I think you should find someone else to exercise with and let him do what he wants on his own. He's not very bright if he can't figure out that his suggestions could actually kill you. If he were my husband I'd get even and put everything he wants on the highest shelves (since you did say he was 5'4") then when he says he can't reach it or complains tell him to "just push through it". Tit for tat...just sayin'