How NOT To Look Like an Idiot at the Gym

[Ericfitness86]

i agree with everything but i have to admit i do grunt a bit. it's not obnoxious. its just a sign that im pushing really hard. if i need to grunt for a last rep, im going to do it haha

personally i dont care about a little grunting, but... i get pissed when im around the huge guys doing deadlifts and they feel the need to scream "UGH!!!!" then just drop the bar obnoxiously...that pisses me off so bad, because im trying to workout and they ruin it by making me try not to laugh while doing reps. i understand that maybe its hard doing stuff but even on my heavy days i dont feel the need to scream like that.

[jay8899]

1. First week back to school, I'm doing flat bench press bb and in between sets I am sitting on the bench listening to my iPod, minding my own business. These three skinny Asian kids come out of nowhere and ask me if I am using the bench. It had to be the dumbest question, it was very obvious I was still using the bench. I didn't even feel bad about taking my time with the rest of my sets.
.

whats worse is when im not using a piece of equiptment and get asked if im using it..for example, im on the flat bench lets say and get asked if im using lat pulldown..my answer has become this "does it look like im using it" and they answer no (mostly all the time), then i just give them a dumb found look..ppl are fckn weird man!

[andrius3]

covers pretty much everything.

[cannonr]

The weight room is pretty small at my gym and there was a 6'5" Abercrombie dude taking up space and doing only BW excercises and very light dumbells. He definitely got some laughs but the best was when he grabbed a 10LB dumbell and a band. He wrapped the band around the squat rack and did a couple sets talking out loud about how he loved the burn.

[Num3n]

agree with everything except for the checking yourself out bit and phone bit. Its ok to do both these things occaisonally. so long as you arent doing it all the time.

[realeyz]

the point of this is.....

and unless your doing some BS workout... who finishes in 30 minutes... thats less than my rest times added together.

Ask Jeff Willet about his workouts. He is the only bodybuilder to ever get an IFBB pro card without using steroids and he does his workouts in 30-40 min.

[etherealgirl]

100% right. I'm in my 30's. Basically went to high school and college in the 90's. This will shock the under 30 crowd, but in college we didn't use laptops, didn't use email, the internet was as new and bizarre as Hubble Telescope sightings, and we did not have cell phones.

I recall fondly carrying 2 quarters in my pocket as a high school senior when I was out with friends so I could use a "Pay Phone" to check in with my parents. Under 25 guys- "Pay Phones" were stationary, corded phones where you put money in to make a call.

Anyway, my current boss has basically had to threaten me to check my emails. I hate emails, and I HATE text messsages. Why would someone "text" me on a perfectly good phone? And for email, why must I check emails constantly, coming from someone who works just down the hall, when that person could just walk down and TELL me, or even just write a note and leave it on my desk.

I hate the new era of digital paper trail which is so impersonal.

Best answer of all time.

[charlievanriper]

Quote:
Originally Posted by seabass08
100% right. I'm in my 30's. Basically went to high school and college in the 90's. This will shock the under 30 crowd, but in college we didn't use laptops, didn't use email, the internet was as new and bizarre as Hubble Telescope sightings, and we did not have cell phones.

I recall fondly carrying 2 quarters in my pocket as a high school senior when I was out with friends so I could use a "Pay Phone" to check in with my parents. Under 25 guys- "Pay Phones" were stationary, corded phones where you put money in to make a call.

Anyway, my current boss has basically had to threaten me to check my emails. I hate emails, and I HATE text messsages. Why would someone "text" me on a perfectly good phone? And for email, why must I check emails constantly, coming from someone who works just down the hall, when that person could just walk down and TELL me, or even just write a note and leave it on my desk.

I hate the new era of digital paper trail which is so impersonal.

Best answer of all time.

