I’m not against occasional chit chat in between sets, but by and large I like to be left alone when training, unless I need a spot or I am spotting someone. There’s one dude at my gym that I made some small talk with once and it has now exploded to where he talks to me in-between almost every set. It is driving me crazy because it is quite distracting. He is actually relatively big and strong, so he is not some skinny dude asking for advice on everything, although he still asks my opinion for a lot of things. I do get occasional spots from him too, so I can’t say he is a complete bother, but it just doesn’t let up.
I know there is no magical solution to this, I guess I just have yo tell him to not talk to me quite as much while training, but that is hard to do without looking like a jerk. I’m not going to change my schedule around because of one guy, but my workout time is quite important. Anyone else ever deal with something similar? I actually have never worn an Ipod while training, but that may change. Hope that’ll help. Probably will still walk up to me though…
Does it bug you because your hardcore or you just don’t want to talk to him. Many high level bodybuilders talk in betwenn sets, not everyone is HARDCORE.
You basically have to be passive aggressive. I suggest, just at the top of my head that you bring along a friend one or two sessions. Talk to your friend between sets and let him spot you. Ignore the dude completely.
Since you do not want to be a jerk to this guy, wear some headphones and before he can actually walk up to you, make eye contact, wave to him and then immediately get back to work. This should let him know that you acknowledge him (and you are not being a dick), but your actions suggest that you cannot be distracted.
You also need to stop asking him for spots- this only encourages him to think that you are interested in chit-chat. After you are finished for the day, when you are leaving say bye- but keep moving.
[quote]drewh wrote:
Does it bug you because your hardcore or you just don’t want to talk to him. Many high level bodybuilders talk in betwenn sets, not everyone is HARDCORE.[/quote]
I would consider myself hardcore, it’s got nothing to do with being anti-social. I get the impressino some on here think I am making a big deal out of nothing, but trust me, it is over the top with this guy.
I had the same problem with a guy at my gym. Since I am not good at playing the passive aggressive game, I just told him flat out, Bob you talk too much, I’m real busy here right now. He stood there for a second not sure of what to say, and then left. Never came back. I bet he’s still trying to think of a comeback LOL.
Just say something to him about it, but let him know you’re not a dick. Maybe he’s a cool guy that’s just overtalkative in the gym. Try something like:
“Hey man…not trying to be a dick, but I don’t like to talk while working out…how about we get together for a pwo drink/beer/mmf after we’re done here?”
Hope that helps…now I’ve got to go find On Edge so I can pick fights or embarrass him or whatever the hell it is I’m trying to do.
this is the main reason i lift at home now. at the gym, i found i was taking approx 10 minutes before i started working out to speak to those would potentially interrupt, so they wouldn’t bother me during. and it didn’t always work; a group of them were retired and had nothing better to do, while i’m trying to get a decent workout in on my lunch hour. now the only voices i hear when i lift are the ones in my head…
