Overheard in the gym - Share!

[Why not?]

Don't fight it, man!  I don't really race people at the gym, but you get me on the road and I turn into the dragon breathed Type A get-the-fuck-outta-my-way kind of guy.  I guess it's the car guy in me.  I just can't stand driving slow.  

My wife and insurance company don't appreciate it

[iatetheyeti]

I love this thread, unfortunately my gym is my home, so the only ridiculous things overhead are the things I say to myself. Or I guess the housemates might count...

[Pretzle]

Today in the gym: 

 

I did my usual, wanted to do some squats, some of the regulars (3 guys) were doing bench press sets. While I did some cycling and some other exercises while waiting to be able to do squats (only one rack in our gym) I overheard the following: 

 

Taking turns, the 2 dudes not lifting would stand next to the one lifting - and he could only lift when his friends said 'Hulk smash!'. Continue to make Hulk noises. 

 

Just in case one of you involved in this story is on NF: Dudes, that's totally cool. And hi

[Oramac]

Today in the gym: 

 

I did my usual, wanted to do some squats, some of the regulars (3 guys) were doing bench press sets. While I did some cycling and some other exercises while waiting to be able to do squats (only one rack in our gym) I overheard the following: 

 

Taking turns, the 2 dudes not lifting would stand next to the one lifting - and he could only lift when his friends said 'Hulk smash!'. Continue to make Hulk noises. 

 

Just in case one of you involved in this story is on NF: Dudes, that's totally cool. And hi

 

 

Warning: language

 

[Pretzle]

So yes, that  

[Barfly]

I would totally run for pi(e)

[batman4]

Not overheard, but today I saw a trainer at my gym instructing someone how to do front squats...correctly! It was pretty awesome, actually. Not what I'm used to seeing at my gym.

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[Timmy M]

Not overheard, but today I saw a trainer at my gym instructing someone how to do front squats...correctly! It was pretty awesome, actually. Not what I'm used to seeing at my gym.

 

this is more off topic then the Great Beer Tangent (i've tried mead now btw, it's bloody lovely, gonna have a glass as a nightcap ) NEEDS MORE STUPEDS!

[Guest Dirty Deads]

Welcome to the wonderful world of honey wines. Might I recommend some tej? It's fucking fantastic!

[Why not?]

this is more off topic then the Great Beer Tangent (i've tried mead now btw, it's bloody lovely, gonna have a glass as a nightcap ) NEEDS MORE STUPEDS!

I need to try mead.

[Tanuki]

Not quite overheard, but close. I'm a total newbie to all of this, still reading up on it all and doing home workouts, but an acquaintance is at the gym most days; personal trainer, free weights, carefully planned regime, likes pricey equipment. Alas, he is baffled that he cannot shift his abdominal fat.

 

Now I'm not exactly the Weight Loss sage or anything, but the dude drinks red wine most evenings and then beer with friends, heavily, 2-3 nights a week! Regular weekend benders too. So anytime I hear him wondering what could possibly be the cause of this unexpected, errant ab chub - is it my carb macro? Adjust my protein shake? Reconflabulate my perpendiculatory angle on the XDS 9000? - I'm quietly thinking "Dude. Booze."

 

But as I've never even set foot in a gym - yet - I doubt he'd appreciate my advice. I will stay silent. And aim to slowly overtake him.

[Raev]

Overheard by others:

 

Newb lifter only 10 weeks in, grunting and straining with a squat set - sounding and looking like he's trying to pass a bowling ball with only 200lbs on the shoulders and sweat running down his face.

 

 

 

 

 

It was me. ><

[Obitim]

Saw my first power curtsy on Saturday!

 

I was training with the missus, getting her into compound movements (oh yeah!) and doing squats and she was doing really well, she didn't manage full ROM as she said the bar was a bit heavy and she'd not get back up, plus balancing the bar as well but she went as far as she could and did a damn good job!  She managed to get a bit lower on subsequent sets and really enjoyed it!

 

I then see a guy (pretty well defined muscles and looked strong) rack up the Smith machine with about 60kg on each side, may have been 80, he then proceeded to drop the bar about 6 inches, tops and grunt like his life depended on it with each rep...meanwhle...in the power rack were 2 dudes, doing squats, full range of motion with about 20 kg on each side.  However, I did wonder 'who was getting the most out of their leg exercise today'

[Why not?]

Not quite overheard, but close. I'm a total newbie to all of this, still reading up on it all and doing home workouts, but an acquaintance is at the gym most days; personal trainer, free weights, carefully planned regime, likes pricey equipment. Alas, he is baffled that he cannot shift his abdominal fat.

 

Now I'm not exactly the Weight Loss sage or anything, but the dude drinks red wine most evenings and then beer with friends, heavily, 2-3 nights a week! Regular weekend benders too. So anytime I hear him wondering what could possibly be the cause of this unexpected, errant ab chub - is it my carb macro? Adjust my protein shake? Reconflabulate my perpendiculatory angle on the XDS 9000? - I'm quietly thinking "Dude. Booze."

 

But as I've never even set foot in a gym - yet - I doubt he'd appreciate my advice. I will stay silent. And aim to slowly overtake him.

That'll do it.

