What do you do when you see terrible form at the gym?
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As someone who isn't very familiar with gym equipment and/or form when doing any kind of traditional work out, I would deeply appreciate if some one politely asked if I'd like help with my form. It's a difficult decision to make though, weather or not to try to help some one out, because so many people get overly defensive. Maybe try to feel him out first, go up and start by making some small talk.... My fiancee actually made a pretty good friend out of a guy at the gym who initially just came over to help him out with his form. I think it's about the way you approach the convo, my fiancee tends to think he knows the best way to do everything, yet, however the dude at the gym approached the situation it worked
.... I wish I was there so I could tell you what he said :P Sorry..
Good luck0 -
I have to say it is quite depressing to see so many reply that they would do nothing and "mind there own business". It is your business to help your fellow man out if you can. It is your business to step in and offer a mother with a screaming child assistance. It is your business to give a damn and care about someone other than yourself for 2 minutes. This world we live in is a result of everyone so self involved that they miss the big picture, we are all in this together. Hold a door for someone, help someone carry their bags, hold the elevator, not because the person can't do it but because it is nice to have a little help once in a while. Show some compassion, and extend a helping hand, and "if" by chance you are confronted by negativity then simply move on and offer the next person some help. We should reverse what we have become; which is, a society of individuals who are afraid to say hello and offer help and then wonder how people can do horrible things to each other. Lets stop isolating people and start encouraging interaction. I can recall a time when I knew every single person within 3 blocks of where I lived, their parents and visiting relatives and even pets. Now I barely know the people that are within two or three houses of me. I still say hello and try to assist whenever I can, and I truly believe that the world is what we make it.
I agree with this. My conscience would not let me walk away from someone doing something that I know would harm them. What they do with the information or if they refuse assistance is not my responsibility. My conscience is cleared and I can sleep well.0 -
I wouldnt do anything because i dont even know the right way to do it so i shouldnt be telling someone else!0
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Nothing. It is none of your business. How would you feel if you were in a store and your kid was throwing a temper tantrum and someone came up to you and "respectfully" asked if you wanted parenting advice?
I would tell them to take my bratty kid away and teach it some manners because I'd be an idiot parent if I let my kid get away with that.
Your comparison doesn't make any sense.
A screaming child is going to piss people off.
YOUR incorrect form isn't doing any damage to any one else but yourself.
OP, to answer your question, I've attempted to try and give other people tips on their form...but the old ladies at my gym don't take kindly to people telling them they're "wrong."
So now I just scowl at them.0 -
I would only step in if the person was in imminent danger. Otherwise, I might as well just park myself next to the power rack and offer my services all f*cking day because most people have atrocious form. Also, men don't seem to like being corrected by women. Even when you lift more weight with better form then they do, something about doing it in a skirt means they think you're there for toning and couldn't possibly understand what a man needs to do in the gym.
(That came out very bitter. The guys on this site seem to be generally more progressive about women lifting than the men I see IRL at the gym. This is not directed at all men.)0 -
Nothing. It is none of your business. How would you feel if you were in a store and your kid was throwing a temper tantrum and someone came up to you and "respectfully" asked if you wanted parenting advice?
Sooooo completely different. I'd be pissed at someone for trying to put their 2 cents into my parenting, but if I'm lifting wrong, I'd welcome the advice.0 -
^^ pahahahah bean. And then if you were at my gym, you'd get kicked out because they'd think you were muscling in on their personal training money (number of times I have seen a personal trainer in the weight room per month? once. Bench press, leg press, went back to the machines).
It would depend for me. I don't want to get into *kitten* with people who are SURE they know how to deadlift or squat or bench already - and most people doing that stuff do. But I might say something to someone doing good mornings - someone doing good mornings is at least trying to expand their repertoire AND good mornings are really hard to see yourself do AND not something you see people do in the gym very often so I'd imagine most people would accept input on them.
There's a good and a bad way to step in though. The good way is to say "hey those are a great exercise, do you mind if I offer you a tip though?" The bad way is to walk over and say "Brah, you're gonna hurt yourself doing that.'
Also a bad way is to walk over, make eye contact with a girl, reach down slowly and touch one of her fractional weights, and then randomly start showing her a technique for loading the bar for deadlifts. Please use your words, not your hands. Thanks.0 -
I've been corrected on my form twice at the gym. The first time was actually quite helpful. I was trying to do single arm snatches and wasn't pushing from my legs/glutes. I had never watched another person do them, and was relying on pictures from a book. He showed me how to do them, and I will be eternally thankful.
The second time I was corrected was a few weeks ago. I was doing squats on the squat rack, and after I finished my sets, a dude came up and told me that I was going down too low (????) and that I would hurt my knees. I told him thanks for the advice, but seriously wtf??? I only go down to parallel with the floor! I asked a few of my friends their opinion on my form, and they agreed it is perfect.