X2

[BadMonkeyFunker]

8. Don't be obnoxious. Don't throw weights, grunt, yell, scream, or making stupid noises. You look like an idiot and sound like an idiot. Breathe under control and lower weights slowly. If you have to throw weights down when you're done that means they're way too heavy.

Yawn!.... yeah you should go tell cutler .... they're too heavy for him, he should use lighter weights. hmmm... derp derp

How about you mind your own fkin bizniz in the gym ? Instead of watching what others doing ? Maybe you'd have some progress eh ....

[charlievanriper]

Originally Posted by cpanthers89
8. Don't be obnoxious. Don't throw weights, grunt, yell, scream, or making stupid noises. You look like an idiot and sound like an idiot. Breathe under control and lower weights slowly. If you have to throw weights down when you're done that means they're way too heavy.

Yawn!.... yeah you should go tell cutler .... they're too heavy for him, he should use lighter weights. hmmm... derp derp

How about you mind your own fkin bizniz in the gym ? Instead of watching what others doing ? Maybe you'd have some progress eh ....

lol this x2

[jmcaldwell92]

Why so? If you are using dumbells, you should never throw or just drop the weights. Not only will it damage the weights (assuming if you are dropping them they better be way too heavy, not damn 20's), or it is dangerous as it could hit someone. If you are using a barbell, then you should have no reason to need to drop it, as you are either deadlifting, or there is a rack to set the bar on.

As for screaming/shouting/etc, well, if you are maxing out, maybe. But a pencil necked girly man on the bench screaming to push up 135 pounds is ridiculous. Or the douche bag 17-22 year olds at my gym who scream while curling the 40's, wearing their stupid billabong shorts and tapout shirts, of course with the floppy Jonahs Beiber hair do, all just need to get sent to boot camp.

Maybe it's the old school line of thought, or just the common sense approach, that if the weight is too heavy to lift in a controlled manner, then it's just plain "too heavy" for the person to be using.

Sorry, I don't agree at all.
It wouldn't bother me one bit to see some kid pushing his hardest to get 135 up on a bp.
It shows that they are trying. They aren't half ass doing their workouts and that they are trying to get gains obviously.

I say stop worrying about other people in the gym and focus on your workout. If not, go to a 24 hr gym and workout by yourself during off peak hours.

[KG89]

the gym is a really good place to meet friends and those that are girls may turn out to be a gf... silly op

[KG89]

lol #5 u keep on doin that..more buns for me

ahhaha this is what i am saying, +reps

[weeabrah]

Agree except for 4 and 8.

There's no problem with mirin ones self, that's the whole point of bb'ing isn't it? To satisfy yourself. I love posing and **** in front of the mirrors in betw. weights if I see progress in my physique, even if there's a swole ass dude next to me. haters gonna hate, if I'm feelin myself I'm feelin myself.

As far as grunting/screaming....hey do whatever works for you. As long as you're working hard then scream all you want. Express yourself. I'm much rather annoyed by the people who sit around getting 5-10 min rests (excluding extreme powerlifters) and chatting all day long in the gym hogging weights.

But hey to each their own, people have different goals when it comes to going to the gym.

[naturaltroy]

omg..absolutely hate when ppl check themselves out or have totally wrong form

[Meleky]

Really helpful as I'm going to the gym for the first time next week!

[Adam182]

I just get annoyed by the guys who act hard as hell. Walk out of the changeroom like they are hitting a club downtown… walk into the weight room start staring every guy down in the weight room. Pick up weights start lifting…. Immediately turn around and look all over to see who is watching them…. Have there arms out like the kid in A Christmas Story who can’t put his arms down. Just gets annoying.

Or when teens come into the gym and have a group of like 8-10 “training partners” All hogging one bench. Just sitting around and talking taking turns using one bench.

[charlesdeff]

Really helpful as I'm going to the gym for the first time next week!

lol.

