I just joined a new gym. It is a little bit “fancier” than I would like, but I was able to convince my wife to join with me - so I’ll deal with it.
Anyway, they have 2 squat racks. In my first week and a half of working out there, I haven’t seen anyone (except for me of course) actually doing squats or another appropriate lift on the rack. Even so, I am always waiting use it. I bet you all can guess what’s going on.
My question is: Short of getting in some dork’s face about it, how can I “encourage” these idiots to do their curls (always with way too much weight and 6 minutes between sets) somewhere else. Any thoughts, stories would be helpful. Thanks
[quote]Capo411 wrote:
I just joined a new gym. It is a little bit “fancier” than I would like, but I was able to convince my wife to join with me - so I’ll deal with it.
Anyway, they have 2 squat racks. In my first week and a half of working out there, I haven’t seen anyone (except for me of course) actually doing squats or another appropriate lift on the rack. Even so, I am always waiting use it. I bet you all can guess what’s going on.
My question is: Short of getting in some dork’s face about it, how can I “encourage” these idiots to do their curls (always with way too much weight and 6 minutes between sets) somewhere else. Any thoughts, stories would be helpful. Thanks
[/quote]
I usually just tell people I need to use the space. That is generally all that is needed.
Make management do it. Explain to the manager that those racks are deigned for people who intend to squat not do curls. Whereas someone can curl just about anywhere using a variety of equipment someone attempting to squat is limited to the using the squat racks. Further explain to him that if you attempt to put a loaded squat bar on your back in any way other than using the squat rack you are increasing the risk of injuring yourself and other members. Then ask them to post a sign stating that squatters get preference over curls.
If that doesn’t work then either change your workout to adapt to the conditions by doing plate squats or overhead squats, or put your money where your mouth is and find another gym where people know how to lift.
[quote]Capo411 wrote:
I just joined a new gym. It is a little bit “fancier” than I would like, but I was able to convince my wife to join with me - so I’ll deal with it.
Anyway, they have 2 squat racks. In my first week and a half of working out there, I haven’t seen anyone (except for me of course) actually doing squats or another appropriate lift on the rack. Even so, I am always waiting use it. I bet you all can guess what’s going on.
My question is: Short of getting in some dork’s face about it, how can I “encourage” these idiots to do their curls (always with way too much weight and 6 minutes between sets) somewhere else. Any thoughts, stories would be helpful. Thanks
[/quote]
I’ve put little pieces of paper in the rack…taped it down…says “Please don’t curl in the squat rack.” It does not stay there for long.
OR BE MORE SUBTLE:
I’ve also asked nicely “How many sets do you have left of those curls in the SQUAT RACK?”
All you need to do is, stand immediately behind them with some sort of ridiculous posture…maybe with your arms up in the air and your eyes closed or something…creeping somebody out is a lot easier than intimidating them.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Capo411 wrote:
I just joined a new gym. It is a little bit “fancier” than I would like, but I was able to convince my wife to join with me - so I’ll deal with it.
Anyway, they have 2 squat racks. In my first week and a half of working out there, I haven’t seen anyone (except for me of course) actually doing squats or another appropriate lift on the rack. Even so, I am always waiting use it. I bet you all can guess what’s going on.
My question is: Short of getting in some dork’s face about it, how can I “encourage” these idiots to do their curls (always with way too much weight and 6 minutes between sets) somewhere else. Any thoughts, stories would be helpful. Thanks
I usually just tell people I need to use the space. That is generally all that is needed.
[/quote]
just let them know that you would like to squat, x is right thats usually all it takes. unless their jackoffs, they will realize they can just step to the side and let you use the rack.
[quote]ConanSpeaks wrote:
Make management do it. Explain to the manager that those racks are deigned for people who intend to squat not do curls. Whereas someone can curl just about anywhere using a variety of equipment someone attempting to squat is limited to the using the squat racks. [/quote]
Oh come on now! If you can go off on the manager about the misuse of the squat rack, you can just as easily address it yourself. People are so afraid of confrontation these days. Stick up for yourself, ya weenie.
I expected more from you with a screen name like Conan.
[quote]Brad_C wrote:
All you need to do is, stand immediately behind them with some sort of ridiculous posture…maybe with your arms up in the air and your eyes closed or something…creeping somebody out is a lot easier than intimidating them.[/quote]
also a good one. last night me and a guy tied getting to the last flat bench at the same time. i was planning on doing skull crushers, and he had a 70 lb db in his hands. after a couple seconds of silence, i asked were you gonna use this bench? thinking he would do what most people do when i ask them that, and walk away. not this little asian guy. i agree to let him use it until i see that he sets the 70 lber on the floor and begins doing dips with his feet on it. mind you this is 6 pm and the gym is super crowded. i stare in dis-belief as he begins dipping.
my gym partner and i are both kinda pissed now, so we stand right next to the guy just watching him dip away like a fucking douche. he could have done dips on any other surface, with his dumbass db under his feet. after his first set i think he got the hint and gave up the bench. luckily for him, somebody else must have noticed what was going on and walked over and offered us his flat bench. i like to give people the benfit of the doubt when it comes to stupid mistakes like that, maybe they did not realize it?
