Poor teacher

[Sixguns]

Yesterday I noticed some new faces at the the gym. Of them a father and son which had to be no older than 12. The dad was showing the kid around the gym and workouts but was also showing him horrible form. I understand wanting to help get your kid in shape but while doing that he should also show him the right way to do it. The way he was showing this kid to do stuff was so bad. They were jerking weights around, pulling down really fast and would just let the weight pull their arms back up. No control of the weights at all. Does he not know that without a good form that his kid will hurt himself? Wanted to say something but not really my place I guess.

/rant

 

[blackdogdeek]

are there trainers at the gym that you could warn to let them know they might want to help out those members?

 

[Sixguns]

are there trainers at the gym that you could warn to let them know they might want to help out those members?

Not really, I live in a small town and the gym is a family owned one. They offer training sessions but not sure how good they will be.

The worst thing I saw was while do wide grip lat pull downs he was having the kid pull all the way down to his lap. So it turned from your lats to tri's pushing down and than just let the weight fall back down basicly pulling him out of the seat.

 

[Pantlegz]

If that's the worst, it's not that bad. Better to get full range of motion rather than doing 1/2 a lat pull down. There is a guy that does something similar with his kid at my gym but he's having him curl 55lbs in the squat rack or doing singles bench pressing with no form whatsoever. At least he doesn't have the kid doing messed up squats and killing his back before he has a chance to learn what he's doing.

 

[Sixguns]

Well that is just one that I pointed out. While doing rows he again had him doing a lot of jerking. Now with him working back, a jerking/pulling motion will be no good for that ol spine of his. He also seems to have him doing weights that are to much because it looks as if he is using his whole body to lift it. But the dad lifts the same way. Started on Jan 2nd, so dont really know how much longer they will be there and be an issue.

Also needs to teach him gym etiquette. I was using the doing some lat pulldowns. Get done with a set stand up right next to it and the kid walks up and starts to take my bar. I told him I wasnt done and he didnt care to listen and tried to take it stating he needed it. I felt like a dick for being rude but that bugs me. I dont care if he wanted to jump in and do a set but dont try to take the stuff I am using.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

If that's the worst, it's not that bad. Better to get full range of motion rather than doing 1/2 a lat pull down. There is a guy that does something similar with his kid at my gym but he's having him curl 55lbs in the squat rack or doing singles bench pressing with no form whatsoever. At least he doesn't have the kid doing messed up squats and killing his back before he has a chance to learn what he's doing.

Actually, it's terrible. Kids learn motor programs very easily and they're hard to modify later on in life. The overall theme of control is lacking in a lot of gym goers, but is essentially for functional strength. Eccentric control is especially important, which tends to go out the window first when people are trying to get the weight up. This is why "slow and controlled" is good for all beginners whether adult or child. As they progress, they can then modify it as they see fit.