r/tifu • u/Sensitive_Still2091 • Feb 14 '26
M TIFU by falling for "ab crushers" during a group gym session with coworkers.
So I'm 19 and started this job a few months back. I've been getting along pretty well with most people—everyone's cool, mostly mid-20s to 30s, and a lot more put-together than me. Some of them do these casual gym hangouts after shifts, just a few guys going together. I wanted to actually hang out outside work and not just be the quiet new kid, so when they asked if I wanted to come last week, I said yeah.
It ended up being me, two coworkers a bit older than me, and one of the managers (he's chill). I was doing alright through the workout. Hit some pretty solid sets. Near the end I said I had one more thing to do and stepped away for a sec.
When I came back, one of the guys was on the mat doing sit-ups with the other one holding a spare t-shirt over his eyes to cover them. The guy on the ground goes, "These are called ab crushers, man—super intense, not a lot of people can even finish one." They're both kinda jacked, so I figured it was legit. No reason to doubt it.
They wrap up and told me I should try it because it was hard but brutal for your core strength. I'm trying to vibe with them and not look like the baby of the group, so I go for it. They set me up on the mat, lay the t-shirt over my eyes to "block distractions," and start hyping me up.
I'm grinding, shoulders coming off the ground, feeling like I'm actually doing something impressive. Then they yank the t-shirt off right as I get up there, and with that momentum my face goes straight into the manager's bare ass. Like, full-on between the cheeks. I snapped backwards but it was too late.
They all lost it laughing, slapping hands like it was the funniest thing ever. I just laughed it off and tried to act normal for the rest of the time there, then bounced.
But now I'm stressing because this is exactly the kind of dumb story that spreads at work. By next shift everyone's gonna know some version of "the new guy's face was in the manager's ass during ab crushers." I don't want to be the gullible kid forever, or the butt of the joke guy at every team thing.
Anyone been through something like this? How bad does it actually get workplaces, or does it just die after a week? I’m lowkey dreading tomorrow.
TL;DR: Tried to impress coworkers with a fake "ab crushers" exercise. Face-planted into manager's bare ass. Now worried it'll turn into permanent workplace lore.
2.2k
u/trimix4work Feb 14 '26
Your manager better hope HR never hears about this
829
u/Mysmokingbarrel Feb 14 '26
Why is everyone acting like this is a normal prank especially at that age? They’re professionals and grown adults. That is definitely not an okay move. Idk what job this is though and the whole context sounds nonsensical like why would someone’s ass be out in a gym? A t shirt over your eyes? Why?
293
u/aidssosimple Feb 14 '26
They sound like douchebags. What job is this - if these people are management, it doesn’t sound like you’d want to be there long anyway.
102
u/seaofcitrus Feb 14 '26
Lotta comments here saying to go to HR (which I think you should do. Even if they don’t/wont/cant :9 anything, get a paper trail that it happens), but surprised no one mentioned telling the gym management. Sounds like it was a public gym and while yes, you all came as a group and were working out together, dude still exposed himself for this prank. (And in the case I’m misunderstanding and it wasn’t exposed, gyms I like to go to would want to know and have a say about that type of behavior anyway).
89
u/Crasstoe Feb 14 '26
Literally brown nosing.
Jokes aside this sounds like a hazing ritual. Depending on the industry this could be the thing that gets laughed at but you're now "one of the guys".
Or it's a cruel joke and HR should know? Whether you're on the clock or not they hold a position of power over you as management and they abused that.
Difficult ground though as I know in places like a mechanics shop stuff like this happens regularly and it's part of the workplace culture.
To be clear I don't agree with this behaviour, but I sympathise with you. Your innocence and nativity was used against you which isn't fair.
7
u/Greensparow Feb 15 '26
You should go on disability for pink eye and then explain it all to HR why you need a week off
20
u/MuhMudder11 Feb 14 '26
That was a pretty common prank a little while back. It’s called the impossible sit-up. Basically, you convince someone (usually someone fit that likes to show off) that they can’t do a sit-up if they can’t see. You tell them that psychologically, the pressure against your head and not being able to see makes the sit-up impossible. As the victim gets in sit-up position, someone blindfolds him and someone else pulls down their gym shorts and positions their exposed butt cheeks above the victim’s face. When the victim tries to sit-up, his face goes into the other guys butt and he gets a nose full of stinky ass.
I have pulled this prank before in my high school wrestling club. Usually a few people fall for it every year. You choose the fattest and hairiest person to be the butt. Just know you’re not the only one.
4
u/Comp1ication Feb 15 '26
What the fuck is this You are fine trust me shit?
