Idiots at the gym *sigh*
ShannonKirton
Posts: 304 Member
So this is a bit embarrassing, but I feel the need to vent about the inconsiderate people who not only go to my gym, but also work there.
Yesterday after work I arrived for my usual spin class which went very well. After that was done I decided to head to the weights room to do some lifting. This is not new, I've had this routine now for about 3 weeks. I decided to start with weighted squats but instead of going with free weights, I decided to use the Smith machine to try and keep everything level, because I found my knees were going wobbly under the weights and I just didn't feel as confident as I thought I should. So I load up the Smith machine with 90lbs (45 on each side) and go for it. The first two sets were good and then before I knew it, I was onto my third.
I got to the end of the third set and when I went to rotate the bar to engage the hooks, they did not engage. Unaware of this fact, I started to take off the pressure and before I knew it I was literally bent over backwards with the bar still in my hands and my feet practically behind my elbows. My knees hit the wall in front and one of them is cut while the other is just sore. It's a really good thing my flexibility is right up there with the best of them, otherwise I might not be writing this from my desk at work, but instead from a hospital bed.
Right after all of this happened (while I was still lying on the floor), I quickly assessed that my neck and back were ok, nothing was broken, there was no severe pain anywhere and I proceeded to get up slowly. As you can imagine, the almighty noise that the bar made was enough to echo through to the car park.
NOT A SINGLE EMPLOYEE came to find out if I was ok, or if I needed any help. NOT A SINGLE GYM MEMBER came to make sure I could still stand, or far less get up off of the floor. Once I got up, I took off the 45s, and went to 35lbs each side so I could finish my sets. It was only about 5 minutes after my fall, that one of the guys on the floor just casually passed by and asked if I was ok. Then a trainer asked the same question about 5 minutes after the member.
Now I know that everyone in the gym saw this happen, because I was right in front of a mirror. I saw them all look at me. I saw trainers walking by as this happened and look at me. Does common care for your fellow human being not exist anymore, or is it only "an idiot" like me, who would run over to a fellow gym goer to find out if they were ok, or if they needed anything?
Now I get that it was my fault, and I get that maybe I was pushing a bit hard, and I get that I should have a lifting buddy to help me (which I am finding a hard time getting) but you seriously mean to tell me that helping people is no longer a nice thing to do? WOW.
Yesterday after work I arrived for my usual spin class which went very well. After that was done I decided to head to the weights room to do some lifting. This is not new, I've had this routine now for about 3 weeks. I decided to start with weighted squats but instead of going with free weights, I decided to use the Smith machine to try and keep everything level, because I found my knees were going wobbly under the weights and I just didn't feel as confident as I thought I should. So I load up the Smith machine with 90lbs (45 on each side) and go for it. The first two sets were good and then before I knew it, I was onto my third.
I got to the end of the third set and when I went to rotate the bar to engage the hooks, they did not engage. Unaware of this fact, I started to take off the pressure and before I knew it I was literally bent over backwards with the bar still in my hands and my feet practically behind my elbows. My knees hit the wall in front and one of them is cut while the other is just sore. It's a really good thing my flexibility is right up there with the best of them, otherwise I might not be writing this from my desk at work, but instead from a hospital bed.
Right after all of this happened (while I was still lying on the floor), I quickly assessed that my neck and back were ok, nothing was broken, there was no severe pain anywhere and I proceeded to get up slowly. As you can imagine, the almighty noise that the bar made was enough to echo through to the car park.
NOT A SINGLE EMPLOYEE came to find out if I was ok, or if I needed any help. NOT A SINGLE GYM MEMBER came to make sure I could still stand, or far less get up off of the floor. Once I got up, I took off the 45s, and went to 35lbs each side so I could finish my sets. It was only about 5 minutes after my fall, that one of the guys on the floor just casually passed by and asked if I was ok. Then a trainer asked the same question about 5 minutes after the member.
Now I know that everyone in the gym saw this happen, because I was right in front of a mirror. I saw them all look at me. I saw trainers walking by as this happened and look at me. Does common care for your fellow human being not exist anymore, or is it only "an idiot" like me, who would run over to a fellow gym goer to find out if they were ok, or if they needed anything?
Now I get that it was my fault, and I get that maybe I was pushing a bit hard, and I get that I should have a lifting buddy to help me (which I am finding a hard time getting) but you seriously mean to tell me that helping people is no longer a nice thing to do? WOW.
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Replies
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Wow, they could be up on charges if they don't assist someone who may be injured.
I only do bodyweight exercises, but if you are pushing the limits and using equipment like that you really do need a spotter. That doesn't change the fact that the staff were not doing their job. I would write a letter a complaint to the manager.0 -
As a long time gym goer, I have to say that I'm not surprised. Yes, the staff should have attended to you, but as a member, I'd probably have watched and waited myself. The main reason, to not to embarrass you anymore than you may have been.
From their perspective, they probably heard the crash and looked over. By that time, you were getting up and then changing the weights. As soon as you started continuing with your workout, it's business as usual (I have a workout to focus on myself).
Had you not popped back up, I'm certain someone would have come over.0 -
I'm on the fence about "complaining" as such. I agree with amisnercpa about the members not coming to help right away, but I figured that at least a trainer would have come over right away to just ask if I was ok, instead of waiting until 10 minutes later. I did not get up immediately however, it did take me almost a minute to get up as I was pretty jarred by the fall and was just trying to ascertain if anything was broken or injured severely (which thankfully it was not).
But there were also some other men (on the floor with me at the time) less that 10 feet away. I just thought that being nice was part of being human, but maybe I'm expecting too much. *shrugs*0 -
Yikes...that sucks! Honestly, I don't think anyone at my gym would come rushing over either, unfortunately.
ETA: I'm really glad you're okay.0 -
I'm glad you're ok, but take it easy because some times it's not until the next day you will feel any soreness!!!!0
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Thanks everyone. Yeah I can feel the work in the legs today along with the soreness in my back, neck and shoulders from the fall. And my knees are a constant reminder because every time I bend them they hurt from hitting and scraping the wall.
I'll just have to go easier until I can find a lifting buddy, that's all.0 -
Frankly, I'm horrified that no one came to your rescue.
Do realize that time stands still for those in the middle of a trauma, so that one minute on the ground felt long and drawn out to you, but others were still trying to process what the heck just happened. It's pretty much a normal reaction for people to just freeze and not want to be the first ones to jump in and help.
What sucks is that it took so long for them to come over afterwards to check up on you.
I'm so sorry that happened. Don't lose your faith in humanity. There were just no hyper people (like me?:) there to jump up and react dramatically to what happened to you.
Everyone at your gym must be just super cool.
Hope you're feeling ok!!0 -
Thanks Chani8
Out of all the people who were there on the floor, treadmills, elipticals and other machines it is a wonder that no one did anything but stare, or completely ignore.
There was one guy who was also using a machine directly next to the Smith machine and he didn't even try to get up from his seat to see if everything was ok. *shrugs*
Still a little sore today but each day is better. My biggest "casualty" is me right knee which was cut in the fall so now it's like road rash *yuck*. Once that heals and I rest up over the weekend I'm pretty sure all will be fine.0
