Would you correct somebody you don't know in the gym? If so, what would be your approach?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:24:24 -0500

I've seen so many people doing exercise in the gym with wrong form, sometimes I want to say something but I don't dare since I don't know what would be the person's reaction. What would be your approach to somebody that could get injured because of wrong form?

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Mar 4 at 2015 1:48 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:48:59 -0500

Unless they are at serious risk of injury I would not correct them. This is based off personal experience. As a female, men look at me as this individual in the gym who always needs correction (whether justified or not). I'm sure for some its just to talk to the lone female in the gym, but it is also offensive. I don't tell you what your workout plan is or what you should or should not be doing in that regards. Give me the same respect. I use Jim Stoppani's Shortcut to Shred (Ph.d in Philosphy). Last time I got 'corrected', I was on a low rep/high weight leg day performing calf raises. Some guy decided that it was beneficial to tell me that I should do lower weight/more reps for calf raises because it was a better workout. On low weight/high rep days, sure I'll do that. If you have a beneficial tip, like keeping your head straight during push-ups helps keep your spine aligned so you are able to go down further. Or if you do hanging leg raises slower you'll work your abs better, because you are using less momentum. That information is helpful.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 4 at 2015 1:57 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:57:24 -0500

I would let them continue with their bad form unless they risked serious injury to themselves or others.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 4 at 2015 2:03 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:03:47 -0500

I usually just show them up.

Had a guy at my local gym who was squatting in a squat rack where he would sit down on a bench with about 300lbs. He was doing something in the realm of 8 or so sets, because that is what he read in his latest fitness magazine on what he needed to do I would wager. I asked if I could rotate in for a set (and this guy has three inches and about 15 pounds on me). He told me that would be fine and asked if I wanted any of the weight taken off. I responded that the weight would be fine (I had been squatting 350), pushed the bench out of the way, and slammed out twelve butt to calves squats. I then racked the weight, thanked the guy and walked off to my next exercise. His buddies were howling with laughter.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Mar 4 at 2015 2:05 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:05:28 -0500

I'm usually at the gym when the owner is around. He'd catch it LONG before I would....

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 4 at 2015 2:06 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:06:23 -0500

I might ask someone what they are doing out of curiosity since I might be able to learn something new, but the guys doing things obviously wrong (Is that an arm curl or a leg exercise?) I usually just ignore.

Besides, I don't have time for helping other people, it gets in the way of my sitting on a machine for the better part of an hour texting on my phone in between my one minute sets.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2015 2:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:26:11 -0500

As the guy who is uncomfortable in the gym, I'd appreciate someone correcting me and helping me to do it right so I could gain the gym confidence a lot of others have.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Mar 4 at 2015 2:32 PM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:32:47 -0500

Nope. I had a SNCO come over once to correct me because I wasn't touching my chest with the bar when bench pressing. For one I have 36" arms, yes, 3' long. Second, it has been medically Provence that taking a bench press past your arms being parallel to the floor is not healthy for your shoulder sockets, you are hyper extending the tendons. I wasn't very polite to him about it, told him to mind his own business an d move along. I absolutely hate when people think they're some kind of super trainer and that they know more than everyone else in the gym.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2015 2:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:50:04 -0500

Yes. I do this all the time. I don't want to see someone get hurt by doing the rep wrong. I also don't want them to inflict future injury by only doing 1/2 an exercise. I always tell them, "doing half the exercise only gets you half the results." It is a point of pride as I'm studying to become a personal trainer.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Mar 4 at 2015 3:10 PM

SPC Lukas Jones — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:10:39 -0500

Please do!

I don't know how to use a gym. I never had a strong male figure in my early life. No one showed me how to work out other than morning PT. If I went in and started doing squats and someone walked up and showed me a more effective and safe way to do a squat, I would be grateful!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2015 6:47 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:47:36 -0500

No, unless it's something I know will cause serious bodily harm. When I go to the gym, nothing exists but my music and whatever I'm lifting.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 12:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:54:22 -0500

I would ask where they learned that technique and if they would mind me showing something that might prevent them from getting injured.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 4:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 04:24:56 -0500

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 4:28 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 04:28:26 -0500

Nothing worse than golfing with a jackass that corrects your swing all day long and his slice is worse than yours. Same thing goes at the gym. I am not a professional weightlifter so unless the person is getting throat punched by the bar I mind my own business.

