Young kid at the gym
Bridgysmalls
Posts: 21
There is this large young kid who trains at my gym..
Now its great that he trains and is trying to shed the weight, however his technique is terrible, he jumps from bicep curl to leg press, to the cross trainer, back to bicep curls, to a minute on the bike, onto bench press etc...he is all over the place, i seen him do 45 reps on the barbel bench press yesterday & over 100 leg presses in one set..!!
I want to talk to him and help him, but really the instructors at the gym should help him, but they are too busy posing and on their phones..
To top it off when I finished up in the gym and was driving home this kid was walking away from the gym eating an ice cream he had bought in the canteen!!
Most people don't like being told how they should work out but should I help him? He is totally wasting his time at the moment...
Most other gym guys just watch in amazement!
Now its great that he trains and is trying to shed the weight, however his technique is terrible, he jumps from bicep curl to leg press, to the cross trainer, back to bicep curls, to a minute on the bike, onto bench press etc...he is all over the place, i seen him do 45 reps on the barbel bench press yesterday & over 100 leg presses in one set..!!
I want to talk to him and help him, but really the instructors at the gym should help him, but they are too busy posing and on their phones..
To top it off when I finished up in the gym and was driving home this kid was walking away from the gym eating an ice cream he had bought in the canteen!!
Most people don't like being told how they should work out but should I help him? He is totally wasting his time at the moment...
Most other gym guys just watch in amazement!
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Replies
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Personally, I would ask him if he'd like help. If he does..go for it. If he tells you no...let him crash and burn.0
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What's wrong with ice cream after a workout? Are you qualified and experienced enough to help?0
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There is this large young kid who trains at my gym..
Now its great that he trains and is trying to shed the weight, however his technique is terrible, he jumps from bicep curl to leg press, to the cross trainer, back to bicep curls, to a minute on the bike, onto bench press etc...he is all over the place, i seen him do 45 reps on the barbel bench press yesterday & over 100 leg presses in one set..!!
I want to talk to him and help him, but really the instructors at the gym should help him, but they are too busy posing and on their phones..
To top it off when I finished up in the gym and was driving home this kid was walking away from the gym eating an ice cream he had bought in the canteen!!
Most people don't like being told how they should work out but should I help him? He is totally wasting his time at the moment...
Most other gym guys just watch in amazement!
Not sure how old you mean by "kid". Are one of his parents with him?0 -
This. Based on the ice cream comment, I'm guessing, no.What's wrong with ice cream after a workout? Are you qualified and experienced enough to help?0 -
ask him if he has ever worked with a trainer before. if he says no say great I would like to try my hand and see how I would do as a personal trainer, would you be interested being my first , it wouldn't cost you anything :happy:0
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Leave him.
Lions do not lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.0 -
I never offer advice and when asked I preface it with "I'm NOT an expert but I know what worked for me"
If you think he may hurt himself (since he is a kid) maybe ask a trainer at the gym to talk to him. There has to be one that's not posing or attached to their I- umbilical0 -
If you believe it is the duty of the staff to coach him on how to properly use equipment and exercise, then speak to a manager. Personally, and I know this sounds cruel, I wouldn't both stressing over it.0
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Worry about yourself at the gym. If you notice what people are or aren't doing in the gym, you're doing it wrong.0
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Mmmm....ice cream! My son and I went on a 10 mile trail ride this weekend and then went to Dairy Queen. I didn't know this wasn't allowed *sarcasm*0
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What's wrong with ice cream after a workout? Are you qualified and experienced enough to help?
I know when I re-started, I was really greatful for the people who corrected my form. I would suggest striking up a conversation, and then say something suggesting you would be willing to give him some pointers. It would open up the conversation at least and if he is not interested in learning more, so be it. Of course, if you are not close to and reaching your goals, it may be better to suggest he talk to a trainer or point one in his direction if the gym offers them.
As for Ice Cream.. Guess it all depends on where you are in reaching your goals and how it effects your body. Personally, at this time, since I am so far away from my goal, and I have noticed that when I eat too high an amount of carbs I put on weight, and sugar causes me to crave (and eat more), Ice cream is off my list at the moment. :-( More power to you if you can reach your goal and eat it... Someday, I will be able to do it again. There are times you need to sacrific to reach your goals.0 -
A couple of thoughts ....
1). If he is a kid - implying that he's under 18 - I'd watch yourself. As you don't work for the gym, you could actually get yourself in some serious trouble. As a minor, it's his parents and/or the gym's (depending on their policies) responsibility to be monitoring him.
2). If you have time to watch him bust out 100 reps on anything...what the heck are you doing with your gym time? Focus on yourself.
