Newbies and How we deal with them

[JonnyStead]

Hey all

I've been training now in ernest for 3 years after having a way long break but about 4-5 years in all and I've been floating around on these forums for a while now so I dont really consider myself a newbie anymore. Having said that - I also dont believe I have the wealth of knowledge and experience that the 'legends' on here have either - but I wanted to throw this open for discussion.

I think I started on this particular forum about 2 years ago and back then I needed alot of help on all aspects of training - but mostly I was keen to absorb as much experience as possible so I didnt waste time re-inventing the wheel. At 32 as I was then, I felt I didnt have all the time in the world to 'feel my way' through to find what works for me and what doesnt.

Over the last two years I've had just the best advice from you guys and there is no doubt that taking it has enabled me to progress quicker and most importantly to (touch wood) remain injury free from training - so thank you all for that.

Now though, it feels like I see new guys coming on to the forum and asking 'newbie' questions and almost instantly getting flamed or being dismissed by some of the more experienced members of the board. I do appreciate that these guys should be reading stickies first and then asking follow up questions and I dont expect anyone to spend their time answering the same old questions over and over - but it seems that we could point them to the stickies with a little more respect and try and encourage the new guys to want to 'belong' to the forum instead of making their first few posts like a 'right of passage'.

I dont know, maybe I'm being overly sensitive - but I do see some newbies complaining about the reaction they get from the forum about their first posts and I just feel that if we want to 'grow' the member base, we need to consider how the first impression comes across?

Anyhow - thats all from me - maybe I have it wrong - maybe not - would love to hear all your thoughts -

Greetings from rainy cold England! - Jonnystead

 

[goob]

So true, but it's the ringleaders you have to watch for - their the worst.

That P-funk and Ian Daniels, newbies are like sacrificial lambs to these two titans of terror.....

 

[tallcall]

I completely agree. I read through these forums for about 2 months before I introduced myself, you know, finding out what is acceptable and getting a feel for the general attitude of the forum (conservative, liberal, neutral, etc).

I guess my problem with some people is that I chose to take the time to read through a lot here and only then did I say anything, I think others could just as easily do the same. However, that doesn't mean it'll happen, so I say we should all try to be nice and respect the fact that these guys just might not know to read around a little.

 

[P-funk]

read the stickies.

 

[Tatyana]

read the stickies.

I agree.

I do think there is an issue that people want to be 'spoon fed' and want the 'magic answer' when there isn't one.

However, I don't think it is necessary to flame newbie questions, no matter how idiotic they are.

There was an article in one of the London papers that said

1. 75% of Londoners couldn't run a mile

2. 33% of Londoners couldn't touch their toes

3. Even though something like 65% of people did go to the gym, 75% were unaware of what they needed to do to 'stay fit'.

Considering the current obesity epidemic, I do think for those of you that are in the know, TEACH.

 

[MyK 2.0]

I want a six pack right now! what pill should I buy and eat!

 

[Witchblade]

A lot of people are just looking for the magic pill.





Sadly, there is no magic pill that cures stupidity.

 

[Delusional]

i havent been a member here for long. i consider myself a slow learner with certain things, and then there are things that i excel greatly in. well fitness, exercise, nutrition health, lifting, etc etc. its all completely new to me. i am trying my best to learn, research, study, and comprehend things on my own to my best ability but for some reason many things confuse me and i feel like i could read a paragraph over and over again, and still not understand it and know the full meaning.

same goes with the stickies here. i will take the time to read them, no matter how long they are. i constantly re-read them and go over and over certain parts beating my brain trying to understand it, and im still left confused and feeling i have questions un answered. i ask questions when i feel ive tried my hardest to understand something and still am not getting the big picture. yea i ask dumb questions quite often probably, but at the same time i cant help it. i can only hope that someone out there doesnt mind taking the 5-15 minutes to go through things with me and give me a good, informative, detailed answer. the people who just want to flame, or bring you down for asking a question, or just plain make you feel dumb and give you no help at all whatsoever..should not even bother replying. i mean if its a question you dont want to or dont feel like answering, then simply dont answer it. no need to bash on anyone for asking something. that is one of the main purposes of this forums anyways isnt it? to ask questions, get good information and help, and to learn.

i cant wait until i get things down good and have even half an idea of what im talking about. that way i can help others who come here with questions and whatnot.

 

[min0 lee]

read the stickies.

I don't get it?

 

[danzik17]

read the stickies.

But if I use the ab blaster and eat 6 pieces of lettuce a day with 1 bottle of V8, I'd have a 6 pack in about 2 weeks....right? Right?

 

[tallcall]

But if I use the ab blaster and eat 6 pieces of lettuce a day with 1 bottle of V8, I'd have a 6 pack in about 2 weeks....right? Right?

