I’ve expounded on gym guys in the past, pointing out that older dudes tend to exhibit bizarre behavior when around dumbells and weights. There are other gym guy specimens I left out.
One obnoxious strain of gym guy I came across today is the “personal trainer by default”. He’s a guy that has been working out for a little while, knows where things are in the gym, brings a couple of newbies to the arena, and proceeds to act as if he wrote the tour de force on the subject of bodybuilding.
In reality, he’s a schlub that’s just a little less schlubby than the schlubs under his tutelage. They follow him around dotingly, hanging on every piece of advice he has to offer. I understand why the new guys feel this way; I’ve been there too. As a new guy at a new gym, you don’t want to get in the way, look stupid, or drop something on your throat. New guys walk with trepidation as they gain their gym legs. The problem is completely with the gung ho wannabe-trainer. He takes his task too seriously. He charges around the gym, weaving in between workout stations and squat racks, looking for new exercises to introduce his pupils to. “OK guys, lets do some dips,” he’ll say as he mounts the dip station and proceeds to do quarter dips before his triceps start to quivering.
The new guys seem to know that their leader is sort of a joke, but they’re in no position to question his teachings. “What do you know about bent-over rows? Huh?” is the feared response to any affront of his authority.
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And usually this workout party of 3 usually turns into a tea party, with so much yapping and talking it puts most ladies of the gym to shame. One guy on the machine, the other 2 talk talk talking. Often times the guy doing his set joins in as well. The lack of concetration is a joke.Word to beginners out there: If you feel you need a partner, pick ONE only, none of this 3+ junk. Same level of fitness is not important; dedication, drive and goals are. Weights can be increased/decreased between your shared sets much easier then changing ones outlook. Doing the motions is not weight lifting, its a frame of mind.If you cant find a suitable partner, lone wolf it. In my 12 years of lifting(27 now) I have yet to find a suitable partner to match me. Persistence will get you over the intimidation of the regulars at the gym. You show dedication, you will earn their respect.Dont know what your doing and havent read much yet? Pay the 60 bucks and have a trainer from your club show you some techniques. You only get out of gym what you put in, ITS ALL YOU. It can be one of the most satisfying experiences you can have. Dont fuck that up thinking just because your friend knows a bit he has to be there. Early learning is best done without distractions from your outside life. No friends mocking your lifting weights (be it real mocking or your imagined thoughts they might have), no feminine distractions (absolutly no working out with your girlfriend, uggh).In summery: Dont be one(leader or follower) of the party that Chuck described, your just wasting your time.Pheo
"Word to beginners out there: If you feel you need a partner, pick ONE only, none of this 3+ junk."I agree with this. The extra person adds about 20 minutes to gym time. This is ridiculous when a solid workout (just the weights) should last from 45 minutes to an hour. Each guy is spending 30-50% more time between sets which impedes maximum workout effectiveness. Plus it gets really annoying waiting for a large group of guys on one machine or in the squat rack. I haven't adopted a workout partner because I don't like to talk when I work out. I like to focus, and I don't want to feel obligated to shoot the shit. So basically I'm looking for a deaf mute to work out with. I haven't come across one yet.
I don't think I've ever met a man who goes to a gym! Of course, I've never lived in America. Going to a gym seems to come up a lot on American blogs. I'm guessing this is some kind of suburban thing: since you drive everywhere you need to lose weight or something like that. Or perhaps American women only like muscular men?
"I don't think I've ever met a man who goes to a gym! Of course, I've never lived in America."Gym culture is big here. The only foreigners I see in the gym I go to are Middle Eastern men and Asians. They all wear workout gloves as well. I see no Europeans. I'm sure there are some, but Europeans tend to eat healthier (not talking about Brits) and have generally passable physiques."I'm guessing this is some kind of suburban thing: since you drive everywhere you need to lose weight or something like that."Eh, I'm sure city guys do it as well. There's probably more competition in cities making it more necessary for city boys to hit the weights. Of course, country boys are stronger. "Or perhaps American women only like muscular men?"They do to an extent. I attribute American male gym culture to laziness. That seems counterintuitive, but a lot of guys go to the gym and don't work on any other facet of themselves. Not counting the guys that go just to stay healthy, most younger guys go because they want to attract women. Plain and simple. Often they fall back on big arms or a barrel chest instead of working on Game, personality, or other areas that would help them out with women.
Only losers and people who don't take lifting seriously socialize at the gym. The only excuse is to pick up hot gym chicks. Still serious lifters try to avoid all distractions including women and friends.
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Reasons to go to a gym 5 days a week…
1) stay strong.
2) increased testosterone.
3) the enjoyable high from lifting.
4) spend a bit of time chit chatting with folks who don’t work where you work.
5) discuss health & techniques with others who are serious about good health.
6) most likely live longer, with much better quality of life in your later years.
At 56, I’m fit as a fiddle and still get smiles and eye contact from women when out and about. And I’ve made many good male friends over the years whom I first met at the gym. (co-workers tend to be temporary friends)
Meanwhile, most non gym acquaintances tend to have a spare tire, bad eating habits, they slouch, and they tend to live lives of quiet desperation. (and tend to vote Democrat – they just need someone to give them a bit of help)
What about the guy who has no other hobbies besides working out and constantly talks about his routine:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/workout-routine-broken-down-for-coworker,1738/