Do you or anyone you know help others at the gym?
Discussion
Sometimes my fiance questions why I go over and correct someones technique at the gym (shes given up now and likes that I do now)
I admit that I have lack in form when im not up for the gym (mainly deadlifts) so im not perfect myself
However; like today I helped a nice fella correctly dead lift as his form was terrible and I couldnt bear it after watching 3 sets. He was very grateful and I now have a new friend at the gym
Do you do this? Or anyone you know?
No im not a powerfully built company director but I am powerfully built
Not expecting but cue cool story brah
I admit that I have lack in form when im not up for the gym (mainly deadlifts) so im not perfect myself
However; like today I helped a nice fella correctly dead lift as his form was terrible and I couldnt bear it after watching 3 sets. He was very grateful and I now have a new friend at the gym
Do you do this? Or anyone you know?
No im not a powerfully built company director but I am powerfully built
Not expecting but cue cool story brah
No I just mind me own.
However, I would probably be grateful if someone did mention I wasn't doing something quite right. After all I don't want to develop in an odd way, I do want to be getting the maximum from each exercise and I certainly don't want to injure myself. So I am glad that there are people like you!
I reckon my dad does this....he's 60 odd now but still lifts (more than I do). But he used to work on the oil rigs with a guy who was Mr Egypt in the 80's so he's learnt from someone who knows what they're doing re body building.
However, I would probably be grateful if someone did mention I wasn't doing something quite right. After all I don't want to develop in an odd way, I do want to be getting the maximum from each exercise and I certainly don't want to injure myself. So I am glad that there are people like you!
I reckon my dad does this....he's 60 odd now but still lifts (more than I do). But he used to work on the oil rigs with a guy who was Mr Egypt in the 80's so he's learnt from someone who knows what they're doing re body building.
Otispunkmeyer said:
No I just mind me own.
However, I would probably be grateful if someone did mention I wasn't doing something quite right. After all I don't want to develop in an odd way, I do want to be getting the maximum from each exercise and I certainly don't want to injure myself. So I am glad that there are people like you!
I reckon my dad does this....he's 60 odd now but still lifts (more than I do). But he used to work on the oil rigs with a guy who was Mr Egypt in the 80's so he's learnt from someone who knows what they're doing re body building.
Theres a guy in my gym whos in his 50's and deadlifts 250kg. I still ask him for tips However, I would probably be grateful if someone did mention I wasn't doing something quite right. After all I don't want to develop in an odd way, I do want to be getting the maximum from each exercise and I certainly don't want to injure myself. So I am glad that there are people like you!
I reckon my dad does this....he's 60 odd now but still lifts (more than I do). But he used to work on the oil rigs with a guy who was Mr Egypt in the 80's so he's learnt from someone who knows what they're doing re body building.
Its nice there are appreciative people like you
I worked in gyms for years (long ago) and have trained for many more - I gave up long ago. I dont care if its the school mum on the stepper with a 0.5mm range of motion of each step, the tool on the lat pull down who takes the bar all the way to his lap or the meat head doing leg press with a zillion KG and 2" of travel. Screw em all!
Never give out advice to anyone who is in bigger, better shape than you !
I was in fitness first a couple of years back dead lifting when a skinny and I mean skinny teenage PT came up to me, and straight away asked me my name in a manner such as a teacher would to one of his pupils.
Now bear in mind I'm 33 and just under 16 stone with a low % of bodyfat, so not the smallest of blokes, yet I had this skinny runt with his cocky attitude asking me if I've ever suffered with my back in front of other gym members, because lifting like I was he thought my spine was in danger of exploding across the gym !
I was that taken aback that I just said no and walked off, but a few days later got my form double checked by another PT, and guess what? It was slightly out but not enough to cause me any future back problems.
But my point is that yes his attitude and manner were completely f
ked up, but he had a point and to be honest even if he was the nicest PT ever I still wouldn't want him, or anyone for that matter, pointing things out to me unless they were in as good or better shape than me.
Yes, I know it makes me sound like a prick but there you go ....
I was in fitness first a couple of years back dead lifting when a skinny and I mean skinny teenage PT came up to me, and straight away asked me my name in a manner such as a teacher would to one of his pupils.
Now bear in mind I'm 33 and just under 16 stone with a low % of bodyfat, so not the smallest of blokes, yet I had this skinny runt with his cocky attitude asking me if I've ever suffered with my back in front of other gym members, because lifting like I was he thought my spine was in danger of exploding across the gym !
I was that taken aback that I just said no and walked off, but a few days later got my form double checked by another PT, and guess what? It was slightly out but not enough to cause me any future back problems.
