In the gyms I visit, I have rarely seen anyone lifting more than 150 kg. Bench Press. Typically, the most common load is in the 70-90 kg. range. It is precisely these people who are the majority who do not comply.
Hoho, in the previous gym, the most shapely, cut and muscular man did not touch the barbells and did not lay down anywhere except on machines where he had to lean in a vertical torso position. He only trained on machines. He must have been on medication…that’s what most people would say. But that is a separate topic and beyond discussion here.
Bah, my gym is a leisure center connected to a school and at lunch time there are always 5 or 6 guys benching and then pissing off leaving a mess. They’ve been told lots of times but still continue to do it. I swear at least once every session someone asks around “is anyone using the bench?” because there are still plates on it and it hasn’t been touched for 10-20mins. If I notice I’ll put the plates back myself but if can do it when it’s not mine, why can’t they?
As for being buds with people in the gym, it’s super convenient to have small talk with the regulars there at the same time as you. Need a spot? Sorted. Want to work in on some tricep pushdowns? No problem. How many sets they got left? They’ll grab you when they’re done because you were the first to ask. They left a bit of sweat? OI YA PEENUS. CLEAN UR MESS UP.
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He’s the arsehole here, not you.
You shouldn’t be down on yourself just because you don’t have the skills to tell a grown-ass adult not to be a shithead. Why should you have them? Yes, he should stop being an arsehole but it’s not on you to make him stop, it’s on him.
Youths!
I honestly feel a little bit of a responsibility to try to “educate” the teenage boys that are actually working hard. They seriously don’t know their mommy isn’t there or the world isn’t built around them. I don’t think the same village exists that did when we were growing up.
That said, I strike down with great vengeance and furious anger all those who attempt to talk back to me. In my log, you’ll notice it’s the one day I do something really heavy… then pay for it for like three weeks.
To be fair, some are actually okay. In my experience it’s the guys that come in on their own that may make little etiquette mistakes but are putting real effort in. They are receptive and just trying to get ahead in life. It’s the groups that’s the problem; typical toxic peer pressure, I don’t give a damn attitude. It’s cool though, they usually disappear in a few months after destroying their shoulders or backs one rep maxing 4x a week. Then the next generation will come in and do the same thing.
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OP would not like my gym. It isn’t really a thing we do (wiping down equipment), unless it is soaked. We didn’t even have stuff to clean equipment down until Covid (you would have had to go to the bathroom to get paper towels before Covid).
It is probably a different environment though. More of a hardcore setting, with quite a few of the members competing in strength sports.
My point with all this is maybe this guy comes from a different gym culture. I wouldn’t even think of wiping down a bench, because it seems kinda like not something a serious lifter would be worried about.
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I wish I had a gym like this around. The weight room at the gym where I rock climb comes close, but equipment is limited (though they have all sorts of improvised grip handles because of the climbing - nice benefit).
After training MMA for years, other people’s sweat doesn’t generally bother me unless it drips directly on my face.
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I was spotting a buddy on bench yesterday while leaning back the whole time to not drip on his face. It was mid 90s and humid, and I was in the middle of sets of 8 on pause squats. I was drenched.
I enjoy the setting though. Just personally, I don’t want to be someone who has to have everything sterile. I’ll use the same dishes at home multiple times because it doesn’t seem like having some crumbs on it is justification for washing. Some of my jeans are on an approximate washing schedule of twice a year (or whenever they get a stain). I think they last longer and are more comfortable like that.
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Take a dump on him while he is benching.
Establish dominance.
But seriously, why not just say something to him? You can be cordial about it. I highly doubt he is going to go off his rocker for you politely speaking to him. If he does, he should be removed from the gym permanently.
Also, size means nothing - there are things to make up that difference.
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I like your way of thinking!
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If talking to the guy is out of the question, ask yourself…
“What would Tonya Harding do?”
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Thanks for all of your replies!
I’ve reached my decision… I will pull an Amber Heard on his bench next time to assert dominance.
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I always give the best advices.
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This is the first post of yours I can remember seeing in awhile - what an incredible return!
This thread has not disappointed in any way.
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With the kids in my gym if they walk off leaving plates on the bar or floor, I usually go with the polite ‘are you finished with that?’ When they answer yes, I just say in my grumpy dad voice “can you put it away then” but then I am the grumpy old dude at my gym. LOL
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My gym put up a sign “A puppy does every time you don’t rerack”
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I wonder if people always leave their stuff unracked then - that sign makes no sense.
It should say “Dies”
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I… know