Unsolicited Gym Advice

[Ozzy619]

How does everyone feel about getting/giving advice from people you don't know in the gym?

I see people in there working out all the time and I want to go help but I know lots of people just want to be left alone. I just figured if you took the initiative to come in might as well do it right.

Now when people come up to me and say stuff I'm usually good with it. Sometimes it's horrible advice and I just smile and brush it off. Sometimes it's good advice and I use it.

Thoughts?

I never give advice to grown men. If I see a kid struggling I might give him advice, rolling shoulders for shrugs as an example. I havnent gotten advice for awhile now unless I ask for it. I used to have old ass dudes give me advice for some odd reason. Old guys love to talk in the gym.

 

[Ach3r0n]

Thats usually it. The number one thing I see is people with bad form because they're more worried about the amount of weight they're lifting. So usually all I want to say is drop a few pounds off.

I had a guy offer precisely this type of unsolicited advice after spotting me on the bench and, honestly, it just pissed me off because he was making assumptions without getting all the facts. He assumed that because the bar position was skewed that the weight was a bit too heavy for me - though I'm wondering how he arrived at this conclusion after watching me bang out 10-12 reps. The reality is that I screwed up my left shoulder a couple years ago and it now tracks slightly differently than my right shoulder, which slightly skews the position of the bar. It doesn't matter if I'm doing warmups or heavy sets. Maybe he just caught me on a bad day, but at the time it really irritated me that he thought he was qualified to offer unsolicited advice after spotting me for several seconds.

That said, I have gotten advice from guys before and gladly accepted it. For example, several years ago a guy with massive traps was working in with me one day on shrugs and offered some advice that I still follow to this day. So I guess the real answer to your question is: It depends. If someone has legitimate, constructive advice to give and is basing it on an accurate observation, then I would certainly welcome it. However, if you watch me for several seconds and then determine that you are now qualified to advise me on anything, then I'd prefer you just keep your mouth shut.

As for me, I never offer anyone advice. If you take offense, then I have to deal with the awkwardness of seeing you everyday. If you readily accept it and get all chummy with me, then that's one more person I have to socialize with every damn day. I'm not anti-social or anything, but the gym is my time to work. I don't want to hear about little Jimmy's baseball game, how your boss is a dick, or how you think your wife is banging your best friend. I just want to lift.

 

[johnnyBALLZ]

I had a guy offer precisely this type of unsolicited advice after spotting me on the bench and, honestly, it just pissed me off because he was making assumptions without getting all the facts. He assumed that because the bar position was skewed that the weight was a bit too heavy for me - though I'm wondering how he arrived at this conclusion after watching me bang out 10-12 reps. The reality is that I screwed up my left shoulder a couple years ago and it now tracks slightly differently than my right shoulder, which slightly skews the position of the bar. It doesn't matter if I'm doing warmups or heavy sets. Maybe he just caught me on a bad day, but at the time it really irritated me that he thought he was qualified to offer unsolicited advice after spotting me for several seconds.

That said, I have gotten advice from guys before and gladly accepted it. For example, several years ago a guy with massive traps was working in with me one day on shrugs and offered some advice that I still follow to this day. So I guess the real answer to your question is: It depends. If someone has legitimate, constructive advice to give and is basing it on an accurate observation, then I would certainly welcome it. However, if you watch me for several seconds and then determine that you are now qualified to advise me on anything, then I'd prefer you just keep your mouth shut.

As for me, I never offer anyone advice. If you take offense, then I have to deal with the awkwardness of seeing you everyday. If you readily accept it and get all chummy with me, then that's one more person I have to socialize with every damn day. I'm not anti-social or anything, but the gym is my time to work. I don't want to hear about little Jimmy's baseball game, how your boss is a dick, or how you think your wife is banging your best friend. I just want to lift.

Hahaha, great post!!

