Advice at the Gym

amandzor

This is the first time I've ever actually said something to someone working out. Usually, at the gym I"m focused, in my zone, and have no interest in conversations.

That being said, I saw a heavier girl (probably 260) on the leg press machine, just like jamming along at less than 100 lbs, and clearly had no idea what she was doing. When she realized I was watching her, she blinked awkwardly (I am the queen of awkward) and I mentioned that if she upped her weight, and did fewer reps, with 8,9,10 being fairly difficult, she'd have better results.

She looked at me, confused, so I mentioned that as far as legs go, you pretty much press your weight every time you stand up. So, start at your weight, and add a little from there, because she's a lot stronger than she thinks. The fog seemed to clear a little, I apologized for butting in, and went back to my own things.

I hope I at least offered her some food for thought, or maybe I just made a really awkward conversation.

Either way, I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them (on either side) and if not, what you would do if you saw someone struggling with properly using equipment?

3dogsrunning

Nope.
Unless I saw something borderline dangerous, I wouldn't.
I also don't see that as improper use. Maybe not the most efficient use, but not struggling or improper.

There are many programs and many theories to working out, some I agree with, some I don't. I decide for me what is "right" and I let other people do their routine.
I generally don't give out advice unless specifically asked.

yopeeps025

I have seen things in the gym that I would comment on but is it really my place to do so and how credible can I be. I see what I think is incorrect form that would lead to injury all the time but can I comment. Now people usually ask me for my opinion on

doing something right
form of exercise
How I lift what I lift
etc

I actually had someone at the gym ask me "I do not mean to offend you but how are you still fat and you can jump rope like that?"
My answer was my diet is trash. We both laugh and went back to working out.

Laurenloveswaffles

This is the first time I've ever actually said something to someone working out. Usually, at the gym I"m focused, in my zone, and have no interest in conversations.

That being said, I saw a heavier girl (probably 260) on the leg press machine, just like jamming along at less than 100 lbs, and clearly had no idea what she was doing. When she realized I was watching her, she blinked awkwardly (I am the queen of awkward) and I mentioned that if she upped her weight, and did fewer reps, with 8,9,10 being fairly difficult, she'd have better results.

She looked at me, confused, so I mentioned that as far as legs go, you pretty much press your weight every time you stand up. So, start at your weight, and add a little from there, because she's a lot stronger than she thinks. The fog seemed to clear a little, I apologized for butting in, and went back to my own things.

I hope I at least offered her some food for thought, or maybe I just made a really awkward conversation.

Either way, I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them (on either side) and if not, what you would do if you saw someone struggling with properly using equipment?

I would actually thank you, if it was me you were trying to help. Never happened to me, but I would hope someone would help me if I was doing something wrong.

bugaboo_sue

Honestly I'd be annoyed if I was working out and someone came up to me and told me that I need to up my weight. Why? Because you don't know why I am lifting the weight I am. I could be working out with an injury and light weight is the only thing that I can do. I could be just starting out, never lifted in my life, and therefore lifting something heavy isn't really something I can do yet. Or I could be on my last set of exercises and my muscles are fatigued and I am exhausted and light weights are the only thing I can handle for the last few things I have to do. Or I am doing shoulder and since I am incredibly weak in that area some exercises I am forced to use light weights on.

Also I have never "butted in" and told someone they were doing something wrong or told them to lift more or less or what have you because it's not my place. Yes, I see people doing things horribly wrong -- and one guy who goes to the gym teaches people how to do exercises completely wrong -- but it's not my place to say anything.

DYELB

20+ rep sets on leg press > 8 rep sets

DavPul

i'm failing to understand how she was improperly using the equipment?

micheleb15

I would never comment on someone's workout - that's just me. I honestly wouldn't be able to tell you if someone is doing something wrong because I don't look at one person long enough to notice. I once had a guy correct my pull-up form because I wasn't fully lowering myself to engage my lats (he was right), but I was still learning and didn't have the strength to fully lower myself. I still don't like that guy.

ninav1980

nope, I wouldnt want to be responsible for someone possibly injuring themselves. What if she had bad knees or something?

ChrissyC1985

I am usually open to receiving advice from people at the gym but lately this one guy pretty much follows me around and criticises me. it happened twice last week and it's beginning to get just a bit annoying.

I will always listen to people's opinions, and particularly those of the gym employees but this guy is not one of those.
it makes me so mad, I know he's trying to help but when i'm doing what I am told to do by my trainer and it feels like I am doing it right based on what I have been told and which muscles I can feel it in, then it's irritating to say the least.

I don't offer advice to others as I don't feel it's my place unless asked.

Chief_Rocka

If I see an attractive woman, I start spotting her without being asked

Cranquistador

Yeah,NO.

not your business.

There have been times when I am coming back from my back issues and need to go lighter, or am varying my workout and doing higher reps that day... I would hate if someone came up and started trying to school me.

Cranquistador

If I see an attractive woman, I start spotting her without being asked

but do you share your cookies?

segovm

People think there are special rules to conversation in the gym but that's just silly. As with the rest of life, if you are just trying to be kind and friendly I don't see anything wrong with it. I think the biggest issue in the gym is most people think they are doing it right and most people are wrong. You need to appreciate the fact that there is a good possibility that you know less than the person you are advising.

