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Stupid-face gym people

joshdann

The rules of this board won't let me use the words I'd like to... but I want to vent about tonight's gym experience. Hopefully you can relate.

So, the wife and I are using one of the squat racks, just starting our sets. There is an older but obviously very dedicated man next to us. He's half my size but lifting twice the weight I currently am. Impressive. He's quietly getting his work done. I tell my wife to watch him for pointers on proper form. So far, so good. Then, in walks a couple of feminine hygiene products. You know the type, early 20s, crooked/tilted hats, tank tops to bro off, I mean show off their muscles. Talking very loudly about inane crap that nobody cares about but them... One approaches the older man "how many sets you got, bro?" There's an open rack right next to him. No need to break this man's concentration... he replies calmly "quite a few"

The conversation can be heard throughout most of the spacious gym, even though they are 5 feet from each other. "Dude, you gotta get you a naturally aspirated v8, not some Honda ****. Chicks like fast they don't care how cheap..." etc etc. "Man I *wish* that dude had done it in front of me, I'd be like..." ugh. STFU... I'm trying to focus on my own workout and help instruct my wife with hers. "going for a nice set of 20 here, bro. push it man, do it! nice bro, nice"

On to the bench, and now we're even closer to them. They've moved on to some odd looking leg lifts machine, and one is "spotting" the other. He's counting the other guy's reps out loud. very loud. "20, 21, c'mon bro that's it. 23. 24. 25. ok my turn let's do this". I sit up for a quick rest between sets and catch the eye of another man nearby. We exchange knowing, frustrated looks. Back to my next set and he's at it again. "10. 11. 12" grrr... I'm pushing a new weight for me (at least new for this decade), and the distraction is getting to me. I wait for him to finish: "24! 25!" OK, now I can get back to work. I get one rep in and "YEAH BRO!" nearly makes me drop the bar. My wife is actually stifling a laugh over that one. Moreso at how ridiculous they sound than my near failure to hold the bar up. At least I hope that's true. I finish my sets with a bit of renewed vigor. My adrenaline is pumping a bit more so I finish them more easily than I probably could have normally... maybe these idiots actually helped me. I'd rather do it without any perceived help, though.

After the bench sets I decided to try and find an open lat machine before we head over to deadlift. Just to get away from these punks. All machines are taken. We wander back towards where we really need to be and find them flexing their sweet pumps in the mirror. *sigh*... at least they appear to be done with their 15 minutes of work. We knock out our deadlift sets and head for the door. I somehow resist the urge to say something to gym management. Not sure what I would have said, anyway.

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to open a gym with a strict no-bro policy. I'll even hire some retired offensive linemen to be bouncers. This crap has got to stop... it's as bad as talking in a movie theater. What gives these morons the right to disturb the workouts of others with their nonsense? Ugh... Am I alone in this? Surely someone else has a gymbro story to share. Let's have em

Replies

underworld58

You are definitely not alone. This is one of the many reasons I despise going to the gym– the obnoxious people. I'm ashamed to say that many of said loathsome "bros" come from my generation. I have no idea why they were spawned that way. Most of them are making up for a lack of something or other– like self esteem. One of the many examples of humans going backward in evolution.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading your experience. It was well written, haha (:

I hope your future gym outings are less irritating.

The part about offensive linemen bouncers made me smile

I could use a few of those.

HelloDan

They sound like choppers, but apart from that it doesn't seem like they're actually doing any harm.

If they're a bit too loud, just ask them if they can be a bit less loud, or tone it down a bit. If they get aggressive about that, then for sure, take it further and speak to staff\management, but just a couple of guys being loud and not physically or probably even intentionally interfering with other peoples workouts is not really something that would bother me personally.

darrensurrey

25? What weight were they using? Were they pink?

TattooedNici

This is a perfect storyline for a Planet Fitness commercial. "And, this is why I don't like going to the gym". With that said, I can see your frustration. Sometimes, I zone people out or think they're cheering each other on. From what you've described, it sounds like the alpha male brigade has come to visit and desperately seeking admiration/envy via attention from others. I'm assuming they were trying to size up the older gentleman and was attempting to intimidate him by distracting him. I've seen that all the time and frankly, that's a weak person's action. My advice is, don't let them take away your gym time by their antics. They're not worth it.

3shirts

If you can weather the storm you'll usually find these guys drop off the radar pretty quickly. I think they have short attention spans and the lack of improvement in the 10 minute sessions they did for two weeks puts them off.
I think the bravado wears off quickly if you are serious because you quickly realise there are guys lifting twice what you can who are not at all impressed or interested in what you're doing anyway.

hopwoods1

I get more annoyed with guys that start their work out by collecting all the weights they will use in their session regardless if they are using them in 5 minutes or 50. The free weight area in my gym is very small and there is only one 20kg barbell for example.