Walk up to them friendly and with a big smile say, “Doing curls in the ol’ squat rack, eh?” For emphasis give the rack a nice little pat and half squat once then chuckle.
Hopefully they’ll get the point.
[quote]TheSicilian wrote:
Ask them if you can work in and set up the bar for squats when it’s your turn to do a set. They’ll get the hint. It’s always worked for me.[/quote]
Yep…that’s what I do. Works like a charm.
When people have said “oh your going to do squats” I just give them a WTF look and say “it is a squat rack”.
Ok, here’s what you do. You get about 5 or 10, 2.5 lb. plates. You stand a good 5 feet away from them and just start lobbing them at their heads. One of two things will happen. They’ll get sick of you throwing plates at their heads and walk away. Or you’ll knock them unconscious, in which case you can take over the squat rack.
Seriously though, ask them how many more sets they have. If it’s a couple, you can just wait. If it’s a lot, just ask them if they can do their curls somewhere else because you would like to squat. Why can’t people figure this out on their own?
Best - “If you don’t mind moving your dumb ass out of my way I’ll use this space as it was intended to be used!”
Good - “Are you going to be much longer sir? I really would like to work out when you are through playing around here!”
Fair - “Hey, can I work in with you? I hate to slow you down but since you really aren’t doing anything that is going to change your physique anyway, I didn’t think it would matter.”
O.K. - “Good morning, my name is Go-rilla, I couldn’t help but notice what a great job you are doing on those curls. Hey, by the way, you got any idea why they call this the squat rack?
What the hell are those anyway? I think I may try one or two when you are finished if that’s o.k.” “I am in kind of a hurry though, I’ve got to be in my therapist’s office in less than an hour, part of my anger management / probation deal after I threw that guy out the window for failing to wipe off the bench press when he finished.”
[quote]ConanSpeaks wrote:
Make management do it. [/quote]
The manager of my gym starts his workout by doing squat rack curls, he follows them (in no particular order) with ez-curls, DB curls (all 26 varieties), machine curls, and cable curls (standing and lying). I have yet to see him do a pullup, squat or bench just to name a few.
If you’re a regular at the gym, most people will figure out pretty quickly that you use the rack for squatting.
It’s common knowledge at my gym that I use the racks for squats or other heavy lifts, so curlers often volunteer to move somewhere before I even have to ask.
When they don’t move, I merely ask them how many sets they have let. Rarely am I forced to wait more than a couple of minutes.
Politeness is very underrated these days. Very, very few people I’ve met are flat-out douchebags; in my experience, the vast majority of people at the gym will attempt to accomodate you if you just ask politely.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Capo411 wrote:
I just joined a new gym. It is a little bit “fancier” than I would like, but I was able to convince my wife to join with me - so I’ll deal with it.
Anyway, they have 2 squat racks. In my first week and a half of working out there, I haven’t seen anyone (except for me of course) actually doing squats or another appropriate lift on the rack. Even so, I am always waiting use it. I bet you all can guess what’s going on.
My question is: Short of getting in some dork’s face about it, how can I “encourage” these idiots to do their curls (always with way too much weight and 6 minutes between sets) somewhere else. Any thoughts, stories would be helpful. Thanks
I usually just tell people I need to use the space. That is generally all that is needed.
[/quote]
But honestly, what 150 lb skinny white boy doing curls in the rack is gonna argue with you prof?
Tell the guy who is in the squat rack he looks like he needs a spot. And start spotting him from the back. If he doesn’t leave, you have even bigger problems now.
[quote]Kreal7 wrote:
Tell the guy who is in the squat rack he looks like he needs a spot. And start spotting him from the back. If he doesn’t leave, you have even bigger problems now.[/quote]
you mean your not supposed to spot from the back? no wonder nobody wants me to spot them anymore.
[quote]sic wrote:
ConanSpeaks wrote:
Make management do it. Explain to the manager that those racks are deigned for people who intend to squat not do curls. Whereas someone can curl just about anywhere using a variety of equipment someone attempting to squat is limited to the using the squat racks.
Oh come on now! If you can go off on the manager about the misuse of the squat rack, you can just as easily address it yourself. People are so afraid of confrontation these days. Stick up for yourself, ya weenie.
I expected more from you with a screen name like Conan.[/quote]
You might enjoy playing Mr. Rodgers in the gym and going about meeting your neighbors but I prefer to let the hired help do the job that they are paid to do.
Besides, I’m betting you aren’t concerned about your $100K+ sports car getting keyed buy some pissed off, knuckle dragging, squat rack curler. Whereas that is a hassle I would prefer to avoid.
An intelligent and discerning person would not only be selective of their confrontations but they would utilize all the resources available to them as well. Concepts which are apparently foreign to you.
Further, there is a considerable difference between fear and discernment. Perhaps one day you may gain the insight necessary to differentiate between the two. Because it’s vividly apparent from your uninvited critique of my post that currently lack the ability to do so.