…while I was working out at the gym. I live in Scottsdale, Arizona and apparently so does he and his wife. Anyway, the guy acted like an arrogant prick. From what I remember reading about him that’s not unusual. Here’s what happened: I was finishing my workout doing dumbbell strolls around the gym. I saw him doing some calf raises and he had a Poliquin Training Center T-shirt on. I was pretty sure it was him because his arms were quite large and ripped and his face was fairly familiar. I noticed he was nonchalantly strutting around the gym between sets taking his time. After my workout, I gathered up my gear and proceeded to leave. I wasn’t going to say anything to him but he walked right next to me so I asked him if he was Charles Poliquin. He answered, almost like I should have known, “Yeah”. I said, “Oh, I noticed your shirt and wasn’t too sure if it was you, what are you doing in Scottsdale?” He said harshly, “I live here.” I said, “Really, for how long”? I was just trying to have a little conversation and see how he would react. He said, turning his body as if he wanted to continue his workout, “Two years.” I asked him if he always works out at this gym (I just started a few months ago) and he replied very arrogantly, “I have my own gym.” From his body gestures I noticed he wanted no part in our little conversation so I said, “Okay, bye.” Later I found out his wife is a trainer at the gym so apparently that’s why he was working out. Just thought I’d share my little experience with the almighty Mr. Charles Poliquin. I don’t think I’ll get any sleep tonight after being in his gracious presence for 30 seconds.
I had a similar experience at one of Charles’s seminars a couple years back. I went to ask him a question about my shoulder during a break and he rudely lashed out “CANT YOU SEE I’M BUSY”, and all he really was doing was bullshitting with some guys he knew. Charles Poliquin is a complete asshole, but I still read his information since he is knowledgeable. He’s only a strength coach, he should get over himself. I was shocked to see how short he was too, i’m sure he’s one of those guys with a short man complex that has to get big and strut to make up for his lack of height, lack of good looks, and most likely his poor endowment. (His body didn’t impress me that much, by the way, but might of just been the shirt, don’t know, don’t care)
That’s too bad, but what else do you expect from someone who charges $300/hr or something?
Im not defending him in anyway but dont you think he probably gets that at just about every gym he goes to. He probably just wants to go lift and be left alone. Im the same way when i lift except im not in the least bit famous. But when somebody asks me a question im short as hell with them because i dont want a conversation to start up in the middle of my workout.
i’m gonna have to agree with goldberg here. the only things i like to say during my workout is “can i steal you for a spot” and “are you almost done with that.” i wear headphones not only to tone out all the other blabbering that goes on in the gym, but so people wont come up and talk to me. gymtime is worktime.
There are pro athletes who are very gracious when bothered (and I mean bothered, they get approached all the time) and this fucking glorified personal trainer acts like a prick when he gets asked questions at a seminar he is being charged to run? Fuck him. I have met some sports medicine guys who are total fucks too. But the really good ones who are into what they do always act proffesional and are willing to spend 5 seconds with a fan/client.
Any one who makes moeny through people liking him and his image and finds it next to impossible to be even passingly freindly to the public is clearly a fucking asshole.
If you had been there, you would not have felt bad for interrupting him for 30 seconds. He was training very slowly. Do a set of calf raises, slowly walks to water fountain, slowly walks to a machine lat pulldown, slowly walks around almost confused, back to the water fountain, then back to the calf raises. Seriously, he was in no rush or timing his rest sets or anything so I didn’t feel bad for stopping him. Also, he said he normally works out at his gym so he probably doesn’t get that all the time. It’s not like he’s Michael Jordan or something. I agree for the most part. During my workouts I wear headphones to block out the noise and any questions someone might ask me for doing crazy movements. However, I’m not a dick and I’ll answer them and have a short conversation if they ask me a detailed question.
I was also surprised how short he was. I’m about 6’1 or 6’2 so when I really noticed the height difference. I would have liked to see him doing some sort of strength movement but he looked like he was just messing around and taking his time. Anyway, in my last response, I should have compared him with Arnold. Who would go up to Arnold and say, "Are you Arnold Schwarzenegger? Answer: Nobody with an IQ over 70.
I dont blame him for being a prick at the gym. I could just imagine all the people he has asking him for free advice. They should have the decency to realize he makes his living giving that advice. Being stern with people sends a signal. Obviously you didnt catch it, and now you want to trash talk him. Although you didnt ask him for advice (and I’m sure if he acted “really swell” that might have changed) you still broke his workout tempo. As for him being an ass at his own seminars…well thats another story. If that really is true then he needs an attitude adjustment.
HOLD ON HOLD ON!!! Did you just say he was doing Lat PullDowns?.. MOTHERFUCKER. Because of him I stopped using that machine and replaced it with a million variations of chins. Which I hate to do. Lucy, you got some explainin to do. Son of a bitch.
Wait a minute. Charles Poliquin was doing lat pulldowns? I thought it sucked compared to chins, according to Charles. I guess even he doesn’t follow his own arrogant, narrow-minded advice.
If someone knows his website, they should email a copy of this thread to him and see if he responds here.
I doubt very seriously that he would respond here. As for the pull-down thing, maybe the gym doesn’t have a place to chin…?
I sometimes wait five or six minutes between sets of squats or deadlifts. It still doesnt mean i want to talk to anyone when im lifting.
I didn’t intend to ask him for advice. If he assumes that then he is arrogant. I was just verifying it was him and to just meet him basically. I used to do his stuff so I thought I’d say hello. He was doing a machine lat pulldown, not the typical cable pulldown. And there was plenty of room (like 6 or so open spots) for him to do chins if he wanted to. I also found it ironic he was doing lat pulldowns. I don’t think he would respond to this thread if he was emailed it because he doesn’t have the time and probably doesn’t care. What would be the point of that Avoid Roids? I would like to say that his wife, yeah, she is very good looking and very, very fit. That’s all for now.
Lets see if he replies to this email: Hey Charles
You better get your ass over to the T-Mag Forum and defend yourself. You are being ripped a new asshole on a thread called “So I saw Charles Poliquin today…” This dude, and several others, have drilled you. I think your business will suffer if you don’t show up and reply. Even your methods are being called into question based on this guy’s observation of you working out sissy-style at a gym in AZ. Its up to you Charles. Here is the link: Strength Training, Bodybuilding & Online Supplement Store - T NATION
Avoids Roids
My point was that he didnt know your intentions on talking to him. You were just another guy trying to talk to him. there have probably been enough people in his life to talk to him about training that he just assumes that about everyone. he may be an arrogant prick but at least give him the benefit of the doubt. he is somewhat of a celebrity in our field. and whoever said he was a glorified personal trainer is extremely mistaken.
Goldberg: maybe you are an arrogant prick as well. I wouldn’t know because I have never met you. When people interupt my workout I act nice and will speak to them in between sets. I time my sets so when the time is up I politely tell them it is time to do a set and they always understand.
Doing a Machine Lat Pull Down may actually help the lats grow. You cant expect to do Chins year round. And Charles has stated similair examples before.
Charles Poliquin is not a “celebrity,” he’s not even “somewhat of a celebrity.” He is a strength/conditioning coach. As such, wouldn’t it seem logical that since his livelihood depends on self promotion and people coming up to him and discussing training, that he should at the very least remain cordial? Furthermore, given that he is not in the least bit “famous,” he chooses to wear his “Poliquin Training Center” T-shirt for such aforementioned advertisement / recognition. He does this despite the fact that he could have worn a plain shirt and chances are (unless Goldberg was in the gym) no one would have had any clue as to who the hell he was.