Today felt busy. Tuesday’s are my double workout day meaning that I do weights and run. My legs are fresh from taking Monday as a rest day so usually it goes by pretty quickly. Today, however, I was tired. Starting a new job is exhausting. I’m sure some of it is because before yesterday, I hadn’t gone to work since November, but I think a bigger part of it is just trying to learn so much new stuff in such a short amount of time. I remember feeling tired for a while when I started my last job too.
Nevertheless, I went to the gym after work. Fortunately, there is an LA Fitness literally 5 minutes from my office and even more fortunately, it wasn’t that crowded at 6:15 pm. I did my weights and halfway into it, a man stopped me and corrected my form. I never know how I feel about this when it happens. On one hand, if I’m doing something wrong, I’m not doing it on purpose and would rather learn to do it correctly. But on the other hand, it’s not really anyone else’s business how I’m lifting weights. This was just a random dude, not a person that works for the gym. I don’t know how I feel about someone trying to help me. I guess I should just take advantage and remember that they really are trying to be helpful.
By the time I finished my weight routine and my three mile run, it was already 7:30 and I live about 20 minutes from the gym by my office. Making a home cooked dinner was obviously not happening! Fortunately, I went to Trader Joe’s over the weekend.
Entire dinner – Vegetarian Pizza, organic arugula and Goddess dressing – brought to you by Trader Joe’s. My long day wasn’t over after I ate though; I had a freelance writing assignment to work on. I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I write deals for a daily deal website (called Home Run) a few times a week.
By the time I got everything done, it was after ten. Where did the day go? I guess that’s what happens when you go to the gym for an hour and 15 minutes after work. I might need to reevaluate my double workouts.
I’m only tempted to correct someone’s form if they look like they are really close to causing injury… otherwise I feel like it’s none of my businesses. Eh.
When I workout after work I just make sure to take a late afternoon snack to power through so I’m not ravenous. Sometimes I’ll even bring a light dinner and just make a protein shake when I get home.
I was doing hammer curls and he told me that I was lifting too heavy of a weight because I was swinging my whole body instead of keeping my arms very still.
Wellll… if you are swinging your body the weight is too heavy or you’re just not focusing enough on keeping everything else (your core) tight. But I wouldn’t have said anything to a complete stranger over it.
Whenever I have a major change in my routine (i.e. a new job is a MAJOR change), I always feel way more exhausted. TJs. Seriously, how amazing is that store?
Me too. I definitely remember feeling like this when I started my last job and the feeling went away after a couple weeks.
I hate when people do that usually too. If it seems light hearted and helpful enough then I get over it quicker, but I like to be left to my own devices at the gym.
I would only correct someone’s form is I thought they were going to injure themselves but even then I would be super self conscious about saying anything.
As an INSTRUCTOR I correct someone’s form (in a very tasteful way- not to call them out in front of class- I typcially make a general statement about what the correct form is), but would NEVER do it when I’m just working out in the gym!! Even if I see someone doing something wrong, it’s just not my business.
Maybe he was hitting on you.
Nice job on the workouts!! And ugh on the guy who corrected you. I hate unwarranted advice. Unless I am doing it drastically wrong (as in, gonna injure myself), I don’t necessarily want it. At least ask first, ya know? As for your workouts, is there a way to split them up? AM and PM or do you not have enough time before work (I am guessing the latter)
A guy did that to me at the gym a few weeks back, and I had the same mixed reaction. At first, I saw him staring at me, and that freaked me out. Then he started talking really loudly so I could hear him over my headphones. Then, he came over really close to me and practically grabbed the weights out of my hands. I like that he was trying to help, but he was just a random dude like your guy – why should I trust him?
(To his credit, I was hunching a little bit, which is why he corrected me.)
The guys at my gym always stare oddly at me, but never say anything to me. I could be doing every workout wrong and about to kill myself and I wouldn’t know it, but I do like not having to deal with awkward conversation. I just wish they would stop with the strange looks. Like it’s bizarre that I’m in there doing a weight routine and not spending 5 minutes in between sets walking around and rolling my shoulder (major pet peeve).
Sorry to ramble. Starting a new job is definitely exhausting. I always feel like I have to be more “on” in the first couple of weeks – impressing people, being extra nice, etc. That in and of itself is exhausting.
Glad to hear the new job is going well.
I gues it would depend on the context. If the guy was a real creeper, or his advice sounded wacky, then I’d be annoyed. If it seemed to be somewhat sound advice, I’d be glad for the help.
He wasn’t a creeper. It’s just happened to me many times. I think it’s because I’m the only girl in the free weight area. Or because I’m doing things wrong!
Oh I HATE when people do that. Unless it’s my husband. Actually that’s a lie I used to hate when he did it too, but now I like going to the gym with him and have him give me tips on form. Almost never happens though especially since I’m into bootcamp right now.
Good luck adjusting to your new schedule! I’ve been at my current job for 5+ years so I really can’t imagine how draining it must be to start somewhere new.
That happened to me yesterday too! Before I knew it, it was 10:30. I had to adjust my schedule for today to be able to get a full night’s sleep. That is weird that someone came up and adjusted your form. I’ve never had anyone do that to me before.