How indepth do you go with Newbies?

[Hypertrophyguy]

I recently started working at my local gyms pro shop, while its a great laid back job I get really frustrated with the clientele. People come in and expect you to tell them how to get big, lean, strong in about 5 minutes. And I try, unsuccesfully, to give them the cliff notes of bodybuilding, health, or correct eating.
It also gets very very frustrating when person after person comes in and asks me "so what do I need to take to lose 15lbs" or "what do you take to look like that". Hmm well lets see lets start with a large dose of reality check broken up into small bits to be taken through-out the day.

Im not huge, I am however far beyond the average gym goer. and just to get to where I am, I have to LIVE it. My phone rings on a schedule to remind me to eat. I honestly dont think people have the slightest clue as to what it takes to be in above average shape.

Americans seem to have a package fetish. Everything they want somehow comes packaged in a neat little pill, drink, or powder. Oh you want to look like Ronnie? A couple scoops of whey protein will make you huge! You want to have abs like brad pitt?? Pop a couple of these babies and you're good to go.

Honestly, I dont try to sit here and pretend im anywhere NEAR perfect. I lack discipline (big time) in many places, I cheat on my diet on an hourly basis (by either not eating, or not eating what im supposed to) and I sometimes wimp out and walk away from a workout when I know I have something left.

But when are people going to wake up and realize THIS AIN'T EASY! IT TAKES TIME, people are so caught up in I want to wake up HUGE YESTERDAY!

Sorry im so full of rants and raves lately.

 

[Ry Roid]

I would do it like...

...you were building a little house out of toothpicks. You gotta do it gradually and one toothpick at a time.

RY

BTW, 'toothpick' is an analogy for wisdom.LOL

 

[weight77]

Americans seem to have a package fetish. Everything they want somehow comes packaged in a neat little pill, drink, or powder. Oh you want to look like Ronnie? A couple scoops of whey protein will make you huge! You want to have abs like brad pitt?? Pop a couple of these babies and you're good to go.

So true!

 

[Moen]

As a European I must admit we laugh alot with the attitude of most Americans yes

Plastic surgery at the age of 15 etc WTF ?

 

[Mr Pickels]

i was about to say 5 and a half inches but this thread was about something else...

i'm the same boat as you HTG.... they all want the cliff notes as you said... its a joke

i train, not sell supps so i say, if you want me to take you through you're gonna get a lecture first and you gotta be serious....noone ever declines the lecture but most dont even pay attention... they're the ones who ask about the magic pill too.... fuckers

BTW.. i was in FLA and Disney had the Cirque du Solei there.... i missed it... ran out of money... would have loved to see it

do they have a website with tour dates or anything????

 

[Hypertrophyguy]

**broken link removed**


Artist Page

These should help.

Alegria is in Miami right now then they go to harrisburg. If you are around there let me know I will get you backstage and have my girl show you around and you can meet the artists.

 

[Dave_19]

It is very fustrating but get used to it, its doubtful that everyone will wake up one day with all the knowledge they need forever to reach thier physical goals, I used to be a personal trainer and have worked at 2 other gyms, and even outside of the gym it doesnt stop, the more persitant someone is with me to get an answer or answers the more pissed i get, I usually just say thiers not enough time in the week for me to tell you that, its no different then when you took math in high school to learn, you have to read and dedicate a lot of your time to learning if you really want to. i just steer them away from me basically, you will see too if its someone like your friend asking and you dont talk to them for 2-3 months and you can actually hold a conversation with them about AAS, bbing, nutrition you will have much more respect for them, althought thats very rare..

 

[stackdizzy]

Ya know I get lots of woman who always ask me about losing weight and looking like this famous chick and what not and I just say! "Its all in your diet if can commit to a diet and got an hour and half everyday then come chat with me". Its always ended right there! People just don't understand all the avenues famous people have to get in the shape they are in! They have all time time, money, and plastic surgery they want.... Just becuase I am somewhat built everyone thinks I am "Joe" trainer and I like holding there hand and talking about this shit just for kicks! Truth is if they had any ambition for the gym I would be talking to them there and not the bar I work at!!! Thats why I usually try to avoid conversations like this becuase 99.9% of them are wasting my fucking time......

