Comments on: How to Deal with Crowded Gyms http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/ Build Muscle & Lose Fat Through Strength Training Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:24:18 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Junior http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-20948 Junior Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:56:58 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-20948 This is exactly what i stopped going to the gym. I always went to the gym at times when it was the least crowded and i still found myself having to wait for machines, so i would hate to think how bad it is when it is totally crowded and when you have to stand around waiting for someone to get off a machine it totally ruins your workout (it does with me anyway). The thing that really bothers me about this (in addition to having my workouts ruined) is that I AM PAYING to stand around and wait for a machine and when you are paying for a service and this is what happens it totally turns me off. So i invested in a home gym and haven't looked back. The benefits are so much better (for me at least), i can workout and not have to stand around waiting for others to get off machines, i don't have to drive to the gym (save money on fuel) and after 1-2 years you actually save money, although this does depend on much much you want to invest into your own gym. With me though i certainly have saved money since investing in my own gym. Peace This is exactly what i stopped going to the gym. I always went to the gym at times when it was the least crowded and i still found myself having to wait for machines, so i would hate to think how bad it is when it is totally crowded and when you have to stand around waiting for someone to get off a machine it totally ruins your workout (it does with me anyway). The thing that really bothers me about this (in addition to having my workouts ruined) is that I AM PAYING to stand around and wait for a machine and when you are paying for a service and this is what happens it totally turns me off. So i invested in a home gym and haven’t looked back. The benefits are so much better (for me at least), i can workout and not have to stand around waiting for others to get off machines, i don’t have to drive to the gym (save money on fuel) and after 1-2 years you actually save money, although this does depend on much much you want to invest into your own gym. With me though i certainly have saved money since investing in my own gym.
Peace

]]> By: Dokola http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-19308 Dokola Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:23:08 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-19308 The gym I go to has a couple benches a power rack and a large contraption with pull up/chin up bars with dipping bars as well so I am set. Most of the people at my gym ...only... hit the punching bags or run on the soccer field or skip and such. Getting in early/first gets me that power rack so when the inevitable weight lifter comes in they can be after me, does not work always though... BTW Great website Mehdi you have got me off isolated exercises at home and in the gym where I now belong lol. The gym I go to has a couple benches a power rack and a large contraption with pull up/chin up bars with dipping bars as well so I am set. Most of the people at my gym …only… hit the punching bags or run on the soccer field or skip and such.

Getting in early/first gets me that power rack so when the inevitable weight lifter comes in they can be after me, does not work always though…

BTW Great website Mehdi you have got me off isolated exercises at home and in the gym where I now belong lol.

]]> By: MarkFu http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-18484 MarkFu Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:36:11 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-18484 On more than one occasion I have attempted to "shame" barbell curlers camping out at "my" squat rack, but generally they don't stick around for long, except if there are 3 of them. I like the "deadlift gambit" though. Heavy weights do scare most people off. I told one guy, "curls are for girls" but he had a funny comeback and said "curls GET the girls". We also have a squat safety cage and on the overhead pullup bar, there are the black straps to slide your arms into to do leg raises. Most people in the gym think that is the purpose of the rack since very few people actually use it for what it is made for. It is comical, actually. On more than one occasion I have attempted to “shame” barbell curlers camping out at “my” squat rack, but generally they don’t stick around for long, except if there are 3 of them. I like the “deadlift gambit” though. Heavy weights do scare most people off. I told one guy, “curls are for girls” but he had a funny comeback and said “curls GET the girls”. We also have a squat safety cage and on the overhead pullup bar, there are the black straps to slide your arms into to do leg raises. Most people in the gym think that is the purpose of the rack since very few people actually use it for what it is made for. It is comical, actually.

]]> By: foo http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-18441 foo Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:23:43 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-18441 @Neil - That may be true of some(many) steroid users but there is nothing wrong with legit use in combination with a proper strength or power training program + lots of hard work. I can see why people would get annoyed at users that use the chemical as a *substitute* for effort though... I work out at the YMCA and sometimes barbell curlers take up residence in the power rack. Sometimes I can work in and sometimes I wait. Once I told a guy(politely I think but I may have sounded like an asshole) that the rack was intended for squats and such. He flipped out a bit, cursed at me and intentionally took up much more time doing curls than he planned to.(he told me as much) After that I am quite cautious. IME the best way to clear some space is heavy deadlifts - they make a loud noise and turn my face blood red. This seems to ward weak people away. @Neil – That may be true of some(many) steroid users but there is nothing wrong with legit use in combination with a proper strength or power training program + lots of hard work. I can see why people would get annoyed at users that use the chemical as a *substitute* for effort though…

I work out at the YMCA and sometimes barbell curlers take up residence in the power rack. Sometimes I can work in and sometimes I wait. Once I told a guy(politely I think but I may have sounded like an asshole) that the rack was intended for squats and such. He flipped out a bit, cursed at me and intentionally took up much more time doing curls than he planned to.(he told me as much) After that I am quite cautious.

IME the best way to clear some space is heavy deadlifts – they make a loud noise and turn my face blood red. This seems to ward weak people away.

