Rant/Question

I figure this probably has to do with me not looking very big and working on rippetoe's 3x5, but I get more people giving me advice at the gym than anyone else. In fact, I've never seen anyone else get approached and be given advice.

I understand these guys are trying to help and have good intentions, but it's always the fat fucks that look way out of shape or lift like complete idiots. I'm no expert, but I try to read as much as I can, I go light on a lift until I feel good about my form, and I don't ever sacrifice form to lift more, especially on the deadlift and squats.

In the past week 2 different people came up to me to give me "tips". Both of them told me not to go all the way down on my bench press, don't have your elbows drop below your chest level. One of the guys told me to only go halfway on the deadlift, weight to the knees then up, never touching the ground. They both told me the smith machine is much better because it prevents injury and gives you a better workout because you can do more weights. One claimed he used to do competitions in weightlifting, but he was built like a even fatter ngfm.

Question is, I feel weird when I completely disregard their advice to me especially since I see them all the time, so how do I prevent people from giving me tips in the future?

just nod your head and ignore them if you really feel it's bad advice.

buy one of those "Shut up and Squat!" shirts.

Wow, sounds like terrible advice.

Someone did this to me during Pendlay Rows once. They said don't deweight at the bottom (that's the whole point of a Pendlay Row), you'll hurt your back. I'm just like "Ok" then went back to doing what I was doing.

Wear headphones.

Giving advice in the gym is one of those things you should almost never do. I don't ever do it, but most people seem to think you should only do it if the person is doing something immediately dangerous. Personally, I don't fuck with peoples' workouts.

Unless you're a trainer AT THAT GYM, you don't give advice. If someone gives you advice, nod your head, tell them thanks, ignore them, whatever. Do things the way you've read/been taught how to do them.

Personally, I'm usually an asshole about it. I've only had it happen a few times in my life, but I always ask what their credentials are. When I find out they don't have any (100% of the time), I tell them I'll stick with the training my coach has given me.

Wear headphones.

also those tidbits of advice are wonderfully terrible; be a prick if people tell you shit like that--they're asking for it. 'thanks but i'd rather do it the right way' comes to mind

most trainers at my gym don't know shit either. I think they take like a 3 hour course. I always see this one guy giving out programs to newbies that are absolutely terrible -- the exercises are not compound and they are overly complex ("Oh man you gotta do these superhypersupinated wrist curls!") It's likely they don't want to give newbies the hard exercises and discourage them, but is it right to give them a shit program?

Everyone here has basically hit the nail on the head.

The ONLY time I've given someone ANY kind of advice was after they almost killed themselves dropping the weight or something and I ran over to help them re-rack it.

most trainers at my gym don't know shit either. I think they take like a 3 hour course. I always see this one guy giving out programs to newbies that are absolutely terrible -- the exercises are not compound and they are overly complex ("Oh man you gotta do these superhypersupinated wrist curls!") It's likely they don't want to give newbies the hard exercises and discourage them, but is it right to give them a shit program?

This is another thing. There used to be a really good trainer at the gym, I took 2 sessions with him, he was excited I wanted to do the rippetoe program and helped me with my form. The guy even encouraged me to do other compound lifts, awesome guy.

The guy left and I talk to this other trainer now, he keeps wanting me to take a session. He's a cool guy but he told me that he doesn't do squats or deadlifts and if I want to do those lifts I should get in the smith machine. wtf is up with people and the smith machine. I asked him to look at my deadlift and he actually told me that he doesn't know much about a deadlift... I keep telling him that I'm too busy for a session though I see him all the time at the gym. Still pushes me to do a session.

welcome to the world of Globo Gym

This is another thing. There used to be a really good trainer at the gym, I took 2 sessions with him, he was excited I wanted to do the rippetoe program and helped me with my form. The guy even encouraged me to do other compound lifts, awesome guy.

The guy left and I talk to this other trainer now, he keeps wanting me to take a session. He's a cool guy but he told me that he doesn't do squats or deadlifts and if I want to do those lifts I should get in the smith machine. wtf is up with people and the smith machine. I asked him to look at my deadlift and he actually told me that he doesn't know much about a deadlift... I keep telling him that I'm too busy for a session though I see him all the time at the gym. Still pushes me to do a session.

Tell him you're not interested in doing a session.

if someone gives you advice, give them the 'i dont get it' expression and ask them to show you, then walk away in the middle of their lift.

Whistle nonchalantly for extra effect.

The only time i feel inclined to give advice is when people do that circular motion for dumbell shrugs. But then I don't.

my gym has great trainers. and by great trainers I mean killer hotties. this one blond has the nicest ass ever and perky tits. man I'd love to cover them with chocolate pudding and slowly lick it off her. I'm so hard just thinking about them.

this makes me happy i work out at home

but if i had a dedicated partner i would sign up at the gym tomorrow

most trainers at my gym don't know shit either. I think they take like a 3 hour course. I always see this one guy giving out programs to newbies that are absolutely terrible -- the exercises are not compound and they are overly complex ("Oh man you gotta do these superhypersupinated wrist curls!") It's likely they don't want to give newbies the hard exercises and discourage them, but is it right to give them a shit program?

yes =\


all the trainers are also like, fucking fat. who hires these people.

if i was going to pay for someone to tell me how to work out, you better be more ripped then me


edit : they are telling u (trainers) to use that because they dont want you to hurt yourself in thier gym.

if your confident in your form fuck that machine just lift

isn't that what a trainer is for?.... to TRAIN you?

Gotta find a better gym to get good trainers, look for one with lots of bodybuilders or athletes instead of spinning classes :P