Personally I would probably make an observation like you mentioned at the water cooler or in the locker room and phrase it as a question to find out why she was doing her reps that way rather than telling her how she should be doing her reps. She might be recovering from an injury or following a specific program and in the end you could learn something or end up helping her out if she wanted it.

hobbeskastiel

Generally I would say hi to them first & then ask if they had used that machine much before. If they say no then I would ask if they would like some advise. If I can tell someone looks lost then i'll ask if they're having a problem and would like some help. Sometimes it's little things like not knowing how to adjust the seat on a bike ir nit knowing half the cardio equipment has a fan. I've seen people struggling or looking lost and those are the people who don't come back later because they feel intimidated. The people at my gym have made me feel nothing but welcome so I try to do the same with others. I've had random people just walk up and tell me they thought I was doing great. i need to loose a lot of weight and in my opinion positive reinforcement goes a long way. I guess what i'm saying is it's not bad to go up to someone and help, but how you do it is key. Basically, "hey you're doing that wrong, do this" is different then "hi, I was watching you and think you're doing great, but you also might try doing it this way because..."
Just my opinion from personal experience.

bugaboo_sue

People think there are special rules to conversation in the gym but that's just silly. As with the rest of life, if you are just trying to be kind and friendly I don't see anything wrong with it. I think the biggest issue in the gym is most people think they are doing it right and most people are wrong. You need to appreciate the fact that there is a good possibility that you know less than the person you are advising.

Personally I would probably make an observation like you mentioned at the water cooler or in the locker room and phrase it as a question to find out why she was doing her reps that way rather than telling her how she should be doing her reps. She might be recovering from an injury or following a specific program and in the end you could learn something or end up helping her out if she wanted it.

Or you could just not say anything because it's not your business why someone is working out a certain way.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I've had more than one person try to correct my form on squats when I am doing low-bar squats and they clearly have no idea what a low-bar squat is. It annoys the piss out of me.

amandzor

If I see an attractive woman, I start spotting her without being asked

She was pretty cute. As for the awkward staring.

As I said, I apologized. It was a knee-jerk reaction, and too late by the time I realized I was saying something. I'm so not sly at these things.

It's unlikely I'll do it again. Just curious.

amandzor

I've seen people struggling or looking lost and those are the people who don't come back later because they feel intimidated.

This definitely played a role. I'm always glad to see the full-figured ladies at the gym, because I really want to see them kick *kitten*. Way more than the cardio bunnies with their magazines. I didn't want her to give up because it "wasn't working". She did look more than a little lost and uncertain.

I hope she comes back. Minus my awkward staring.

ValGogo

I have been tempted but I don't .

I did, however, GET some advice last night which I gladly listened to, processed and tried out.

elleloch

I think it's situational; if you feel like you can say something go for it. Depending on who it was and how they spoke to me I might appreciate the help a lot. But if I can tell it's just some creeper guy that's creepin' I'd rather he not.

Galatea_Stone

If I see an attractive woman, I start spotting her without being asked

That happened to me once. On squats. :sick:

saynay18

A guy corrected my form at the gym and it annoyed me. I wasn't looking for advice, but I'm a novice. I know he was trying to be nice, but I just wanted to say "Who asked you?" I felt embarassed that he was helping me, ya know? IDK...just wouldn't suggest it unsolicited!

JTick

No. You don't know her program, or if she's working out with an injury.

I had to ask for a spot on my bench last week, and was excited that I got 90x5. Because I'm doing 5/3/1, I won't try for 95 until the end of August. The lady was trying to be "helpful" and told me to try for 95 next week. NO. Because that's not how this program works!

ZoeLifts

The only time I"ve ever said anything to someone is when they were on the leg press machine, had it loaded down with weights and were able to release the catch without having themselves set up and with their feet on the platform. Why? Because they were about to hurt themselves pretty bad and obviously didn't know how the machine actually worked. Other than that, I just let people be.

3dogsrunning

I do appreciate advice from people who know what they are talking about and who's goals align with mine. The problem is, far too any people *think* they know what's right.

wibutterflymagic

If I really looked like I was lost I would appreciate the help. Most people have no clue what they are doing and are too afraid to ask for help and then quit. I think that goes double for many overweight women.

Stage14

This is why I wear headphones at the gym.

yourpalsoap

I think in most cases, unless somebody is doing something with improper technique that's going to injure them, then it's better to keep out.

I strength-train 2-3 times a week and do a combination of light and heavy sets so that I can build strength and endurance and, honestly, it's rare that I DON'T get at least one guy telling me what to do. On heavy sets I get them saying "hur hur you need to do more reps with lower weight so you don't get bulky" (wrong!) and when I do lighter sets I get them saying I should be lifting heavy.

If you'd approached her later, when she was walking around rather than actually on the machine, and made conversation to find out what her goals are then it'd be different. But most of the time it's just going to come across as rude - you're basically assuming that you know more than her, and you might not. Same for the "cardio bunnies" you're criticising, who's to say they don't lift on separate days? Unless you work for the gym, it's not up to you to tell people what they should be doing.

KnitWit70

I have a hard time watching someone at the gym that could hurt themselves, mostly because I just love to help people, but it's hard to ignore. You know the type, we've all seen him. He's the guy who focuses primarily on his biceps (and usually has bird legs); he flings those dumbbells around so fast and jerky that you just KNOW he's going to end up pulling something... but I keep my mouth shut.

You see, 10 years ago (I was still in the Navy) I lifted and ran regularly. At 5' 10 I was a very toned 145 pounds. Now, I am 235 (ish) and far from that toned (young?) woman I was. Regardless of what I know about lifting safely and effectively, no one wants advice from someone who doesn't LOOK like they know what they are talking about. I was trying to be helpful once and made a suggestion to this young woman (she was obviously very new to lifting) about her form to prevent strain on her back. Well, she took one look at me, sneered and basically told me to F*** off and mind my own business.

I learned my lesson!

Now I just do my own thing. I still find myself occasionally watching others in between sets or while waiting for a machine, but I keep all comments to myself.

bugaboo_sue

If you'd approached her later, when she was walking around rather than actually on the machine, and made conversation to find out what her goals are then it'd be different.

I would find this about as rude as someone telling me how I should be lifting.

Seriously.