I forgot how much I hate lifting in a public gym in January. Last night we had about 15 new people show up to start working on their new year resolutions. Every treadmill was in-use and 4 or 5 knuckle heads were working the free weights. Nobody really got in my way so I consider last night a success.
Two train wrecks happened that I couldn’t help but watch unfold in slow motion:
A guy doing lat pull downs, medium grip trying to pull down behind his head. But with every single rep he was hitting the back of head… hard. No pain, no gain?
Another guy was carrying around about 10 sheets of paper he printed off the internet (…I just happened to catch a quick glance while walking past him). After EVERY set he’d grab the papers, read over a few sections, write something down and repeat.
He was benching (because everyone knows that benching makes you a man) – 95 lbs and after about 8 reps I could tell he was close to failure. But he slowly lowers the bar again, gets in trouble and needs help.
The problem is no one is nearby so he struggles and flops around like the bar is going to crush him. I actually felt bad for the guy
I know there are horror stories out there to put these to shame. This is your chance to share – get it off your chest.
[quote]ignignokt wrote:
I forgot how much I hate lifting in a public gym during January. Last night we had about 15 new people show up to start working on their new year resolutions. Every treadmill was in-use and 4 or 5 knuckle heads were working the free weights. Nobody really got in my way so I consider last night a success.
Two train wrecks happened that I couldn’t help but watch unfold in slow motion:
A guy doing lat pull downs, medium grip trying to pull down behind his head. But with every single rep he was hitting the back of head… hard. No pain, no gain?
Another guy was carrying around about 10 sheets of paper he printed off the internet (…I just happened to catch a quick glance while walking past him). After EVERY set he’d grab the papers, read over a few sections, write something down and repeat. He was benching (because everyone knows that benching makes you a man) – 95 lbs and after about 8 reps I could tell he was close to failure. But he slowly lowers the bar again, gets in trouble and needs help. The problem is no one is nearby so he struggles and flops around like the bar is going to crush him. I actually felt bad for the guy
I know there are horror stories out there to put these to shame. This is your chance to share – get it off your chest.
(Will February never come?!)[/quote]
They will be gone soon. Just think of it as a donation to your gym, for however long they signed a contract for.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Shoot, people probably think I’m a noob because the other day, I smacked my chin with the barbell doing an overhead press.[/quote]
I do that with push presses all the time. It’s why I don’t do O-lifts, I’d probably kill myself.
Yes they have. This is really the only time of year I get frustrated seeing newb mistakes.
Newb overload and chockfull of the latest trends from gay magazines. A few at a time are no big deal but this definately sucks.
Like a swarm of locusts they cover the equipment, waste oodles of time on funky shit, leave weights racked, sit on equipment while talking on the phone for like twenty minutes etc.
I want to bean people with ten lb plates from now through February. Just let them fly like a frisbee. Whoever they hit probably deserves it.
He was benching (because everyone knows that benching makes you a man) But he slowly lowers the bar again, gets in trouble and needs help. The problem is no one is nearby so he struggles and flops around like the bar is going to crush him. I actually felt bad for the guy
(Will February never come?!)[/quote]
Everyone has been in that situation at one point or another. One time my muscles cramped and I was stuck with the bar on my chest. Several of the guys working nearby rushed over to help.
You are right, though, about the “Resolutionists”. They are very annoying.
Luckily, they won’t last past Valentine’ Day.
I might be alone, but I kind of enjoy the extra energy that the Resolutionists bring to the gym. It also reminds me of when I first stepped into a gym - and far I’ve come now. I try to be friendly toward the Resolutionists.
That said, those dolts curling in the squat racks, the people who think that benches are for resting between sets (of an exercise not requiring a bench), and the people who bring a friend and chat for 5 minutes between sets (while occupying equipmen) can all go home and get/stay fat and weak.
Gyms should provide (and require) mandatory etiquette courses for new patrons. It’s a wonder this hasn’t happened yet.
A friend of mine a year or two ago was benching probably for the first time. He load the bar up to a huge 95 pounds and left the cuffs off. Next thing I see in the mirror is one arm way higher then the other and plates sliding off. Needless to say he made a huge scene and I laughed my ass of. No one got hurt except his ego.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Shoot, people probably think I’m a noob because the other day, I smacked my chin with the barbell doing an overhead press.[/quote]
Haha u hurt urself noob!
It’s funny, the new faces at my gym all look like they lift. Guess they got a new membership as a Christmas present or something.
[quote]Doug Adams wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
Shoot, people probably think I’m a noob because the other day, I smacked my chin with the barbell doing an overhead press.
Last night was the first night I noticed it. Didn’t make it through my workout because the power rack was full of idiots doing over-loaded benches with 125lbs and curls. I have to make it over on my off night to do squats. I think I am going to add some snatches or power cleans to my workout to scare the newbs from asking me if they can work in on the rack.
One positive thing was that there was some new scenery wondering around.
PMPM-I do that shit all the time. That isn’t too bad, I pop my forehead on snatches occasionally–hurts like hell.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Doug Adams wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
Shoot, people probably think I’m a noob because the other day, I smacked my chin with the barbell doing an overhead press.
Ahh yes, the new crowd is so much fun i love to look around in between my sets and see full body bicep curls, jump shrugs, half bench presses, and 1/2 squats…wait just kidding they dont even do squats
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Shoot, people probably think I’m a noob because the other day, I smacked my chin with the barbell doing an overhead press.[/quote]
I did that the first time I tried seated press, and my lower lip happened to be between my teeth at the time. I then proceeded to drop the bar on my legs.
Everyone in the gym is now staring at the guy and his entourage on the benches behind me who has now made enough noise that I am sure people OUTSIDE could hear it.
I don’t know about anyone else, but while I am not against grunting at all, if I hear someone acting like they are getting limbs ripped off one at a time, I am expecting to turn around and see 5 fucking 45lbs plates on the bar and someone the size of a heavyweight powerlifter.
225lbs ain’t it.
…and newbies, it is retarded to put a 25lbs plate on the bar…and THEN put 2 45lbs plates on afterwards and then leave all of that shit on the bar.
I for one actually LIKE when I find 45lbs plates already on the machine. That’s less work I have to do. However, if I now have to strip EVERYTHING off because you slipped a fucking 10lbs on first, nothing pisses me off more.
