Riya joined a neighbourhood gym after moving to Delhi. “The trainer was friendly and motivating. He’d send workout tips and remind me to stay consistent,” she recalls. She didn’t think much of it. Then the messages became more personal. “Good morning.” “Missed seeing you today.” She says she never replied to those but she noticed something else. “I started going to the gym an hour earlier just to avoid him.” One evening, she mentioned it to the gym manager. “I felt guilty, like I was making a big deal out of nothing,” says Riya. The manager took action and reminded all trainers that communication with clients should remain professional. The messages stopped immediately.
Riya says she wishes she had trusted her instincts sooner. “If someone makes you uncomfortable, you need to speak up,” she said.