Sometimes learning the hard way is the best way to learn.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 5:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 05:13:17 -0500

I mind my own business. I'm far from being an expert, and there are many different beliefs on how some exercises should be performed. The only time I may interfere is to save some soccer mom some embarrassment, because she has no clue on how to use the equipment.

Response by CW2 Eric Scott made Mar 6 at 2015 12:10 PM

CW2 Eric Scott — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:10:08 -0500

Depends if they're going to wreck them self or someone else. Just tell them. But if they're on pull down bar doing leg raises with no harm to them self or anyone else, hey whatever floats their boat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 1:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:25:25 -0500

I will stop someone from doing something unsafe...other than that...I am worried about my own lifts. And if you are resting and staring at someone else...its a little creepy....Wouldn't fly on tha yard...that's all I'm sayin...lol

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 1:42 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:42:42 -0500

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Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 1:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:47:23 -0500

If someone asks me a question I will gladly offer advice, but I think it poor gym etiquette to insert oneself into a situation like that without being invited. And if someone did it to me, can't say I would be polite in my rebuff.
Now if it is a safety issue and the risk hurting someone else, that's a different story and yes, I believe it's proper to prevent a serious injury. But if you're talking a pulled muscle or something like that - well that's going to be a self correcting problem - like putting your thumb behind the slide of an M9 while you're firing.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 2:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:01:28 -0500

It's pretty simple, brother. All you have to do is approach them respectfully. For example: "Excuse me,sir (if they are not displaying rank). I couldn't help but notice the way you were doing (insert exercise here). I believe your form was off, and I wouldn't want you to get injured because of it. If you would like, I can help you get the form right so you can perform better and not sustain an injury." The caveat to this is that you have to make CERTAIN that you are correct. But if you are respectful, and approach it as a means to HELP them, then they shouldn't get upset about it. Handling it that way has worked for me so far. And if they do get offended, then you are in the clear because you tried to help. If they get injured after that, then it is their own fault for not taking the assistence.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Mar 6 at 2015 2:26 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:26:04 -0500

I've had people come up to me and correct the way I was doing something before. I just politely thank them and move to a different area of the gym. Frankly when I'm working out, I really don't want strangers coming up and correcting me unless they are a certified trainer. I know I would not try to tell someone else how to do their workout. I don't consider myself an expert in that field, so I wouldn't do it unless they were doing something clearly unsafe.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 2:42 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:42:51 -0500

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Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 2:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:55:53 -0500

I wouldn't correct anyone. If someone would like to learn how to work out, then there are various resources for that. For example: your buddies, personal trainers, or websites such as bodybuilding.com. I don't go to the gym for social hour.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 4:59 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 04:59:14 -0500

I qualify the Yes, I would with only if it is going to get the person hurt. If it just looks like shit, but is not going to cause damage immediately then go for it champ, you do what you think is right.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 4:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 04:25:40 -0400

And I have. I just tell them "while I am no expert on anything, I do know you are doing [blank] wrong, and should ... . Try it that way and see how it feels."

If they choose to ignore me, I won't offer help again. No harm done.

Response by PO2 Brendan McCarthy made Mar 9 at 2015 7:43 AM

PO2 Brendan McCarthy — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:43:45 -0400

Not unless they've got that, I could use a hand look or if you know the person beforehand.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 12:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:23:52 -0400

Is it true you can now get an ARCOM for making a correction at the gym???

Response by TSgt Joshua Lynch made Mar 10 at 2015 12:27 AM

TSgt Joshua Lynch — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:27:23 -0400

I would, but there would have to be a chance of injury. And then if they look the part, complete hands off: you've been here before, yeah "No comment!"

Response by SSG Stacy Carter made Mar 10 at 2015 1:42 AM

SSG Stacy Carter — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 01:42:47 -0400

When I am at the gym I do not usually pay attention to what others are doing unless it effects me.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Apr 18 at 2015 2:02 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 14:02:14 -0400

I do all the time... especially if they're about to hurt themselves. I approach with respect and if they show resistance I don't push it.

Usually though people are aware of their own ignorance and appreciate help.