 

[Conan21]

I used to work at GNC and i used to get those questions alot. It happens quit a bit in the gym as well. I don't get pissed about someone asking me a question because I like to be able to help people when I can but some of their questions are just too vague, generalized and stupid.

Its like where the hell do I begin. You try to summarize it in a few seconds and you end being the one who looks like an idiot because the question can't be answerd in one or two sentences.

 

[Largeman250]

the best is when they come in and they have a set time frame that they want to lose that 25lbs...and its like 1-2 weeks sometimes its really hard not to bitchslap these people...i overheard this 15yo kid in my store last month telling his friend that after the first week of creatine he was doing 350lbs flat bench for reps i had to leave the store cuz i was laughing to hard...people cant really be that ignorant can they?? and if they are how are they surviving in society???

 

[Dom!nator]

I recently started working at my local gyms pro shop, while its a great laid back job I get really frustrated with the clientele. People come in and expect you to tell them how to get big, lean, strong in about 5 minutes. And I try, unsuccesfully, to give them the cliff notes of bodybuilding, health, or correct eating.
It also gets very very frustrating when person after person comes in and asks me "so what do I need to take to lose 15lbs" or "what do you take to look like that". Hmm well lets see lets start with a large dose of reality check broken up into small bits to be taken through-out the day.

Im not huge, I am however far beyond the average gym goer. and just to get to where I am, I have to LIVE it. My phone rings on a schedule to remind me to eat. I honestly dont think people have the slightest clue as to what it takes to be in above average shape.

Americans seem to have a package fetish. Everything they want somehow comes packaged in a neat little pill, drink, or powder. Oh you want to look like Ronnie? A couple scoops of whey protein will make you huge! You want to have abs like brad pitt?? Pop a couple of these babies and you're good to go.

Honestly, I dont try to sit here and pretend im anywhere NEAR perfect. I lack discipline (big time) in many places, I cheat on my diet on an hourly basis (by either not eating, or not eating what im supposed to) and I sometimes wimp out and walk away from a workout when I know I have something left.

But when are people going to wake up and realize THIS AIN'T EASY! IT TAKES TIME, people are so caught up in I want to wake up HUGE YESTERDAY!

Sorry im so full of rants and raves lately.

I totally agree man!

Friend of mine works in a supplement shop. Now here is some advice I could give you: just try to tell people a few basic things. If someone asks you how to put on some serieus mass advice them to eat more rice, spaghetti, patatoes, beef, chicken, fish, eggs, flaxseadoil etc.

They should train hard en change routine every 6 weeks.

As far as supplements go: whey + glucose after training and a good multi vitamine supplement. Maybe some creatine or a weightgainer. After a while youll know what to say in less then 3 mins! If they are still annoying after that just bitchslap them out of the store.

Main thing I am trying to say is dont try to explain everything that it takes to be big and lean. People wont understand and it takes too much times. If they remember one or two small things you did a good job and people will appreciate that after they made some new progress.

 

[BiggerStronger]

I suggest 2 mins of verbal abuse and 1 minute of ignoring/mocking them. That should set them straight. lol.

 

[Paul Bunyan]

I just invite them to come train with me. That usually ends the conversation.

PB

 

[A50#]

Newbie Advice

I just wish I had all the information thats available today back when I started training. Back then all my info came from magazines, and Dan Duchaine (RIP).

 

[Steak Helmet]

I am in the same boat...

I train people and they always want the short cut. I tellthem it is a life change not a month change.

Come workout with me and I will tell you what I can to help you along. they are blown away by how much stuff there is to know. then I tell them that when they buy training, I will educate them along with training them.


Just let them know that there is no "MAGIC PILL"

 

[NuTsOe]

I just sum it up

in three words EAT,TRAIN,SLEEP
then change the subject when they keep asking questions

 

[Kane]

Re: I just sum it up

in three words EAT,TRAIN,SLEEP
then change the subject when they keep asking questions

Exactly what I do.

 

[Skip]

I give every newbie as much time as I can afford. If they do nothing with the info, I rest easy knowing I was willing to help out. If they DO use it, every now and then someone will come back later, most times much later, and thank you for your help.
This is the rewarding part.

I remember all too well how it felt when I was thirsting for any and all info I could get my hands on at 14. I was blown off and literally laughed at by big guys in my gym, back then. I would never want to make anyone feel like that.

Skip