so sometimes when I go in for my PM session, this older guy (40’s) is doing his chest workout. nice guy, unremarkable development, wears his belt all the time blabla. he will yell UP at the bottom of whatever chest press he’s doing, will do a few sets of six reps and move on to a different press machine/station. I had the misfortune of him asking me for a spot when I was doing my Pendlay/BB rows. last week he asked me for a spot between sets of deads. this wouldn’t be so bad if he could lift past the third rep… from the fourth rep on, I had to spot him more and more just to keep the bar moving. by the sixth rep I probably took half of what was on the bar (2pps) while the poor guy writhed and struggled under the bar (no homo?).
now, I don’t think I’m anything special, I respect all lifters especially those who are older than me, and I believe that younger, less experienced lifters should pay their dues to the oldheads by helping out. however, I think it’s ridiculous for anyone to spot so much that you end up taking half the load on half the reps. FWIW, I think I look bigger than him, and by next week I should dominate for ten reps of flat BB bench what he did for six reps and a big spot.
I’d like to tell this guy what I really think (that he should go lighter) but I don’t think my physique and/or gym reputation (if I even have one) justify me doing anything other than ignoring him or otherwise avoiding him/acting like I’m too busy/dying.
The next time they are scheduled to bench press show up with 5 of your friends about 15-20 minutes before you know they will arrive. Pull the same stunt they did. But be less dickish about it by not coming up with some bullshit about 30 minutes for 2 sets.
Be prepared to rumble/battle to the death
[/quote]
Yeah I like this one. And when they ask for one of the benches, kindly invite them to rotate with you.
I find that if you ask to work in with someone, then proceed to lift 200lbs more than them they tend to finish what they’re doing and move onto a different exercise pretty quick.
so sometimes when I go in for my PM session, this older guy (40’s) is doing his chest workout. nice guy, unremarkable development, wears his belt all the time blabla. he will yell UP at the bottom of whatever chest press he’s doing, will do a few sets of six reps and move on to a different press machine/station. I had the misfortune of him asking me for a spot when I was doing my Pendlay/BB rows. last week he asked me for a spot between sets of deads. this wouldn’t be so bad if he could lift past the third rep… from the fourth rep on, I had to spot him more and more just to keep the bar moving. by the sixth rep I probably took half of what was on the bar (2pps) while the poor guy writhed and struggled under the bar (no homo?).
now, I don’t think I’m anything special, I respect all lifters especially those who are older than me, and I believe that younger, less experienced lifters should pay their dues to the oldheads by helping out. however, I think it’s ridiculous for anyone to spot so much that you end up taking half the load on half the reps. FWIW, I think I look bigger than him, and by next week I should dominate for ten reps of flat BB bench what he did for six reps and a big spot.
I’d like to tell this guy what I really think (that he should go lighter) but I don’t think my physique and/or gym reputation (if I even have one) justify me doing anything other than ignoring him or otherwise avoiding him/acting like I’m too busy/dying.[/quote]
fr0IVIan got swolze.
Good work, man.
I do believe you are now in BIG category. Let me know if we need to list out exactly what that means.
so sometimes when I go in for my PM session, this older guy (40’s) is doing his chest workout. nice guy, unremarkable development, wears his belt all the time blabla. he will yell UP at the bottom of whatever chest press he’s doing, will do a few sets of six reps and move on to a different press machine/station. I had the misfortune of him asking me for a spot when I was doing my Pendlay/BB rows. last week he asked me for a spot between sets of deads. this wouldn’t be so bad if he could lift past the third rep… from the fourth rep on, I had to spot him more and more just to keep the bar moving. by the sixth rep I probably took half of what was on the bar (2pps) while the poor guy writhed and struggled under the bar (no homo?).
now, I don’t think I’m anything special, I respect all lifters especially those who are older than me, and I believe that younger, less experienced lifters should pay their dues to the oldheads by helping out. however, I think it’s ridiculous for anyone to spot so much that you end up taking half the load on half the reps. FWIW, I think I look bigger than him, and by next week I should dominate for ten reps of flat BB bench what he did for six reps and a big spot.
I’d like to tell this guy what I really think (that he should go lighter) but I don’t think my physique and/or gym reputation (if I even have one) justify me doing anything other than ignoring him or otherwise avoiding him/acting like I’m too busy/dying.[/quote]
fr0IVIan got swolze.
Good work, man.
I do believe you are now in BIG category. Let me know if we need to list out exactly what that means.
LOL[/quote]
lol Prof why you trollin me?? yea do list that please, I’m curious. it’s not like I’ve accomplished anything noteworthy.
but that’s OT, should I avoid the guy or tell him what I think (maybe after I ask him why he goes “ME” every freakin chest day).
This may come as a shock, but I was not trolling you. You have made progress…and this is like the third time I’ve told you this only to have you act as if I am joking.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
This may come as a shock, but I was not trolling you. You have made progress…and this is like the third time I’ve told you this only to have you act as if I am joking.
[/quote]
well, maybe I look at it differently. I understand that I’ve progressed more than most people, but to me that is just de rigeur and the bare minimum, and I don’t view the bare minimum as being all that praiseworthy. my perspective might very well be way, way off. if I can ever attain a Zane-like or Cordova-like physique, then I’ll probably really feel like I accomplished something.
or maybe I’m just crazy and I should take you and the others seriously when you say those things o.O
lol but anyway I suppose I can start by asking ME guy why he has his spotter do half the work for him…
[quote]Professor X wrote:
This may come as a shock, but I was not trolling you. You have made progress…and this is like the third time I’ve told you this only to have you act as if I am joking.
[/quote]
well, maybe I look at it differently. I understand that I’ve progressed more than most people, but to me that is just de rigeur and the bare minimum, and I don’t view the bare minimum as being all that praiseworthy. my perspective might very well be way, way off. if I can ever attain a Zane-like or Cordova-like physique, then I’ll probably really feel like I accomplished something.
or maybe I’m just crazy and I should take you and the others seriously when you say those things o.O
lol but anyway I suppose I can start by asking ME guy why he has his spotter do half the work for him…
[/quote]
Dude…if you thought you were already there, you would not be one of us.
I am sure I may be just as hard or harder on myself.
I am simply pointing out you made progress. Still trying to figure out why this is such an issue for you.
A group of five guys should not use three benches if they are the only ones in the gym. At best this is inconsiderate but if they do and another member is not too intimidated to actually ask to work in and they refuse, that is just down right rude. It would certainly be against gym policy but more than that they are just being dick heads.
Any coach worth his salt will be able to adapt the program so his 5 guys do not need all three benches at the same time.
Perhaps your aproach was not very diplomatic and thats why you got that response, but in my opinion you had every right to be pissed.
If you have an argument like that again rather than get in a dust up talk to management.
I would bet good money that everyone who trains there has signed an agreement to abide by generally accepted gym ettique such as sharing equipment/ working in.
A few people might say its snitching or some shit or that you will lose respect. They have shown you no respect and are acting like children.