I tend to ignore people with bad form, but if you can't help yourself, I say that if you know what you are talking about and the person looks approachable, ask them about it.0 -
I don't do anything. I don't get the feeling my input would be received well. A lot of the times when I see bad form, it's from a man and he's quite big compared to me. I could be wrong, but I get the feeling, he's wondering why some petite woman who normally does cardio at the gym (I do my weight workouts at home) is correcting him. Besides there are trainers about and really they should speak up.0
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"Excuse me, I happened to notice how you were doing your squats. You're doing pretty good but you're rounding your back a bit too much. This could lead to injury. Maybe try like this *demonstrate proper form*, it should feel better and will get you a better burn with less chance of injury."
-> Just do it.
Exactly!
Help by offering a suggestion while complimenting their current effort. Point out the possibility of injury in their current method. This is the right way to help someone you don't know and yet still would like to offer assistance to.No different than striking up a conversation.0 -
Being a trainer, I see it everyday and make mention of it if someone looks like they are really going to injure themselves. It's touch and go. Sometimes I say something, sometimes I don't.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Most of the time I just simply try to avoid watching the train wreck. Honestly, most of the people that I see with crappy form are young "adult" (i.e. 18-24 yr old) males that are at the gym with their friends lifting far too heavy in an effort to show off. Those are not people I'm going to try to offer information to because they aren't going to take the advice anyway.
Instead I just try to set a good example. I've gotten to the point now where my muscle size and definition is at the higher end of the people at my gym. So I figure those that are interested in having success like mine will see that I'm not using obscenely heavy weights to do it and they'll see how my form looks on many of the exercises they do themselves. If they don't notice the difference between my form and their own, then chances are they're really not as focused as they need to be on doing it right anyway.
While my son is a brat at times, he takes his working out very seriously at the age of 18, and so do his friends. Not all teenagers and young adults are the "showoffs" you describe. Some do care, watch, and intend to do things right. They have fun and do "stupid" things because they are young and, well, young people push the limits, but it does not mean they don't or won't accept the advice.0 -
I'd point it out to a trainer (at our gym, they have to wear a uniform). People take advice well if they think it is from a professional.0
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Today I saw someone going deep on some good mornings with a really rounded back (I'm not exaggerating when I say his back resembled a flamingo's neck) on the squat rack but ultimately just said nothing and let him do his thing.
What would you do if you saw terrible/potentially dangerous form in the gym?
Being a total noob in RE to lifting heavy, I'd hope someone would stop me and then show me how to do it properly. I'd then thank them because I like to do things right.
THIS^^
I am a noob too. Only been lifting about 2-3 months. I have flat out told the trainer and the "fitness monitor" at the gym that if they see me with bad form I WANT them to come come correct me, bust me out. I don't care that I am almost old enough to be the trainer's mother ( he's 22 to my 38) or that the fitness monitor is older than my father--I have seen them in action.0 -
Today I saw someone going deep on some good mornings with a really rounded back (I'm not exaggerating when I say his back resembled a flamingo's neck) on the squat rack but ultimately just said nothing and let him do his thing.
What would you do if you saw terrible/potentially dangerous form in the gym?
Being a total noob in RE to lifting heavy, I'd hope someone would stop me and then show me how to do it properly. I'd then thank them because I like to do things right.
This. Absolutely this. I don't want to stall out prematurely or get hurt. If that means someone points out I'm doing something wrong, and helps me fix it, great.0 -
If I am genuinely concerned for their safety, I will DEFINITELY step in and say something. As politely as possible, of course. But yes, I would.
I would just feel so horrible if by my not wanting to hurt someone's feelings, a person ends up getting seriously hurt. How awful would that be? If you could have prevented their injury, and just because you didn't want them to be annoyed at you, you did nothing to stop that injury from happening? That would make me feel just terrible.0 -
Would you guys save a chicken from drowning0
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Would you guys save a chicken from drowning
I am more inclined to save a chicken from drowning than to correct a dumdum on their form. Poor chicken...0 -
It depends. There are people that we see at the gym with horrific form and then there are people at the gym that really have no clue. My husband has politely gone up to someone who obviously has no clue and asked them what they were trying to do and then corrected them on their form and exercise. The people were always grateful to him for doing that and I would be too if someone saw that I was doing something wrong. You don't have to be a jerk about it. If you are then yeah, I'm going to bite your head off and drop the dumbbell on your toe but if you're nice and obviously know what you're talking about then I'll gladly take your advice.0
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So I think the basic consensus is that women appreciate the help, and men feel butt hurt
Well, isn't that a surprise!
Runs off to do a search on the number of threads with women b****ing and moaning about creepy guys approaching them in the gym.
I seriously don't know who these women are who get hit on soooo much that it's annoying. I mean, I see some of the complaints, and some of the profile picks that go with them... and I'm like, "really?"0 -
Makes me glad there is a personal trainer on the floor in the weight area all the time in my gym. They're a great group headed up by a former pro bodybuilder. I'm not knowledgeable enough about human anatomy and physiology to make a judgment call as to whether a stance is truly bad form or just different because of body build. This is something best left to the pros.
