Gym help: Yes or No?

TheBigFb

Hes probably looking at you thinkin " why is this ex army guy staring at me all the time", "Maybe he is Navy" lol

racheljonel

IamUndrCnstruction wrote: »

As one who is just starting out in the gym, I sometimes wish some one WOULD come offer advice. I feel a little intimidated to ask anyone (who wants to bother someone when they are in their groove, not me!) and I feel silly for asking as I am no young kid. I don't do anything dangerous but some times I feel like I wander a bit LOL. Just the other side of the coin here...

I agree! I wish people would be more willing to offer advice at the gym. All that equipment is intimidating for new people and there isn't always enough staff to go around.

On the other hand, I understand why more people don't offer help or suggestions, as everyone seems to be SO quick to take offense to anything they can possibly take offense to these days.

DjinnMarie

TheBigFb wrote: »

Id mind my own business and leave the man alone. Whats it too you what he does at the gym?

Are you a gym employee or something?

As odd as it sounds, some of us feel inclined to help someone who is struggling. If somebody hadn't tapped me on the shoulder to show me the benefits of negative pullups, I'd still be working on my first pull-up all these years later.

Pinkranger626

My 2 cents: I have only ever offered advice when I see someone doing something that could really hurt them. I usually start off with "can I make a suggestion?"

Once it was to a lady on the squat rack next to me who was locking her knees out at the top of her squats and i overheard her complaining to her partner that her knees were killing her. Another time was when I was on the treadmill and I was watching a guy and girl use the assisted pull-up. The guy was banging out pull-ups with ease and the girl was really struggling (they weren't changing weights between sets) so I suggested that she increase her weight to help her be able to do them. The last time I said something was when I was stretching by the squat rack and I watched two guys and a girl doing squats. Unfortunately both men were much taller than the lady and they were teaching her how to squat. Her form was fine, the issue was the bar was set too high for her to be able to get the bar off the rack, so I suggested they drop the bar lower.

All instances have been taken gracefully and they have actually all taken my advice. I would suggest with the OPs guy to definitely strike up a conversation to see what he's trying to accomplish if you feel you really need to say something. Although it sounds like he's not in danger of injuring anything, and he may actually be doing scapula retractions which is a PT move to strengthen the back... although it sounds like his form is not the best if that's his goal.

Personally, I would stay out of it on this one.

lishie_rebooted

alpine1994 wrote: »

lishie_rebooted wrote: »

rabbitjb wrote: »

sijomial wrote: »

What not to do....

When you see a full grown man using 1kg dumbbells in the weirdest and most restrictive isolation exercises possible ask him if he is rehabbing from an injury.

Because when the answer comes back as "no" you realise you have put your foot right in your molars. Oops!

Agree with conversation first and offer advice only if they want it. If they are doing something potentially harmful (as opposed to a waste of time) then tip off the PTs.

I saw a 1kg dumbbell for the first time ever yesterday, just sitting on the floor between 2 x 10Kg weights

I was a little like "ooo look at the cute little thing"

it was a moment

I'm not sure I've ever seen a 1kg (2.2lbs) dumbbell at a commercial gym.
I *might* have seen 3lbs.
I saw & used the smaller weights at physical therapy but for my regular, lifting, nope.

My great-grandmother had 1lb bright pink dumbbells that she would carry on her walks (at 98 years old!). She wrote her name in black sharpie on both of them. I kept them when she died so I have a special place in my heart for little dumbbells.

That is insanely adorable.

I cried a little on the inside last week when I had to toss a pad of paper that had my grandfathers handwriting on the back. He passed just over 2 years ago and it was the day before the anniversary of his death. I have other items of his and some that have his handwriting

TheBigFb

DjinnMarie wrote: »

TheBigFb wrote: »

Id mind my own business and leave the man alone. Whats it too you what he does at the gym?

Are you a gym employee or something?

As odd as it sounds, some of us feel inclined to help someone who is struggling. If somebody hadn't tapped me on the shoulder to show me the benefits of negative pullups, I'd still be working on my first pull-up all these years later.

Whats with the as odd as it sounds? You implying Im unhelpful? Way to jump too conclusion.

Are you qualified to be handing out advice to anyone in the gym? Are the exercises for an older person the same as a younger? You could give the man a heart attack. Or you could put him off going altogether, get him thinking, jaysus ive been making a fool of myself, I aint going back. If he asks by all means, other than that leave it too a profession

TheBigFb

and feeling included to help when you may or may not be qualified to do so isnt really being helpful at all now is it

DjinnMarie

TheBigFb wrote: »

DjinnMarie wrote: »

TheBigFb wrote: »

Id mind my own business and leave the man alone. Whats it too you what he does at the gym?

Are you a gym employee or something?

As odd as it sounds, some of us feel inclined to help someone who is struggling. If somebody hadn't tapped me on the shoulder to show me the benefits of negative pullups, I'd still be working on my first pull-up all these years later.

Whats with the as odd as it sounds? You implying Im unhelpful? Way to jump too conclusion.

Are you qualified to be handing out advice to anyone in the gym? Are the exercises for an older person the same as a younger? You could give the man a heart attack. Or you could put him off going altogether, get him thinking, jaysus ive been making a fool of myself, I aint going back. If he asks by all means, other than that leave it too a profession

Actually, I am qualified to help. So much for assumptions eh?

TheBigFb

That was a question, not assumption at all.

Is the OP qualified?

