gym newbies: how are they treated?

[Cap'n Cooke]

i've talked to a couple of my friends who have wanted to get into lifting, but they all say the same thing: they'd feel really inferior working out alongside hardcore builders. but i tell them all one thing... it's just like any sport, ANYONE in a gym will give you a spot, advice, encouragement, etc., at least that's how I am towards folks who are just starting off. everyone's there to support each other.

i mean, yeah, I felt out of place the first time I went from the MACHINE AREA into the actual FREE WEIGHT area, but then i realized that you can't grow without taking the first step, and everybody had to do that at some point.

so do you guys ever treat newbies like shit, or see it happening?

 

[Ingram]

The guys who give the most attitude are usally the guys that have only been working out for about 6 months yet they think they are the shit. The hardcore guys/vets are there to workout and don't feel they have to prove themselves by knocking the newbies.

 

[ThePolishHammer]

Id second what ingrams sayin.
One buddy of mine whos been goin at it, is always knockin the new guys. He was even knockin' some 10-12 year old kid. But I told the guy to smarten up, Guys like that are everywhere in anyting. but they defenetly aren't the majority of the people at any gym. When im there, im eager to give advice/spots to any of the new guys. Better to push them in our direction, then have them get pulled in by the YMCA, The-Zone, Chatalaine, version of fitness.

 

[needsize]

In my gym, I am easily one of the 3 biggest guys out of 3000 members, and I'll give anyone respect that is there to train. Everyone has to start somewhere, and everyone has different goals. It's the guys that come in, do heavy partials on everything thinking they're king shit, then swagger around like their 150lb ass owns the place, those are the ones that get on my nerves. Especially when you try to offer some constructive training advice, and they tell you you dont know what you're talking about.

 

[gettinlarger]

In my gym, I am easily one of the 3 biggest guys out of 3000 members, and I'll give anyone respect that is there to train. Everyone has to start somewhere, and everyone has different goals. It's the guys that come in, do heavy partials on everything thinking they're king shit, then swagger around like their 150lb ass owns the place, those are the ones that get on my nerves. Especially when you try to offer some constructive training advice, and they tell you you dont know what you're talking about.

Indeed. Good call.

I ask for a spot from the huge ass hardcore dudes all the time. No one is ever unwilling. I've been at my gym for about 2 years now, so maybe they know me. I'm given compliments all the time also. Makes you feel good when guys twice your size are giving you compliments.

 

[needsize]

I go up and compliment newbies and less advanced trainers all the time when I see them doing full range, quality reps. I try to make the comments loud enough for the guys doing the heavy partials to hear

 

[bishonen]

It's the guys that come in, do heavy partials on everything thinking they're king shit, then swagger around like their 150lb ass owns the place, those are the ones that get on my nerves.

I've got a guy that comes in, throws weights around as loud as he can, then settles down and does 300+ pound squats with about 4" of actual motion.

All the while grunting like he's partaking in some.. deviant sex. I'm pretty sure his drama act is because of his bald spot.

Anyway, being a new guy at the gym myself, I haven't had any problems. The *one* day I went during prime-time (around 6:00 PM) I ran into a couple of assholes who wouldn't give up their benches, or walked away without any way to mark they'd be back, and then yelled at me when I sat down to use 'their' bench.

I was actually pretty floored one morning when this towering monster of a man very politely asked me how many sets of deadlifts I had remaining. Then quietly stretched to the side while I finished up.

 

[Lord_Suston]

guy who are total assholes to newbies = lifters with ego problems.. Have I ever been mean to a newbie? yes, but that was only because I was in the middle of breathing squats. if a newbie came to me and asked for a spot I will never decline because it might be my ass on the line next time. Everyone starts at the bottom more people should remember this.....

 

[Bootyshaker]

In my gym, I am easily one of the 3 biggest guys out of 3000 members, and I'll give anyone respect that is there to train. Everyone has to start somewhere, and everyone has different goals. It's the guys that come in, do heavy partials on everything thinking they're king shit, then swagger around like their 150lb ass owns the place, those are the ones that get on my nerves. Especially when you try to offer some constructive training advice, and they tell you you dont know what you're talking about.

Hey need size!

I am from toronto and believe you are the same. Have you ever dropped by venice, scarborough location(my gym until about 2 weeks ago). It is fantastic!

Also I have heard great things about extreme fitness!

 

[Exodus]

well i help...... but the jerks that dont want or think they need your advice......... i give them a chance.......... then i make fun of them

oh well..... i gotta have some fun......... but im still the nicest guy in my gym................ i still wont refuse a spot or anything.... im just a big ole softie

X

 

[needsize]

Hey need size!

I am from toronto and believe you are the same. Have you ever dropped by venice, scarborough location(my gym until about 2 weeks ago). It is fantastic!

Also I have heard great things about extreme fitness!

Actually I'm in Brantford, about an hour away from you. It's a franchise on the London Atheletic club that I train at, 3000 yuppies and me

 

[nikkita]

newbies are always welcome... and I think hardcore bodybuilders
will treat them with respect and acceptance if they show they are really into the sport, willing to learn, get advice and concentrated to their goals... and most important... all hardcore bodybuilders were newbies once too

 

[erickthegreat11]

Don't try to impress anybody; you'll just hurt yourself
Don't ask people advise unless you're sure they're not in the middle of something. I can get pretty irate when someone won't stop talking to me when I'm doing reps. Few years back I was benching with 70#. I went to the Y to look at their gym and the subject of how much weight I was benching with, and when I told him he laughed at me. Did I mention this was a "personal" trainer? Avoid these competitive jokers. Another gym I lifted at, nobody said anything to me or looked at me differently. Just depends where you go I guess.

 

[The Shadow]

ni - in fact I booted a guy and revokd his membership this week b/c he decided to go take a bench from a "newbie" as the newbie was getting a drink of water.....

We have ALL been ther b-4....now....the 3 year vetran-newbie who still uses the power rack to do curls is on his own

 

[gymtime]

The guys who give the most attitude are usally the guys that have only been working out for about 6 months yet they think they are the shit. The hardcore guys/vets are there to workout and don't feel they have to prove themselves by knocking the newbies.

Exactly. EVERYONE feels intimidated when they first start lifting in a gym of any size. It's a fact of life. The good news is that you get over that fairly quickly as long as you stick to it.

 

[circusgirl]

This thread makes me feel WAY better about asking the big guys for a spot. Or asking them if my form is ok (no I don't ask them to check my form from the back whe doing squats lol).