Should I bother going down to Planet Fitness today? (training, machines, eat)
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See, you are EXACTLY the person who Planet Fitness is trying to keep out. It is dedicated to fitness, not building results for narcissists to admire in the mirror in public.
1) So anyone who takes pride in their results is a narcissist? 2) You are kidding yourself if you think the exact same thing never happens at PF. If it has mirrors and people it has someone scoping himself or herself out.
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Originally Posted by rugrats2001
And no matter how hard you try, there is no way to hide that much disdain for beginners (or pre-beginners) entering the fitness world for the first time.
The vast majority of gym goers probably don't notice. If they do notice, the vast majority can readily identify a new comer, sure. Most are likely more focussed on their own work to have any "disdain." I'm not sure where you get this, really. A lot of gym regulars are actually very encouraging to new comers. You are so certain that people judge, yet you yourself are making a pretty broad-stroke judgment. If you are a PF member I can see why people wouldn't want to go there. It seems too judgmental to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rugrats2001
99% of these people are never going to 'advance' to bodybuilding or powerlifting, and you need to accept that they don't want to do more than lose a few pounds, tone a bit and build up their stamina and cardio health.
And many of them do just fine in regular gyms and find them to be welcoming environments that facilitate their goals.
The vast majority of gym goers probably don't notice. If they do notice, the vast majority can readily identify a new comer, sure. Most are likely more focussed on their own work to have any "disdain." I'm not sure where you get this, really. A lot of gym regulars are actually very encouraging to new comers.
Have to agree here. The vast majority of people in the gym will rarely even make eye contact unless they know the person. It's not because they all hate each other, but that they're all trying to be respectful of everyone else's workout. I've never seen anyone at the gym garner harsh looks and judgment at any of my gyms, and I've seen everything from big 400 lb guys lifting 5lb dumbbells to grannys and grandpas throwing some serious weight around. My current gym has a lot a high schoolers and even they are respectful and do their own thing, even when it's annoying that they do curls in the squat rack.
I certainly understand how this perpetual feeling of embarrassment comes through. I was a beginner once, and I still look like a total wimp on some exercises, but the more you go and look around the more you realize that NOBODY CARES. As long as you respect their space, they respect yours. And if you need a spotter you can always ask for one, even the biggest meathead-looking d-bags are happy to do it.
Have to agree here. The vast majority of people in the gym will rarely even make eye contact unless they know the person. It's not because they all hate each other, but that they're all trying to be respectful of everyone else's workout. I've never seen anyone at the gym garner harsh looks and judgment at any of my gyms, and I've seen everything from big 400 lb guys lifting 5lb dumbbells to grannys and grandpas throwing some serious weight around. My current gym has a lot a high schoolers and even they are respectful and do their own thing, even when it's annoying that they do curls in the squat rack.
I certainly understand how this perpetual feeling of embarrassment comes through. I was a beginner once, and I still look like a total wimp on some exercises, but the more you go and look around the more you realize that NOBODY CARES. As long as you respect their space, they respect yours. And if you need a spotter you can always ask for one, even the biggest meathead-looking d-bags are happy to do it.
True. I'm not shy about asking for a spotter. If someone is standing around nearby or doing a similar exercise, I'll do it in a flash. I'd also spot anyone who asked me to do so. My gym also has staff who walk around and clean equipment, make sure barbell plates are evenly distributed, etc. These staff members are also available to spot if at any time you need one.
True. I'm not shy about asking for a spotter. If someone is standing around nearby or doing a similar exercise, I'll do it in a flash. I'd also spot anyone who asked me to do so. My gym also has staff who walk around and clean equipment, make sure barbell plates are evenly distributed, etc. These staff members are also available to spot if at any time you need one.
Yep. A couple years ago I was walking by a guy doing bench press. He had a 25 lb plate on each side of the barbell so it was pretty light. He got stuck at the bottom of his rep right as I walking by. He was pinned so I ran over and helped him get the weight back up. I could tell he was absolutely mortified but I really really wished he wouldn't have been. Everyone who has tried to push themselves has been there. He retreated to the locker room and left pretty quickly. I certainly had no ill feelings toward him except for the fact he gave up so quickly. I wish he would've stayed and finished his workout.
I think most regular gymgoers would have done and felt the same in my position.
Yep. A couple years ago I was walking by a guy doing bench press. He had a 25 lb plate on each side of the barbell so it was pretty light. He got stuck at the bottom of his rep right as I walking by. He was pinned so I ran over and helped him get the weight back up. I could tell he was absolutely mortified but I really really wished he wouldn't have been. Everyone who has tried to push themselves has been there. He retreated to the locker room and left pretty quickly. I certainly had no ill feelings toward him except for the fact he gave up so quickly. I wish he would've stayed and finished his workout.
I think most regular gymgoers would have done and felt the same in my position.
agreed. It isn't even a big deal. I think getting stuck on the bench press is a mandatory learning experience for beginners lol
agreed. It isn't even a big deal. I think getting stuck on the bench press is a mandatory learning experience for beginners lol
F***, it's not just beginners. I had a bad day at the gym a few weeks ago and gut stuck on the last rep of a BP. Fortunately there was someone nearby to bail me out.
F***, it's not just beginners. I had a bad day at the gym a few weeks ago and gut stuck on the last rep of a BP. Fortunately there was someone nearby to bail me out.
The most weight I have ever benched was when I was alone. I knew I had to do it or I was screwed lol. I have since changed over to a machine and pushups for chest just to be safe. I usually go to my gym late at night and there is either no one there, or they are jamming to music with headphones in.
agreed. It isn't even a big deal. I think getting stuck on the bench press is a mandatory learning experience for beginners lol
Lied on a bench for 2 1/2 hours once pinned by the bar. I don't care how long you lie there, you're never going to pick it back up.
3 weeks later I was working on one of my stock cars and a jack stand let go, I was on my back on the garage floor for close to 4 hours with a car on my chest. All I could think of was "This ****'s gotta stop!" LOL
The most weight I have ever benched was when I was alone. I knew I had to do it or I was screwed lol. I have since changed over to a machine and pushups for chest just to be safe. I usually go to my gym late at night and there is either no one there, or they are jamming to music with headphones in.
I have a set amount I'm willing to do a complete workout without a spot. I won't go over that amount without a spot even for one rep. It's a good rule, but as I learned it's not fool proof. Some days you have it more than others, and on that day I had it less.
As an aside, the story I mentioned above happened on a Monday. For some reason, if I work chest on Monday it is 1) a lousy workout and 2) screws up my whole workout week. It just leaves me in a funk. I know it's all mental, but part of me is content to just work around it since it's not hard to do and it's not like this is some great barrier I need to punch through. It's just a little mental nuance. That day and the week that followed confirmed to me why I don't work chest on Monday.
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Fortunately there was someone nearby to bail me out. 
