TheGreatWhite
02-03-10, 2:23 am
"Hey man, need a spot?"
From California, to my home state of Indiana to the East Coast, that same familiar phrase is uttered in gyms throughout the nation. Whether you're in a powerlifting gym like West Side Barbell or in your local health club, people are always willing to lend a helping hand.
At the gym I work and train at, most of our members are willing to help and APPRECIATE the help when they get it. Notice I put "appreciate" in all caps. There are a select few who still think they know it all and don't need any help. I'm calling bullshit on this. I have seen it first hand a few times since we opened our doors this past September.
If this seems like a rant, I apologize, but when someone is offering their energy and time to help you with something, just out of good will, and you don't accept it, boy you talk about getting me pissed. I was killing time between my clients tonight and there was a new member who was trying to put up a big flat bench. I'm only 20, and this guy was about 27. I asked if he needed a spot or a lift off.....very quickly he replied "hell no, I don't need any of that". I thought to myself, "hmm, okay smart ass...let's see how hard you drop this on your chest". I stuck around really close to the bench he was at. The bar was loaded up with 250 lbs....going for 2-3 reps with no spotter....that's plain dumb. As I predicted, he couldn't get it off his chest. Good thing I was nearby with a few other members, who quickly removed the bar form his chest. I went over to him and said "dude, not trying to rub anything in your face, but if you need a spot, don't be afraid to ask...everyone's willing to help eachother around here." He kind of looked at me with a dazed expression.
The reason I am writing this is simple: In life, too many people think they know it all, when in reality they don't. People don't think that they need any help at all. Helping people is my job, and man do I love it. In my gym, I'm the "authority" when it comes to fitness. But outside, I'm thirsty to learn more and to find help wherever I can.
It's really simple....if someone is willing to help you in whatever path you take in life, don't ignore them. You never know what type of friendships you may make and the knowledge you may acquire....
From California, to my home state of Indiana to the East Coast, that same familiar phrase is uttered in gyms throughout the nation. Whether you're in a powerlifting gym like West Side Barbell or in your local health club, people are always willing to lend a helping hand.
At the gym I work and train at, most of our members are willing to help and APPRECIATE the help when they get it. Notice I put "appreciate" in all caps. There are a select few who still think they know it all and don't need any help. I'm calling bullshit on this. I have seen it first hand a few times since we opened our doors this past September.
If this seems like a rant, I apologize, but when someone is offering their energy and time to help you with something, just out of good will, and you don't accept it, boy you talk about getting me pissed. I was killing time between my clients tonight and there was a new member who was trying to put up a big flat bench. I'm only 20, and this guy was about 27. I asked if he needed a spot or a lift off.....very quickly he replied "hell no, I don't need any of that". I thought to myself, "hmm, okay smart ass...let's see how hard you drop this on your chest". I stuck around really close to the bench he was at. The bar was loaded up with 250 lbs....going for 2-3 reps with no spotter....that's plain dumb. As I predicted, he couldn't get it off his chest. Good thing I was nearby with a few other members, who quickly removed the bar form his chest. I went over to him and said "dude, not trying to rub anything in your face, but if you need a spot, don't be afraid to ask...everyone's willing to help eachother around here." He kind of looked at me with a dazed expression.
The reason I am writing this is simple: In life, too many people think they know it all, when in reality they don't. People don't think that they need any help at all. Helping people is my job, and man do I love it. In my gym, I'm the "authority" when it comes to fitness. But outside, I'm thirsty to learn more and to find help wherever I can.
It's really simple....if someone is willing to help you in whatever path you take in life, don't ignore them. You never know what type of friendships you may make and the knowledge you may acquire....