Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with new people. What I don't love are people who need to prove to others how cool they are Like guys who come to the weight room and do ton of curls (often in the one squat rack) and then walk around on their tiny stick legs with their chests thrown out. Or guys who do a deadlift set at 225 (dropping the bar every time) and then look around like they are waiting for a round of applause.

At my gym, the really strong people tend to be quiet and courteous and considerate - like the huge man who saw me waiting to do squats and hurried through his sets of overhead press at 185 pounds so I I could use the squat rack. Or the guy who cheerfully sets up in any odd corner when the deadlift platform is being used and proceeds to deadlift sets up to 500 pounds without dropping or banging the weights at all.

OMG are you at my gym? They do this despite the signs everywhere exhorting them NOT to drop their weights! A-holes! But those are our regulars, sadly. Newbies are kind and read the signs.

Anonymous wrote:No, some of us have actual balance/vision issues, and we hold on so as not to trip or fall off. Why do you care?

I don't think anyone's doubting that some people have legitimate balance, vision issues. But aren't you interested in trying to work on that? Make your balance issues better? If there's a speed/incline you can walk on without holding on - 1mph flat - then that's better. It's a way to slowly build your balance and core strength. Most of the people you see holding are charging up a max incline at like 3.5 mph, which is not doing them any favors at all.

No, some of us have actual balance/vision issues, and we hold on so as not to trip or fall off. Why do you care?

Anonymous wrote:Oh em gee. You holding on people need to get a grip. Maybe start an awareness campaign at your own gym so you don't have to look at it? Take shifts so you son't miss anyone who needs to be monitored? Also, printouts and a powerpoint are essential.

Why would you go to the gym if you want to risk injuring yourself, not strengthen yourself, and cut your calorie burn by 40% or more? No one's saying anyone needs to be monitored, but you're wasting your time doing something like holding on to the treadmill. There's no need to be sensitive, but if you want to waste your time, preferably don't do it after the new year when someone who actually wants to strengthen their body and burn calories, is waiting for you to get off the machine you're wasting your time on (and wasting other people's time).

Cause you were born in "your" gym, right?

Anonymous wrote:Go at 5am. It's he same crowd of people year round. people who start resolution don't show up at that hour.

But then the 5am crowd will roll their eyes at the newbie OP. There is always someone "better" than you so it's really not worth comparing/judging.

Oh em gee. You holding on people need to get a grip. Maybe start an awareness campaign at your own gym so you don't have to look at it? Take shifts so you son't miss anyone who needs to be monitored? Also, printouts and a powerpoint are essential.

Go at 5am. It's he same crowd of people year round. people who start resolution don't show up at that hour.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holding onto the rails other than balance issues will give more heel action on a steep incline which will hit the glutes better for those wanting to isolate the butt.

Completely false - holding on reduced the effort on your lower body, including glutes, and offers no physical benefit. There is no exercise that holding on, on an incline mimics. When you walk up a hill outside - do you hold on to anything? Of course not. Rotate your eyes - you're essentially walking flat when you do this.

Regarding "balance" issues, you are also not doing yourself any favors. If you have to hold on, then you're going to fast. You're better off slow walking at 1mph, on a flat treadmill. You slowly build the core strength to allow your body to stabilize. So, work your way up - even if your speed is at a crawl. That's how you get stronger and work on your balance issues.

There are absolutely zero benefit to holding on. None whatsoever. Any trainer that recommends this should have their certifications revoked.

There are plenty of exercises, for one, "belt squats", glute cable kickbacks and a cardio machine called jacob's ladder. Google them to see description and see if they have "zero benefits"

I think people are talking about this - holding on still puts you as artificially "walking flat" - it's also terrible for your posture:





You should do what this guy does - don't hold on to any railings, or the monitor, or anything. You are not making yourself stronger or improving your balance/core. If you feel you must hold on, then you need to reduce the speed/incline until you don't need to hold on anymore. That's how you build strength.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holding onto the rails other than balance issues will give more heel action on a steep incline which will hit the glutes better for those wanting to isolate the butt.

Completely false - holding on reduced the effort on your lower body, including glutes, and offers no physical benefit. There is no exercise that holding on, on an incline mimics. When you walk up a hill outside - do you hold on to anything? Of course not. Rotate your eyes - you're essentially walking flat when you do this.

