"Could you not slam the weights down.."

**AKIRA** · 10-10-2005, 02:36 PM

Walking into the gym today, I was flushed with anger. Riding a sportbike, not 15 min to the gym in this SHITTY heat isnt the best thing for my mood. Nice to be sweating before my workout.

After my 6th rep of a 125lb dumbell on the incline bench, I dropped the dumbells and began to catch my breath. I was using my anger for fuel to get the workout going and was succeeding nicely. Then a tap on my shoulders..

It was the 40+ year old trainer. He constantly dies his hair brown and is drenched in facial make-up (or so it seems). With no smile, he makes a gesture in a way to take my headphones off. That ws his first mistake. "Could you not slam the weights down when youre done? Thanks bud." Then he pats me on the back. I told him, "I am doing the best I can, sir."

Since my breath wasnt caught yet, I was still gasping, now annoyed. Instantly pissed. Rushed from satisfaction to full rage. I didnt "slam" the fucking dumbells down. I dropped them. Plus, they are those old iron plate type dumbells that are (at 125lbs) 5-6 plates on each side, held together by a loose alan screw. The floor was rubber to match. There is no way that dumbell is going to be dropped to the floor (from 1 ft in the air?) without a loud noise.

Though I am understanding to why he approached me, I was pissed that he used the word "slam." So, I suppose after lifting up this 125lb dumbell...on one arm mind you, that I can do a number of reps until I am completely out of energy, BUT, have enough energy to support it to the ground WITHOUT injury. But to use the word "slam" causes for a further judgement. I supposedly used up all my energy during the set, THEN used my remaining energy to "slam" this loose screwed, 125lb dumbell to the rubber floor.

All this went through my head when the next set started. I dropped the weight again, looked at him, and he winked at me. Cocky? Nothing but the thought of painting the wall with his brains came next to mind.

But all in all, the only thing I said was "I am doing my best," which I honestly was doing.

**largepkg** · 10-10-2005, 02:40 PM

Screw'em!

If they don't understand screw'em again!

**TJ Cline** · 10-10-2005, 02:46 PM

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

**busyLivin** · 10-10-2005, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

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

I agree.

**lnvanry** · 10-10-2005, 03:02 PM

WTF is w/ the don't slam the weights down when the install a rubber floor...

I do not slam them down, but I certainly drop them.

**busyLivin** · 10-10-2005, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by lnvanry

WTF is w/ the don't slam the weights down when the install a rubber floor...

I do not slam them down, but I certainly drop them.

repeatedly dropping them can loosen the plates & bend the bar. They are property of the gym, so like it or not you have to play by their rules.

**NeilPearson** · 10-10-2005, 03:07 PM

I've been weight lifting for 3 weeks and even I know it is poor etiquette to drop weights. It distracts other people that are doing exercises and damages equipment.

**gococksDJS** · 10-10-2005, 03:09 PM

No offense to anyone here, but I hate seeing people throwing weights around. If you have the strength to cleanly do 8 or more reps, then you should surely be able to lower them in a controlled manner. If it's impossible for you to not throw them down, use less weight.

**BigDyl** · 10-10-2005, 03:09 PM

Mmmm, Yeaaah. Uh, Welll, I'm just not sure about that right now...

You see we're putting all weights on the floor gently when we are done with our sets...

mmkay?

Thanks..

**busyLivin** · 10-10-2005, 03:10 PM

above all, I find it distracting as hell. That along with people who YELL. I'm not talking about a grunting, but the YELLS. One guy at my old gym used to yell loud enough for the entire gym to hear. I'm convinced it was for show.

**gococksDJS** · 10-10-2005, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

above all, I find it distracting as hell. That along with people who YELL. I'm not talking about a grunting, but the YELLS. One guy at my old gym used to yell loud enough for the entire gym to hear. I'm convinced it was for show.

Ive had people throw weights down near me, and they bounced over to where I was. If they had hit me, I would have been pissed as shit.

**BigDyl** · 10-10-2005, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

above all, I find it distracting as hell. That along with people who YELL. I'm not talking about a grunting, but the YELLS. One guy at my old gym used to yell loud enough for the entire gym to hear. I'm convinced it was for show.

I know what you mean...