There are differences in form. Two guys could be doing squats and they look completely different doing them, and both could have proper form. My last personal trainer concentrated on physiology and dealt with the hard cases (cancer patients, heart patients, obese, war vets, etc.). He told me that no two people lift exactly the same, and when he sees truly bad form, it's usually in someone who has been lifting for a while and thinks they're doing it right or young guys trying to one-up each other.
I like to brush up with personal trainers on form every couple months. It's always nice to have the refresher. Think of it as "continuing gym education."0 -
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Honestly, I wish someone would come up to me if they saw me doing something wrong. Unless they start demanding I only do things their way, I'd be willing to listen to most advice. But.... the few times I've seen people doing something wrong, everyone would ignore them, unless they were endangering themselves or someone else.
I don't think I would address someone because of lack of experience (honestly, I'm just starting free weights - I mostly just use the weight machines) and I feel that being a woman, most of the guys there would just scoff or brush off anything I would say. LOL - I just have gotten to the point of being there often enough that they have stopped staring at me (argh.... why, doing something wrong or just shock, or maybe disgust... or who knows)0 -
So I think the basic consensus is that women appreciate the help, and men feel butt hurt Well, isn't that a surprise!
Runs off to do a search on the number of threads with women b****ing and moaning about creepy guys approaching them in the gym.
I seriously don't know who these women are who get hit on soooo much that it's annoying. I mean, I see some of the complaints, and some of the profile picks that go with them... and I'm like, "really?"
I would be super flattered if anyone hit on me at the gym, but that's never happened.
To answer the OP
It's hard to say. I know for me I'm working on my form, I see my trainer, she corrects it, and then I work on it until I see her next. My form isn't perfect but I am working on it, so if someone random came up to me to correct it I would probably be a bit annoyed just because I'm already so conscious of it.
BUT mine isn't "flamingo" bad.
I'm sure lots of people would be receptive to the help though.0 -
i don't know, i just figure most people don't want to be bothered.
in a related note... when did rocking back and forth and bouncing up and down become part of standard curl form? lol0 -
i dont feel qualified to say anything so i usually say nothing. but i wouldn't mind at all if someone wanted to give me advice.0
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Everyone at my gym seems to keep to themselves and do their own thing, myself included. But I would be very receptive and appreciative of any experienced lifter who observed me using dangerous form and brought it to my attention in a friendly and concerned manner.
Sometimes I wonder if my deadlift form is exactly right, because I can't really look sideways into a mirror to see if I'm rounding my back or keeping it as straight as I think I am. If I'm doing it all wrong, I would hope someone would tell me so I don't end up with a back injury.0 -
So I think the basic consensus is that women appreciate the help, and men feel butt hurt Well, isn't that a surprise!
Runs off to do a search on the number of threads with women b****ing and moaning about creepy guys approaching them in the gym.
I seriously don't know who these women are who get hit on soooo much that it's annoying. I mean, I see some of the complaints, and some of the profile picks that go with them... and I'm like, "really?"
I would be super flattered if anyone hit on me at the gym, but that's never happened.
To answer the OP
It's hard to say. I know for me I'm working on my form, I see my trainer, she corrects it, and then I work on it until I see her next. My form isn't perfect but I am working on it, so if someone random came up to me to correct it I would probably be a bit annoyed just because I'm already so conscious of it.
BUT mine isn't "flamingo" bad.
I'm sure lots of people would be receptive to the help though.
Ugh is SUPER annoying. Guys are ALWAYS commenting on my working out. Yes, they are genuinely compliments like "WOW, you are lifting more than me doing those triceps." "I've never seen a women do unassisted dips before." or when doing pull ups, "That's really impressive." But it is DOWN RIGHT annoying as F**k! It makes me feel like everyone is watching me while I work out. I've even gotten compliments after coming out of a group exercise class BY PEOPLE NOT IN THE ROOM! Like dammmn....stop watching me and making me feel self conscious! I have to say being talked to at the gym is highly annoying. I had a guy YESTERDAY walk by with a grin on his face and say, "Going at it hard today, eh?" Ewww....keep walking. Please. I just awkward chuckled back at him and walked away.
I could seriously go on and on....I get a comment about every single thing I do at the gym. And on the other hand, it also makes me mad because it is like "What? You've never seen a woman work out?" like no women work out....and no women are capable of being good at it? I seriously think it is their ego getting to them. They can't help but to say something.0 -
I agree with reporting the incident to the owner/manager if you're not comfortable approaching the individual yourself. Maybe suggest the individual consult with the trainer or manager for pointers on the particular exercise. My conscience tells me to at least try to protect those around me.0
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So I think the basic consensus is that women appreciate the help, and men feel butt hurt Well, isn't that a surprise!
Runs off to do a search on the number of threads with women b****ing and moaning about creepy guys approaching them in the gym.
I seriously don't know who these women are who get hit on soooo much that it's annoying. I mean, I see some of the complaints, and some of the profile picks that go with them... and I'm like, "really?"
Yet another silly post... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... What's beautiful to one is not necessarily to another. Mind your manners...
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