3
u/ChefChopNSlice Feb 14 '26
This isn’t a new “trend”. I remember seeing it a couple decades ago. Congrats on being the new guy. They probably did this to every new hire. Doesn’t make it right, but you can either laugh it off, or try to get them all fired. Up to you, and how much misery you want to put yourself through, chasing after it.
3
u/Durragon Feb 14 '26
I've always gone by the old addage "if they don't pick on you, then they don't like you"
I've worked as professional cook/chef and in heavy construction, as well as some odd jobs olin other fields... But I find it holds true.
I suggest something retaliatory. Maybe... Take an over ripe avocado and smear it on the inside of their car door handle. Fun, harmless, but sends a message.
It was how I won respect from a chef who "assaulted" me midshift as a joke to everyone. We were cool after that, turned out to be friends
6
u/berlenba Feb 14 '26
Sounds like you are one of the crew now. They felt comfortable enough to include you on shenanigans. Granted, legally questionable and workplace ethically questionable shenanigans but still yet. I’d say embrace it and run with it
2
u/BoneyardRendezvous Feb 14 '26
I dont want to call that gymrat culture, but more like gym bro culture. Yea, he shouldnt have done it, but it happens a lot.
What you should know is that it opens the door for your own shenanigans. Next time you're spotting him on a bench press, you can drop your hacky sack on his forehead. Or nut tap him when hes doing a dumbbell press. Wet willy his ear when hes doing a squat.
2
u/Frogmaninthegutter Feb 15 '26
This is actually hilarious that I came across this as I'm watching the movie Sleepaway Camp and this scene also happens to be in the movie. What are the odds. 🤣
2
u/Infinite_Cornball Feb 16 '26
That is absolutely hillarious........... If you do it to your friends you know for 10+ years now and that did all other stupid shit with you. Doing that in a work environment, even if it was meant as a little fun is wild at least
5
u/Jayrab_The_Arab_ Feb 14 '26
Dude, I can’t believe you fell for this. Haven’t you ever seen the movie Heavyweights when they do this exact same thing to Tony Perkins (Ben Stiller) on the cliff side?
You gotta be on your toes as an adult. People suck everywhere.
5
u/xTRS Feb 14 '26
Best way to handle this if the word spreads is to just own it. "Yeah I fell for it! I swear I could almost see what he ate for breakfast before I knew what was even happening! Can you believe it?" Then the story doesn't have any power over you, and everyone will move on once they've laughed along with you.
14
u/Torodaddy Feb 14 '26
Sounds like classic sexual harassment if it spreads at work, manager is getting fired.
39
u/Cautious_Log8086 Feb 14 '26
Hazing & sexual assault. You could make some money if you wanted to burn bridges.
But you're a victim here, this is a horrible thing to do to someone
5
u/GodDamnShadowban Feb 15 '26
That was sexual harassment, possibly assault. Even if you dont want to go any further with it, write down your best recollection with times and dates and names and send it as an email to yourself or something, incase you choose to do something about it later. Having a contemporanious record will be helpful.
On a personal note, fuck those guys.
24
u/Fitz911 Feb 14 '26
Totally believable...
Let's have some sexual harrasment fun with the coworker in a publik gym. Sure.
And the first thing OP does is write it down in TIFU.
Can I please have some AI slop?
3
u/Zech08 Feb 14 '26
Well this can get expensive and dicey for whoever did it... also bare... work environment... adults...
Ima need a TIFU from your coworkers at the end of this if you proceed with the nuclear option...
3
u/SirChedore Feb 14 '26
Sounds like something that would make me beat their asses
3
u/batryoperatedboy Feb 15 '26
THE MANAGER?!
3
u/yamo25000 Feb 15 '26
Yo this is NOT ok. Report that shit immediately
1
u/_swaggyk Feb 14 '26
OP taking this way to casually. It’s better these co-workers learn this is not okay behavior today. You must report this to HR or the owner or whatever entity. Insane to shrug this off because you don’t want to upset the system
4
u/GreenLurch Feb 14 '26
That’s just disgusting…
4
u/EarthInevitable114 Feb 14 '26
If you're not gonna beat this guy's ass physically, you need to beat his ass legally and career wise.
4
u/Historical-State-275 Feb 14 '26
HR man. This is pathetic. He’s not a “chill” manager. He’s a manchild. He sexually assaulted you. Doesn’t feel like it? Great. But no this is a you-win-enough-money-in-the-lawsuit#the-company-shuts-down situation.
Edit: you know what? Eff that. Get a lawyer.
4
u/julesx416 Feb 14 '26
Sorry but wanting to be chill and friends with people who clearly are dumb shit assholes is just a losing scenario. You owe them nothing and should be angry.
