I disagree. I work at a gym. Since I started working at the gym, my grip strength and endurance has improved vastly, for the reason you’re talking about. Spending my time tidying up plates after members. Which could put my back in dangerous positions, thankfully, I pick them up properly and safely rack them.
But there are other things you can do to train these qualities, right? It’s not like alternatives don’t exist. It’s like if you were Rocky in Rocky 4 training out in the snow with only logs and a sled for equipment, then you would have to make do with what you have. But in Rocky Balboa, he was back in civilization using a prowler and chains cos he had access to them and there’s no reason not to make some extra cash from product placements. Ernest Borgnine never once lamented his lack of intestinal fortitude.
The point is unless you have some specific goal like planning to fight a roided up Russian with a bad haircut, you should not be expected to want to move plates by yourself.
You don’t want to move the plates, why would gym staff want to move the plates? Unfortunately I am forced to move the plates or I’ll get a bollocking. Fortunately a benefit of moving the plates and tidying up various different bits of equipment left lying around is that grip strength and endurance are worked.
I bet ya Rocky put his weights away.
The subject in contention is not wanting to move plates, as in, “I hate moving plates”, that’s why he said that he would pay a premium if someone would move them for him. He never said he doesn’t move plates.
1 Like
Don’t worry, I trash men even more
I love women, I love you
How about cracking a big ole braaaaap on those pleather benches?
Sounds like an A-10 making a straffing run!
I’ve never seen a written rule about that, but I at least give fair warning that destruction is about to occur.
2 Likes
Love the A-10 Warthogs!
Happen to have been on a base with the 917th and a plethora of those at the other end of the flightline from B-52g’s :)).
One year at Red Flag, an air to air combat comp, an A-10 pilot actually beat an F-15. Amazing.
Am thinking that pilot probably put his plates away after use. Of course it’s highly probable that all us soldiers in the base gym did, cause that’d just how we do. If we didn’t, someone would point it out reeeeal quick.
That takes us right back to common courtesy. Gym, shop, wherever, put things back where ya got 'em cause your mama ain’t there to pick up after you.
Maybe I should just lift on base where it’s not an issue, and there sure isn’t any question about whether one should
put weights back, it’s a matter of how fast one better do it.
An unwritten rule I have yet to see mentioned: No unsolicited advice should ever be offered in the gym. The only exception is if a child/young teen is about to put him/herself in mortal danger. Other than that, keep your mouth shut, and your opinion to yourself.
5 Likes
Totally agree. Just because we don’t do something a particular way doesn’t mean the other person is wrong and needs help. Pretty presumptuous to think so.
Example, before I started doing straight arm Pulldowns I thought peolle doing them were clueless. But I certainly didn’t say so! Now I realize what the movement is about and do them too 
An exception tho: A lady doing tons of triceps stuff swinging dumbbells on kickbacks. Let’s say she’s hot and doesn’t appear to have been training very long. Asking IF I can make a suggestion then showing her, she seemed quite interested in watching my tris work.
Sure, she may have got pissed when I asked, but the smile and attention to my arm following indicated otherwise.
Not to say I have great triceps, but I do happen to not swing dumbbells for Kickbacks, and guaranteed they were better off than hers.
One question:
Let’s say I see a lady with awesome upper back & shoulder development-not doing a set, is it bad to compliment?
I saw just such a thing last week but kept my mouth shut to avoid coming off wrong.
Am not real good with social stuff anyway, especially when it comes to ladies in a gym where I presume they’re not there to talk - neither am I but I’m not dead against it either. Fact is I’m very happily married and, hot or not, I’ve my own hottie to come home to. Further, her majesty may not appreciate me complimenting a lady at the gym anyway.
Guess that sorta answers my own question but feel free.
Personally I’d be pleased if, between sets, a lady complimented me about dern near anything. Jus sayin.
My opinion/policy: I never compliment a woman in the gym until/unless I’ve seen her there (and she’s seen me) on a regular basis for a very long time. In this way, there should be no doubt in her mind that I’m not creeping on her.
For example, there’s a woman in my gym who is a true warrior–is in there every day (or so it seems at least), and works as hard as anyone. Not surprisingly, she is in great shape. She sports an unmistakable ‘leave me alone’ face in the gym, so I said nary a word to her for about a year. Finally, one day I complimented her squat form (which is truly excellent). I made sure to say it in a way that sounded sincere, rather than like a veiled leer regarding her lower body. She smiled politely and said ‘Thanks.’ That was several years ago, and was pretty much the last time we’ve spoken (other than the ‘Are you using that bench?’ sort of interaction).
What’s weird is we’re neighbors, and while not talkative outside the gym, she always smiles, waves and says ‘hi.’ But in the gym–all bidness. I respect the heck out of that.
2 Likes
Would you do this to a guy?
Use that to guide you.
5 Likes
Only if you add say ‘no homo’.
Good point.
If a dude looked phenomenally ripped I MIGHT but it ain’t likely.
I’m gonna use that rule of thumb tho - thx
However, let me just say this lady had muscles that reminded me of a big cat all rippling under the skin. Impossible not to notice but am now glad I didn’t comment. Hell, she might have whooped my ass 
…and I may have welcomed it ha!
I think this is the best indication that not commenting was the right thing.
1 Like
paying someone a compliment is never a bad thing, but she will definitely think you’re hitting on her, so unless you are, best not to
1 Like
Yeh I’ll just keep my mouth shut
I was 13 lifting by myself at the YMCA. I was benching somewhere over 135, 150 maybe for reps. I see a monster putting up 4 plates per side for insane reps. So I decide trying 2 plates per side would be a good idea… get stapled… Don’t know what to do and just sit there with the weight on my chest considering my options. That’s when the resident old huge guy in the gym walks over and doesn’t lift it off me, he teaches me the “roll of shame” instead. He then gave me alot of sage advice about working up to a weight and the difference between training and testing.
1 Like
H[quote=“Basement_Gainz, post:78, topic:232218”]
That’s when the resident old huge guy in the gym walks over and doesn’t lift it off me, he teaches me the “roll of shame” instead. He then gave me alot of sage advice about working up to a weight and the difference between training and testing.
[/quote]
Ouch!
So do u appreciate the way he handled it now? I’m sure it ducked at the time but am guessing u learned the lesson…just curious if u wish now that he’d saved your ass then, or if u think that was the best thing he could’ve done for u?
Oh, I should’ve taken a pic, but there’s a sign by the power rack I used today that says: “Return All Weights. No exceptions.”
1 Like
Yes I appreciated it then and now. No way as a scrawny kid was I going to ask the monsters for advice. Also I bet he was a dad. He probably knew you can’t tell a teenage boy a damn thing. You have to show them.