[charlesdeff]

The weight room is pretty small at my gym and there was a 6'5" Abercrombie dude taking up space and doing only BW excercises and very light dumbells. He definitely got some laughs but the best was when he grabbed a 10LB dumbell and a band. He wrapped the band around the squat rack and did a couple sets talking out loud about how he loved the burn.

lol

[HarryPowder]

lolol

[morrikj777]

I tend to grunt a lot. Does that make me an idiot? I really don't think so. I am doing heavy sets almost every time I go to the gym and it helps A TON to get those last few reps out. Coupled with the fact I go to the gym from 2am to 4am, there's AT MOST 1 or 2 other people there and they use the cardio machines on the other side of the gym.

I would probably restrain myself more during busy hours, but I will inevitably let out that grunt.

[ryanstafford1]

personally i dont care about a little grunting, but... i get pissed when im around the huge guys doing deadlifts and they feel the need to scream "UGH!!!!" then just drop the bar obnoxiously...that pisses me off so bad, because im trying to workout and they ruin it by making me try not to laugh while doing reps. i understand that maybe its hard doing stuff but even on my heavy days i dont feel the need to scream like that.

too true! or when they scream out once they've reached the top of the lift when the most exertion is over..

[andrew123456]

yesterday was my worst day of my life. yesterday i was playing maxxpoker on ******** and i lose $80K in a day im feeling very dad coz i loose lots of poker chips in a day.but i will try my best and again i will play maxxpoker n i will try to win more then that.

[martial-man420]

I saw the funniest gym person I've ever seen recently. Was this huge black guy lifting pretty big weights but he'd scream obscenities with every lift. An example would be like during a press "F*****KING GET UP YOU FU**ING FU**ER" for every rep. After he completed each set he'd drop the bar and be like "WOOHOO MOFO'S" and go and shake the hand of the nearest three people to him.

He went beyong the limits of being a gym idiot and actually left a pretty good impression in my mind.

Must of being doing something right. he was big as hell

[scarboro]

I saw the funniest gym person I've ever seen recently. Was this huge black guy lifting pretty big weights but he'd scream obscenities with every lift. An example would be like during a press "F*****KING GET UP YOU FU**ING FU**ER" for every rep. After he completed each set he'd drop the bar and be like "WOOHOO MOFO'S" and go and shake the hand of the nearest three people to him.

He went beyong the limits of being a gym idiot and actually left a pretty good impression in my mind.

Must of being doing something right. he was big as hell

This sounds incredibly funny and motivating to me lol.

[titomuheedo]

Number 8 makes you sound like a *******, OP.

If your deadlifting as heavy as you can, you shouldnt be able to "Slowly" lower it back down and not make any noise.

You remind me of the *******s that work at my gym, yesterday after my first working set of 365x6 some fatass from the front desk came and said "Can you guys slowly control your weight on the way down, your bothering people" Id like to see him even rep that for a single. If these "people" were actually focused on their own selfs they wouldn't even notice.

I lol at the people that actaully try not to make any noise, because you know, their precious ear shouldnt be disturbed, you can slip a disk or throw out your back, its fine, as long as they don't have to hear a moderate clank.

[titomuheedo]

too true! or when they scream out once they've reached the top of the lift when the most exertion is over..

Because if you knew much if anything about good technique you would know most people hold their breath through most of the lift for core support then exhale towards the lockout.

[Theia]

3. Don't stand in front of weight racks.

I'm too concentrated to pay mind to most irritants, but if you are spinning like goddamn windmill please do NOT do it in the middle of a high-traffic area.

5. Stop hitting on women.

Or at LEAST develop your skills of perception. It's easy to spot who's there to work and who's there to flirt. If she's dressed in spanx and saturated in fragrance, by all means. If she's wearing grubby sweats, a t-shirt, and a band of beaded sweat across her brow... do not think it's cunning to continuously load and unload the same weight from her squat rack. She will notice that you are a tool. She will not be happy.



Someone please explain how underdeveloped lats can cause mens arms to prop out as if they were bulging. It's like the mystery of the phantom limb.

