Bad advice in dealing with New Year's resolutioners

jjpptt2

Maybe part of the disagreement here is what is meant/inferred by "befriend" and "make conversation with"?

I think there's a big difference between nodding at someone or a making a passing comment and telling someone to pull up a bench and tell me your life's story. I also think there's a big difference in doing it at a water fountain or while you are both waiting for equipment than doing it during a set, or even between sets.

Theoldguy1

Francl27 wrote: »

PAV8888 wrote: »

I find it amazing that "correct" gym etiquette requires not offering help to someone likely to injure themselves due to bad form.

It reminds me of calls to "just cheer" when people discuss eating and exercise behaviours that are likely to lead them to crash and burn.

That's what trainers are for... Don't most gyms have trainers out that can help newbies?

Many do have trainers but at the gyms in my area I'm familiar with you pay extra for trainers

Tacklewasher

Theoldguy1 wrote: »

Francl27 wrote: »

PAV8888 wrote: »

I find it amazing that "correct" gym etiquette requires not offering help to someone likely to injure themselves due to bad form.

It reminds me of calls to "just cheer" when people discuss eating and exercise behaviours that are likely to lead them to crash and burn.

That's what trainers are for... Don't most gyms have trainers out that can help newbies?

Many do have trainers but at the gyms in my area I'm familiar with you pay extra for trainers

^^This. My gym offers one free session and the PT bailed on me twice. Probably because I was clear I did not want long term and just wanted to have just the one session at this time. So no money for him in coming.

sarahlifts

Francl27 wrote: »

PAV8888 wrote: »

I find it amazing that "correct" gym etiquette requires not offering help to someone likely to injure themselves due to bad form.

It reminds me of calls to "just cheer" when people discuss eating and exercise behaviours that are likely to lead them to crash and burn.

That's what trainers are for... Don't most gyms have trainers out that can help newbies?

^^^THIS^^^^

My job as a gym goer is to get in there work hard, clean up behind myself and mind my business. Most ppl in the weight room are too focused on themselves to notice someone's poor form unless it is absolutely insane, and that situation will likely work itself out. They'll get injured and we wont see them again. Its not my job to educate any person on proper form or etiquette.

Its also not my job to comment on nutrition practices when no one has asked my opinion.

The newbies eventually learn, not to curl in the squat rack, not to take 4 sets of dumbbells, not to sit on a bench and rest/chat while others are waiting to use it to actually work.

If you come to the gym with me I will explain etiquette, no we cant use 2 lat pull down machines, there are only 4 we can take turns you do a set I do a set, never hog equipment, ppl will hate you.

But again I make a practice of not talking to ppl. once you talk to ppl other ppl talk to you and THEN its a a JAW JACKING session not a bench day.

janejellyroll

suziecue25 wrote: »

If anything is likely to put people off going to the gym its this thread. I've often wondered what it would be like...now I know.

Please don't judge gyms by this thread. I've been to a bunch for almost twenty years and generally people are pleasant, decent, willing to help *if asked*, and just as tolerable as people everywhere else are. I've had way more problems and irritations outside of gyms than I've ever had in them.

PWRLFTR1

For the most part I keep to myself, but if I see someone that doesn't know how to adjust the height on the monolith, I will show them. A few weeks ago I saw a guy stacking several plates to sit a bench on because he didn't understand how to move the bar rack in the power rack. So I explained how it works. Now why did this person just ask someone, I don't know.

mmapags

Just as a point of information on trainers. I have had more than one, and I'm talking about good ones with degrees and years of experience, tell me that they won't offer unsolicited advice to someone. This is due to liability issues. If they are not under agreement to train that person or the person has not requested their assistance and the person gets injured, they can be sued and their professional liability insurance won't cover it.

Not sure if all the details are straight here. Maybe someone like @ninerbuff can weigh in and clarify.

kgeyser

Francl27 wrote: »

PAV8888 wrote: »

I find it amazing that "correct" gym etiquette requires not offering help to someone likely to injure themselves due to bad form.

It reminds me of calls to "just cheer" when people discuss eating and exercise behaviours that are likely to lead them to crash and burn.

That's what trainers are for... Don't most gyms have trainers out that can help newbies?

My gym has trainers you pay for sessions, or give one free session, but they do not have any floor personnel available. I've always thought that they would be better off putting some personnel out there during the first month of the new year just to help people find their way around, show them how to adjust equipment, help them understand how to use the equipment. I often see people who have too little weight on the machines and send plates slamming or pads bouncing off various body parts because no one ever taught them about how to figure out how much weight to use or controlled movements.