what grinds your gears at the gym?

[kimlin85]

Quote, originally posted by citat3962 »

So I usually hit the treadmill until my legs are jello and go home

NOT making fun of you, but this reminded me of someone i saw on sunday. this dude was on the eliptical next to me and he was DRENCHED in sweat, old guy w/short shorts and a headband, skinny fat. his cheek was pressed against the monitor and his eyes were shut, and he had the resistance all the way up. he was just pushing hard and groaning, basically looked like he was dying. every now and then he'd pick up his head to check the time, and he'd groan even louder and put his face back down.

[CTAC2003]

Quote, originally posted by Cameronstein »

Curls are useless, end of story.

thats gold right there.
i needed a laugh

[Big M]

Quote, originally posted by kimlin85 »

sorry if it came out like i was making fun of you. i really wasn't. i have nothing against curls as long as they don't take place in a squat rack.

No worry.
I see how I might have pissed you off with my story, then. I swear, there was NOBODY in the gym, and I didn't hold anyone up at the squat rack.

Quote, originally posted by Cameronstein »

No. Curls are useless, end of story. If you're curling, the only reason you're doing so is because you want bigger arms (aesthetics). The bicep's primary function is to move the forearm towards the shoulder. Using a supenated grip on your back exercises (rows, pull-downs, etc), will target your arms and also cause them to grow, so basically the time you waste doing mad curlz yo! is basically time wasted.

I sort of agree, And right now I'm not doing any curls in my routine.
But I don't see anything wrong with focusing on biceps and triceps when they're a lagging part. My back, chest and shoulders used to be out of proportion to my and arms. All the back exercises I did didn't help my biceps keep up to the same pace.

YMMV, but if I never had dedicated bicep/tricep workouts, I'd be pretty far out of proportion by now.


Modified by Big M at 5:50 PM 1-8-2009

[Cameronstein]

Makes sense.

As it stands, my arms are bigger than my calves so don't talk to me about disproportion haha.

[kimlin85]

Quote, originally posted by Cameronstein »

Makes sense. As it stands, my arms are bigger than my calves so don't talk to me about disproportion haha.

eh thats ok, your jeans have their own progress thread so nobody is focusing on your calves.

in all seriousness though, mine haven't changed in months and months. i recently stopped doing calf raises because i think that genetics are going to prevail anyways.

[thompo]

i still curl once/week.

purely for aesthetics, even.

[cstjetta]

*** ding ding new winner ***

squat machine *******! was looking for some plates(45s) and i couldnt see any... well that because some dick decided to load the machine up and lets just say the movement was about two inches down and scream it back up. I HATE YOU S.M.A.!!!!!

[kimlin85]

Quote, originally posted by cstjetta »

*** ding ding new winner *** squat machine *******! was looking for some plates(45s) and i couldnt see any... well that because some dick decided to load the machine up and lets just say the movement was about two inches down and scream it back up. I HATE YOU S.M.A.!!!!!

were u using the smith machine?

[cstjetta]

Quote, originally posted by kimlin85 »

were u using the smith machine?

it was the squat machine he was using with all the plates. i just need a pair to do my exercise.

[kimlin85]

Quote, originally posted by cstjetta »

it was the squat machine he was using with all the plates. i just need a pair to do my exercise.

thats called a smith machine. sorry your story made it sound like you were using the smith machine and someone stole your plates.

[::xander::]

here's something that bothers me:

there is only about 4 regulars at my gym (including me) when I lift, between 830-10pm. Now, since I've been going there, there is ONE young kid who has continually been going there and breaking his balls working out.....and making NO progress.

It drives me nuts, I offer the kid advice, I try to get him to work out with me (which I RARELY do) and he refuses, but then bitches that he can't get stronger or bigger....

what has he been doing for the last 18 months? curls and bench, those are his only 2 workouts. I kid you not. If that weren't bad enough, 2 nights ago he tries deadlifting for the first time ever, just as I'm leaving, and he decided to ask me how to do them. I've been offering to help him out for over a year, and the time he actually wants my help is as I'm leaving.

