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    How bad would someone's form need to be for you to say something?

    Posts: 981 Member
    edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    Just curious, because man... there is a guy at my gym every morning that just scares the heck out of me with his form for kettlebell swings (and pretty much everything else he does).

    I haven't said anything, and don't really plan to.

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    Replies

    • Posts: 133 Member
      edited September 2016
      Nevermind, joke taken wrong! ;)
    • Posts: 6,644 Member
      I would never. I mind my business. Life is easier that way.
    • Posts: 133 Member
      Chef_Barbell wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      That's pretty messed up.

      right? lol
    • Posts: 1,530 Member
      I mean, "say something"? I think it depends on what you say and how you say it. You'll want to be well relieved. I would hit the Go-Go Gadget good manners button and proceed with as little arrogance and condescension as possible. People tend to get offended when advice or criticism is offered rather than asked for. I think the person will thank you once they see the light. If they are at risk of injuring them self you should not wait another day.
    • Posts: 14,260 Member
      If I pay for the person's health insurance I will say something. Otherwise, I will not say anything.
    • Posts: 820 Member
      edited September 2016
      Ehhh I generally keep my mouth shut in a regular gym but if I saw him everyday and his form was so bad it was very likely to cause injury I'd say something. I'd probably strike up a casual conversation and then add something along the lines of, "wow it's so awesome to see you in here doing KB swings everyday, they're one of my favorite exercises to do. Once my trainer showed my how to explosively hinge at the hip and actively pull the bell down it's made such a difference in how much strength i'm gaining in my glutes and hamstrings" or something along the lines of whatever his flaw might be. I definitely wouldn't press too hard though.
    • Posts: 133 Member
      For the record, I didn't actually video her. I'm being sarcastic. Hard to tell over text I guess....and if I thought she was seriously going to hurt herself I would have said something.
    • Posts: 133 Member
      sensitive crowd
    • Posts: 326 Member
      I said something once when I couple of young guys were standing on a box and doing deadlifts. They were arcing their backs like scared cats. I had just read an article about the dangers of that. No one else was in the gym so as I was leaving I said "would you mind if I shared something I read with you?" And then explained that I was worried they'd injure themselves. They didn't seem overly receptive but they didn't tell me to get lost either. I don't know if they took my advice or not. I think I would have felt worse if I didn't say anything to them at all. At least my conscience is clean. I see a lot of poor form but nothing as bad as that as far as potential injuries.
    • Posts: 133 Member
      Holy cow. Read all the way through people...Should have put a giant haha/JK on the end.
    • Posts: 178 Member
      I only offer advice at the gym when people ask me for it, which almost never happens so I mainly keep my opinions about their form or lack thereof to myself.
    • Posts: 4,537 Member
      ArmsandCharms wrote: »
      sensitive crowd

      Don't let it bother you. These are the same people that will watch a "Gym Fails" video and laugh their tails off at gym-goers' misfortunes.
    • Posts: 9,248 Member
      When I got back to the gym another member corrected my squatting form in a helpful and constructive way and I appreciated it.

      I think it's all in how you approach it, if you're not comfortable giving advice mention it to a staff member at the gym. It's good business to prevent customers from hurting themselves.

      It's funny that this is an issue in gym culture, runners help each other all the time and it's the norm.
    • Posts: 679 Member
      I would love to hear if I have bad form, but I understand many people have softer feelings.
    • Posts: 41,865 Member
      deluxmary2000 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      I actually never thought about telling a trainer. It might be more acceptable coming from a trainer than a randome concerned stranger.

      Yeah, this is pretty much what I would do...it would be better received coming from gym staff I think. I've said things to people before, but it's always been after they've inquired...like they see me doing something and they realize they aren't doing it right...so they ask what to do.
    • Posts: 732 Member
      There's nothing worse than unsolicited advice at the gym. That said, even I would probably say something if it looks like he's going to end up hurting himself or others.
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