is the most popular choice, especially if you want to finish your workout.
• Laugh it off. If people do notice, say what my grandma says: "More room out than there is in!" Or, my husband’s favorite, "Is there a duck in here?"
• Be polite. Apologize with a quick, "Excuse me," and forget it every happened.

2. Falling Off the Treadmill

Walk or run on any moving surface, such as a treadmill, and you increase your chances for a crash and burn. Factor in iPods, water bottles and towels and you add more tasks and objects that interfere with your ability to walk straight.

If you do fall and you're not injured, count yourself lucky and give yourself points for entertaining other gym-goers.

How to Avoid It

• Don’t multi-task. If you need to fast forward a song or take a drink, hit the pause button.
• Stop the treadmill. If you need a break, don't jump onto the sides while the belt is still moving - that's how many embarrassing moments happen.
• Pay attention. Zoning out is fine as long as you remember you’re on a big machine with a moving belt. Focus will keep you safe.

3. How Does This *&^$@ Machine Work, Anyway?

The gym is a mysterious place, full of shiny machines that don’t make sense to the naked eye. Most of us have probably approached a new machine and started pushing buttons, only to find it won’t go.

If you've done this, you've probably felt eyes burning into you as you struggled with this odd contraption, but there are ways to avoid embarrassment.

How to Avoid It

• Ask someone. Ask an employee or the person next to you for advice. Most people are happy to help.
• You weren’t born with this knowledge. Adults are hard on themselves, thinking they should know everything. Everyone has to learn how to use these machines, so don't kick yourself for not knowing.
• Take a chance. Be wild and try it, even if you don't know what you're doing.

4. Wardrobe Malfunction

Once I was running on the treadmill, feeling like a million bucks. I finished and walked away, wondering why people were staring at me. No, it wasn’t because I looked fabulous. Turns out the zipper on my sports bra came open, exposing more than I'd planned. I zipped up and fled, my face a blistering red.

Luckily, I'm not alone. I've heard about split pants, thong exposure, shorts falling off and more. It pays to try your outfits before your workout.

How to Avoid It

• Check yourself. Try moves before you hit the gym to make sure you're covered.
• Update your wardrobe. Old sweats are good candidates for falling or ripping.
• Smile and run. If you do have a wardrobe malfunction, get thee to the locker room and toss the offending item.

5. Tripping, Slipping or Hurting Yourself

The gym is a prime spot for injury. Dangling cables, swinging handles and other metallic items make for an endless obstacle course. Add sweaty humans and it’s a wonder we ever make it through a workout

I once busted my lip when my face collided with a barbell. Bloody lip? Check. Red face? Check.

Mishaps are common – pulled muscles, slipping or stumbling – it happens to the best of us but, it's what you do about it that counts.

How to Deal

• Don't be shy. If you're hurt, forget about making a fool of yourself and shout for help.
• Limp away with dignity. If you’re injured but ambulatory, smile and slink home to recover.
• Keep going. If your injury is minor, but embarrassing, get back to it. In 5 minutes, no one will remember.

6. Throwing Up

Throwing up at the gym is more common than you think. Even when you know your body’s limits, sometimes you push too hard or you’re too rushed to give your stomach the digestion time it needs. If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, lie down and elevate your feet. If you do have to puke, a trashcan in a quiet corner works well.

How to Avoid It

• Eat beforehand. Exercising first thing without food may cause a drop in blood sugar, leading to dizziness or nausea.
• Take time to digest. Take 1-2 hours to digest a 200-300 calorie meal, longer if you're eating a lot of protein and/or fat. Lighter, carb-rich foods digest faster.
• Get to know your body. If you're a beginner, ease into exercise and experiment to learn how to time your meals.

7. Can't...Lift...This...Weight

Choosing the right amount of weight is tough and being at the gym that makes us all competitive. That can be a good thing – you push yourself harder than you would if no one was looking. It's a bad thing, however, when you choose a weight that's too heavy. You risk injury, embarrassment and a bad workout.

How to Deal

• Go lighter. You may feel like everyone's laughing at you, but they're focused on themselves. Changing weights means you're smart and know what you're doing.
• Do a few reps. If you can lift the weight safely, do as many reps as you can and then lighten up to finish your set.
• Focus on form. Good form means you don't have to swing to lift your weights. Concentrate on a quality workout, not impressing others.

8. Running into your boss...in the locker room...naked

If your gym is close to work, chances are you'll run into co-workers and, sometimes, this will happen in the locker room at the most inopportune time. It's awkward seeing a colleague, boss or friend in the buff but, if it does happen, there are ways to handle it that don't involve quitting or permanent trauma.

How to Deal

• Pretend it never happened. If you make eye contact, say a polite, "Hello," and keep walking. He or she will probably be as mortified as you and just as eager to forget.
• Make a joke. If you're friends, you may get away with a silly joke: "Gee and I thought I saw too much of you at work!"
• Turn and flee. If he didn't see you, you're in the clear. Cover up and find another area to get dressed.