Advising someone at the gym

[Halbrust]

I'm still fairly new to lifting, and I put up low numbers. But yesterday at the gym I saw someone benching and their bar was going up very lopsided/crooked. I was doing lat pulldowns, and had the perfect seat to watch them bench. I went up to them after we had both finished our sets to let them know.

It was awkward! I started by telling him that he was way stronger than me, but I wanted him to know what I saw. He gave an excuse of being sore. I told him I just wanted him to know, because he didn't have a spotter and I was lined up perfectly to see him. He was cool about it, and thanked me.

Was strange, because I'm pretty sure he knows way more about lifting and benching than I do. Did I do the right thing? Or should I have just let him be?

[Jtbny]

Unsolicited advice, unless the lifter is in danger of hurting themselves, is usually not a good idea, IMO.

[mtpockets]

I'm still fairly new to lifting, and I put up low numbers. But yesterday at the gym I saw someone benching and their bar was going up very lopsided/crooked. I was doing lat pulldowns, and had the perfect seat to watch them bench. I went up to them after we had both finished our sets to let them know.

It was awkward! I started by telling him that he was way stronger than me, but I wanted him to know what I saw. He gave an excuse of being sore. I told him I just wanted him to know, because he didn't have a spotter and I was lined up perfectly to see him. He was cool about it, and thanked me.

Was strange, because I'm pretty sure he knows way more about lifting and benching than I do. Did I do the right thing? Or should I have just let him be?

Most people don't take kindly to unsolicited advice. If they aren't in danger, I'd leave them be.

[dragman72]

People get real butt hurt when they feel like you challenge there knowledge by correcting them. That being said I speak up anytime it's dangerous or they are just doing something really dumb. It helps to be in better shape than them though.

[Karl_Hungus]

Unsolicited advice, unless the lifter is in danger of hurting themselves, is usually not a good idea, IMO.

Even when they are in danger of hurting themselves, I don't say anything. People hate unsolicited advice. I do my thing and ignore everybody else.

[Bando]

Even when they are in danger of hurting themselves, I don't say anything.

Saw a guy pulling the pin on an adjustable bench in the incline postion while using the mechanism under the bench for leverage with his other hand. If I had not stopped him, it would have seriously messed up his hand. He got all snooty when I stopped him and explained what the bench does when you pull the pin.

I've given a few bench tips while spotting someone, just obvious things like hands in different position relative to the knurling and rings.

OP I would get a few more years under the bar and just observe if I were you. Lot of stuff that doesn't make sense right now may make sense later. But anything where you see imminent danger, by all means speak up.

[kimm4]

But yesterday at the gym I saw someone benching and their bar was going up very lopsided/crooked.

This is fairly common for some people who have a weaker side or an imbalance. Things tend to even out over time.

Focus on yourself and nevermind everyone else.

[paolo59]

I haven't had a lot of advice given to me over the years in the gym. There have been occasions when somebody has indeed suggested an exercise, or a bit of a different way to perform a movement. It was always appreciated. The few times were positive and encouraging comments. Each time the advice came from somebody who looked and trained like they knew a whole lot more than I did. LOL I guess I sot of felt good that they thought enough to offer me some advice or tips.

[RK42]

I normally keep my mouth shut. Just because that seems to be the accepted etiquette, as pointed out by previous posters.

The only exception I've made was when I saw people load the bar unevenly, which happened a couple of times. I figure that nobody does that on purpose. And starting to squat with more weight on one side of the bar could end up ugly. They were thankful that I told them.

I had people giving unsolicited advice a couple of times. I didn't follow it, but I was not offended either. It seemed that they were genuinely trying to be helpful, so it didn't bother me at all.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

I normally keep my mouth shut. Just because that seems to be the accepted etiquette, as pointed out by previous posters.

The only exception I've made was when I saw people load the bar unevenly, which happened a couple of times. I figure that nobody does that on purpose. And starting to squat with more weight on one side of the bar could end up ugly. They were thankful that I told them.

I had people giving unsolicited advice a couple of times. I didn't follow it, but I was not offended either. It seemed that they were genuinely trying to be helpful, so it didn't bother me at all.

Actually, I knew a couple of guys who would train bench with an unevenly loaded bar. Wasn't a accident, they did it every week.

[weiss1967]

I had a bit of shoulder injury developing at some point and I was told repeatedly by some good willing Samaritans that my bar is crooked. First time it was ok, but it was repeated week after week. I always have camlocks so there is no danger of plates falling off.

Ok, that is one thing. Another thing is comparing yourself to anybody else in a gym, be it in a good way or whatever. You said you started your talk with that. It never is good. I think we need to write a little booklet on gym etiquette.

[Cass40]

I was told that also when I had awful sciatica.

The guy said I was going to get injured and I was like "I'm already injured".

[RK42]

Actually, I knew a couple of guys who would train bench with an unevenly loaded bar. Wasn't a accident, they did it every week.

Oh well, I guess I haven't done this nearly long enough to have seen it all! They probably wanted to correct an "imbalance"?

It was squat once, and deadlift the other time. I don't think anything bad would have happened with a deadlift, but squatting with an unevenly loaded bar seemed potentially dangerous.

[kimm4]

Actually, I knew a couple of guys who would train bench with an unevenly loaded bar. Wasn't a accident, they did it every week.

