Gym Etiquette

jemhh wrote: »

ceoverturf wrote: »

I'm constantly amazed at how much attention people pay to others in the gym.

Am I the only person who focuses on what I and I alone am doing?

I notice other people while I'm looking around between sets but not to the point where I overly concern myself with what they are doing.

There is a young guy at my gym who is very thin and with very little muscle tone who does (or attempts) a million curls with way too heavy weights. His whole body just kind of waggles forward and backward as he swings the dumbbells. I see and think "oh there's Gumby again" but I wouldn't ever consider going up and trying to give him any unsolicited advice or guidance.

nordlead2005 wrote: »

Didn't we learn anything from the last gym etiquette thread?

Yes. Prancercize always brings the LOLZ.

As for this thread? I agree with Jo. Cuz she's hot. And right.

ceoverturf wrote: »

I'm constantly amazed at how much attention people pay to others in the gym.

Am I the only person who focuses on what I and I alone am doing?

Yes, you are.

Though I try not to focus on other people at the gym, sometimes something will happen that is so outrageous I just can't help but watch. If I'm on a cardio machine and whatever is on the gym TV isn't to my liking, then of course something will catch my eye if it's out of the ordinary.

Here's what you're missing:

A gentleman went on the treadmill right next to mine and he placed one foot on either side (the non-moving part) of the conveyor belt until the belt was up to full speed - that alone was enough to catch the corner of my eye. I normally walk myself up to speed but ok, to each their own.
Then he proceeded to use his arms and the treadmill handles to lift his body up so his feet were dangling over the moving conveyor. At this point, he then started wildly swinging his feet until they "matched the speed" of the belt. As if that wasn't enough to get everyone's attention, he then screamed as he dropped (swinging feet and all) onto the moving belt. Seriously, how could anyone miss that. He proceeded to run at full speed for about 10 seconds before stopping the treadmill. There was no one filming this for a youtube channel, so I guess it's just what he does.

A couple months ago, I was on the stair machine and I saw a man standing on a balance ball (full round, not half round, and it was one of those yoga style ones that wasn't designed to be stood on) and he proceeded to juggle two medicine balls. I thought he was going to fall face first into the machine in front of him. Luckily, he didn't.

No, unless they were in imminent danger of injury. Even then its the way that you do it.

I don't think I've seen a single person do bicep curls without swinging back and forth since 1992

what is it with the word a*n*a*l being blocked here? I used it properly

Commander_Keen wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

ceoverturf wrote: »

I'm constantly amazed at how much attention people pay to others in the gym.

Am I the only person who focuses on what I and I alone am doing?

I notice other people while I'm looking around between sets but not to the point where I overly concern myself with what they are doing.

There is a young guy at my gym who is very thin and with very little muscle tone who does (or attempts) a million curls with way too heavy weights. His whole body just kind of waggles forward and backward as he swings the dumbbells. I see and think "oh there's Gumby again" but I wouldn't ever consider going up and trying to give him any unsolicited advice or guidance.

Why Not, if I looked like Randy Orton or somebody who looks like they have been in the gym for awhile, I would offer advice. Find out what his goals are then give him a reasonable plan to accomplish it. If he says, no thanks, then I would just walk away

He looks to be in his early 20s. I'm assuming he's heard of the internet and books. If he is interested in making a plan to meet his goals, he will search for answers. That may involve asking an actual person for help but unless and until he asks me, it's not my business. And who knows, maybe maybe his goal is longer arms, not stronger arms and Gumby curls are part of his very well thought out plan. Who I am to assume otherwise?

vzz1234 wrote: »

IMO, nothing is more obnoxious than unsolicited advice at the gym.

^yep

I've never been to a gym, but I'm thinking of starting. I'd personally welcome any offers of help, because I know I'd be clueless! I can definitely see why it would annoy most people (especially guys) though.

yeah notice they are wearing life jackets. So they won't drown.

mike_bold wrote: »

yeah notice they are wearing life jackets. So they won't drown.

I laughed out loud

urloved33 wrote: »

mike_bold wrote: »

urloved33 wrote: »

Wow I am real glad I did not feel the way most of these people feel when I helped scoop a drowning child out of our pool at the gym.
. wow.

Yeah cause doing curls with *kitten* form is exactly the same as saving a life. Really?

yr part of the community OR your not.

people who are at the gym all the time but not part of the community were all around us.

they did not notice.

and you have two kids really?????

So, are you saying I should tell my neighbors they should get rid of the trampoline, because they are dangerous? I should step in with a parent at the store who isn't dealing with a toddler's meltdown the same way that I would? Because most people accept that those instances are really none of my business. (And trust me, I would get angry if somebody told me how I should deal with my child at the store)

But saying that I wouldn't do the above doesn't mean I won't chase after the neighbor's toddler if he happens to wander into the street when a car is coming.

Even when you are part of a community, there are points where it's appropriate to say something and points where it's best to mind your own business. Same as at the gym -- if there's imminent danger, step in; if they ask for advice, give it. Heck, if someone is straining to get the bar up on the last bench rep, be close enough to grab it if they fail (someone did that for me ... though I didn't fail, I appreciated the gesture). But sometimes you just have to let them do their thing.

I'm a pt. Telling a guy to reduce the weight is probably the hardest thing possible!! But you could gently say 'can I give you a pointer?' Then wait.. If they don't want it at least u haven't offended them!! If they say yes then you could say 'you're using so much weight in the lat pull down you're not actually focusing on your lats because your whole body has to override them to get the bar down.. If you drop the weight just slightly but maintain a steady upper body and just use your arms and shoulder blades you'll get much more lat activation'... That way you're actually helping and not just hurting their ego!!