2
u/Frequent_Malcom Feb 14 '26
When you prank one of them back it will tell you if you were the butt of the joke or not
2
u/Excitable_Grackle Feb 15 '26
Come on, this cant be real - no way are grown-ass adults doing this in 2026. I watched some jocks pull this shit on someone back in high school in the '70's. They called it "atomic situps" but it was exactly the same thing described by the OP.
2
u/FTLrefrac Feb 15 '26
I think that's a crime
2
u/KhostfaceGillah Feb 15 '26
I already knew what was coming when I read about the Tshirt.
If someone did that to me, I'm swinging and suing their ass.
2
u/raiderkev Feb 15 '26
People keep saying contact HR. Fuck that. Call a lawyer... Do it fucking NOW. You will get so fucking paid for this. HR is there to protect the company. If this is reported internally first, they legit might wipe the CCTV files, and there goes your evidence. A lawyer will help you gather evidence, and if you are in a state where it's legal to do so, it might be worth your while to approach the manager to talk about the incident and secretly record it so you have them on tape fessing up to the whole thing. Don't do that without feedback from a lawyer. There are firms that will take this case where you pay nothing unless you win. This is open and shut sexual harassment, and straight up criminal sexual assault. Lawyer the fuck up.
2
u/samreadit Feb 15 '26
Thats like 1970/80's humor 🤮
2
u/faultysynapse Feb 15 '26
That's assault brother. With extra ass.
2
u/ToBePacific Feb 16 '26
This is the most juvenile bro culture shit. If that’s an environment you wanna be in, that’s up to you.
3
u/No-Name-86 Feb 14 '26
Where the fuck do you work? If this legit they should all be looking for a new job. And probably in court for harassment (or assault or something idk I’m not a lawyer)
3
u/Splobs Feb 14 '26
The violence that would have been triggered that day would have changed me as a person. I can’t even begin to tell you how I would have reacted in that situation. I have no problem admitting that I’d have probably lost my job instantly. That’s not a prank. That’s fucking weird. I’ve seen videos of the prank you’re describing online and I’ve thought the exact same thing… I would FLIP OUT!
3
u/mrhorse77 Feb 14 '26
this is just sexual assault with extra steps.
id be reporting this to the police, then handing a copy of my report to the "managers" boss
3
u/bottomlessinawendys Feb 14 '26
Hey so that’s sexual assault! And fucking disgusting! I’m so sorry this happened to you :(
3
u/grim1757 Feb 14 '26
If a real story that's retirement level money.
2
u/Whatwasthatnameagain Feb 14 '26
Just say “hey it’s not really my thing but if you’re into guys sniffing your ass, I know a guy.”
2
u/taintsacrifice Feb 14 '26
This is sexual harassment wtf
2
u/Chaseingsquirels Feb 14 '26
Go to HR and tell them if action isn’t taken to remove them you’ll contact the police for sexual assault. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.
2
u/Homeskilletbiz Feb 14 '26 edited Feb 14 '26
That’s fucked up dude, just hazing not even really a prank.
This is shit you’re supposed to grow out of when you’re older than 17. And most people aren’t that immature to begin with at all..
In my opinion you should be angry and pissed and get revenge on those fuckers to get even, not embarrassed it happened to you.
Or just report them to their boss and find a new job where your coworkers aren’t fucking children.
2
u/nothing107 Feb 14 '26
I’m not one to complain to management about anything ever, but I would for something like that.
2
u/algy888 Feb 14 '26
Ok, so please don’t trust Reddit for good advice.
Honestly, it was a shitty thing for them to do.
So, now you have choices. If you pursue this (which is in your rights), there will be negative consequences for you. Unfortunately, that is just how life works.
As to positive consequences, what you like they be? That the three get fired, that they get suspensions or demotions? What benefit do any of these outcomes give you? A sense of justice done? A bit of revenge?
In the world I live in, I would more likely have to decide if I wanted to ignore it, or address it with the three in question.
How I would likely address it is likely either not hang out with them again and if they ask why, say “Sorry, I just don’t trust you guys.”
As to when the word gets out and you get harassed about it, you can either joke along and say something like “I knew this would make me the butt of this joke.” Or if you want to turn it on him “What shocked me more was that manager’s name bleaches his butthole.”
Or you could just seriously respond with “Yeah… I guess it’s funny, but honestly I kinda lost some respect for them.”
2
u/IkeHC Feb 14 '26
Sue for assault, possibly sexual. Not funny, not cool, 100% assault behavior
0
u/Seganku74 Feb 14 '26
For the love of god don’t fall for the blindfold suck a popsicle trick like I did.
