Making It Work in a Commercial Gym | Deborah Lebl

[stef]

Millions of people around the world have used the Starting Strength method to train in a wide variety of gyms. They have done their training either in a Starting Strength Gym, in an affiliate gym, in their home, or, for many of us, in a commercial gym. Let’s be honest, Starting Strength stands in diametric opposition to nearly everything about a commercial gym, but this does not mean you cannot be highly successful training in such an environment.

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[IlPrincipeBrutto]

Agreed on 'avoiding eye contact'; or rather, to make it sound less pathological, I would say it's good to keep a focused attitude, and strive to be noticed as little as possible.
Besides cleaning the equipment, I would also suggest to replace properly the weights, leaving your rack/platform in a better condition than you found it, even if it means putting away weights you have not used.
My experience tells me that after a while, this sort of behaviour is in fact noticed by a small group of people in the gym; in this group, you will probably find some individuals you will be able to trust for a spot.

IPB

[Jason Donaldson]

Agreed on 'avoiding eye contact'; or rather, to make it sound less pathological, I would say it's good to keep a focused attitude, and strive to be noticed as little as possible.

Focus and intensity go a long way. Lots of people can't tell the difference between Active Serious Face and Resting Bitch Face, so the result is about the same. Even if I didn't listen to loud, angry music on headphones in these types of facilities, I'd likely still wear the headphones just as a form of aposematic marking.

Besides cleaning the equipment, I would also suggest to replace properly the weights, leaving your rack/platform in a better condition than you found it, even if it means putting away weights you have not used.
My experience tells me that after a while, this sort of behaviour is in fact noticed by a small group of people in the gym; in this group, you will probably find some individuals you will be able to trust for a spot.

Great point, IPB. I personally even straighten up plates that are on the pegs, but out of order. Staff often notice, and appreciate it, which helps mark you out as "one of the good ones", in case they get complaints about chalk or noise or whatever.

Lots of people will be oblivious to a good example, but some will follow what they see serious people doing, which gives those of us who know how to behave in our house some influence.

[Farmer]

Great point, IPB. I personally even straighten up plates that are on the pegs, but out of order. Staff often notice, and appreciate it, which helps mark you out as "one of the good ones", in case they get complaints about chalk or noise or whatever.

Lots of people will be oblivious to a good example, but some will follow what they see serious people doing, which gives those of us who know how to behave in our house some influence.

At my old globogym, we would troll the staff.... "put away" the plates as you say.

They had a huge area of those hammer strength lever-arm machines that you load regular Olympic plates on.

In between sets, we would slowly liberate the 45's from that area, and put every 35 in the gym over there.

If you think about it, it was a very practical thing to do

[LuciusSulla]

Don’t forget the idiots who give unsolicited advice about squatting.
‘Bending over will hurt your back’ is what I used to get. I always front them up and explain the whole methodology quietly and calmly. Interestingly when I subsequently see them squat, 90% of the time it’s in running shoes or trainers, high bar not to depth and usually no more than 60kg for a set of 8-10!

[Gene61]

Great article! Reflects my experience at 24 Hour Fitness exactly. They have no competent coaches, about a hundred silly machines, a huge section of dumbbells with a bunch of muscle bound bros with chicken legs…. However, they have 6 (!) power racks and a small group of members who actually know what they are doing as far as power lifting is concerned (a little different than SS, but they appreciate what I’m doing).

With regards to unsolicited advice, I’ve head all the ones you quote. Here are some more:
“You’ll put sheer forces on your back leaning over like that.”
“You need to go deeper! Ass to grass, baby!”
“Leaning back like that in the middle of your press is going to ruin you back.”
“Why are you using a power rack to bench press? You’re hogging the equipment!” (Because there are no safety pens on their bench station!)
“You should use opposing grip on your deads “ (I only use it on the working set)

On the other hand Medicare pays for the gym membership it’s so cheap (I’m 73) and I often get comments like “You’re an inspiration. I hope I’m still lifting when I’m your age.”

[rmscott_75077]

Pretty good article, I used to work out at a 24 hour fitness at lunch by my work and one by my house. Both of them only had one real squat rack, so it was a pain sometimes to get in and get stuff done. I was probably a bit vocal at times when people were lollygagging in there or doing curls. I heard all those dumb gym bros and idiot comments. During COVID the one by my house closed down and I started working from home permanently. I got my own plates, bars and squat rack just before COVID. It is so nice to go get a quick workout in by walking out to my covered porch.

I still have my membership to 24 hour fitness as it is dirt cheap. On Sundays I go into one that has about 8 platforms and power racks. I think developed that certain "look". No one ever says crap to me or even acknowledges me while I'm lifting. I think it is that self-confidence part of the article.