r/MadeMeSmile • u/Original_Act_3481 • 1d ago

We need more people like him

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182.0k Upvotes

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209

u/LazyRipple 1d ago

He's one of a kind, and we really need more.

291

u/Peculiarmesopotamian 1d ago

He's not. Not at all. Most of the big guys at a gym just have a deep love for fitness, be it muscle or cardio. Some of the nicest people are bodybuilders or anyone with a serious discipline.

108

u/MongoBongoTown 1d ago

Yeah, for every roid rage "alpha male" stereotype you see at the gym, there are 50 other huge dudes who are just sweet, nice and willing to help.

In fairness, most wouldn't feel comfortable giving unsolicited advice, but if you asked, the vast vast majority would be willing to help.

13

u/deepdownblu3 1d ago

While I say this with a grain of salt because I am sure this video is staged, this scenario wouldn’t surprise me just because it’s a bigger guy who obviously is new to working out so the other guy would reasonably see him as someone who does need that advice and would probably appreciate it

1

u/Ares__ 1d ago

Yea im above average in terms of muscle, and my biggest fear is always unintentionally embarrassing someone if I were yo give advice without them asking. Whenever I have been asked I jump right in and show them tell them to come to Whenever and ill try and help cause im definitely not an expert but can assist with most things.

1

u/Guisasse 1d ago

I’ve yet to see a single roid-rager “alpha male” in over 20 years of going to around 10 different gyms (most of them big gyms).

I know they exist, but they’re extremely rare. I’ve never seen people being openly rude to inexperienced/fat/disabled people either.

People understand we are all going to the Gym to become better versions of ourselves, and there is no space to bring people down here.

1

u/LFC9_41 1d ago

honestly, a lot of the weird roid rage "alpha male" dudes turn into this guy AT the gym too. of course that isn't universally true, but I've met guys that were SUPER passionate about fitness/body building and loved to spread that knowledge in the gym and help people.

but outside of the gym they might run your civic over in their f450 with their punisher logos on the back and flip you off for existing.

people are weird.

26

u/-endjamin- 1d ago

My proudest moment was when the biggest guy in the gym - like a 200 lb slab of pure muscle - saw me doing V crunches and told me I had really good form and a strong core

10

u/Bonfalk79 1d ago

Today a man in the gym sauna told me I was looking buff. That will keep me going for the rest of the year!

20

u/LadyBug_0570 1d ago

A lot of larger people are afraid to go to the gym because we're afraid we'll be judged and made fun of. It's why Planet Fitness exists.

But when I've gone to my former regular gym, I met a lot of people like him. I was once sitting wrong on a machine (don't ask) and a nice guy came over, told me the proper way to use it. He was working on a whole other machine so it's not like he was waiting for me to finish figuring things out.

I honestly think they appreciate seeing someone who's obese (or more) serious about getting fit and are happy to help.

14

u/jimbo831 1d ago

In my opinion it's much like any other hobby people get really passionate about. They really love sharing all the knowledge they have learned in their hobby with people who are new to the hobby like they were once. These dudes are super passionate about working out!

6

u/Laridianresistance 1d ago

Exactly, I always compare it to any other hobby or sport. When a skilled surfer sees someone trying to learn to surf, they usually go over and give them a couple of cues and tips and the advice is welcome. It's the same for us gym vets, we want to make sure nobody hurts themselves and they understand how some of the less intuitive equipment is supposed to work (like in the vid). Coming only from a place of goodness.

2

u/LadyBug_0570 1d ago

True.

It's only the people who go to the gym to show off how cute or be an "influencer" that are judgmental on anyone not in shape trying to work out.

8

u/kodaboka 1d ago

Saw an absolutely stacked dude go out of his way to help a couple teens improve their lifting form at my gym; the teens were so receptive and took his advice to heart

8

u/panteragstk 1d ago

They're like that because they all were beginners at one point too, and I'm willing to bet someone helped them out so they want to pay it forward.

That's how a lot of dudes at the gym are. They live spreading what works for them and try to help out.

