Unsolicited advice in the gym, when to give it?
Discussion
I would never normally think to give someone advice in the gym unless they'd asked for it or were already in conversation about the topic at hand but this evening I was in the gym with just one other guy and he was deadlifting with the worst form I have ever seen in my life. His back was bending almost round a right angle with zero hip flexion, he was going almost to the floor but not touching then jerking suddenly back up and I was somewhat concerned he was going to snap something important.
When I see terrible form I normally just ignore it and let them do their thing but deadlifting like that is asking to put yourself in a wheelchair and it seems wrong to let someone possibly do that when you could maybe stop them. I kept quiet but what would you do in that situation?
When I see terrible form I normally just ignore it and let them do their thing but deadlifting like that is asking to put yourself in a wheelchair and it seems wrong to let someone possibly do that when you could maybe stop them. I kept quiet but what would you do in that situation?
Foliage said:
I wouldn't give advice but if someone looks like they are going to injure themselves it may be worth just a friendly are you sure your doing that right?"
You'd think, I like advice, and soak it all up, provided it's good i'll follow it too. But there are a lot of people who seem offended and belittled when told they're doing something wrong- I only give out advice if someone mentions and issue, that I know how to correct. Generally people are too pig headed!didelydoo said:
Foliage said:
I wouldn't give advice but if someone looks like they are going to injure themselves it may be worth just a friendly are you sure your doing that right?"
You'd think, I like advice, and soak it all up, provided it's good i'll follow it too. But there are a lot of people who seem offended and belittled when told they're doing something wrong- I only give out advice if someone mentions and issue, that I know how to correct. Generally people are too pig headed!didelydoo said:
Most people don't want advice TBH, they usually know best.... For instance, to some, my deadlift form looks dodgy, but it's not, it's just an effective way to shift a lot of weight. I guess it depends on how much he was pulling 
I always assume this to be the case. I actually appreciate advice when it comes from someone clearly bigger, stronger and more experienced than me but always assume others probably don't. This guy wasn't pulling much at all, 80kg I think but his form was even worse than this:
Silver993tt said:
didelydoo said:
Most people don't want advice TBH, they usually know best....
Like the OPAll you need to do is strike up a general chat:
"How's your training going? How are you getting on with the deadlifts?"
He'll then probably talk about how much his lower back aches after a session, and then you can say:
"Why don't you try lowering your hips and driving through your heels a bit more. You'll need to drop the weight a bit but its actually a better way to train with less chance of injury."
Or something similar. Simple.
"How's your training going? How are you getting on with the deadlifts?"
He'll then probably talk about how much his lower back aches after a session, and then you can say:
"Why don't you try lowering your hips and driving through your heels a bit more. You'll need to drop the weight a bit but its actually a better way to train with less chance of injury."
Or something similar. Simple.
A chap in the gym many moons ago decided to give me pointers on my dips, but then went on to admit he couldn't do them because they hurt his shoulder!
Same guy then went on to brag to someone else for about 20 minutes and even threw in the phrase "I wouldn't even put on my trainers for a 10k". Stroker.
Same guy then went on to brag to someone else for about 20 minutes and even threw in the phrase "I wouldn't even put on my trainers for a 10k". Stroker.
I tend to only give unsolicited advice in the gym if I see something that is likely going to damage the equipment they are using.
Bad form etc. not too bothered about, their body will tell them soon enough whether it's correct or not
But there's nothing worse than equipment that is out of order because someone was doing a stupid exercise and no one bothered to say anything.
Bad form etc. not too bothered about, their body will tell them soon enough whether it's correct or not
But there's nothing worse than equipment that is out of order because someone was doing a stupid exercise and no one bothered to say anything.
I often feel tempted to say something to the many people, mainly women, who I see "running" near here who hardly lift their knees at all and merely flick their heels outwards, landing flat-footed. They are putting in effort, but twisting their knees and hardly moving.
I never have said anything, though....
I never have said anything, though....
MC Bodge said:
I often feel tempted to say something to the many people, mainly women, who I see "running" near here who hardly lift their knees at all and merely flick their heels outwards, landing flat-footed. They are putting in effort, but twisting their knees and hardly moving.
I never have said anything, though....
So midfoot striking in which they probably will never raise their knees as its a different style of running. Unless you mean sprinting??I never have said anything, though....
MC Bodge said:
I often feel tempted to say something to the many people, mainly women, who I see "running" near here who hardly lift their knees at all and merely flick their heels outwards, landing flat-footed. They are putting in effort, but twisting their knees and hardly moving.
I never have said anything, though....
That would be a bit like giving advice on someones bicep curls, they might not be doing it properly and getting the maximum benefit from the exercise but unlike deadlifting there's no danger of them imminently snapping their spine. I would definitely leave them to it.I never have said anything, though....
throt said:
""only 80kg"". You can put your back out from just sneezing..
It's really not much but I wouldn't dare lift 80kg how he was lifting it, I'm quite sure you can damage yourself fairly badly with 80kg given sufficient incompetence.TurboHatchback said:
I would never normally think to give someone advice in the gym unless they'd asked for it or were already in conversation about the topic at hand but this evening I was in the gym with just one other guy and he was deadlifting with the worst form I have ever seen in my life. His back was bending almost round a right angle with zero hip flexion, he was going almost to the floor but not touching then jerking suddenly back up and I was somewhat concerned he was going to snap something important.
When I see terrible form I normally just ignore it and let them do their thing but deadlifting like that is asking to put yourself in a wheelchair and it seems wrong to let someone possibly do that when you could maybe stop them. I kept quiet but what would you do in that situation?
It's not your job and if you're not officially qualified, it's not your right to give advice, legally speaking. So go and grab a gym instructor that should be walking around and looking out for this anyway, and tell them to earn their pay!When I see terrible form I normally just ignore it and let them do their thing but deadlifting like that is asking to put yourself in a wheelchair and it seems wrong to let someone possibly do that when you could maybe stop them. I kept quiet but what would you do in that situation?
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