3). Are the random sets/reps/weights helping him? Maybe, maybe not.... But are they hurting him? Also, maybe, maybe not. I grant you from what you're saying it sounds like he doesn't have a clue...but that doesn't mean YOU are qualified to correct him.
4). Again assuming that he's a kid, aka under 18, shouldn't we all be grateful that he has gotten up and going to the gym AT ALL instead of sitting on his butt all day playing video games? Look at any program designated towards kids, perhaps NFL Play 60. The whole point of the program is getting kids up and moving/playing for 60 minutes a day. It doesn't matter if they're jumping rope, playing soccer, or what...as long as they're up an moving!
5). Did I mention pay attention to your own workout? Good gosh0 -
Worry about yourself at the gym. If you notice what people are or aren't doing in the gym, you're doing it wrong.
Utter nonsense mate...0 -
Bring your concerns to the gym manager or lead trainer, especially if he's a minor. Other than that, I'd just focus on your own technique.
As a side note, if you are at a gym where the trainers are mirin' and on their phones instead of watching the floor and helping people you may want to look for another gym.0 -
A couple of thoughts ....
1). If he is a kid - implying that he's under 18 - I'd watch yourself. As you don't work for the gym, you could actually get yourself in some serious trouble. As a minor, it's his parents and/or the gym's (depending on their policies) responsibility to be monitoring him.
I would guess he is a fat 16 year old
2). If you have time to watch him bust out 100 reps on anything...what the heck are you doing with your gym time? Focus on yourself.
I was training on the bench next to the digital leg press machine, which showed 100 repls done. I was not sat watching and counting his reps
3). Are the random sets/reps/weights helping him? Maybe, maybe not.... But are they hurting him? Also, maybe, maybe not. I grant you from what you're saying it sounds like he doesn't have a clue...but that doesn't mean YOU are qualified to correct him.
Do you know my skill set level? errr, no
4). Again assuming that he's a kid, aka under 18, shouldn't we all be grateful that he has gotten up and going to the gym AT ALL instead of sitting on his butt all day playing video games? Look at any program designated towards kids, perhaps NFL Play 60. The whole point of the program is getting kids up and moving/playing for 60 minutes a day. It doesn't matter if they're jumping rope, playing soccer, or what...as long as they're up an moving!
exactly, as i noted in my previous starting message.
5). Did I mention pay attention to your own workout? Good gosh
I do, and thanks for you invalid input. rather than commenting on my question you feel it appropriate to tell me off...haha, very amusing.
Gheez, i dont want loads of questions but here goes...see above0 -
What's wrong with ice cream after a workout? Are you qualified and experienced enough to help?
I know when I re-started, I was really greatful for the people who corrected my form. I would suggest striking up a conversation, and then say something suggesting you would be willing to give him some pointers. It would open up the conversation at least and if he is not interested in learning more, so be it. Of course, if you are not close to and reaching your goals, it may be better to suggest he talk to a trainer or point one in his direction if the gym offers them.
As for Ice Cream.. Guess it all depends on where you are in reaching your goals and how it effects your body. Personally, at this time, since I am so far away from my goal, and I have noticed that when I eat too high an amount of carbs I put on weight, and sugar causes me to crave (and eat more), Ice cream is off my list at the moment. :-( More power to you if you can reach your goal and eat it... Someday, I will be able to do it again. There are times you need to sacrific to reach your goals.
Yes, just what I was thinking...I may give him my copy of 'Arnolds encylopedia of modern bodybuilding' it helped me on the right track all those years ago.0 -
Worry about yourself at the gym. If you notice what people are or aren't doing in the gym, you're doing it wrong.
Utter nonsense mate...
If you're lifting hard, I assure you, you won't have time to be counting that some kid is doing 100 reps. My bet is that you're in no better shape than the poor kid you're trying to help.
When you actually focus on your own workout, you will look like this
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Which you don't. Nuff' said.0 -
Nothing wrong with ice cream. He could hurt himself though, so if he's unsupervised, make the management aware someone needs to talk to him.0
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What's wrong with ice cream after a workout? Are you qualified and experienced enough to help?
Seriously, what are you talking about. A fat kid leaves the gym after a piss poor workout and then eats ice cream and you see this as OK?
Yes, more than experienced, but thanks for checking..0 -
I would let him be. Everyone has their own ideas of what they should and shouldnt be doing. He will learn like everyone else, through trial and error and a bit of research when things are not working out for him.0
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Worry about yourself at the gym. If you notice what people are or aren't doing in the gym, you're doing it wrong.
Utter nonsense mate...
If you're lifting hard, I assure you, you won't have time to be counting that some kid is doing 100 reps. My bet is that you're in no better shape than the poor kid you're trying to help.
When you actually focus on your own workout, you will look like this
<<-
Which you don't. Nuff' said.
