Doing the exercises wrong...

[Kingsix]

Hello

I have a rather weird question... If someone at at the gym is doing an exercise completely wrong, do you tell them and maybe try to correct their form ?

I frequently see completely new guys at the gym and they' doing lets say squats itd., but even dangerously wrong. None of the more experienced guys there say anything, so I who don't look like uh oh bodybuilder just don't say anything

If it was me (and prolly is sometimes) doing something wrong, I'd be glad if someone showed me the correct form.

Whats your thoughts on this?

[pb75]

lol, when i see people squatting on the smith i really want to comment but so far resisted!

[SpiderDan]

Quote

Hello

I have a rather weird question... If someone at at the gym is doing an exercise completely wrong, do you tell them and maybe try to correct their form ?

I frequently see completely new guys at the gym and they' doing lets say squats itd., but even dangerously wrong. None of the more experienced guys there say anything, so I who don't look like uh oh bodybuilder just don't say anything

If it was me (and prolly is sometimes) doing something wrong, I'd be glad if someone showed me the correct form.

Whats your thoughts on this?

You have to be careful, some people dont like being told...which is usually why alot PTs dont correct peoples form because sometimes they get glaring looks and shouted down.

I tend to keep quiet in most cases and concentrate on myself, if people ask I'll always help.

I have on occassions talked to people but only if they are doing the same exercise as me (so generally squat or deadlift) and the comments have been well received. However, I dont go flying accross the gym or go out of my way if I see someone being stupid...... it is the case, unfortunately, that some people need to learn the hard way.

[winchester]

Even more awkward when it's the PT themselves getting it wrong.

[Elvis]

I tend to get to know the regulars at the gym. A "hi" or a nod here and there, a few words, "how's it going?", "what are you training today?". I don't waste people's time chatting when they are trying to get on, but most people are happy to be a little social.

This has the advantage that if you see someone you're acquainted with doing something badly you can try to help...

I never criticise how someone is doing the exercise, but occasionally I'll say "let me show you something" between their sets and show them better form. When you do this explain why it's better, "less stress on the back", "works a better range of motion" or whatever, so it doesn't come across as direct criticism. It seems to work, I've had people do this for me too and always appreciated it.

Randoms exercising badly is just a fact of life, unless life, limb or lower back is being risked I ignore it, sometimes I'll say to one of the staff "you need to talk to that guy", most of the time they do. To be fair the staff are switched on at both the places I train and do this anyway if they spot it first.

[Kingsix]

Thanks for the answers. I'm fairly new to the gym and was wondering about "gym ethics". Some who seem to know their stuff, see these guys doing exercises wrong, they simply don't say anything and sometimes get this smirk on their face. lol. So yea, found it kind of weird.

[JC82]

Some guy came over to me the other day and counted up the plates on the bar before a deadlift. Wow, that's ...kgs! Yep, I replied. That was it. He then walked back to the smith machine, sat on the bench and somehow managed to drop the bar behind his head doing some ugly shoulder press thing, holding onto the bar with his fingertips.
Unfortunately as he'd already annoyed me it took me a bit longer to go and rescue him.
By no means is my form always correct 100% of the time, but this chap is a prime example of why I have given up offering free advice unless they come and ask me. My training time is too precious to worry about what other people are up to.

[ben 21]

i talk from experience, dont comment pepole on form. i saw a guy in the gym a few years back dumbell curling the 50kg dumbells and he was rocking his back a bit and lifting the shoulders up a tad to help the weight up and i jokingly said your cheating those reps, and he took exeption to this and got right in my face and says do you want a fight? i,ll take you outside now and dust you up come on! then he procceds to say, if pepole where to see me and you walking down the street who are they going to think does bodybuilding not ****ing you! (i was 18 at the time with only a year of training behind me lol) we are friends now however so its all good.