I collect and return each set of weights after each of my exercises so others can use them. Other guys use the bench of the lateral machine while doing dumbell curls or such exercises, and not actually using the machine!

Finally I hate guys who do not remove weights from the smith machine after using it. Usually its the younger guys that do this.

addysolari

They're a plague at my gym in the afternoons. Guys that wear trucker hats all workout, drop weights, use machines and benches to lounge and chat on, ask about your sets and hog equipment, Bunch of tossers

unknown

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rileyhall00

yeah I know the type. I was doing my workout and these two came in for just 15min to just do minor things and flex in the mirror?

debrag12

So glad I don't get them at my gym. The price is prob to much for them anyways.

tihi18

Hmmm. I don't know. I work out in a gym on a Marine Corps base and it's like that. We call it encouragement

Also you get alot of loud oohrahs! I can understand how some might be annoyed though, loud conversations can be distracting.

maillemaker

Much of physical endeavor is mental. If it's what they need to psyche themselves up to it, it's cool. In martial arts, it's called "Kiai".

It is, simply, a battle cry. Sometimes it's bravado.

MB_Positif

There are stupid faces everywhere. Good luck enjoying life if you let them bother you this much :flowerforyou:

TheBitSlinger

Bouncers? Hire snipers.

RGv2

Finally I hate guys who do not remove weights from the smith machine after using it. Usually its the younger guys that do this.

Not at mine. It's the people that think the rules don't apply to them, regardless of gender.

Mguilmot

Music. Earplugs. While I'm doing sets, nobody will ever get me out of my concentration saying whatever they want. You have those idiots everywhere

RGv2

Music. Earplugs. While I'm doing sets, nobody will ever get me out of my concentration saying whatever they want. You have those idiots everywhere

This too, they're everywhere.

I've had people say that they thought I was an a-hole because I don't answer them.....it's because I didn't hear them with my earbuds in.

rbear713

Get an Ipod - find what music makes you get AMPED. TURN IT UP!!

Here's a scenario:

So Metallica's Master of Puppets is loud enough in my ears for the guy next to me to sing along (I know thats a lil rude too, but we all have our hangups, right?) Young punk in tank top (to show off his skinny lil arms) with hat sideways (this is another MAJOR peeve of mine - Hats can be worn two ways - brim front to shield your eyes from the sun, or to the back if you're a catcher or if its cloudy - SIDEWAYS = NFG because its STOOOOOPID - wtf? is the sun on your left all day? idiots...)

Punk: "How many sets you got left?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "How many sets you got left, bro?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "Bro, can you take your buds out so you can hear me? (or something like that - I had my music up so I couldnt hear him!!)
Me: "What???"

Works EVERY time! Also good for. "Bro can you give me a spot on this bench press with waaaaay too much weight on that I have no business trying to lift?"

"What??"

All Smiles over here.....LOVES me some Master of Puppets!!

Oh yah, I see the kids who flex in the mirror for 80% of their "Workout" They make me giggle!! Once watched a young man (and he looked in great shape, I must admit) literally stare at himself in the mirror for an HOUR - he did three sets of curls, all with too much weight, all with crappy form - and the kicker? His girlfriend? She did ZERO sets, but was standing next to him fawning over him the WHOLE time (In workout attire too)!! His eyes were glued to the mirror; her eyes were glued to him...for an HOUR!! NO ****!! She gave me a dirty look when I got off the Spin Bike and dared to pass between them and their precious mirror....I paused dead in front of them, smiled, dripped a lil sweat on the floor, and flipped down my play list to Metallica...And Justice for All this time....TURN IT UP!!!

Life is GOOOD!!

MercenaryNoetic26

Quite a story! I will say that would drive me nuts to a degree. I usually workout solo and wear headphones that cover my ears. I blast my music so won't be hearing any nonsense.

This scenario happens a lot when people workout together or in groups. I remember Gold's being noisy, but I liked it. It was motivating to me hearing grunts and spotters pushing lifters to get those last reps. Those were hardcore bros, tho, and not punk *kitten*. I have no prob focusing through noise as long as I have my 'space'. I currently work out at home so that's nice.

just_Jennie1

Punk: "How many sets you got left?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "How many sets you got left, bro?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "Bro, can you take your buds out so you can hear me? (or something like that - I had my music up so I couldnt hear him!!)
Me: "What???"

So you'd rather be looked at as the rude person who hogs all the equipment and annoys everyone around them by doing that and having their music so loud I can sing along to it (that's not good for your ears btw. Good luck when you're deaf!)? It's a gym. You're supposed to share. I've asked people if they were done with equipment/how many sets they had left because I wanted to use it when they were done and they have nicely told me and vice versa. No need to be a dink about it.