Jagger relax, please see previous comments re digital leg press machine, hence digital display on reps done.
FYI I am in more than good enough shape and really wont be drawn into this pointless babyish discussion0 -
NOTE TO SELF:
Do not ask a question on the MFP Forum again.0 -
Worry about yourself at the gym. If you notice what people are or aren't doing in the gym, you're doing it wrong.
Utter nonsense mate...
If you're lifting hard, I assure you, you won't have time to be counting that some kid is doing 100 reps. My bet is that you're in no better shape than the poor kid you're trying to help.
When you actually focus on your own workout, you will look like this
<<-
Which you don't. Nuff' said.
Jagger relax, please see previous comments re digital leg press machine, hence digital display on reps done.
FYI I am in more than good enough shape and really wont be drawn into this pointless babyish discussion
Babyish is needlessly noticing what others are doing and posting about it online.
You may be in good enough shape, but the kid doesn't want your help-don't give unsolicited advice.
I still stand by the fact that it's difficult to be distracted when you're having an intense workout. Cheer up old man, I'm sure the kid will be lean and mean in no time0 -
Ask him if he wants help with his form or talk to the trainers about your concern. Otherwise, leave him alone.0
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A grown man approaching a 16 year old at the gym is a bad idea. I know your motives are to be helpful, but remember how easily one's actions can be misinterpreted. It's unfortunate, but that's the world we live in.
I think you should point him out to one of the trainers and just mention that you think he could hurt himself. Ask them to help him. They should approach him - not you.0 -
Worry about yourself at the gym. If you notice what people are or aren't doing in the gym, you're doing it wrong.
Utter nonsense mate...
If you're lifting hard, I assure you, you won't have time to be counting that some kid is doing 100 reps. My bet is that you're in no better shape than the poor kid you're trying to help.
When you actually focus on your own workout, you will look like this
<<-
Which you don't. Nuff' said.
Jagger relax, please see previous comments re digital leg press machine, hence digital display on reps done.
FYI I am in more than good enough shape and really wont be drawn into this pointless babyish discussion
Babyish is needlessly noticing what others are doing and posting about it online.
You may be in good enough shape, but the kid doesn't want your help-don't give unsolicited advice.
I still stand by the fact that it's difficult to be distracted when you're having an intense workout. Cheer up old man, I'm sure the kid will be lean and mean in no time
hmm, thanks for the help fella.0 -
There is this large young kid who trains at my gym..
Now its great that he trains and is trying to shed the weight, however his technique is terrible, he jumps from bicep curl to leg press, to the cross trainer, back to bicep curls, to a minute on the bike, onto bench press etc...he is all over the place, i seen him do 45 reps on the barbel bench press yesterday & over 100 leg presses in one set..!!
Sounds to me like he is just doing Crossfit.0 -
If you believe it is the duty of the staff to coach him on how to properly use equipment and exercise, then speak to a manager. Personally, and I know this sounds cruel, I wouldn't both stressing over it.
NOPE.
This is often (at a larger gym) a huge misconception.
Trainers are paid to train- paying clients.
Front desk people- they are just front desk people. Unless you pay for a gym that INCLUDES the cost of trainers- most of them are likely paid PER CLIENT. Which isn't much.
If the opportunity happens to open itself- by all means- coach away- point him in the right direction. But don't expect people who are paid to help paying clients to go out of their way to help others. How many times have you heard on here "a trainer walked up to me...."
double standard much?0 -
There is this large young kid who trains at my gym..
Now its great that he trains and is trying to shed the weight, however his technique is terrible, he jumps from bicep curl to leg press, to the cross trainer, back to bicep curls, to a minute on the bike, onto bench press etc...he is all over the place, i seen him do 45 reps on the barbel bench press yesterday & over 100 leg presses in one set..!!
I want to talk to him and help him, but really the instructors at the gym should help him, but they are too busy posing and on their phones..
To top it off when I finished up in the gym and was driving home this kid was walking away from the gym eating an ice cream he had bought in the canteen!!
Most people don't like being told how they should work out but should I help him? He is totally wasting his time at the moment...
Most other gym guys just watch in amazement!
Why not offer him some advice. If he wants, give it to him. If he doesn't, walk away.
What's so evil about ice cream? Especially for a kid who is apparently doing a cardio workout?0 -
I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate it when a complete stranger comes up to me and says: You know, you are doing that wrong.
I like to learn and do things right. But i do not want some stranger criticizing me.
Moreover, I have two teenagers. They never listen to advice. On the contrary, it gets their back up.
Let him alone. Let him get into it, and used to working out, then when he is committed, he will find his way.
We all start out doing things in a way that is less than perfect. It's not the end of the world. It is how we learn.0
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