Thread: "Could you not slam the weights down.."

Originally Posted by ALBOB

It's about time. Great post Large.

There's a huge difference between dropping DB's from the lowered postion and THROWING them. Yes, we've all seen the arrogant A-holes who love to show off by throwing DB's across the floor, that's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about 100+ lbs in each hand, after going to complete failure and we're supposed to set them down gently? You've GOT to be kidding. Basically you're saying we have to do a negative curl with 100+ lbs. That's complete bull. The only two arguments I've seen here aren't worth crap. #1, "If you can't controll the weight then don't use that much. BULL!!! I AM controlling the weight. When benching with 100+ lb DB's I controll the weight very well. But lowering them to the floor as gently as a mother's kiss after going to failure is impossible. #2, "Respect the gym's property." More BULL!!! I respect the gym's property a great deal, but there are certain realities about owning a gym. Reality #1, weights get used. (Notice I didn't say ABused.) You don't open a bowling alley and get pissed because people are hitting the pins too hard. If you do, then you're not going to be in business very long. If you want to use that argument then you have to cuss out every guy in the gym who makes a sound when loading plates on a bar. "Oooooo, you slammed that on there too hard. You're gonna scrath the paint."

Pretty much my take on. There's a point of compromise. Heavy weights tire you out, they are to be used for that purpose. It's one thing to do your best to control them, it's another to abuse them and toss them around like frisbees. The second part is what I'd have a problem with.

Originally Posted by busyLivin

i've loved working out at home ever since I began to last year.

Nothing beats it. I've been w/o at home for the last 17 years (w/ a few extended breaks)...My concentration is never divided there. Recently I joined a local Vic Tanny's w/ my wife b/c she wanted a place to run indoors in making her recovery. It took me 2 visits to get used to being around others while I lift. It's a shame to see that place invest all its money in stationary bikes, stair climbers and cable TV.

On a side note, I never realized the sheer number of people out there who look like hell, exercise like shit, yet still strut around like they just split the atom.

I worked with Db's today. Three sets to failure. I drop the left one on my chest today on the third set when it wouldn't go up. But the floor, no way jose

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

I worked with Db's today. Three sets to failure. I drop the left one on my chest today on the third set when it wouldn't go up. But the floor, no way jose

Of course. You said you had a tiled floor. Totally different from rubber mats.

Bottom line, in MY story, I thought I was pretty detailistic, however, no one was there to see it. But basically, its understood by most that its a physical impossibility to throw heavy DBs after repping to muscle failure.

Now this trainer guy may or may have not have been my size when he was younger, but he has got to know that when doing this type of workout with no spotter, this type of thing is going to happen. Throwing, slamming, whatever the verb, for such a movement, has to come with some understanding.

At the bottom of an incline rep, when your chest is at full stretch. How far is it from the DB to the floor? 2 ft? depending on you height of course. At over 100lbs, loose iron DBs (not very safe equipment to begin with--to all you respect gym's rules-lovers) that hit the rubber floor at 2 ft is going to invoke a noise wrapped in bass, which in turn, sounds loud. Not scientific, just common sense.

This trainer is the kind of person who gets startled when a waitress drops a dish at a resturant.

Today is arm day. Lets see if anyone yells at me from "slamming" the DBs back on the rack or "throwing" a curl or BB back onto its rack.

Originally Posted by largepkg

Maybe I'm doing something wrong. When I am flat/incline pressing 110lb+ DB's for 8-10 reps without a spotter usually going to failure I find it extremely hard to place them to the ground in a controlled manner. Don't get me wrong. I don't throw the weights down. From the lying position I control them as much as possible to the ground.

Is there some technique that I'm missing? I've yet to see one person using 100lb + DB's without a spotter do otherwise. I'm more than open to trying something new, but please don't tell me to use less weight. My job in the gym is to go all out not pussy foot around because someone doesn't like the fact that I drop the weight from six inches.

with 100lb DBs I have had no problem banging out 15 reps and then just lowering them into my chest and sitting up with them. Maybe I am missing something with all the throwing shit around? Or maybe my core is just stronger.

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Dont slam the weights down!!!!!!
If you dont like the rules Im sure you can open your own gym.

agree.

I fucking hate people that purposely slam weight in the gym. Even when o-lifting I don't thrown the weights from arms length overhead to the floor. I try and maintain my hands on the bar all the way down to keep it from hitting loudly.

I never drop the wieghts. Ever. The reason is simple: I own the weights and want them to last. If it helps, just pretend the weights at the gym belong to you.