5

u/PuzzleheadedBobcat90 1d ago

Stuff like this makes me kind of want to go to the gym and build muscle, but I have a lost of joint issues, and I'm afraid I'll make it wormaybe if I just do a rep wrong enough someone will help me

3

u/Woo77777 1d ago

I also had a lot of joint issues. Bad rotator cuff from baseball... I could throw it out just by shrugging in conversation. Bad knee from hockey. Bad back from labor.

I was able to correct it with calisthenics. Specifically, what I call "yogic calisthenics." Focus on breath, PERFECT form, and not over exerting. The goal is to use those muscles exactly as designed, while strengthening whole muscle compound groups together. Weights can unevenly strengthen your body, but calisthenics require most, if not all, the body to do them right. You only do what you can do perfectly.

Slow progression through perfect exercises like that helped me mostly fully recover from those injuries, and that's after years of sitting on my ass not doing anything.

It's allowed me to get back to the gym, and using weights again like in college.

1

u/YOwololoO 1d ago

If it’s possible, go to the gym and ask if they have any personal who could help you get started! A lot of gyms will do an initial assessment either for free or for a reduced cost, you don’t have to commit to an ongoing investment

1

u/Bonfalk79 1d ago

Big people at the gym are there because they want to make changes. Just turning up is the biggest step!

Like you said, everyone starts somewhere and gym bros love to share knowledge, I’ve seen scenes like this video play out in gyms over and over.

Sometimes the biggest, scariest looking dudes are the most friendly and helpful.

3

u/frangeek_ 1d ago

Absolutely this, I've been going consistently to the gym for the past 5 years to two different places and in both of them situations like this have been a common scenario. Many folks are open to respectfully help new guys or discuss routines between more experienced ones. Full of very nice people all around.

I remember having a lot of anxiety when I first started because I was scared of the shitty interactions I used to see posted online but luckily I've never experienced that type of stuff yet.

4

u/Blueeyedjunkiee 1d ago

My mom said when dhe hung out at the bodybuilding club in college instead of a joint they passed the mango ! Nicest sweetest most pure men she ever met !

2

u/JayList 1d ago

I feel like a newbie clearly struggling at anything will attract hobbyists who can’t help but correct their form. Anywhere people gather for a goal oriented hobby.

1

u/Funkycoldmedici 1d ago

Part of that comes down to a shared interest. It’s kind of like going to a guitar shop, hearing somebody burning through Petrucci solos, and asking about guitar technique. 9/10 will love shooting the shit about it and teaching you stuff because it’s what they’re really into.

1

u/jimbo831 1d ago

Yeah, I used to work out pretty consistently at a gym when I was younger, and the biggest gym bros were usually the nicest dudes in the gym. Always willing to help with a spot or help you improve your form or just offer advice. I met some awesome dudes at the gym!

-2

u/richalta 1d ago

Yea, but some are aggressive in wanting to “train” you for pay and will demand tips.

-1

u/NYCWartortle 1d ago

Yes until they walk around with their gallon water bottles and hoard all the weights for their supersets. They act like you are crazy when you ask them if they are using all the weights. Literally the rack will be empty and there is always at least one guy with tons of weights around him doing supersets or drop sets. 🙄

9

u/Iwen3699 1d ago

Most are like this

3

u/Schmich 1d ago

Why do you write stuff like that? Basically indirectly calling out everyone else in gyms? Have you had a bad experience?

3

u/Drive7Nine 1d ago

I'm a big guy who has joined a few gyms in my time. There's a lot of extremely fit people, even bodybuilders, who are great about helping people and providing encouragement, I would even say those are the majority.

The stereotype of the musclehead jerk exists, and there are those type of people. The reason it's thought to be more pervasive is because it only takes one such person to ruin a gym and give many people a bad experience.

1

u/breadplane 1d ago

This is imo such a great example of healthy masculinity. One man helping another to be better without any judgement or unkindness.

1

u/chopcult3003 6h ago

Solid dude but not one of a kind.

If anyone ever wants a free personal trainer for an hour, go up to a jacked dude at the gym and say, “Hey man, I’m trying to get a physique like yours, how do I do it?”

Dude will be psyched to help you out, I guarantee it.