How do you handle unsolicited coaching?

[Andy Maddison]

I was in the gym practising deadlifts and a guy proceeds to tell me what I'm doing wrong and what I should do instead. His intentions were good and I'm sure some of his advice was useful too but I want to try to do them exactly as instructed in the book and the videos. What do you say to people like this without coming across as rude and ungrateful?

[Mugaaz]

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind". Then go back to doing what I was before.

[Agilic]

Something quick and simple that lets them know you know what you're doing and they won't bother you again. For example, someone once warned me that my back wasn't vertical when squatting and I replied "oh, well I'm doing a low bar squat so I need to lean over to keep the bar centered over the middle of my foot, but thanks for the heads up."

[Eric Larousse]

Stare at them like they are clueless....nod your head....say thanks and then proceed

[Karl Schudt]

Pretend not to understand English.
Say something about the Illuminati.
Wear headphones and pretend not to hear.
Cultivate body odor.
Learn to say in harsh tones "fuck off."

Any other suggestions?

[Cody]

Option 1. Get a home gym. Commercial gym dues are slavery anyway.
Option 2. Deadlift 700lbs. No one will bother you anymore with shit advice.

[DodgerDog]

How do you handle unsolicited advise in other aspects of your life? You shouldn't even need to ask this question.

[manveer]

Pretend not to understand English.
Say something about the Illuminati.
Wear headphones and pretend not to hear.
Cultivate body odor.
Learn to say in harsh tones "fuck off."

Option 1. Get a home gym. Commercial gym dues are slavery anyway.
Option 2. Deadlift 700lbs. No one will bother you anymore with shit advice.

These are good. I'd argue that a 405 deadlift in most globo gyms will get people to leave you alone (and stare in awe).

I would just say "Oh, cool. OK. About to start my next set." But nobody really gave me unsolicited advice at LA Fitness. I always wore headphones. They were impressed by a 3-plate squat.

[poser]

I was doing 3x3 power Cleans yesterday and a kid mentioned to me that "if I want to have any longevity, I need to stop doing Crossfit movements and stick to the basics: machines and dumbbells." I suppose the fact that I've only ever performed 7 movements in that gym (6 of them with a barbell), was lost on him in terms of "basics".


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[limace31]

It depends.

Imagine, the guy goes "hey, doing starting strength, right?". Then, he proceeds and give you very useful feedback and cues.
Not all unsolicited advice is bad.

I mean, it might be a good guy who means well. You can show him the book and see what happens next time.

There are many more answers than just "fuck off" :-D (except if he is an asshole).