]]> By: MarkFu http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-18067 MarkFu Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:53:42 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-18067 Personally, I like the crowds if everyone is training hard and there is electricity in the air and beautiful women training. Of course this is all made better if I have successfully staked out a squat rack. If not, I bring in a kettlebell and that automatically clears some room, especially in front of me. It also helps if I have a crazed look on my face while I swing the KB! At the end of the day, it still has to be fun! Personally, I like the crowds if everyone is training hard and there is electricity in the air and beautiful women training. Of course this is all made better if I have successfully staked out a squat rack. If not, I bring in a kettlebell and that automatically clears some room, especially in front of me. It also helps if I have a crazed look on my face while I swing the KB! At the end of the day, it still has to be fun!

]]> By: Strong Island Dave http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17736 Strong Island Dave Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:30:24 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17736 This might seem like a no-brainer, but it pays to know the complete workout area of the gym your frequent. More often than not people crowd around the same machine, but there is probably the same machine located somewhere else too. Also, don't be afraid to get down and do a set of push-ups (on appropriate days) or some stretching as you wait. More often than not you will have the effect of speeding up the casual lifter so you can get in and get her done! This might seem like a no-brainer, but it pays to know the complete workout area of the gym your frequent. More often than not people crowd around the same machine, but there is probably the same machine located somewhere else too. Also, don’t be afraid to get down and do a set of push-ups (on appropriate days) or some stretching as you wait. More often than not you will have the effect of speeding up the casual lifter so you can get in and get her done!

]]> By: Tammi http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17658 Tammi Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:14:43 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17658 I do multi sport events, so most of my training is done between 4-6am. As a triathlete,I believe in lifting to get stronger and better for my sport. Not many women in the gym do Olympic lifts,true squats or heavy deadlifts-earlier is better if you want to do this. A lot of people come to the gym to meet people and not to train. These types will not likely be looking to hook up at 4 or 5am, so as a woman, I can avoid that crap. The other way is through a good home gym. I use unconventional strength training tools that are great when I an't make it to the gym. Sand bags 40lbs and up,weighted vests,kettle bells, a chin up bar and old fashioned push ups work just fine for me. I can do all of this in a small space in my upstairs loft when everyone's asleep downstairs. I do multi sport events, so most of my training is done between 4-6am. As a triathlete,I believe in lifting to get stronger and better for my sport. Not many women in the gym do Olympic lifts,true squats or heavy deadlifts-earlier is better if you want to do this. A lot of people come to the gym to meet people and not to train. These types will not likely be looking to hook up at 4 or 5am, so as a woman, I can avoid that crap. The other way is through a good home gym. I use unconventional strength training tools that are great when I an’t make it to the gym. Sand bags 40lbs and up,weighted vests,kettle bells, a chin up bar and old fashioned push ups work just fine for me. I can do all of this in a small space in my upstairs loft when everyone’s asleep downstairs.

]]> By: Me http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17448 Me Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:54:30 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17448 So I should encourage others to hurry up, work out incorrectly and push them and their weights around, just so long as I get what I want? Nice. So I should encourage others to hurry up, work out incorrectly and push them and their weights around, just so long as I get what I want?

Nice.

]]> By: Neil D http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17296 Neil D Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:27:23 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17296 I always go at 7:30pm, most of the posers go at 5:00 to 7:00 to look at chicks and pose in front of the mirror. Most of these morons are on steroids and cheat to get their muscle gains, pisses me off because most steroid users have crappy form and spend most of their time looking around to see if anybody notices them. Anyway, cardio in the morning, weights at 7:30pm, and I never have any trouble getting on the squat rack or power rack cause the painful workouts are for the truly dedicated, not the fags doing steroids and doing curls and bench press every time they go to the gym. I always go at 7:30pm, most of the posers go at 5:00 to 7:00 to look at chicks and pose in front of the mirror. Most of these morons are on steroids and cheat to get their muscle gains, pisses me off because most steroid users have crappy form and spend most of their time looking around to see if anybody notices them. Anyway, cardio in the morning, weights at 7:30pm, and I never have any trouble getting on the squat rack or power rack cause the painful workouts are for the truly dedicated, not the fags doing steroids and doing curls and bench press every time they go to the gym.

]]> By: Edziu http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17248 Edziu Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:54:51 +0000 http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deal-with-crowded-gyms/#comment-17248 There are a lot of bicep curlers in my gym so I get to monopolise the barbell rack without too much trouble. The problem comes when I need to use some floorspace for lets say Turkish getups; There are often a group of girls having a meeting on all the mats at once and today one young lad was giving his girlfriend a rubdown. In the land of the sheep, confidence is king. I smile and ask them politely if they will be long (while laying my towel next to the mat...). Look like you know what you're doing that's what I say. There are a lot of bicep curlers in my gym so I get to monopolise the barbell rack without too much trouble. The problem comes when I need to use some floorspace for lets say Turkish getups; There are often a group of girls having a meeting on all the mats at once and today one young lad was giving his girlfriend a rubdown.

In the land of the sheep, confidence is king. I smile and ask them politely if they will be long (while laying my towel next to the mat…). Look like you know what you’re doing that’s what I say.

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