Also good for. "Bro can you give me a spot on this bench press with waaaaay too much weight on that I have no business trying to lift?"

What if the guy really needed a spot? It works both ways too. I'd love to be there watching you walk around the gym trying to get someone to spot you or let you work in a set but no one lets you. :flowerforyou:

Yes there are things that are annoying at the gym and things that make you go :huh: when you see people there. I get annoyed with loud talkers and just laugh when I see the 'bro's' there because they think they're awesome but they look like idiots but unless it's directly effecting my own workout in the respects that they see me using equipment and they just take it away from me I do my own thing, mind my own business, get in get it done and get out.

Honestly if I let every thing that people did out there annoy me I'd never leave the house!!

klaff411

Yeah. I never quite feel welcome over near the free weights. Since there are always stupid *kitten* over there who just want to flex for each other. I'm seriously considering quiting my gym and doing kickboxing cko. I did the starter class and I really liked it. Not to mention I feel like I wasn't being physically challenged enough by my current work out.

Its incredibly hard to get on some of the machines since you either have to fight with the "bros" to get over there or you get looks -- like "whats this "female thing" doing over here?!!

lol. I like my gym. But I can't stand the bros.

JoRocka

Get an Ipod - find what music makes you get AMPED. TURN IT UP!!

Here's a scenario:

So Metallica's Master of Puppets is loud enough in my ears for the guy next to me to sing along (I know thats a lil rude too, but we all have our hangups, right?) Young punk in tank top (to show off his skinny lil arms) with hat sideways (this is another MAJOR peeve of mine - Hats can be worn two ways - brim front to shield your eyes from the sun, or to the back if you're a catcher or if its cloudy - SIDEWAYS = NFG because its STOOOOOPID - wtf? is the sun on your left all day? idiots...)

Punk: "How many sets you got left?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "How many sets you got left, bro?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "Bro, can you take your buds out so you can hear me? (or something like that - I had my music up so I couldnt hear him!!)
Me: "What???"

Works EVERY time! Also good for. "Bro can you give me a spot on this bench press with waaaaay too much weight on that I have no business trying to lift?"

"What??"

All Smiles over here.....LOVES me some Master of Puppets!!

Oh yah, I see the kids who flex in the mirror for 80% of their "Workout" They make me giggle!! Once watched a young man (and he looked in great shape, I must admit) literally stare at himself in the mirror for an HOUR - he did three sets of curls, all with too much weight, all with crappy form - and the kicker? His girlfriend? She did ZERO sets, but was standing next to him fawning over him the WHOLE time (In workout attire too)!! His eyes were glued to the mirror; her eyes were glued to him...for an HOUR!! NO ****!! She gave me a dirty look when I got off the Spin Bike and dared to pass between them and their precious mirror....I paused dead in front of them, smiled, dripped a lil sweat on the floor, and flipped down my play list to Metallica...And Justice for All this time....TURN IT UP!!!

Life is GOOOD!!

That's equally as rude. If someone doesn't take a hint after the first what- you're the *kitten* for not pulling your ear plugs and actually talking to him. It's rude to flat out ignore someone like that. And it's rude to not answer a perfect legitmete question about how many sets you have- or if you can help with a spot.

OP some people are just loud- there is a woman at my gym who just has "that voice" it drives me insane- I actually will move away from her because it drives me nuts- she yells all her conversations- which is annoying because I've heard her talk in other places with no harm no foul. Shrug - it is what it is. Some people are just loud- invest in some head phones- like everyone else.

joshdann

thanks for the replies

as for earbuds, I always have them with me but mainly use them on the treadmills/machines/etc. When in the weight room, my wife and I need to be able to communicate. she's still learning form. Also, we will call out (in normal conversation voices, not yelling across the room to the person 5 feet away) if we need help with a lift, or are offering a bit of encouragement. All of that is normal and perfectly acceptable. But it doesn't need to be done so loudly as to bother other people. We're in that gym 3x per week, every week (occasionally more) and I've never seen these bros before. Normally there is the expected din of grunts, weights, conversation, etc... but this was much louder, unnecessarily disruptive and definitely out of the "norm". And they weren't just encouraging each other... they were gabbing. Loudly, if I haven't made that point clear yet

It reminded me of 15+ years ago, back in high school in the football/powerlifting weight room. I think these guys may just be new college students who don't yet know or care how adults act around each other. We do live in a college town with two universities and over 80k students between them. If I run into them again, and they're equally rude, I'll probably say something.

Anyway, thanks for reading and sharing your experiences. I'm going to go watch some BroScienceLife videos on youtube to cleanse the bro palette.

