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I posted this originally on GF, but wanted to see what y'all thought as well:
I have read many posts wherein quite a few people have stated plainly that if someone approaches them at the gym to ask for advice or engage in conversation that they more or less tell them to fuck off (perhaps not in those exact words - but the end result is the same) or just tune them out entirely.
I took roughly a month off recently and only got back to the gym this monday past. Now mind you, I work out a ballys. Not even a premier type club, mine is one of the ratty basic types ie: No pool, no track, no raquet ball - just weights. While struggling through my first chest and tri workout in what felt like ages I had 4 or 5 people come up to me and ask how I managed to maintain so well, what my workout schedule was like, etc, etc . . . some just wanted to know where I'd been - asking me if Id finally switched to powerhouse.
It occured to me then that I was more than likely the most experienced/developed guy in there on a regular basis (which says VERY little for my club if you ask me), and given that, I was inadvertantly a mentor to many of the guys training there.
There in lies the root of this thread. I really believe that we ALL, as experienced and knowledgeable as we are, have a fundemental responsibility as ambassadors of our sport/lifestyle to do all we can to present it in the best light possible. More than that, I remember how hard it was for me when I started training to learn what exercises to do and even HOW to do them. The little "tricks" are not something you can pick up by covertly watching someones reflection through the four mirror refraction technique - although that DOES work SPLENDIDLY for checking out hooties
!! I will always take the time to answer questions, hell, even demonstrate exercises if need be just so people will look at bbers as normal, friendly folks - not to mention possibly influencing someone in positive way. Our community can always use a new, dedicated recruit after all.
So, all macho bullshit aside. IN TRUTH, how many of you take the time to work with the people around you when they ask? How many of you really let your guard down and give advice freely when asked - even to that snobby little buck and a quarter bastard in the wife beater? Or do you really perpetuate the stereo type of all BBers being assholes and completely unapproachable?
I have read many posts wherein quite a few people have stated plainly that if someone approaches them at the gym to ask for advice or engage in conversation that they more or less tell them to fuck off (perhaps not in those exact words - but the end result is the same) or just tune them out entirely.
I took roughly a month off recently and only got back to the gym this monday past. Now mind you, I work out a ballys. Not even a premier type club, mine is one of the ratty basic types ie: No pool, no track, no raquet ball - just weights. While struggling through my first chest and tri workout in what felt like ages I had 4 or 5 people come up to me and ask how I managed to maintain so well, what my workout schedule was like, etc, etc . . . some just wanted to know where I'd been - asking me if Id finally switched to powerhouse.
It occured to me then that I was more than likely the most experienced/developed guy in there on a regular basis (which says VERY little for my club if you ask me), and given that, I was inadvertantly a mentor to many of the guys training there.
There in lies the root of this thread. I really believe that we ALL, as experienced and knowledgeable as we are, have a fundemental responsibility as ambassadors of our sport/lifestyle to do all we can to present it in the best light possible. More than that, I remember how hard it was for me when I started training to learn what exercises to do and even HOW to do them. The little "tricks" are not something you can pick up by covertly watching someones reflection through the four mirror refraction technique - although that DOES work SPLENDIDLY for checking out hooties
!! I will always take the time to answer questions, hell, even demonstrate exercises if need be just so people will look at bbers as normal, friendly folks - not to mention possibly influencing someone in positive way. Our community can always use a new, dedicated recruit after all.So, all macho bullshit aside. IN TRUTH, how many of you take the time to work with the people around you when they ask? How many of you really let your guard down and give advice freely when asked - even to that snobby little buck and a quarter bastard in the wife beater? Or do you really perpetuate the stereo type of all BBers being assholes and completely unapproachable?
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