 

[MindlessWork]

I had a guy offer precisely this type of unsolicited advice after spotting me on the bench and, honestly, it just pissed me off because he was making assumptions without getting all the facts. He assumed that because the bar position was skewed that the weight was a bit too heavy for me - though I'm wondering how he arrived at this conclusion after watching me bang out 10-12 reps. The reality is that I screwed up my left shoulder a couple years ago and it now tracks slightly differently than my right shoulder, which slightly skews the position of the bar. It doesn't matter if I'm doing warmups or heavy sets. Maybe he just caught me on a bad day, but at the time it really irritated me that he thought he was qualified to offer unsolicited advice after spotting me for several seconds.

That said, I have gotten advice from guys before and gladly accepted it. For example, several years ago a guy with massive traps was working in with me one day on shrugs and offered some advice that I still follow to this day. So I guess the real answer to your question is: It depends. If someone has legitimate, constructive advice to give and is basing it on an accurate observation, then I would certainly welcome it. However, if you watch me for several seconds and then determine that you are now qualified to advise me on anything, then I'd prefer you just keep your mouth shut.

As for me, I never offer anyone advice. If you take offense, then I have to deal with the awkwardness of seeing you everyday. If you readily accept it and get all chummy with me, then that's one more person I have to socialize with every damn day. I'm not anti-social or anything, but the gym is my time to work. I don't want to hear about little Jimmy's baseball game, how your boss is a dick, or how you think your wife is banging your best friend. I just want to lift.

Now THAT's something that I agree with...fuckers who think they are know it alls are only going to get 86'd

 

[flenser]

If I see someone doing unusually risky shit, instead of warning them I like to ask their advise on that particular exercise. If they are willing to talk, and they always are, I can then tell them how I do the exercise and why. So far, no one has told me to fuck off, but not everyone takes my advice either.

I ALWAYS listen to advise from others, just in case. I sure wish someone had warned me about my bench form before I screwed up my shoulder!

 

[element00]

Good thread. I'm a month in the gym after years in my home set up. Loving it, but haven't spoken to anyone and see lots of bad lifting form. I keep to myself. not many dudes talking, but a fucking lot of people on their phone

 

[Ozzy619]

If I see someone doing unusually risky shit, instead of warning them I like to ask their advise on that particular exercise. If they are willing to talk, and they always are, I can then tell them how I do the exercise and why. So far, no one has told me to fuck off, but not everyone takes my advice either.

I ALWAYS listen to advise from others, just in case. I sure wish someone had warned me about my bench form before I screwed up my shoulder!

I see so many dudes with flared shoulders at my gym. Ive actually had a couple people tell me my form on bench was bad because I dont flare my arms to 90 degrees lol

 

[TheOracle]

I don't give advice unless I personally know the person. And I definitely don't want your unsolicited advice. I think most of us would ask someone if we noticed something they where doing and wanted to pick up or ask about the move. I most likely would ask them when they where done lifting if they looked serious and had headphones on ect. Because I know I don't wanna be bothered while in the middle of a set even on my rest.

Plus if you offer someone advice you may just have made yourself a new annoying gym buddy who just wont leave you the fuck alone.

 

[MythotiK]

I don't give advice unless I personally know the person. And I definitely don't want your unsolicited advice. I think most of us would ask someone if we noticed something they where doing and wanted to pick up or ask about the move. I most likely would ask them when they where done lifting if they looked serious and had headphones on ect. Because I know I don't wanna be bothered while in the middle of a set even on my rest.

Plus if you offer someone advice you may just have made yourself a new annoying gym buddy who just wont leave you the fuck alone.

Amen!!

 

[hotdog23]

Only when I see ppl doing dangerous/stupid shit... If they don't like it I hope they get their shit snapped up with their horrible form. Most ppl are very receptive and appreciative tho, which makes me feel good. All about how you talk to ppl. However, anyone weaker n less jacked than myself can keep their advice to themselves

Behind the neck pulldowns are a pet peeve of mine. But I never say anything.

