Gym "Bro" -
Gym bro has become somewhat of a synonymous term for "asshole at the gym". I'd like to argue there's a distinct differentiation between gym bros and gym "bros".
I've met many gym bros in my time going to the gym. I think there is a wide variety of gym bro personalities. For example, I know this one guy, let's call him Joe. I've seen Joe at the gym off an on for nearly two years. He's one of the regular guys. A few weeks ago, he came up to me and said, "I've seen you here all the time, I'm Joe." He didn't interrupt me and it was a nice interaction. Now whenever I see him, I nod my head, wave, and that's that. We're just chill now.
Another guy, let's call him Jon. He is this sweet older guy who just likes to have a conversation and chat. Doesn't matter about what, but he just likes to talk. He can get going on for a while and it gets annoying sometimes, but there's no ill intention.
I know more "traditional" gym bros too. It's have a couple friends who I see regularly. They're my age. If I need a spotter, they come and help. Being a good gym bro doesn't mean you can't help and give advice. I love getting help on form. When you can't watch yourself doing an exercise, having someone there saying, "you should do X and move your hands to Y to help isolate Z" can be a huge help. Good gym bros hype you up, not themselves.
The reason I'm writing this is because I had an interaction with a real gym "bro". Someone who was trying to act friendly (maybe?), but just failed in every way and came across as a total douche.
Two days ago, this guy came up to me and said, "if you ever need a spot just come ask me and I'll stop whatever I'm doing." This is kind, but it felt kind of forced. No true gym bro ever needs to tell you to come grab them for a spot, they just come help you. This guy just seemed desperate for attention.
So yesterday, I was doing some low rows with my girlfriend, and a guy comes up to me. It was the same guy from the previous day. As he is coming closer, I'm thinking, "okay what's he gonna say? I clearly don't need a spot right now." Well he goes, "I can't do that weight." Alright? Whatever dude, I was literally waiting for you to get off this machine and I saw you doing more weight than this. I didn't say this but it's what I was thinking.
I go, "no way, let's see it." Edging him on to go give it a shot. Not only does he not try my weight, but he proceeds to grab weights from wherever he can find to triple the weight. He sits down and does five or so reps. During this, I just look over at Nadali and raise one eyebrow like, "what is this guy doing?" As soon as I do this, another guy over by the mirror starts cracking up a little.
He finished and has the audacity to say, "I don't do that to make people feel bad. I just think it's funny." Then why did you do it??? What was the actual point of coming over, wasting my time, and ego lifting right in front of me?? (Ego lifting for those who don't know is when you try to show off by doing more weight than you can do properly with good form. Ego lifting usually leads to injury due to improper form.)
Just sit down, act like you can't do the weight I had, and it would have been such a better interaction. Like OKAY DUDE, it's no surprise you could do more weight than me, you're literally BIGGER. I don't know if he was trying to show off for my girlfriend? Trust me dude, you have no shot with her. You know what else? He left his weights on the machine. TAKE THEM OFF!!!
I just don't know. It was such a weird interaction.
Please don't be like this guy. The gym isn't for competiton, it's for cooperation.