But my point is that yes his attitude and manner were completely f
ked up, but he had a point and to be honest even if he was the nicest PT ever I still wouldn't want him, or anyone for that matter, pointing things out to me unless they were in as good or better shape than me. Yes, I know it makes me sound like a prick but there you go ....
busso said:
Never give out advice to anyone who is in bigger, better shape than you !
I was in fitness first a couple of years back dead lifting when a skinny and I mean skinny teenage PT came up to me, and straight away asked me my name in a manner such as a teacher would to one of his pupils.
Now bear in mind I'm 33 and just under 16 stone with a low % of bodyfat, so not the smallest of blokes, yet I had this skinny runt with his cocky attitude asking me if I've ever suffered with my back in front of other gym members, because lifting like I was he thought my spine was in danger of exploding across the gym !
I was that taken aback that I just said no and walked off, but a few days later got my form double checked by another PT, and guess what? It was slightly out but not enough to cause me any future back problems.
But my point is that yes his attitude and manner were completely fked up, but he had a point and to be honest even if he was the nicest PT ever I still wouldn't want him, or anyone for that matter, pointing things out to me unless they were in as good or better shape than me.
Yes, I know it makes me sound like a prick but there you go ....
Thats a fair comment but I mean really poor form. This guys deadlift was a combination of romanian stiff leg deadlift and bent back! I was in fitness first a couple of years back dead lifting when a skinny and I mean skinny teenage PT came up to me, and straight away asked me my name in a manner such as a teacher would to one of his pupils.
Now bear in mind I'm 33 and just under 16 stone with a low % of bodyfat, so not the smallest of blokes, yet I had this skinny runt with his cocky attitude asking me if I've ever suffered with my back in front of other gym members, because lifting like I was he thought my spine was in danger of exploding across the gym !
I was that taken aback that I just said no and walked off, but a few days later got my form double checked by another PT, and guess what? It was slightly out but not enough to cause me any future back problems.
But my point is that yes his attitude and manner were completely f
ked up, but he had a point and to be honest even if he was the nicest PT ever I still wouldn't want him, or anyone for that matter, pointing things out to me unless they were in as good or better shape than me. Yes, I know it makes me sound like a prick but there you go ....
matlee said:
busso said:
I still wouldn't want him, or anyone for that matter, pointing things out to me unless they were in as good or better shape than me.
Ive never understood this mentality. Surely being in good shape doesn't necessarily mean you have a better knowledge of that subject. There's one kid at my gym who never asks for a spot, he's just happy to get stuck under a big weight until someone comes to save him. Doesn't say thanks either.
I've given up on trying to help people at my gym: if they're happy then I'll just let them get on with it. With any luck they'll give up and leave.
I did step in once recently when I saw these two young guys squatting: one of them was leaning so far forward I could practically hear his back ping! I pointed out how close he was to being crushed and he looked like he couldn't care less...
I've given up on trying to help people at my gym: if they're happy then I'll just let them get on with it. With any luck they'll give up and leave.
I did step in once recently when I saw these two young guys squatting: one of them was leaning so far forward I could practically hear his back ping! I pointed out how close he was to being crushed and he looked like he couldn't care less...
matlee said:
busso said:
I still wouldn't want him, or anyone for that matter, pointing things out to me unless they were in as good or better shape than me.
Ive never understood this mentality. Surely being in good shape doesn't necessarily mean you have a better knowledge of that subject. Animal said:
There's one kid at my gym who never asks for a spot, he's just happy to get stuck under a big weight until someone comes to save him. Doesn't say thanks either.
I've given up on trying to help people at my gym: if they're happy then I'll just let them get on with it. With any luck they'll give up and leave.
I did step in once recently when I saw these two young guys squatting: one of them was leaning so far forward I could practically hear his back ping! I pointed out how close he was to being crushed and he looked like he couldn't care less...
I can see why you've given up but for me theres a point where I have to step in. Ive been lucky and not had any injuries due to bad form. Rotar cuff from weight falling backwards during shoulder press thanks to my bad spotter I've given up on trying to help people at my gym: if they're happy then I'll just let them get on with it. With any luck they'll give up and leave.
I did step in once recently when I saw these two young guys squatting: one of them was leaning so far forward I could practically hear his back ping! I pointed out how close he was to being crushed and he looked like he couldn't care less...
but I guess what goes around comes around. That person you helped could help you later in life? Ive had job offers after chatting to someone ive helped out 
(only because they had job offers for what I do)Tiggsy said:
I worked in gyms for years (long ago) and have trained for many more - I gave up long ago. I dont care if its the school mum on the stepper with a 0.5mm range of motion of each step, the tool on the lat pull down who takes the bar all the way to his lap or the meat head doing leg press with a zillion KG and 2" of travel. Screw em all!