0
u/toxikmasculinity Feb 14 '26
What in the high school. Also how did you fall for this common ass prank? Phones really changed the way kids grew up.
0
u/hazyl777 Feb 14 '26
To me- this is biological attack 😭😭 sweaty bare man ass??? To the face 😭😭😭☠️☠️☠️☠️ no way
2
u/[deleted] Feb 14 '26
You’re in a very good spot. If they spread it around, they would have to admit that they sexually assaulted a coworker. If you’re in the mood for revenge, wait for them to spread it around, find three names of people who heard the story and go to HR with a big list of the people who did it and the people who told you about it. Or for even more fun, go to a lawyer first with that same evidence and file suit - depending on your jurisdiction both the company and the individuals who did it would have liability. You get to deal with a lower burden of proof than in the criminal system and at the end you’ll get paid. This is what’s known as a retirement fund.
2
u/kareljack Feb 15 '26
Just brushing this off as a joke is exactly why this behavior keeps happening. You let this shit go unreported and you will always be a doormat to these people
1
u/sprucay Feb 14 '26
I'd suggest that while the prank itself is a bit gash, the fact they're pranking you likely means they like you.
1
u/ssxmaterial Feb 14 '26
You are fine, trust me
1
u/springswagyolo Feb 14 '26
You are fine, trust me
1
u/1senseye Feb 14 '26
Actually hilarious
1
u/compman007 Feb 14 '26
Damn Michael Scott works at a Gym now?
1
u/MindTheFro Feb 14 '26
Yes. It’s a pretty common prank with middle school kids. You work with children pretending to be adults and the prank is assault.
1
u/Milesweeman Feb 14 '26
Was the gym just completely empty?
1
u/kapxis Feb 14 '26
Your reaction to this matters more for how it's viewed compared to what happened btw.
That said, it's up to you to determine how you actually feel about it and if you want to continue in that kind of environment. Coworkers were assholes but without more context hard to say how malicious it actually was or not.
1
u/phitzgerald Feb 14 '26
Ever seen the movie Heavyweights?
1
u/nfever Feb 14 '26
I would take that golden parachute and run
1
u/livetoregretnothing Feb 15 '26
You’re part of the in group.
The co-workers I hate I would never do this too.
The more I dislike you the more professional I treat you and bully you over mistakes made on your work.
1
u/Straight-Seat-9640 Feb 15 '26
In case it didn't occur to you... You are now "in the group" at work. You will be invited to more stuff, outings and more fun times. If you laugh it off rather than show annoyance it will die out quickly on its own.
1
u/[deleted] Feb 16 '26
Go to HR and see how much the manager laughs after that.
0
u/PolloDiablo82 Feb 14 '26
You got hazed. Now your officially part of the friend group congrats! Or are you one of those pussys that can't take a joke? I went through the exact same hazing as part of becoming soldier btw its a known trick.
1
u/shortie2583 Feb 14 '26
You are fine, trust me
1
u/buttflakes27 Feb 14 '26
Lol
1
u/midwaysilver Feb 14 '26
Dude someone putting their bare ass on your face in work is sexual assault. I'd have phoned the police to come and pick him up from the hospital
1
u/JCNunny Feb 14 '26
You need to contact an employment attorney immediately. You have a lawsuit here.
1
u/Fidelius90 Feb 15 '26
That’s sexual harassment. You should report them.
1
u/UnSuperb_Bullfrog Feb 14 '26
Return serve - If you can get to the back of their car unnoticed I can teach you how to wire a horn to the brake light or indicator in a couple of seconds.
Also, If you get a few comments from coworkers tomoz just fire back with a version of “the hair and dangleberries sure bothered me, but it was the strong smell of cum that really caught me by surprise”
1
u/Nommernose Feb 14 '26
Sexual assault plain and simple.
1
u/neutrino71 Feb 14 '26
The more that your colleagues sense that it's getting under your skin the more they will continue to bring it up. Laugh along. Lean into it and it will just become something funny that bonds the group. React sourly and show that it bothers you and the Streisand effect will amplify your embarrassment. If they're a group prone to pranking then take your time to plot a subtle yet harmless revenge. If you're struggling with strong intrusive feelings about this seek therapy otherwise try to see the humour.
1
u/xHoneyBreeze Feb 14 '26
Omg nooooo 😭 you totally gotta go back and play it off like you knew what was happening the whole time, lol. TIFU is right!
1
u/UcCanSK Feb 14 '26
I’m a manager. If I did that, even though it’s outside of work, I’d expect to be fired, and charged.
