Have some respect!

In the lifting, gym world there are a lot of unspoken etiquette rules that, unless you are serious lifter or athlete, you are probably unaware of. In fact, I can tell how experienced a lifter one is by the respect they show others. In Powerlifting and Weightlifting we are lifting and hoisting serious weight over our heads/ supporting it on our backs. Squats, deadlifts, bench press, snatching and clean and jerking are hardcore lifting because of the element of danger and explosive power involved. It commands respect. This is not machine bullshit, burn out sets. When someone squats big weight everyone watches. When someone jerks more than their body weight overhead, you watch, because intuitively you know its badass. 

                                                                   Very Badass Indeed.
Here are some Rules when it com to Weightlifting and Powerlfiting:


1) The Area around the platform or Squat Rack should be uncluttered and free of random plates and barbells or people exercising close by. There should be enough space for the lifter to miss a weight and jump out of the way without running into anything.

                                                                                     aww man not again!


2) Respect the pre lift prep: Before the athlete preforms the lift, even if it is a light warm up weight, DO NOT TALK TO THEM. Respect the visualization process. Before we lift athletes visualize the attempt and I personally imagine myself with the weight locked out and my standing up, I close my eyes and steady my breathing. We get into our calm arousal state. When someone talks it breaks this concentration. It is very disruptive and disturbing and shows a HUGE lack of respect. 

There have been MANY MANY times where I am about to perform a lift and someone says something stupid or starts talking or asking me questions or just says "hi". It defiantly breaks my concentration. So I usually ignore people and sit kinda hidden. Even in a D1 University setting, some coaches violate this rule and post up in your face to chat (I swear, but I am not going to name names.) Some people who claim to be have been great lifters even talk to me WHILE I am lifting, and not even about lifting! its very very rude. Before a lifter goes, NO ONE SHOULD TALK. You can give encouragement, then shut the hell up.

                                                 The awesome Kara Bohigian Smith. her blog is www.karasblog.com

                                                                                              My friend Emilio
3) Stupid Questions: If someone is seriously training, it is not a PERSONAL INVITATION FOR CONVERSATION. Do not ask "How much weight is that?", "wow you look great, nice butt! "What are you doing?" "Wow that is cool, can you show me?".
In fact, don't even compliment lifter. They don't care about getting compliments. They care about lifting big weights, not your approval.

4) Don't Stare or Hover, or try stump us on Old School Trivia: Please do not stare and hover around the squat rack or platform. We do not want to talk to you. We are training. Talking is for later. And Yes, I know more about lifting history than you. I know who Doug Hepburn was, I know what the "bent press" is, and I know what IronMind is and sells, and what a MonoLift is.

                                                                       Doug Hepburn Squatting a hell of a lot of weight


5) Taking over our space for Curls, etc: Nothing quirks serious lifters more than jackass's doing Biceps Curls in the Squat Rack. It is NEVER ok to take up a squat rack to do curls, unless you are   Dorian Yates or Jay Culter,  then its ok. Because they are awesome.

                                                                                                Not Ok, Bro!


6) Get outta my face: Do not stand on front or on the side of a lifter before they execute. Stay out of the line of vision. Nothing is more distracting that starting at someone's ugly mug while jumping under weight. Do not walk by. Do not sit and watch. This is not a "show."


7) Powerlifting IS NOT Weightlifting. I don't know why people get this confused soo much. Powerlifting is the BACK SQUAT, BENCH PRESS and DEADLIFT. Weightlifting is the SNATCH, and CLEAN AND JERK. They are DIFFERENT SPORTS.


8) Respect your training equipment.  We take care of our equipment because it is expensive and  shows our respect to the sport. Clean up your area and unrack your weights and put them away. Wipe down the platform or machine and wipe up the chalk spills.


9) The "deadlift platform" is not the "weightlifting platform." The dead "platform" is ON THE FLOOR, ANYWHERE!!!, not on the wooden platforms! When Metal plates hit the wood, it breaks the wood apart and destroys the platform. So don't deadlift on wooden platforms.

Just had to get that off my chest and hopefully you have learned a few things on how to be a better more respectful gym rat.