[MariahSnow]

It's Monday morning and I'm up before the sun. I do my chores around the house before heading to the gym which is conveniently next door to my office building. I'm feeling a little bit like a mess because I have the sinking feeling that I've forgotten something as I walk up to the gym and sign in. After putting my stuff down in a locker and getting organized, I head upstairs to the group fitness room. Typically there are no group classes in that room in the early morning hours, but usually there are a few people in there doing "exotic" exercises. This room is where burpees do their punishing. As I reach the top of the stairs and look through the glass doors, I see an older man (mid 40s?) lying on his back on a mat in a bridge-like pose (i.e. feet on the floor near the butt, knees pointed to the ceiling). His butt is off the ground and he is doing only what I can describe as a porno-speed air hump. I imagine he's attempting to do something kind of glute/hip thrust. And he certainly is thrusting. But the combination of speed and his short shorts just makes me incredibly uncomfortable. There's lots of flopping going on and it's just not pretty. Not to mention his immediate proximity to the mats. I had to collect myself, get a sip of water, and then steel myself to walk within 2 ft of him to grab a mat and run to the other side of the room.

 

He then got up from his rapid-fire thrusting and ran around the room several times. Sigh. Is it Friday yet?

[LadyFenix]

Not overheard, but just a little something that I find stranger every week.  My gym has paper towel dispensers and cleaner bottles around every corner of the gym, they're everywhere....only one trash can.

[Raev]

Yesterday something happened that confused me.

 

There is this guy at the gym, one of those fellas that's there when I get there and still there when I leave.  I talk to him from time to time.  Yesterday I worked in with him on the bench.  He gave me some form tips and we talked routines.  When I told him about my 5x5 routine (doing Stronglifts) he looked at me like I was crazy, then proceeded to tell me that I am doing it all wrong, that I shouldn't work up to failure, I should spend a week or two at a weight before I ever move it up and that I was doing too many compounds a day.

 

Now, I'm not going to dismiss the dude.  He's been lifting for 20 years he says, he's a pretty big fella and pretty strong.  His bench yesterday was a pyramid, with the low rep/high weight number at 295#.  When you are benching 295 and I'm struggling with half that weight, you obviously know something I don't.

 

I just don't understand the logic of what he said or why he feels the constant progression is such a bad thing, or why working to failure is a bad thing.

[SevenofSeven]

Each to their own.

I like the 5x5 concept and can't wait to get into it.

[Machete]

Yesterday something happened that confused me.

There is this guy at the gym, one of those fellas that's there when I get there and still there when I leave. I talk to him from time to time. Yesterday I worked in with him on the bench. He gave me some form tips and we talked routines. When I told him about my 5x5 routine (doing Stronglifts) he looked at me like I was crazy, then proceeded to tell me that I am doing it all wrong, that I shouldn't work up to failure, I should spend a week or two at a weight before I ever move it up and that I was doing too many compounds a day.

Now, I'm not going to dismiss the dude. He's been lifting for 20 years he says, he's a pretty big fella and pretty strong. His bench yesterday was a pyramid, with the low rep/high weight number at 295#. When you are benching 295 and I'm struggling with half that weight, you obviously know something I don't.

I just don't understand the logic of what he said or why he feels the constant progression is such a bad thing, or why working to failure is a bad thing.

It doesn't necessarily make his program the best one. "The worst program in the world performed pedal to the metal will give you more results than the best possible program done half-assed." (CT) Also, genetics always comes into play.

SL 5x5 was designed for beginners. It's convenient and easy to follow, and the whole point of lifting too light is to learn the lifts and to develop the structural integrity in preparation for heavier loads in 5x3. Of course there are better, personalized programs out there, but SL is free and user-friedly.

[chairohkey]

When you are benching 295 and I'm struggling with half that weight, you obviously know something I don't.

Honestly unless he was 150 lbs a 295 bench is rather unimpressive especially after 20 years.

[Raev]

Honestly unless he was 150 lbs a 295 bench is rather unimpressive especially after 20 years.

 

If I had to fathom a guess, I'd put him at around 5'10" and 200lbs-ish

[chairohkey]

If I had to fathom a guess, I'd put him at around 5'10" and 200lbs-ish

Nope not impressed. Ignore him and keep doing your thing.

[Obitim]

As above...if you're seeing results then stick with it!

[Oramac]

So yesterday I saw a guy come into my gym and start lifting.  No big deal right?  Except he was wearing a polo shirt and sagging jeans down past his cheeks.  How the hell is that even comfortable, nevermind lifting like that?!  

 

On the other hand, I'll give him credit for getting into the gym and doing something.  Better to be there in jeans than not at all.  

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

Honestly unless he was 150 lbs a 295 bench is rather unimpressive especially after 20 years.

 

 

If I had to fathom a guess, I'd put him at around 5'10" and 200lbs-ish

 

 

Nope not impressed. Ignore him and keep doing your thing.

 

Agreed. I can hit 295 for a double most days and I've been lifting 2 years. Yes, I'm a shade over 6'0" and 270 lb, but I can tell you with certainty that I will hit 320 (85 wilks, same as 295 at 200) for doubles and triples at 245 or 330 at 275 (85 wilks again) within 1-2 years, if I ever stop being a fat kid who over eats. His numbers are not that impressive for that amount of training, so don't let them sway you.

 

That said, once you get more advanced and can't recover from linear or weekly periodization, then yes, one of the tactics is to keep the weight the same and work on increasing reps and bar speed before advancing weight. Very few of us here on these boards are to that point though.

 

If you're seeing results, keep doing what you're doing.