Embarrassing moments at the gym

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deluxmary2000
deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Soo… I had a pretty embarrassing moment at the gym today and thought I would share.

I recently started a new strength program that I LOVE, and barbell rows were on the agenda today. Last week I did 60 lbs, and it felt pretty easy, so I decided to up it to 70 today. Instead of using one of the (high in demand) Olympic bars, I figured this was a good thing to use those pre-loaded fixed bars, so I grabbed a 70-lb bar off of the top rack of the tree.

Anyway, I did my thing no problem, went to put the barbell back, and realized it was really heavy, and I couldn’t get it back up to chest height to put it on its spot on the rack. I can usually clean 95-lbs (1RM) with a loaded Olympic bar, but the fixed bar didn’t have any rotation (if that makes sense), and I just couldn’t do it. So then I had the “brilliant” idea to bicep curl the bar up to chest height (I don’t know wth I was thinking – I can only curl 40 lbs), and of course I failed miserably at that, too.
So I’m standing there like an idiot trying to figure out how I’m going to get this bar back up, and turn around and there was a very nice guy standing there to help me. And he only laughed at me a little bit. I was hoping no one noticed my loserness. Lol.

Oh well – happy Friday! Anyone else do something stupid at the gym this week?
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  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
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    For me, it's mostly bonking my head on the barbel after back squat sets. You'd think I'd eventually remember to keep my head down for an extra step back, but no. I'm just a klutz, or should that be ditz? that way.

    It was pretty embarrassing to have a 70+ yr old guy come help me take the weight off the bar after deadlifts. I was managing fine, though it was taking longer than usual - hands trembling from the workout. Apparently I looked like I was going to keel over at any moment. It definitely wasn't that he wanted to hurry me along - no one was waiting for the deadlift station.
  • Jams009
    Jams009 Posts: 345 Member
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    Par for the course, we've all done stuff like that.

  • mattdog02
    mattdog02 Posts: 15 Member
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    I wouldn't worry about it! I sweat way too much on exercise machines...people always stare in disbelief :o
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
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    I started a set of goblet squats without looking behind me. Down I went, smacking down into a bench full force. When I looked up in the mirror there was a guy sitting on a bench kind of behind and to the side of me who was obviously trying not to laugh but failing miserably. And really, I couldn't blame him for that it was comical in a way. I ended up laughing too.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,711 Member
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    OP, I wouldn't call what happened "loserness" at all. I struggle with something similar: I can do goblet and sumo squats with a heavier weight than I can actually lift, if that makes sense. In other words getting the dumbbell off and back onto the rack is WAY harder for me than doing the actual squats with them.

    I know I look silly lumbering back to the rack and struggling to get the weight back up where it belongs, but if I really need help I'm not afraid to ask.
  • theblueeyedgurl
    theblueeyedgurl Posts: 1 Member
    edited May 2016
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    At least this wasn't you:

    https://66.media.tumblr.com/4ef1b40fbb2b906029b55fa57529df30/tumblr_mnhyhvvpZn1s7evpeo1_400.gif

    ((Was hoping the .gif would show up on this thread instead of a link, not spam I promise.))
  • chocolate_owl
    chocolate_owl Posts: 1,695 Member
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    I've struggled to get a heavy barbell back on the rack before, but it was because some douchecanoe decided to do curls right in front of the rack where the lower spots for heavier bars were and WOULD NOT MOVE, despite there being a wide open spot with a better view of the mirror five feet to his left. No one could get equipment off or put it back. I aggravated my tendonitis getting it racked on a high empty spot. I really should have asked for help or left it, it wasn't worth the injury.

    I was walking across the gym, stepped on the edge of a floor mat, lost my balance, twisted my ankle, hit the floor, and bounced right back up. People couldn't decide if they should ask if I was ok or snicker. No idea how I got so off balance by such a little bump, but I seem to struggle with walking anyway. Wouldn't be the first time I've tripped over a near-flat surface...
  • CindyFooWho
    CindyFooWho Posts: 179 Member
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    If anyone had seen me do it, I'd say punching myself in the face during BodyCombat
  • ohpiper
    ohpiper Posts: 729 Member
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    mskessler89 wrote: »
    because some douchecanoe quote]


    Awesome description of the guy. Gotta say my vocabulary has just been enriched today.
  • ObsidianMist
    ObsidianMist Posts: 519 Member
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    haha, I had that moment once. I legit put the bar down, took a lighter bar from one of the lower racks, put the lower bar on the higher rack, and picked up the heavier bar and put it on the lower rack. lol.
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
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    I was finishing up a set of squats when I step back and place the barbell back on the rack. Welp...I misjudged myself and left one side hanging so it totally crashed to the ground. Thankfully I did not injure myself or anyone but it was loud and people were staring at me.

    I think I was sweating more due to my sheer embarrassment than the workout at the moment.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
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    ObsidianMist wrote: »
    haha, I had that moment once. I legit put the bar down, took a lighter bar from one of the lower racks, put the lower bar on the higher rack, and picked up the heavier bar and put it on the lower rack. lol.

    I'm not sure why I didn't think of this! Lol. In my defense it was super early in the morning.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
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    crpare814 wrote: »
    This definitely sound like something I would do. The other week I was working on back squats and when I went to up the weight I wasn't paying enough attention and switched out the plates wrong. I ended up with one side 15lbs heavier than the other and didn't even notice until someone came up and told me :D I knew something was off but my first thought was that one leg was just weaker than the other!

    I did this with dumbbell overhead presses once. I couldn't figure out why it was SO MUCH harder with my left arm, and got through half a set before I realized I had one 20-lb and one 25-lb dumbbell :smiley:
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
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    I couldn't reach the lat pulldown bar.
  • BruinsGal_91
    BruinsGal_91 Posts: 1,400 Member
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    mangamadayan wrote: »
    Nothing can be too embarrassing. People make mistakes. Some jocks trip and fall in the weights room, me and others who are near help them up. It is how the cookie crumbles.

    In terms of personally funny things I have done, I have worn my shorts inside out a few times and people pointed it out.

    I was lining up at the start line for the Tufts Women's 10k and noticed that I had my shorts on back-to-front.
  • chookywillow
    chookywillow Posts: 270 Member
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    Cindyfoowho so glad to know I'm not the only person who has punched myself in the face!

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