Originally Posted by P-funk

with 100lb DBs I have had no problem banging out 15 reps and then just lowering them into my chest and sitting up with them. Maybe I am missing something with all the throwing shit around? Or maybe my core is just stronger.

Dont forget, if we could handle 100lb dumbells as if they were 85lb dumbells, then these arguements wouldnt exist.

Im pretty strong, but I dont know if I could do 100lb DBs for 15 reps, then slowly return them to the floor.

Guess who approached me in the gym today?

Yep, you guessed it. Know what he said?

"I am sorry for busting your balls yesterday. My client was startled and suggested that I would say something."

Sure, he could be lying, but I give him A for effort.

Finally, some understanding.

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Guess who approached me in the gym today?

Yep, you guessed it. Know what he said?

"I am sorry for busting your balls yesterday. My client was startled and suggested that I would say something."

Sure, he could be lying, but I give him A for effort.

Finally, some understanding.

I'd apologize to a guy who could lift 125lb db's too

Originally Posted by busyLivin

I'd apologize to a guy who could lift 125lb db's too

I curl 125's.

Originally Posted by BigDyl

I curl 125's.

Leg curl

I dont drop weights from lockout thats just annoying, but if im doing an olympic lift like a clean of snatch ill drop it but thats because Im on a platform and the plastic coated weights are meant to be dropped.

Originally Posted by bigss75

I dont drop weights from lockout thats just annoying, but if im doing an olympic lift like a clean of snatch ill drop it but thats because Im on a platform and the plastic coated weights are meant to be dropped.

Oh no no. I didnt slam, throw, or drop the weights from the lockout point. To me, thats where the throwing label could only come from.

I cannot understand how a person who can lift 10-100lbs finally hits fatigue on the last rep can throw or slam the DBs from where they remain.

I think I'm going to find one of these Nazi Gyms and open a Rent-A Spot business where I'll go around spotting people for a charge.

got me thinking on how I lower my DB's...I'm @ 24hour Fitness....they have the rubber coated, 8-sided DB's. After last rep, if doing another set...I lower to chest, to thighs, then walk / 'waddle them and place on top of the other weights in front of me on the rack.

as far as iron, round weights: yeah...down to chest, then controlled decent to ground. More or less...don't wanna tear anything.

Originally Posted by Burner02

got me thinking on how I lower my DB's...I'm @ 24hour Fitness....they have the rubber coated, 8-sided DB's. After last rep, if doing another set...I lower to chest, to thighs, then walk / 'waddle them and place on top of the other weights in front of me on the rack.

as far as iron, round weights: yeah...down to chest, then controlled decent to ground. More or less...don't wanna tear anything.

8-sided DBs rubber coated? I think the newer Golds has those and the one I am at has rubber around the HUGE screw that holds them. WHen you drop either one of those, they hardly make any noise compared to the iron ones.

just a nice thud.

Originally Posted by P-funk

with 100lb DBs I have had no problem banging out 15 reps and then just lowering them into my chest and sitting up with them. Maybe I am missing something with all the throwing shit around? Or maybe my core is just stronger.

There is no doubt you're stronger then me. I to could sit up with no issues using a weight that I rep 15 times. I very rarely use a weight that I can rep more than 10 times.

Again, I'm going to failure! I think most people have a hard time grasping what true failure is. The failure I speak of is TRUE muscle failure. The weight has to go somewhere and I'll be damned if it's going to fall on me.

I guess I'm lucky. My gym would never have an issue with guys dropping the weights. This is common place in my gym. NOT SLAMMING, DROPPING! I've had this discussion with the manager and he said it's part of running a gym. Plus my series of gyms use all rubber coated DB's and they have the thick mats.

I will agree if it is at all possible for you to place the weight down in a controlled manner this should be done. I only drop the weight on flat/incline pressing movements that go to failure.

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Guess who approached me in the gym today?

Yep, you guessed it. Know what he said?

"I am sorry for busting your balls yesterday. My client was startled and suggested that I would say something."

Sure, he could be lying, but I give him A for effort.

Finally, some understanding.

If the trainer had any balls himself, he would have told his client "This IS a gym".

Originally Posted by Minotaur

If the trainer had any balls himself, he would have told his client "This IS a gym".

Then he would probably have no client

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Oh no no. I didnt slam, throw, or drop the weights from the lockout point. To me, thats where the throwing label could only come from.

I cannot understand how a person who can lift 10-100lbs finally hits fatigue on the last rep can throw or slam the DBs from where they remain.

Thats fine.