Is the weight room safe? Yes, if we space things out properly.

Strength athletes, answer me this?

Who benefits from serious strength training? The answer is simply, EVERYONE!
I do not care if you train for strength two hours per week or thirty. It should not matter if you are a world champion powerlifter, weightlifter, cyclist, marathon runner, or training for your first 5k race. We should all be serious about getting the biggest return on our invested time in the weight room.
We have all seen the monstrously muscular meathead grunting and snorting. We do not need to be a Viking to be serious in the weight room. Intimidation does not belong in the weight room. Space invaders are passive aggressive people trying to intimidate us by invading our space. Get out of the space when another is lifting!

Too close!

Being serious simply means acting truthfully and in earnest. Focus on what you are doing. If you are not serious in a good gym go to the lobby. Those who are serious need the space.
Imagine squatting double body weight. You need to focus. There is a “trainer” next to you talking on the telephone while he is “training” three young teen-aged athletes. He is not even watching them. Before the rant begins, I ask you this, is he really deserving of the space they occupy? I need a lot of space to lift as do you. If I can hear someone talking to his girlfriend when my life is at stake I am being obstructed. Sun Tsu wrote centuries ago (in Chinese mind you) “in the absence of compromise superior force prevails”. Strength training is all about force. Be diplomatic. Be polite. Be understanding. If you are training at this level you need to provide accommodations in “your gym”.

Plenty O' room to lift safely!

Do not expect others to understand. They do not understand. If this is a constant occurrence find a suitable facility. Training facilities do exist. They are difficult to find sometimes. If you are in LA you need to drive 15-30 miles to find one. They do exist. Many people believe they do not want a gym in their lives until they actually visit one. It is actually a more comfortable setting than most fitness centers remain. The 4 Star Gym, 436 Main Street, El Segundo, CA 90045, is a good training facility at other than peak times (4-8 p.m. is crowded). Mike Goff is the owner and he gets it. When flying into/out of LAX contact him you are only 15 minutes away.
The only people doing business in a gym should be (I know, I know…peanuts and nuts…) the gym owner. Members of a gym are there to train; not do business. If you want to waste this time, on other than your physical improvements, take up golf. The gym is for training. Training takes more than an hour per session, sometimes, too.

Everyone needs to be serious about strength training. More of the general masses would be healthy if they acted as if they wanted to be a competitive weightlifter/powerlifter in the weight room. Do not be an a$$. Do not be a space invader. Do not talk on the phone (this includes texting) in the weight room. Go in, train, and go elsewhere. Have fun with the benefits.

Get stronger!                                                                                                                                docgym@live.com