Do you not think people in the gym hand out advice a little freely? As in, they join a gym, get a routine and think if anyone asks I'll show them what I do, as everyone has the same goal, had / has the same injuries etc.

Cause if it okay to do that, then who needs to be qualified right?

DjinnMarie

TheBigFb wrote: »

That was a question, not assumption at all.

Is the OP qualified?

Do you not think people in the gym hand out advice a little freely? As in, they join a gym, get a routine and think if anyone asks I'll show them what I do, as everyone has the same goal, had / has the same injuries etc.

Cause if it okay to do that, then who needs to be qualified right?

I missed where OP said he was going to train somebody long term for a specific goal. He sees a man not using full range of motion and struggling to do one pull up. You don't need credentials to give somebody the most basic of advice. You don't need a certification to suggest that somebody try negative pullups.

dblaacker

@DjinnMarie‌ I'd never heard of a negative pull-up, but decided to look them up. I'm going to try this!
OP, I think that you follow others' advice and first try to befriend the guy. You can always just mention things that you've done to perfect your form and work various muscles. This way, it won't be directly like you're giving unsolicited advice. If he wants to work on himself after that, perhaps he'll make the next steps. He may just have a hard time asking for advice/help due to personal pride.

erialcelyob

I would probably take it the wrong way if someone gave me advice haha

SF2514

I wish someone would help me at the gym haha. I have no clue what I'm doing most of the time and I think I give off a "don't talk to me" vibe =/. I think the conversation route is the best tactic.

RavenLibra

My take on advice.. SINCE you are asking.. is this.... advice is only useful if it's asked for... AND advice only really says ONE thing... "Be More like me" YOU might socially engineer this fella into asking for your advice... BUT maybe find out what his goals are... I am betting by what you've described, is that he'd really like to achieve a pull up... or maybe even more than one... SO.. the social engineering part is simple... "Hey Brah??? what are you working towards? a pull up? would you like some advice on that? then give him a gun show and make a joke ... ( of course I am kidding about the gun show)...

mochapygmy

It's nice to want to help people but I usually don't at the gym unless asked. Especially in the weight room though I did break this rule on Monday. There was a woman looking around in the Smith machine, which is right next to the squat rack I was in, and kind of pacing looking confused. She's a gym regular that usually has a locker near mine so we've had a lot of small 1 minute conversations. I said "You look like you are trying to decide something." And she just unloaded a bunch of questions about lifting and specific programs, including my own. I gave her some general info, mentioned some resources and told her which trainers in the gym could give her solid lifting advice. We talked about other things, she thanked me for my time and left. It was no big deal and she could have easily deflected my initial question if she didn't want to talk.

esjones12

I too would start up conversations on non-related advice first. I've made quite a few friends that way at the gym and then we were able to bend each others ear for advice. Of course when I was doing more straight lifting I was going at 5:30am and it was kind of like a tight knit community at my local YMCA. The weight floor at 6pm scares me. Too many people running around, most not knowing what they are doing, etc. So I avoid it!

For anyone who says they wish someone would show them what to do. Most gyms have floor staff who can show you (that is their job), or may offer a free "tour", ask about it. If your gym doesn't have that look for someone who seems to know what they are doing and you see regularly. I think the majority of people would take it as a compliment and would respond positively to getting asked for advice. Be gracious. If they don't have time to help you a lot they may offer you a little more each time they see you. Never be afraid to ask for help!!

seangharper

It's the way in which you approach the guy, I was happy when this massive guy gave me some tips on the leg press, just a simple adjustment to the machine made a huge difference. He noticed I was taller than average and showed me the correct positioning.

maxit

I frequently observe Squat Rack Hog Boy (my name - once he is on that piece of equipment he is there for 30 min and there is no way to work in) do his deadlifts with a slightly rounded back. It hurts me to look at him ... so I don't. This is a Y and there are not staff around, usually.

dbmata

wilsoncl6 wrote: »

I'm torn here. I see an older guy (say late 50's) that goes to my gym every day in the early morning that does the same exercises that are either close to useless (since no exercise is completely useless) or a waste of time. For example:

1) Using the Smith machine with the bar already above his head and slightly pressing up (maybe half an inch) for a bunch of reps.
2) Hanging from the pull up bar and slightly pulling up (again for the obligatory half an inch) while he's bringing his knees up imitating a somewhat pull up.

All while having this look of utter exertion on his face. Afterwards, he wanders around the workout area for about 5 minutes and then does some other futile exercise. The question is, at what point is it OK to try and help or should I not give any advice at all and leave the guy alone? I know I go to the gym to achieve a goal and want everyone there to be successful. I generally keep to myself as I'm more focused on what I'm there for and what I need to do but like to help those that need it, but not if they don't want it.

Should I try to help or should I just ignore the guy and leave him to his own devices?

Is he paying you? No? No advice.

@IamUndrCnstruction‌ - there are these neat people with a lot of advice, called trainers and coaches. They'll be more than happy to help you. @racheljonel‌

@TheBigFb‌ - I wonder if the completely clueless gym goer has posted the obligatory, "People watch me at the gym, I'm anxious, projecting, and they're mean," thread here. I mean, we have them all the time afterall.

ForStMicheal

I would just leave him alone. sounds like he's been doing this for years... but if that's true I would hope he could do a little more then an inch on his pull up. unless its somewhat obvious that he's new, then I'd strike up the conversation.