I'm not saying he's an idiot for not listening to me, but after a year of making no gains, I would have thought he would have at least TRIED to change his routine

[Steveo989]

Quote, originally posted by NLR32 »

Yes that is the same thing here. Where were you in Iraq. I'm at Qwest. The MWR here is small but it has a decent gym. So I can do what I need to do. I just happened to go at a busy time the other day. Not my normal time at 9am when there's next to no one there.

I was at Camp Bucca.

[Steveo989]

Quote, originally posted by cstjetta »

*** ding ding new winner *** squat machine *******! was looking for some plates(45s) and i couldnt see any... well that because some dick decided to load the machine up and lets just say the movement was about two inches down and scream it back up. I HATE YOU S.M.A.!!!!!

Pretty sure you mean leg press machine.

[R32R1]

Quote, originally posted by ::xander:: »

here's something that bothers me: there is only about 4 regulars at my gym (including me) when I lift, between 830-10pm. Now, since I've been going there, there is ONE young kid who has continually been going there and breaking his balls working out.....and making NO progress. It drives me nuts, I offer the kid advice, I try to get him to work out with me (which I RARELY do) and he refuses, but then bitches that he can't get stronger or bigger.... what has he been doing for the last 18 months? curls and bench, those are his only 2 workouts. I kid you not. If that weren't bad enough, 2 nights ago he tries deadlifting for the first time ever, just as I'm leaving, and he decided to ask me how to do them. I've been offering to help him out for over a year, and the time he actually wants my help is as I'm leaving. I'm not saying he's an idiot for not listening to me, but after a year of making no gains, I would have thought he would have at least TRIED to change his routine

I got someone at my gym just like that. He's a little scrawny kid and all he does is curls, that's it. It's not even worth talking to them because most of the time they think they know what they're doing and will disregard any suggestions coming their way.

[T dub C]

I work at a gym so I have one huge pet peeve.

I hate when people don't put their towels in the dirty bins. Is it really that hard to put the towel in a clearly marked bin?

I realize that it is my job to keep the place clean but come on now.

[Biff Tannen]

What grinds my gears is people trying to talk to me when they can see that i have my headphones in and am in the zone. I don't mind being asked to spot or for advice on something, but don't try to make idle chit-chat.

[beng]

Quote, originally posted by DubPassatVR6 »

What grinds my gears is people trying to talk to me when they can see that i have my headphones in and am in the zone. I don't mind being asked to spot or for advice on something, but don't try to make idle chit-chat.

x 1,000,000

[ClockworkChad]

Quote, originally posted by citat3962 »

What grinds my gears is being essentially clueless on the best way to work out and what exercises are helpful and what form is correct. Makes me uncomfortable because I don't know WTF I'm doing, I know I'm doing it wrong and I'm not confident enough to just ask people what to try. So I usually hit the treadmill until my legs are jello and go home because I don't want to look stupid struggling with weights. Even though I know a low rep high weight lifting workout + cardio after is actually better for me... perhaps I need a DB set for home and some research on form and exercises so I don't **** myself up. Straining muscles hurts.

theres are alot of websites that show you the form. find a workout recommended on here, print it out, and bring it with you to the gym. before you go, youtube the videos so you know how the form looks. dont try to go heavy with the weight because you think everyone is looking at you and judging you, no one that is actually respectable cares how much you lift as long as your form is good. the gains will come if you stick with it.

[JCJetta]

I lift at a foo-foo "hip" gym, and it's full of New Year's Resolutioners.

I was peforming deadlifts in the best spot I could utilize under the cramped conditions. This guy tip-toed under my weight as I was locked-out. I glanced over and said something that was confrontational, but I did not come off as a jerk. For that I was proud. But wow, what an idiot.

On a happy note, 3 years ago this high school kid came to me asking for advice. Last night I watched him deadlift 365 for reps with perfect form. I was so proud!

[thompo]

it grinds my gears that i'm not squatting anywhere near what JC does.

panzer built mother****ers. i say god damn.

[FBMphil]

Quote, originally posted by thompo »

it grinds my gears that i'm not squatting anywhere near what JC does. panzer built mother****ers. i say god damn.

Go to the lumberyard and grab some nails on the way home. Squatting like JC is all in the technique.

Arms out, legs together, toes pointed!

[thompo]

i just googled "jesus doing squats".

i think i found it.

[sagerabbit]

Two guys in the change room were on the other side of a bank of lockers. "Touch right here. See that? Striation. Yeah." I got changed and got the f--k outta dodge.