[Smithers115]

I can't even tell you how many idiots I see at the gym each day. Me, as well others who workout regularly, have developed a keen eye for spotting gym "noobs" who have absolutely no idea what they're doing. It's not that I care that people look dumb when working out...I really don't, what bothers me is a) that people are cheating themselves out of a solid workout and b) that they make the gym environment less enjoyable for everyone else. Where do you think all of the stereotypes about regular gym-goers came from? Those jackasses. Abide by the following ten rules of gym etiquette and you'll instantly look more experienced and professional, but most importantly you'll give others the best possible chance to have a kick ass workout.


1. Get the !@#$ off your cell phone. This is my #1 pet peeve among all else, even more so than the lazy ass people who stand still on the airport moving walkways (they're not rides). The gym is a place to bust-ass and work hard, NOT check your voice mail, text, make calls, or check e-mail. If you're on your phone your work ethic is immediately discredited and you appear as if you really don't give a **** about what you're doing. Exercise with purpose and with intensity...it's the only way you'll achieve your goals. Get rid of all the distractions, your cell phone is a biggy. My only exception to this is the iPhone because of it's iPod functionality.

Yea cause whether i send out a text or two between my sets means i cant possibly be training hard, lol, OP mad cause no one texts him

4. Stop admiring yourself. Everyone loves looking at themselves...admiring the herculean body they've sculpted, but remember you're in a public place. Staring at yourself, flexing excessively, and pulling up your shirt to show off your abs all fall into the category of being a conceited jackass. You look like an idiot, everyone around you thinks you're an idiot (and I mean everyone), and trust me you don't look good or cool no matter how sexy your body is. Do it in the locker room or in the privacy of your own home.

i do it, see many guys doing it, as long as you do it somewhat discretely, theres nothing wrong with a quick flex in the mirror...

5. Stop hitting on women. This one's mainly for guys, but a huge no-no is trying to pick up women in the gym. Women at the gym are typically focused on one thing, their workout, and they don't want to be bothered by some meat head throwing around inappropriate remarks. I guarantee you that they'll ignore you or give you a disgusted look, and really what you're doing is throwing off their workout and making yourself look stupid. Respect a woman's space and focus and leave her be. If she asks for help or advice that's one thing, but keep everything appropriate and friendly.

Made quite a few female friends at the gym i flirt with on the reg.... u just have to play it different than say a bar...


8. Don't be obnoxious. Don't throw weights, grunt, yell, scream, or making stupid noises. You look like an idiot and sound like an idiot. Breathe under control and lower weights slowly. If you have to throw weights down when you're done that means they're way too heavy.

nothing worng with some grunting, heavy breathing, and training to failure that you have to set down weights heavily... unless the gym staff says differant

9. Do some research. One of the things that bothers me most is when people use awful form. So many people flail weights around like floppy fish, throwing their arms everywhere back and forth, thinking that they're actually doing something productive. They're not. Using proper form and doing exercises correctly is so important for getting maximal results and preventing injury. Get your thighs parallel to the ground on squats. Tuck your elbows into your sides during bicep curls and triceps extensions. Don't arch your back during deadlifts. Raise and lower weights in a slow, controlled manner. These are fundamental skills that so many people lack. Do a little research, watch a YouTube video, or ask an experienced friend...it doesn't matter. It takes a little bit of work to vastly improve the quality of your workout. Besides being more effective, you'll automatically look 100x more experienced and proficient.

why do you give a **** what other people are doing... personally i go to the gym to lift, not be concerned about some dumbasses lifting form...

This thread is really original OP, no really its not been done like 7 thousand times before...

You also come off as a know it all d bag.

[cpanthers89]

This thread is really original OP, no really its not been done like 7 thousand times before...

You also come off as a know it all d bag.

I'm entitled to my opinion, yeah? if it's unoriginal then don't read it.