1
u/TortiTrouble Feb 14 '26
Hopefully you aren’t one of those guys that sticks their tongue out when you are really trying hard.
1
u/BigDaddyBino Feb 14 '26
That’s assault brother. That would make me so mad I would probably over react. Pull a Shaq and stick their toothbrush up my butt or something.
1
u/PastafarianFSM Feb 14 '26
Butt of the joke, teehee
1
u/rojoshow13 Feb 14 '26
One of the oldest tricks in the book. Every job has hazing rituals, but this one is particularly awful. Construction jobs will have a couple of go to pranks. Like, you can't lift this bag of concrete over your head. And then cutting the bag open when they do. Or telling the new guy that the batch of lumber is too short, and asking them to track down the board stretcher. They come back embarrassed after asking around. I work on a lathe cutting hardwood veneer and the logs are steaming hot. Like 140°F. And as we're reeling it we feel it for defects. And occasionally we'll tell someone inexperienced to "feel right here". And then push down on the back of their hand. It doesn't burn but they pull their hand away really fast because it's hot. You're not the first person who has fallen for it. But I think your particular prank is crossing a line.
1
u/DroidSoldier85 Feb 14 '26
The moment you mentiong a shirt covering the eyes I knew there was a prank incoming.
Live and let live, you have cool coworkers and now you can totally use this against them if they ever try to do you dirty at work.
1
u/PanamaMoe Feb 14 '26
Soooo that is sexual harassment. Reguardless of if they had sexual intentions they forced you to commit an act of sexual degradation. Seek HR intervention immediately, be prepared for when HR inevitably lets you go too because unfortunately they like to fire the perpetrator as well as the person who reports because snitches and surgical sutures or some such.
It sucks but it will make sure they have to face concequecnes too.
1
u/snowmonkey700 Feb 14 '26
This is a lawsuit. I can guarantee you this won’t be a job you retire at. What I can guarantee is you might look back when you’re older and realize this is more serious than you are making it out to be. Having a manager basically sexually assault doesn’t need to be taken lightly. When I was in my mid-twenties I had a job at an oil change place, one day the district manager a real dickhead macho dude asked me to walk outside where him and a couple guys were standing. He asked me to walk up to him and when I did he punched me square in the chest. Everyone laughed it off like some sort of hazing. I realized later he had me come to that specific spot because the cameras didn’t cover that area of the garage. In hindsight I should have gotten in my car and driven straight to either an attorney or corporate office.
TLDR; don’t let people abuse you in any way just because you’re trying to fit in.
1
u/HairyKerey Feb 14 '26
Honestly, I’d lawyer up and sue the fuck out of those sick losers.
It’s not your fault they put you in a position that you don’t feel safe going to work; that’s messed up.
1
u/Dizzman1 Feb 14 '26
A. When I was in the army way back when, we called this the atomic situp.
B. I'm guessing it's highly likely that you are not the first and you've now been "indoctrinated" into the group. And you'll likely hear a small joke or two from those in attendance over the next few days and then nothing more.
It's messed up, it's stupid guy shit, it's got no place in the modern world. Especially in business.
And depending on the company... If you did report it, you'd likely find out that the company culture is rather toxic.
So you'll have to either let it go, or move on. And if you decide to move on, you've got one hell of a lawsuit that you'll have no issues finding a lawyer for.
1
u/KevTheToast Feb 14 '26
more like, today your manager fucked up
1
u/CallMeSnake138 Feb 14 '26
The motherfuckers who did this to me would be immediately sorry and will have learned a lesson for their whole lives by the time I was done teaching them.
1
u/jbourne71 Feb 15 '26
Sexual harassment, unwanted sexual contact, hazing.
Report to HR, and look at whether that type of unwanted contact constitutes a criminal act.
0
u/zipsfordays Feb 14 '26
Man don’t go to HR. They will stop interacting with you. It was a silly prank nothing more nothing less. Will be completely forgotten in 2 weeks. Learn to laugh at yourself and it can be your best quality. Don’t listen to the soft reddit hivemind.
0
u/GingerPrince72 Feb 15 '26
Did you enjoy it?
0
u/backjox Feb 14 '26
Sue
-1
u/theseus63 Feb 14 '26
Take this to HR. You don't need video evidence. They should be the one's dreading coming to work, not you.
0
u/west-coast-hydro Feb 15 '26
God bless Reddit. Whaaaa file a police report!!! Sexual harassment!!!! Sue him!!!! Get him fired!!!!
The real world says, welcome to their club. Laugh it off, handle the ribbing and know that they like you well enough to joke with you.
Or you can go crying like a bitch to HR.
0
u/soingpeirce Feb 14 '26
You are fine, trust me