IMO a “hardcore gym”
There are assholes at every gym, but hardcore usually has less because “there” it’s about how hard you work out as opposed to if you have the latest fad fitwear from sports authoritah etc. You don’t have to have your hair cut a certain way and you don’t have to have a tan. You don’t have to weigh 128lbs minimum etc. Men go there and train hard and if someone asks an honest question, most are more than happy to answer it. Nowadays get used to the mime-motion of pulling an ear-bud out of your own ear, they will do the same, then you can ask, “what type set-up do you program into the treadmill? how long do you go for? etc. Or, “what do you do specifically for your rear delts?” if you notice they’ve got great rear delts etc.
For other than a quick answer, exercise the courtesy of asking the question at the end of their workout. Eg, if a guy’s killing himself with squats it’s not a great time to ask a minimal forethought question like “how do I get big?” Also be prepared to write everything down. Most of this is common courtesy that you’re already well aware of.
Trainers in general IMO are overrated. Dig up everything you can on the internet. I have witnessed trainers pay less attention to their customers during the workout than can be rationalized by anyone – it’s a fact.
Do not crumble to sales tactics. Try one workout in every gym in your vicinity. Ask for a free one workout. It’s worth the effort. Attitude/clientele/HOURS OF OPERATION/type of equipment/condition of equipment/temperature/air flow/attitude of the floating around trainers must be like that of the highest quality doormen in that you don’t know they exist and are as quiet and down to earth as they can be.
Caffeine: 200mg :30minutes before the workout increases your work capacity 5-7 or 8% or so. Noticeable, and to be taken as you leave home for the gym.
Warmup each movement thoroughly: 48reps one quarter the weight, 24 reps one half the weight, then 3 sets 12-15 with “the weight” when you can get 3 sets of 15, up the weight. if you cannot get 3 sets of 12, lower the weight.
A muscle’s strength is directly proportional to it’s cross sectional area and studies have proven time and again that the quickest way to increase the cross sectional area is with free weights. So in the aforementioned search of gyms do not settle for one without the huge assortment of free weights.
Also, each gym can be a completely different gym at 3-4 hour intervals. You’ve got midnight til 4am,4-8,8-12,12-4pm,4-8pm,8-midnite EACH with a different energy level, set of priorities, degree of focus, etc. Ironically, never go for the “meat market” time of day IMO it’s bullcrap. IMO train hard with basic compound exercises, eat tons of protein, never skip a workout, never train a muscle two days in a row, and don’t allow your workouts to “grow” in volume on their own. Overtraining is a scourge. Warmup thoroughly for each and EVERY movement in it’s turn and train hard. Lower the weight slowly and controlled to the full range of motion and explode out of the hole to completion, lower slowly again. If the weight’s moving in a straight line it’s a compound movement and these will get you the most growth and can be done to total failure without fear of ripping and tearing.
Hope this helps. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.
"It seems like there's times a body gets struck down so low, there ain't a power on earth that can ever bring him up again. Seems like something inside dies so he don't even want to get up again. But he does."
Anonymous 3 years, 9 months ago.