Regarding "balance" issues, you are also not doing yourself any favors. If you have to hold on, then you're going to fast. You're better off slow walking at 1mph, on a flat treadmill. You slowly build the core strength to allow your body to stabilize. So, work your way up - even if your speed is at a crawl. That's how you get stronger and work on your balance issues.

There are absolutely zero benefit to holding on. None whatsoever. Any trainer that recommends this should have their certifications revoked.

There are plenty of exercises, for one, "belt squats", glute cable kickbacks and a cardio machine called jacob's ladder. Google them to see description and see if they have "zero benefits"

Anonymous wrote:Holding onto the rails other than balance issues will give more heel action on a steep incline which will hit the glutes better for those wanting to isolate the butt.

Completely false - holding on reduced the effort on your lower body, including glutes, and offers no physical benefit. There is no exercise that holding on, on an incline mimics. When you walk up a hill outside - do you hold on to anything? Of course not. Rotate your eyes - you're essentially walking flat when you do this.

Regarding "balance" issues, you are also not doing yourself any favors. If you have to hold on, then you're going to fast. You're better off slow walking at 1mph, on a flat treadmill. You slowly build the core strength to allow your body to stabilize. So, work your way up - even if your speed is at a crawl. That's how you get stronger and work on your balance issues.

There are absolutely zero benefit to holding on. None whatsoever. Any trainer that recommends this should have their certifications revoked.

Holding onto the rails other than balance issues will give more heel action on a steep incline which will hit the glutes better for those wanting to isolate the butt.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a gym newbie 5 years ago and stuck with it, so I empathize (but I didn't start at the beginning of the year).

But I wish that if they'd hog the equipment, they would at least use it correctly.

DON'T HOLD ON to the treadmill on an incline. Go hands free. You're not getting as good of a workout as you think you are, and are also putting yourself at risk for injury with awful form.

STOP LEANING on the stair climber railings. You're really not working yourself that hard, with an added dose of awful posture.

If newbies are going to suddenly use up all the equipment, then dammit, use the machine correctly to work out. Otherwise you're wasting space.

And the weight machines in front of the TVs? They're not for watching TV. They're for using. Not sitting on for 10 minutes or more to check the score on a game.

You again. What do you CARE if we hold onto the treadmill while we're using it? Trainer says it's ok, and trust me, the risk for injury is much greater if I fall off the damn thing.

You need to fire your trainer - they are a moron if they say holding on to a treadmill is "ok." It would be like a nutritionist saying "just drink juices all day long."

Agree. Holding onto the treadmill is very bad. Not all trainers are knowledgeable. I've worked with a few who gave me terrible advice.

Longtime runner here who can't disagree with 10:31. Proper running form would NOT include holding onto the rails.

If you're holding onto the rails often, you are probably either going at a pace you can't sustain or you have issues with balance. If it's the former, slow down to a pace you can sustain without holding onto the handles. (and then gradually increase your pace over time.) If it's the latter, consider doing some Bosu ball work with a trainer or start taking yoga classes - I find yoga to be great for balance.

The only time I use the handrails is when I'm either starting (if the treadmill gets going faster than I do and I have to catch up) or when I'm stopping (I hold the handrails and jump onto the sides of the 'mill and then take the speed down to walking pace.)

Agree, too, with the hunching over the elliptical or stair climber. It's terrible for your back, and the whole point of going to the gym is to improve your health, not ruin it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a gym newbie 5 years ago and stuck with it, so I empathize (but I didn't start at the beginning of the year).

But I wish that if they'd hog the equipment, they would at least use it correctly.

DON'T HOLD ON to the treadmill on an incline. Go hands free. You're not getting as good of a workout as you think you are, and are also putting yourself at risk for injury with awful form.

STOP LEANING on the stair climber railings. You're really not working yourself that hard, with an added dose of awful posture.

If newbies are going to suddenly use up all the equipment, then dammit, use the machine correctly to work out. Otherwise you're wasting space.

And the weight machines in front of the TVs? They're not for watching TV. They're for using. Not sitting on for 10 minutes or more to check the score on a game.

You again. What do you CARE if we hold onto the treadmill while we're using it? Trainer says it's ok, and trust me, the risk for injury is much greater if I fall off the damn thing.

You need to fire your trainer - they are a moron if they say holding on to a treadmill is "ok." It would be like a nutritionist saying "just drink juices all day long."