I've done this by accident with DB's before. Was doing flys and couldn't figure out why the left side felt so heavy LOL...

[melDorado]

Ive only given advice a handful of times

ive only been given useful advice a couple of times

Avoid doing it generally

I'm more likely to give a compliment like "nice squats brah"

[Brackneyc]

I had a bit of shoulder injury developing at some point and I was told repeatedly by some good willing Samaritans that my bar is crooked. First time it was ok, but it was repeated week after week. I always have camlocks so there is no danger of plates falling off.

Ok, that is one thing. Another thing is comparing yourself to anybody else in a gym, be it in a good way or whatever. You said you started your talk with that. It never is good. I think we need to write a little booklet on gym etiquette.

I’ll save everyone the time of writing a book:

When in the gym, mind your own business.

The end.

[bayrider]

Now I only give advice if asked. I once mentioned to a young lady doing squats on a Smith Machine that setting the safety stops would provide protection in the event her feet slipped and would not interfere with her range of motion. (She had her feet forward of the bar so the potential to fall was real) She thanked me. Next time I saw her the stops were not set. I didn't say a word.

[Bando]

I’ll save everyone the time of writing a book:

When in the gym, mind your own business.

The end.

Epilogue:

And wear deodorant, but not perfume or cologne.

[Fishman15]

Epilogue:

And wear deodorant, but not perfume or cologne.

Or patchouli oil...

[xsquid99]

Epilogue:

And wear deodorant, but not perfume or cologne.

I don't know, there was a girl in my gym one time wearing a hint of perfume, she smelled and looked amazing... That was the highlight of my week.

[Brackneyc]

My broker is EF Hutton, and EF Hutton says,....

[Karl_Hungus]

My broker is EF Hutton, and EF Hutton says,....

I'm listening.....

[x-trainer ben]

I never give advice but i watch and have saved a couple of peoples asses when thy got stuck. They thanked me after.

[Clinos]

The only time I give advice is when I do spots for someone on a heavy bench. Of course I teabag them then lecture them on the danger of going to failure with no escape option.

[Corbi]

If people want to use $hitty form, swing their whole body doing curls, etc I don't care. The only time I say anything is when someone has been given bad advice & its flat out dangerous. Had some goofball set a #50 DB on end on the bench of the seated cable row machine, he wanted this chick to sit on the DB while rowing because it with strengthen her abs. I literally walked over & told her to get off the DB, I took it & put it back on the rack & told her it was the dumbest fukkin thing I had ever seen. She actually thanked me & said she was scared to try it but her bf was insisting. I looked at him & told him to knock off the cirque du soleil bs.

[PeaceWithin]

If people want to use $hitty form, swing their whole body doing curls, etc I don't care. The only time I say anything is when someone has been given bad advice & its flat out dangerous. Had some goofball set a #50 DB on end on the bench of the seated cable row machine, he wanted this chick to sit on the DB while rowing because it with strengthen her abs. I literally walked over & told her to get off the DB, I took it & put it back on the rack & told her it was the dumbest fukkin thing I had ever seen. She actually thanked me & said she was scared to try it but her bf was insisting. I looked at him & told him to knock off the cirque du soleil bs.

On topic: Only if they get trapped under a weight without setting the safety bars in the power rack. Saved a couple people from getting folded in half doing squats, and one person who got trapped in the Smith machine.

[Cass40]

If people want to use $hitty form, swing their whole body doing curls, etc I don't care. The only time I say anything is when someone has been given bad advice & its flat out dangerous. Had some goofball set a #50 DB on end on the bench of the seated cable row machine, he wanted this chick to sit on the DB while rowing because it with strengthen her abs. I literally walked over & told her to get off the DB, I took it & put it back on the rack & told her it was the dumbest fukkin thing I had ever seen. She actually thanked me & said she was scared to try it but her bf was insisting. I looked at him & told him to knock off the cirque du soleil bs.

It doesn't seem any worse than this girl at my gym who stands on two Dumbbells doing goblet squats.

It's funny to me because she does goblet squats with 25lbs. Dumbbell (granted, I would not use any heavier either if I were to stand on DB's).

So, I lift a 85lbs. Dumbbell with my both hands (cuz heavy), and place it on a bench, and do my goblet squats, while she's doing hers with 25lbs. while balancing standing on those things.

I have no idea what the point is what she's doing but she probably thinks the same about me.

[JaymzJ]

It’s not typically a good idea to do what you did OP but it sounds like he appreciated the kind gesture and it’s nice to know there are still some ppl like you out there that are courageous enough to walk up to a stranger like that and talk to him because you were concerned for his safety. You’re to be commended.

[mtpockets]

[LisaSkinnoble]

It doesn't seem any worse than this girl at my gym who stands on two Dumbbells doing goblet squats.

It's funny to me because she does goblet squats with 25lbs. Dumbbell (granted, I would not use any heavier either if I were to stand on DB's).

So, I lift a 85lbs. Dumbbell with my both hands (cuz heavy), and place it on a bench, and do my goblet squats, while she's doing hers with 25lbs. while balancing standing on those things.

I have no idea what the point is what she's doing but she probably thinks the same about me.

It may be more of a balance exercise than a strength exercise. I've been doing yoga for balance (and flexibility), which is essential as we age. A friend of mine does goblet squats on a bosu ball for balance.