Would you (or have you)?

[buffedmama]

At the gym I go to, there are the typical muscle-heads... And the typical muscle-head-wannabes.

Oh, and then there are the people who actually know what they're doing...

Have you ever corrected someone on their form? How would you feel if you did?

I ask because I'm not sure if I should give suggestions. I don't want to come off as some "muscled-up woman know-it-all", but seriously, some of these guys are going to hurt themselves if they continue to lift with the bad form they are.

Or maybe it would be a lesson learned the hard way.

Comments?

 

[spatts]

If I absolutley have to say something, I go up to them and ask if I can work in for one set. Then I do the move the way *I* would do it, and say something like, "Man, that really hits my pecs hard when I keep my elbows up. Thanks for letting me work in." Then I move on. Usually they'll ask why I did that, and then...well, they asked.

 

[JJFigure]

I will offer up a comment if it looks like they are going to hurt themselves; otherwise, I've learned to just not say anything. I've found men don't really like to be given advice on their lifting form - especially if it's a woman giving advice. This is of course a huge generalization; I've also met a few men who've wanted advice, but they ask for it; I didn't freely offer it up.

I AM much more likely to help a woman - I've found women can be a little intimidated by the free weight side of the house, and aren't comfortable asking for advice. I'll offer up a pointer and kind of feel them out; if I get the "leave me alone" look, I don't follow it up. If they act relieved, it usually ends up being a long discourse and borderline training session where I'm showing them form on a couple different lifts. It may interrupt my training for the day, but women need all the encouragement they can get, so it's well worth it.

 

[SouthernBell]

If it is a Newbee Woman I may throw in an advice or two and if she really seems interested ask her to join me for a few workouts. As for a man, most of them have too much pride to take the advice so I usually keep my distance. What really bothers is when you see the husband and wife come in and he's showing her how to do everything with bad form. I have had this happen, I wanted to help but I new it would be a disaster. So I kept my mouth shut..

But you never know, That person may be thankful you steped in so if you do tread slowly.....

Good Luck

SB

 

[Sassy69]

I will comment to the women -- usually they don't have a friggen clue what they are flapping around w/ the 2 1/2 lb weights for. But otherwise I'll make a comment like "Man I get an awesome burn if it do it this way" or "I just tried something a little different with that move -- if you do <whatever> -- and I can really feel a difference". If you walk up to someone who doesn't know you and you start lecturing, they will either tell you to go take a flying leap, give you that look, or have their confidence blown / be really embarrassed and just walk out of the gym. Easier to just make a passing comment that might make them think a little about what they are doing.

 

[witkowsd]

I see alot of people doing things wrong - but remember, you are not a licensed trainer and if they get hurt, you could be responsible. I learned to do my own thing and not worry what everyone else is doing.

 

[slinky]

I've been training a loooooong time, and I've learned to keep my mouth shut. Oh sure, I've attempted to help. And I'm genuine in my attempts, too. I really, really CARE! If I try to help guys, it's the "she's a know it all"; gals give me the "she's a bitch" attitude. Seriously.

Besides, just upon spending a moment and observing the gym floor yesteday, literally everyone out there was doing something wrong or performing some wierd-ass version of some wierd-ass exercise. And I realized, this is a EVERYDAY thing, too. Where would I begin, if I wanted to help? And where would it end? Aye carumba!

Overall, I've learned to just let my actions; my physique speak when in the gym. If someone approaches me with questions, I'm always willing to give a moment and help. I leave it at that.

 

[witkowsd]

Thats exactly how I feel - you are at the gym to help yourself - you don't get paid to help other people and if you have that much time to observe what people are doing maybe you need to add a few more exercises to your workout. Also, everyones goals are not the same - for me - I'm building muscle - alot of women at my gym are older and just want to keep in shape. Of course, if someone asks me I do say something but normally I just mind my own business.

 

[lil k]

At the gym I go to, there are the typical muscle-heads... And the typical muscle-head-wannabes.

Oh, and then there are the people who actually know what they're doing...

Have you ever corrected someone on their form? How would you feel if you did?

I ask because I'm not sure if I should give suggestions. I don't want to come off as some "muscled-up woman know-it-all", but seriously, some of these guys are going to hurt themselves if they continue to lift with the bad form they are.

Or maybe it would be a lesson learned the hard way.

Comments?

thats a tough one, i try not to help anyone unless i am asked...usually when i train, i dont really even see other people, i dont socialize, i dont talk to anyone, i just train.

but if i see someone that is going to hurt themselves, i do everything i can to help without looking like i am telling them what to do...maybe like "i love that excercise, but i was injured a while back doing it with the incorrect form, then someone showed me this way...." etc.

 

[Cowgrrl]

It's been my policy to not give advice unless asked.

We have a pretty tight knit group at the gym that I work out at, and we have been known to ridicule the "bicep boys" - I think you all know what I talking about! Sometimes they'll ask us for help, other times they stop coming in so early in the morning...