The guy loading a zillion kg on a leg press and doing 2" travel might just be doing partial reps, some people swear by them.I'd only say something if they're doing something obviously stupid and I'd be polite as possible and if someone commented on my form, I'd be polite and say thankyou and talk to them and go through my form with them.
Regiment said:
Tiggsy said:
I worked in gyms for years (long ago) and have trained for many more - I gave up long ago. I dont care if its the school mum on the stepper with a 0.5mm range of motion of each step, the tool on the lat pull down who takes the bar all the way to his lap or the meat head doing leg press with a zillion KG and 2" of travel. Screw em all!
The guy loading a zillion kg on a leg press and doing 2" travel might just be doing partial reps, some people swear by them.I'd only say something if they're doing something obviously stupid and I'd be polite as possible and if someone commented on my form, I'd be polite and say thankyou and talk to them and go through my form with them.
busso said:
Yes, I know it makes me sound like a prick but there you go ....
So even though this kind bloke did you a favour pointing out your poor form, you STILL haven't learned anything and don't want advice from anyone smaller than you?I don't think that makes you sound like a prick but it does make you sound a bit thick.
smiffy180 said:
Dont you only have to move 12" or something daft to class it as a leg press?
Dunno, looked at a Ronnie Coleman YouTube video of him doing a 2000lb leg press and he was only moving roughly a foot. He has replied to questions people have emailed him and said that partial reps have there place there in a solid training program. I believe one of the things people use partials for are if they have a weak part of their lift, so if the bottom part of your bench press is weak and needs work, you'd only do the bottom half as a supporting exercise to your main bench press. The thing that annoys me though is when people will do a partial squat with 200kg, barely bending their knees, and then start walking round and making statements like they've squatted 200kg when they haven't.I never give advice and I don't think I'm really in a position to do so, I've not got a fantastic body by any stretch.
If someone asks me to spot them or help them I will otherwise I just focus on my training. Most of the time I'm not even aware of what other folk are up too as I'm very focused on my own training.
I've still got a lot to learn so I just don't feel its my place, I also think it can be interpreted as being rude for those folk who really don't want advice regardless of how bad their technique is.
If someone asks me to spot them or help them I will otherwise I just focus on my training. Most of the time I'm not even aware of what other folk are up too as I'm very focused on my own training.
I've still got a lot to learn so I just don't feel its my place, I also think it can be interpreted as being rude for those folk who really don't want advice regardless of how bad their technique is.
Ordinary_Chap said:
I never give advice and I don't think I'm really in a position to do so, I've not got a fantastic body by any stretch.
If someone asks me to spot them or help them I will otherwise I just focus on my training. Most of the time I'm not even aware of what other folk are up too as I'm very focused on my own training.
I've still got a lot to learn so I just don't feel its my place, I also think it can be interpreted as being rude for those folk who really don't want advice regardless of how bad their technique is.
I think you have to judge the person first though. I wouldnt give a professional bodybuilder advise if he looked like he was doing something wrong, I would ask him what hes doing and what it does then chat about it If someone asks me to spot them or help them I will otherwise I just focus on my training. Most of the time I'm not even aware of what other folk are up too as I'm very focused on my own training.
I've still got a lot to learn so I just don't feel its my place, I also think it can be interpreted as being rude for those folk who really don't want advice regardless of how bad their technique is.
In my gym theres one big mirror so you can see everybody haha
No, they probably wouldnt take me seirously
At the end of the day they can look things up on the internet, like i have spent lots of hours doing
I see all the types of things talked about online - in particualr people squatting half way
one thing i have noticed and was going to bring up in my old gym was that they had the squat rack facing the wrong way - it faced the mirror which meant everyone was walking forwards with the bar off the rack and we all know you walk backwards to start with - for a squat. really they should have the rack facing the other way to disocurage amateurs doing it wrong and potentially dangerously.
At the end of the day they can look things up on the internet, like i have spent lots of hours doing
I see all the types of things talked about online - in particualr people squatting half way
one thing i have noticed and was going to bring up in my old gym was that they had the squat rack facing the wrong way - it faced the mirror which meant everyone was walking forwards with the bar off the rack and we all know you walk backwards to start with - for a squat. really they should have the rack facing the other way to disocurage amateurs doing it wrong and potentially dangerously.
I once helped someone get their sh!t off the bench that I was still using. I'd only gone to put the weights back and he jumped in. He knew I hadn't finished but assumed I was too little and skinny to react. He was wrong.
Anyway, yes, I've been helped/directed by a personal trainer with feet positioning (ie spread further for more stability), but I'd never dream of telling anyone else how to do anything, for fear of being wrong an contributing to physical injury!
Anyway, yes, I've been helped/directed by a personal trainer with feet positioning (ie spread further for more stability), but I'd never dream of telling anyone else how to do anything, for fear of being wrong an contributing to physical injury!
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