Also, the second time in 2 weeks the same guy doing the same exercises on opposite ends of the gym and expecting to own the equipment for a 1/2 hour, but only using it for 3 sets. Shrugs in the squat rack? Is that akin to the curls in the rack? Anyways, I waited for a minute for him to return then I unracked for him and hit up some cleans. He came back around and picked a different machine to use.

[ClockworkChad]

Quote, originally posted by thompo »

i just googled "jesus doing squats". i think i found it.

you just reminded me of another gear grinder. why do almost all women on machines do it with just 1 fricken bar, or without the pin in at all. does that tie into them not wanted to get too muscle-y ?

[BetterByDesign]

January memberships
Perfume and cologne...at the gym, people?
People that think they can have a good workout while reading a magazine.
Guys with a little too much product and time in front of the mirror.
Guys that need the whole bench to lay out their towel, ipod, hair products, etc.
Weirdos in the weight room.
19 year old girls "working out." lol
certain guys (usually old white guys) a little too comfortable with their jewels and nakedness. (that's a table, not a park bench, Bob)
treadmill "runners" lol

Modified by BetterByDesign at 10:23 PM 1-11-2009

[ClockworkChad]

the dudes that look at their abs every 2 seconds is really annoying as well

[Big M]

Maybe it's because all my workouts have been in my garage for the past few years, but all the cell phone use and the couples making out is bugging me more and more every time I go to the gym.

[ClockworkChad]

the cell phones is incredibly annoying. you actually have people making out in your gym ? thats gross.

[nycvrsixxx]

Quote, originally posted by ClockworkChad »

the dudes that look at their abs every 2 seconds is really annoying as well

It's better when they pretend to use their tshirt to wipe the sweat from their face to look at or show off their usually non existent abs.

I absolutely loathe the gym the more and more i go. There are so many things that grind my gears it's ridiculous. It's come to the point where i pull my hat down, blast my ipod, and ignore everyone. I look away from people when i think they might try to chat, i keep my head down between sets, and keep an unfriendly look on my face the whole time. I can feel people hating me..
Modified by nycvrsixxx at 7:32 AM 1-12-2009


Modified by Mr. Rictus at 3:50 PM 1-12-2009

[eve16v]

This is more funny than an annoyance, but on Saturday there was this older, "thicker" lady, she was buck ass naked weighing herself. She kinda grunted and then walked past the isle I was in and went to the bathroom... Then walked directly back to the scale like it was going to change drastically.

She was so angry, just mumbling and grunting to herself the whole time.

[Tornado2dr]

Quote, originally posted by eve16v »

She was so angry, just mumbling and grunting to herself the whole time.

In the bathroom or in general?

[eve16v]

Quote, originally posted by Tornado2dr »

In the bathroom or in general?

In general.

[Big M]

Quote, originally posted by ClockworkChad »

the cell phones is incredibly annoying. you actually have people making out in your gym ? thats gross.

It sure is. I see atleast one couple every time I go.

Typically, they walk into the freeweight area, hold eachother and suck face for like 10 seconds before the girl goes off to the treadmill or something. The girls will come back a few times to make out with the guy some more between his sets, and then they baby talk about something.

Some of the couples will work out together in the freeweight area, with the guy coaching the girl. And then they hug and make out between sets.

[GT Eye]

Quote, originally posted by nycvrsixxx »

It's better when they pretend to use their tshirt to wipe the sweat from their face to look at or show off their usually non existent abs. I absolutely loathe the gym the more and more i go. There are so many things that grind my gears it's ridiculous. It's come to the point where i pull my hat down, blast my ipod, and ignore everyone. I look away from people when i think they might try to chat, i keep my head down between sets, and keep an unfriendly look on my face the whole time. I can feel people hating me.. Modified by nycvrsixxx at 7:32 AM 1-12-2009

LOL, no more Powerhouse?


Modified by Mr. Rictus at 3:51 PM 1-12-2009

[nycvrsixxx]

Quote, originally posted by GT Eye »

LOL, no more Powerhouse?

No, powerhouse shut down for 2 months for a huge steroid and rec drug bust. It basically left all members screwed for that time. So i went to LA fitness, there is no way id go back there after that.