You're eating 6 pieces of lettuce? I thought the meal plan called for 5 pieces of lettuce and 1 genetically altered drink every day. Well, that and a ab lounge to do some spot fat reduction on those lower abs.

 

[danzik17]

You're eating 6 pieces of lettuce? I thought the meal plan called for 5 pieces of lettuce and 1 genetically altered drink every day. Well, that and a ab lounge to do some spot fat reduction on those lower abs.

Oh god you're right, I can't believe I made that dumb dumb mistake. Time to go purge.

 

[KelJu]

I want a six pack right now! what pill should I buy and eat!

Holy shit! Is it really MyK?

 

[min0 lee]

The one and only, the Myk 2.0 is supposed to be less buggy.

 

[tallcall]

No more Blue Screens of Death?

 

[min0 lee]

No more Blue Screens of Death?

In his case it was the rainbow Screen of death.

 

[tallcall]

In his case it was the rainbow Screen of death.

No, I use Fuschia!

 

[CowPimp]

I can kind of agree with that, and I try to point people to the stickies tactfully. However, it does get frustrating on occasion when someone basically wants you to write a program for them. This is especially true if you are a trainer. This is something pay you money to do, and when someone comes along and expects it to be done for them for free without putting in any effort, it gets a little bit annoying. If someone makes an attempt after reading the stickies and they still don't get it, then I am happy to go from there.

 

[MyK 2.0]

But if I use the ab blaster and eat 6 pieces of lettuce a day with 1 bottle of V8, I'd have a 6 pack in about 2 weeks....right? Right?

 

[MyK 2.0]

Holy shit! Is it really MyK?

dude, your totally gonna get me busted!!!

D.L. bro!! D.L.!!!

 

[MyK 2.0]

The one and only, the Myk 2.0 is supposed to be less buggy.

and no longer has genital warts!

 

[min0 lee]

dude, your totally gonna get me busted!!!

D.L. bro!! D.L.!!!

They will never be able to tell with that brilliant disguise of yours.

 

[bio-chem]

we can still flame the under 18 year olds whose first post is about steriods though, right? i mean that doesnt really count does it? and if they spell more than half of the words in thier post incorectly, then they are free game, arent they? i mean im all for playing nice, but sometimes people bring it on themselves, dont they? maybe if the mods made a sticky explaining the circumstances under which the new guys can and will be flamed? like a IM miranda rights. wouldnt that make it fair?

 

[min0 lee]

like a IM miranda rights. wouldnt that make it fair?

Hmmmm....let's see here.


You have the right to post stupid shit.
Anything you post can and will be used against you by the usual gang of idiots.
You have the right to have a Mod present during flaming.
If you cannot afford Anabolic Matrix, your ass is ours.

 

[bio-chem]

Hmmmm....let's see here.


You have the right to post stupid shit.
Anything you post can and will be used against you by the usual gang of idiots.
You have the right to have a Mod present during flaming.
If you cannot afford Anabolic Matrix, your ass is ours.

i was thinking something a little more politic....... wait, no your right. that about sums it up

 

[min0 lee]

.

 

[Gazhole]

I think if they want advice, "read the stickies" is good advice. Maybe there should be a sticky with "Read the other stickies" in it...

 

[bio-chem]

and no longer has genital warts!

Dont those always come back though?

 

[tallcall]

Dont those always come back though?

They come back bundled with the add-ons and upgrades that will have to bve installed to keep the system from crashing all together. It's kind of a give and take.

 

[Yanick]

I can kind of agree with that, and I try to point people to the stickies tactfully. However, it does get frustrating on occasion when someone basically wants you to write a program for them. This is especially true if you are a trainer. This is something pay you money to do, and when someone comes along and expects it to be done for them for free without putting in any effort, it gets a little bit annoying. If someone makes an attempt after reading the stickies and they still don't get it, then I am happy to go from there.

I'm not a trainer, but then again i won't really be writing out programs for people and walk them through the whole process because i just don't have the time now a days.

But i have to agree with CP on this one. There is a difference between someone saying..."Here's a program i wrote based on the stickies" and "I want a six pack to bang chicks, gimme gimme gimme."

The former, even if the program is horrendous, will get all the help in the world with program design, progression etc. The latter will get some P Funk bashing ie "you're an idiot, i hope you trip over a rock"

The stickies were made by the pro's on this site, not weekend warriors who have been training for x amount of years. The people who wrote them do this for a living, and charge people money to do the very same thing that you (i should say 'we' because the mods are light years ahead of me in training knowledge by now) all get for free. Its not only annoying when people disregard the stickies, its an insult to everything these guys have put into this forum.

As far as a member base, I've been on this forum for 5 years or so and it has not suffered one bit in terms of members. We have peaks and troughs in terms of productive members at times but all in all this place is the only forum i frequent regularly.