Just today an individual was screaming with his 70 LB dumbells...

"GRRRAAARGGGHHHHHHGHGGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" that was his first rep... got worse from there.

**lnvanry** · 10-10-2005, 03:33 PM

Fortunately I train at my Gold's...No one but my boss (who is a family friend) will tell me otherwise.

I do not throw them, but I will drop them...them being dumbells...i do not even touch Barbells. I also do not use heavy weight so the "thud" really isn't that loud. I know its not distracting. That is why we have FLOOR MATS

**Devlin** · 10-10-2005, 03:38 PM

I can deal with weights being dropped onto the mats, except for when they are dropped a little too close to me for comfort. What I have issues with is a person who does pull ups on the dip assist and not only grunts so loud the entire gym hears, but on every rep lets the weights slam down.

**DOMS** · 10-10-2005, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by gococksDJS

Ive had people throw weights down near me, and they bounced over to where I was. If they had hit me, I would have been pissed as shit.

I just had the mental picture of you trying to feed someone a dumbbell...

**musclepump** · 10-10-2005, 04:34 PM

I drop them from incline and decline benches. They don't like it, and I don't care.

**TJ Cline** · 10-10-2005, 04:36 PM

Yes but dropping 40lb dumbbells is no big deal.

**AKIRA** · 10-10-2005, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

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

Gonna throw me the money? Or anyone else who "slams" them? No? ...nice advice then.

**AKIRA** · 10-10-2005, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

repeatedly dropping them can loosen the plates & bend the bar. They are property of the gym, so like it or not you have to play by their rules.

They did get newer dumbells that can withstand such drops. I guess people that were making these dumbells finally realized what happens after 100lb+ dumbells are dropped so many times.

Until they upgrade, I will have to drop the weights. (to the ground)

**AKIRA** · 10-10-2005, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by gococksDJS

No offense to anyone here, but I hate seeing people throwing weights around. If you have the strength to cleanly do 8 or more reps, then you should surely be able to lower them in a controlled manner. If it's impossible for you to not throw them down, use less weight.

Cool. When I see someone "throw" a dumbell of that weight, I might speak up.

But for me, I can drop them in a "controlled manner."

**AKIRA** · 10-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by musclepump

I drop them from incline and decline benches. They don't like it, and I don't care.

Yeah declines are kind of a must. BUT. Thats not what some will have you believe.

**TJ Cline** · 10-10-2005, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Gonna throw me the money? Or anyone else who "slams" them? No? ...nice advice then.

Yes it is......its called having some respect for the gym and the owners of that gym....
If you want to act like a cretin then do it at home.

**gococksDJS** · 10-10-2005, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Cool. When I see someone "throw" a dumbell of that weight, I might speak up.

But for me, I can drop them in a "controlled manner."

If you can drop them in a controlled manner, why can't you place them on the ground in a controlled manner? To much effort?

**AKIRA** · 10-11-2005, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by gococksDJS

If you can drop them in a controlled manner, why can't you place them on the ground in a controlled manner? To much effort?

Being that I was completely exhausted, yes, it would have been too much effort to daintily place them on the ground. I'm lifting weights, not picking daisies.

This wasn't some grandiose display of strength and prowess, but simply dropping a modest amount of weight from safe distance. Obviously it's going to make a little noise, but not the great cacophony you occasionally witness by someone with no brains and even less respect.

That's the guy you take the time to scold and make an example of.

**largepkg** · 10-11-2005, 08:44 AM

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.

**ALBOB** · 10-11-2005, 09:02 AM

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.

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."

**Tough Old Man** · 10-11-2005, 09:08 AM

Right now my home gym consist of a tiled floor. I could just see my wife after me dropping some DB's pnto the floor. Like some of the other said, if you can't control the weight then don't use the fucking things.

**largepkg** · 10-11-2005, 09:41 AM

At least I make a valid argument for a controlled drop. I've heard no such thing from the opposing side.

**LAM** · 10-11-2005, 09:57 AM

sounds like the scrawny pussy ass trainer is just jealuous that you incline bb more than he squats ! lol

**maniclion** · 10-11-2005, 01:15 PM

My gym ain't no library, you can go ahead and make all the noise you want. Home gyms are the best.

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