PSA - If I have my headphones on in the gym...

[purbeast0]

Keep in mind my headphones are on too

yesterday i'm continuing on my 5x5 program for my flatbench barbell presses. As I'm doing my first couple of sets I notice some other guys on the cable machine near the bench I'm using just doing some exercises. I go down and start my 3rd set.

As soon as I lift the bar off, some random dude from the group comes over to "spot" me. No I did not ask for him to spot and no I did not need one. I did my 5 reps smoothly and put the bar back. This kid then goes on to try and have a conversation with me which goes into the following ...

First of all, keep in mind, this kid is probably like 170lbs, skinny asian guy. He started it off by telling me how that's a lot of weight I was doing and how I'm a pretty solid dude. He then tells me that he used to be solid and he's trying to get his size. So I ask him how come he lost his size? He then tells me "When I was training in the ARMY I lost all of my size and strength."

Okay now im a little baffled, because I have a few friends who went to Iraq and they all got pretty damn swole over there. SO I don't know what this kid is even talking about.

He then asks me what I do and I was a little confused, and he asked if I play football or rugby or anything, and I'm like no man I just sit in an office 40 hours a week so I gotta get active afterwards.

He then goes on to tell me that he knows some guy who will train me for 6 weeks 1 hour a day (not sure how many hours a day) for $250. I just kind of look at this guy with a confused face, as I probably have like 40lbs on this guy and it's not 40lbs of fat we're talking about here.

But me being the nice guy that I am acted calm and cool as I had 1 headphone hanging out and one still in my ear. After some more stupid babble from this guy his boys told him it was time to leave and he left.

IF I HAVE MY HEADPHONES ON PLEASE DO NOT FREAKING TALK TO ME! PART OF THE REASON I HAVE THEM ON IS BECAUSE IM AT THE GYM TO GET MY WORKOUT DONE AND LEAVE, I'M NOT THERE TO SOCIALIZE!

I've even had my iPod run out of batteries and I just kept the earbuds in so that no one would talk to me. I don't care if this sounds asshole-ish, I do not want to talk to you at the gym no matter what you think, unless you are some hot chick.

 

[paulxcook]

I don't mind if someone talks to me for a second even if I have headphones on, but spotting when not asked is just weird. I would feel weird even asking someone if they needed a spot unless the person about to lift didn't seem strong enough to handle the weight.

 

[HN]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
So I ask him how come he lost his size?

here's your mistake. you asked him something in response. should've just tapped your headphones and give him a look of like "hey, can't hear ya over the sound of how awesome i am"

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
I don't mind if someone talks to me for a second even if I have headphones on, but spotting when not asked is just weird. I would feel a weird even asking someone if they needed a spot unless the person about to lift didn't seem strong enough to handle the weight.

it completely threw me off when he came to spot me cause i now saw someone over my head.

 

[wheresmybacon]

I'll go a step farther and say ff I'm @ the GYM don't talk to me.

I'm not there to socialize. I'm there to DO WORK!!!

 

[TallBill]

You should have been blasting your music louder.

 

[grohl]

The Gay is everywhere.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Sounds like he was hitting on you.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

What supps are you guys on anyways? This thread made me recall what Ninja posted in the animal pump thread

Great attitude/aggression - I really noticed that I had a pissed off, don't F with me attitude. In fact.....you looking at me?

Still, not a bad rant, except for the "KTHXBAI!" part, that cheesey AOL speak, just doesn't fit with your user name or normal posting style. So I had to take a point, but 9/10 since the subject matter you ranted about was a completely valid one to do so over.

 

[crt1530]

When you ask people questions, that is an invitation for them to continue talking to you. You brought everything after the "so how come you lost your size?" question on yourself.

If I'm not interested in talking to somebody at the gym, I limit my responses to one or two words (e.g. OK; that's nice) and continue with my lifting as if they weren't even there.

 

[TheNinja]

Ya, there has to be some gym etiquette. On the other hand, we are human beings and should be treated with respect. At least you took 20 seconds out of your day to ask him a question or two, it's not that hard. But I agree, normally when I'm at the gym I don't want to be bothered.
If people have been going to the gym for any amount of time, it's pretty easy to tell which guys are open to chat with and which aren't. If a dude has earphones on, or is more or less just looking down or focusing on weights, don't talk to him. If a person is sort of looking around, making eye contact, nodding hello, etc. he/she is probably open for a quick chat.

 

[indamixx99]

I really hate when the trainers come up to you and try to tell you their services while my headphones are on. Leave me alone.. I've got my headphones on and I'm in the zone right now!

 

[wheresmybacon]

I think what you meant to say was:

"Not now chief I'm in the fucking zone."