Fitness & exerciseGeneral wellness

5 embarrassing gym moments—and how to avoid them

It's completely natural to pass gas or work up an odor when exercising. Here's how to stay in the clear.


LearnFitness5 embarrassing gym moments—and how to avoid them
Passing gas during downward dog
Vomiting from working out
Peeing your pants
Tripping on the treadmill
Working up a strong body odor

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Whether you work out a little or a lot, whether at the gym or yoga studio, we’ve all had them: embarrassing gym moments. Putting your body through a strenuous workout can stress it in various ways, which can yield sometimes less-than-flattering experiences.

The key to surviving is to remember that we're all human and that there's no shame in the occasional bodily emission. Having a sense of humor and realistic expectations certainly helps.

Read on for tips to handle—and, in some cases, prevent—those wish-that-hadn't-really-just-happened moments.

Written by Hedy Marks.
Medically reviewed by Ann Wendling, MD, MPH.March, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Hedy Marks.
Medically reviewed by Ann Wendling, MD, MPH.March, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
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