KathleenMurry

They could be doing a lot worse. At least they aren't harassing women or breaking machines. Sounds like they are being really positive with each other and it's working for them. Any public place you go, you have to deal with other people. I've learned to just put my head down and focus on what I'm doing. Every now and then, I'll just quietly chuckle to myself when people are being that ridiculous. No point stressing out.

rabblerabble

The gym I patronize has signs with rules of ettiquette where loud disruptive actions and dropping weights are disallowed and people are generally fairly civilized. Sometimes you just have to ignore people (especially when they seem to be begging for attention). When they get no attention (positive OR negative) it can sometimes discourage them whereas glaring at them just seems to motivate them to even worse behavior.

StephanieMM2013

That's so obnoxious. One think I'm dreading about the gym... The "feminine hygeine products" haha. I'll be blasting my music as well as wearing a forward facing cap to avoid eye contact.

Sounds like you were able to get a good workout in anyways, good job!

rbear713

Punk: "How many sets you got left?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "How many sets you got left, bro?"
Me: "What??"
Punk: "Bro, can you take your buds out so you can hear me? (or something like that - I had my music up so I couldnt hear him!!)
Me: "What???"

So you'd rather be looked at as the rude person who hogs all the equipment and annoys everyone around them by doing that and having their music so loud I can sing along to it (that's not good for your ears btw. Good luck when you're deaf!)? It's a gym. You're supposed to share. I've asked people if they were done with equipment/how many sets they had left because I wanted to use it when they were done and they have nicely told me and vice versa. No need to be a dink about it.

Also good for. "Bro can you give me a spot on this bench press with waaaaay too much weight on that I have no business trying to lift?"

What if the guy really needed a spot? It works both ways too. I'd love to be there watching you walk around the gym trying to get someone to spot you or let you work in a set but no one lets you. :flowerforyou:

Yes there are things that are annoying at the gym and things that make you go :huh: when you see people there. I get annoyed with loud talkers and just laugh when I see the 'bro's' there because they think they're awesome but they look like idiots but unless it's directly effecting my own workout in the respects that they see me using equipment and they just take it away from me I do my own thing, mind my own business, get in get it done and get out.

Honestly if I let every thing that people did out there annoy me I'd never leave the house!!

Two quick things in response:

1) I dont hog machines - Im four sets and out, and actually, Im more likely in a spin class than anywhere else...

2) If Im in the middle of my set work, Im not available to spot anyone for anything - also, no spotters required for me - If I want to lift heavy I find a partner before I start...makes it easier.

Otherwise, Im not as rude as you think...promise!!

For the most part, I get in, get it done, and get out....just like most of the people I share the weight room with.....

Alehmer

This is one of the best things about practicing and working out in a fighter/grappling/MMA gym, on the incredibly rare occasion anyone shows up throwing around a lot of stupid swagger and being inconsiderate... they get owned on the mats by a guy (or better yet a girl) half their size then either shut up or disappear.

It's worse when the douchenozzles would camp the benches or squat rack for an hour at a time, 2% lifting / 98% talking.

Hunnergomeow

I'm so glad that the gym I go to doesn't allow that kinda crap - when you sign up & you have to sign the contract thing there's a clause about no posing etc, they'll just kick you out for that kinda obnoxious behaviour.

ElliottTN

I wake up way to early for the bros to be at the gym at the same time as me so in really thankful for that. I just have two other sets of really annoying people at mine.

1. The female not so lifters invading the free weight area. Now, I'm not talking about the women that actually come to te free weights to get their **** done. Im talking about the ones that will come over and for example walk in between the benches while you are working. Like trying to finish sets of dumbell press and almost drop it on my face as I see this massive *kitten* come inches away from my hand whike its going up. Only to finish the set to see her doing air squats with no weights less than a foot in front of my bench. Or yesterday one set a yoga mat in between two bench presses. I couldn't believe my eyes when she did that. What the hell are you thinking? Do you really want your face crushed in? There's an ENTIRE separate room for the **** you are doing. I've contemplated several times just letting a dumbell off to the side as a warning shot.

I do enjoy the female lifters though

but I'm not the creepy guy who stares. And yeah, if you have a nice *kitten* then feel free to do air squats inches away from me but please make sure I'm between sets for the eye candy.

2. The jerk offs that set up an entire crossfit circuit across half the gym. Not only do they always end up hogging a crap ton of stuff at once, it can throw you off as you see some *kitten* sprint by you out of nowhere when your lifting. Not to mention I've seen someone's foot almost explode as a gym crossfit ter not a crossfit gym almost drop a weight she had no business lifting on someone foot as she did this thing that somehow was suppossed to be farmers walks.