So I'm going to throw everyone off here. This isn't a blog about my distain for the people who buy a gym membership and quit after a month or two. I know lots of people get frustrated with all the crowds in the first quarter. Take a second to not be a total douche bag though. At some point you were likely one of these people. I'm sure you felt the glare of the regulars as you sat on a machine backwards not realizing it until it's too late. Lots of people have been there. Realize these people are trying. That's way more than the rest of the world that's just given up and made peace with their physical shortcomings even though those very things are fully under their control to change. That chubby 44 year old guy just wants to be able to keep up with his teenager. That older lady wants to be around to see her grand kids get married. That out of shape soccer mom has shown more courage than the vast majority of my female clients by even walking in those doors full of judgement (at least that's how they perceive it). So if someone is doing something totally weird or wrong and they are a new face then there's a great chance that they legitimately don't know any better. Instead of sneering go talk to them. Maybe you will make a friend. At the very least you will help them realize that not every regular gym-goer is a tool. Maybe by doing that you will be the reason they don't quit after 3 weeks. This year be a positive presence at the gym in January. Don't be a dick. Unless they are curling in the squat rack with less than 135lbs. Then get all passive aggressive like this:
There. That'll teach 'em
Happy New Year!
Talk Soon,
Dan Mason
Strongman competitor in the 242lb and 275lb classes and a pro powerlifter in the RPS 275lb class. He is also an Elite level lifter in the USPA/IPA. He holds instructor level ranks in Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has been training people for strength and martial arts since 2004.
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