"help" at the gym

garlic7girl
garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
:noway: I was doing the cable row machine. My music is blasting. I see this dude trying to flag me down. I thinking he wants to use the machine so I take earplug out and offer. He says "no, but what are you trying to do with this machine?" So, I tell him tone just to see what he will say. So, he proceeds to tell me about strength vs toning (shaking his head all at the same time) and how many reps and then how I should execute the machine. Now I am not opposed to review. I have worked out with formal weight training for several years but I quit due to expense.
I guess I was wondering what is gym etiquette in ya'lls opinion. Do you ask someone first or just jump in telling someone what to do. I should chill out? Need objective point of view.
I don't want to do or say the wrong thing...bc I soooooo can!!!!

Replies

  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    :noway: I was doing the cable row machine. My music is blasting. I see this dude trying to flag me down. I thinking he wants to use the machine so I take earplug out and offer. He says "no, but what are you trying to do with this machine?" So, I tell him tone just to see what he will say. So, he proceeds to tell me about strength vs toning (shaking his head all at the same time) and how many reps and then how I should execute the machine. Now I am not opposed to review. I have worked out with formal weight training for several years but I quit due to expense.
    I guess I was wondering what is gym etiquette in ya'lls opinion. Do you ask someone first or just jump in telling someone what to do. I should chill out? Need objective point of view.
    I don't want to do or say the wrong thing...bc I soooooo can!!!!

    It depends on how bold you are. Either smile and nod or tell him to **** off, your choice. If you're comfortable with your workout then do it if not just read-up or get a trainer. :)

    I was doing some hip flexor stretches a few months back that my Physcial Therapist told me to do daily for a problem I have. This guy at the gym, out-of-shape mind you, looked at me and said that's the last stretch in the world I would do because it's not safe. I looked at him and said oh yeah, well my Phiscal Therapist seems to think it's a good exercise so I think I'll do it. I haven't even seen him in the gym lately, loser.
  • cibolodave
    cibolodave Posts: 45
    i would just say thanks for the feedback and then continue doing what you are doing
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
    Everyone has an opinion. If you are getting results then his is not necessary, Im overly polite so I would say "thank you" and ignore him otherwise
  • williamnkc
    williamnkc Posts: 3
    Yup.. Im a 5 day per week gym rat and I see people every day doing stuff they shouldn't be doing and I dont say a word. The last time I did this 400lb man told me he knew exactly what he was doing and for me to mind my own business.. So that is exactly what I do now. lol
  • AI1108
    AI1108 Posts: 488 Member
    I don't really correct anyone unless they ask because well the same reasoning as this post.. don't want to offend the person, but he was probably just doing it with good intention. If you're going to work out, you might as well do it right, no? If you were doing it right, you could always ignore him or reject it and go on with your own exercising.
  • sheisbrown
    sheisbrown Posts: 171 Member
    Something similiar like this has happen to me too. I did what the guy above said. Said Thank you and proceeded with my workout. Some folks just can't help themselves especially if they already believe they are workout gurus.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I don't really correct anyone unless they ask because well the same reasoning as this post.. don't want to offend the person, but he was probably just doing it with good intention. If you're going to work out, you might as well do it right, no? If you were doing it right, you could always ignore him or reject it and go on with your own exercising.

    I agree. The only time I say anything is if somebody asks. One guy once asked for help about chin-up's and another wanted like a whole program built with nutrition I was like... WTF? LOL. Just keep my nose to the grindstone.
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    The only time I think it's OK to go tell someone how to do their lifting is if it looks like they are going to hurt themselves.
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!! Wooo Hooo!
  • FitCoachJen
    FitCoachJen Posts: 139 Member
    The only time I think it's OK to go tell someone how to do their lifting is if it looks like they are going to hurt themselves.

    x2. Otherwise, you don't know what they're doing or WHY they're doing it.
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    I see you just trying to be helpful. I did smile and say thanks. I guess I was worried it would keep happening. This was the second time he has come up to me.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,067 Member
    :noway: I was doing the cable row machine. My music is blasting. I see this dude trying to flag me down. I thinking he wants to use the machine so I take earplug out and offer. He says "no, but what are you trying to do with this machine?" So, I tell him tone just to see what he will say. So, he proceeds to tell me about strength vs toning (shaking his head all at the same time) and how many reps and then how I should execute the machine. Now I am not opposed to review. I have worked out with formal weight training for several years but I quit due to expense.
    I guess I was wondering what is gym etiquette in ya'lls opinion. Do you ask someone first or just jump in telling someone what to do. I should chill out? Need objective point of view.
    I don't want to do or say the wrong thing...bc I soooooo can!!!!
    He was an *kitten*. Luckily for me at my gym I know many members by name and many know I'm a trainer, so if I walk up and make a suggestion they are more than willing to listen.
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    I sort of wish he had asked me first if I wanted help and what experience I had vs just telling me what to do.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,067 Member
    I see you just trying to be helpful. I did smile and say thanks. I guess I was worried it would keep happening. This was the second time he has come up to me.
    Sounds like he wants more than just to help.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I prefer to be left alone while I'm working out (and actually have a shirt that says "I'm not here to talk" that I wear often). I understand if someone sees you doing something dangerous that can cause you harm or injury, but really? He was overstepping a line, in my opinion.

    I leave people alone. I'm there for my own workout and they are supposed to be there for their own workout. I've had people ask me questions or comment on things I've done - but, never had someone be that bold. I think I would have smiled, said "Thanks, but I got it" put my ear buds back in and went to doing it MY way.
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