 

[rubisean]

I pull my hoodie tight on my head, I don't want to be bothered and hate to rest between sets. I usually grab the dumbells with the dust on them, that keeps people away too. I am down for helping, just not between sets..... just being honest

 

[MindlessWork]

I pull my hoodie tight on my head, I don't want to be bothered and hate to rest between sets. I usually grab the dumbells with the dust on them, that keeps people away too. I am down for helping, just not between sets..... just being honest

Usually it's the heaviest ones that have the dust on them

 

[ChuckSipes]

i know this is stupid cos knowledge is knowledge, but i find it really depends on age and who is in ear shot.. if a younger kid comes up and tells you you're doing an exercise wrong your ego will find it very hard to accept it without feeling insulted, especially if other people hear him say it.

i find people are way too sensitive though, if i see someone working out with such bad form they may hurt themselves ill say something.. or depending on the situation go and tell someone who works at the gym to tell them, as i feel people generally take offence even though you're just wanting to help.

 

[Flaming Dragon]

I just mind my own business and keep my heads down between set w/earplugs on.. Now, every now and then I see a group of young bucks and they're egging each other to heavy or that one loner who you know is trying to move weights he can't control..I would move closer and with my handy iphone... try to take a quick movie or pic of a THAT guy who's lifting wayyyyyy to heavy--- get a one way ticket to Snap City!.. One of these day, I'll catch one!

 

[grey]

How does everyone feel about getting/giving advice from people you don't know in the gym?

Anybody who gives me advice on anything is treated with respect (provided I am not a retard that day). Even if I don't take their advice.

They at least gave more of a shit about me than the other folks who simply ignore everyone who doesn't owe them money.

 

[TUD]

There is one guy at my gym who goes at the same time as I do everyday. I see him always giving advice to people and ive spoken to him before and hes got a bachelors in exercise science and is going for his masters and really sounds like he has a lot of solid knowledge but he is probably 22 and is 6' 175 lbs and it just makes me cringe seeing him give people advice

 

[theprodgicalson]

9 times out of 10 the person giving me advice has no clue what they are talking about. Had a guy tell me my deadlift form was terrible and that I needed to be over the bar more. Apparently his buddy told him this year's ago and its "saved" his back. I just smiled and said thanks. He then asked me to do a set the way he described so he could coach me. I asked him if he knew who Ed Coan was, he replies "no, I haven't. Is he from around here?" I told him thanks for your advice and just took extra long between my set. Now, said guy goes over to squat rack and isnt even getting close to breaking parallel with 315 for 10 while grunting the whole time.

Advice from these types makes me angry. Makes me want to punch him in his mouth every time I see him now.

 

[Genghis K.]

As for me, I never offer anyone advice. If you take offense, then I have to deal with the awkwardness of seeing you everyday. If you readily accept it and get all chummy with me, then that's one more person I have to socialize with every damn day. I'm not anti-social or anything, but the gym is my time to work. I don't want to hear about little Jimmy's baseball game, how your boss is a dick, or how you think your wife is banging your best friend. I just want to lift.

Agreed. About the only time I say anything is if someone is risking a serious injury. The youngster busting his balls who doesn't know any better, he deserves a little help as well - but he has to be busting his balls and not looking at himself in the mirror every 3 seconds. 99% of the time I train, just mind my own business.

True story, years ago a guy who talked too much, legend in their own mind type, got pinned on the bench after a few reps with 315. His workout partner couldn't get it off of him. My partner hit me on the arm to go help as well. I turned around and just watched. No, I wouldn't have just left the guy there; he was fine still putting forth effort. What pinning himself under that 315 did was the equivalent of the heimlich maneuver for all that crap he had coming out of his mouth. He learned how to
shut-up.

 

[TyroneMoreGains]

There's a dude at my gym that keeps telling me that my benching is all wrong because I touch my chest and lock it out for every rep.

He says I have to stop a few inches away from my chest and not lock out..

He also says that my squat is way too low...

Fuck that guy.
I hope he gets AIDS.

 

[Demondosage]

I used to occasionally offer guidance to the younger guys who are obviously new, but kids nowadays are punks and don't appreciate shit. I help out if they ask me something, but I don't approach them anymore