What is your most memorable gym or training experience?
Question ~ compliments of asim at intensemuscle


www.intensemuscle.com

asim
I was 17 and really into leg training. I had seen an ex-powerlifter in the gym a few times squattin. At the time I thought he was shifting some serious weight in the 300-450lb range.
One day he loaded 3 plates on one side and 2 on the other and was about to squat. I interrupted him, told him before he injured himself and thats how we got to talking.
A week later he was in the gym again to do legs and so was I. Since we were both gonna squat he said, "Right lets see what you can do". I told him I'd never shifted anything more than 220lbs for 6 reps. And he said ,"Today were gonna beat that". So we started 135 x 20, 180 x 12, then 220 x 10 which i'd never touched before.
I was seriously feeling it in the legs. He loaded 245 for me and I just thought, how the hell am I gonna get this up. Unrack it and somehow with him spotting me I got 10. We werent done there. I hadnt felt pain like this before in my life. Remember I was 17 and no bigger than 150lbs at 5'8. So he loads up 265lbs. I stop him right there and say ,"Man I've never touched this weight before, as soon as I get under the bar i'm just gonna drop". He told me not to worry, he'd get it if I didnt.
At that point in time I never knew how to focus or work up intensity or anything. I took some breaths, prayed to God I wouldnt collapse and off I went. One thing I noticed was usually it would take me 4 or 5 steps to get in position, and put my feet in place. This ex-powerlifter had me step out and be in position in 1-2 steps. Something about not wasting energy which I didnt understand.
So hell here we go 265 for 1,2,3,4,5. All the power coming from my legs but he had to spot me because I was leaning too far over. That was my only mistake, taking the drive out the legs because I leaned over.
It felt amazing. The first time in my life I had just squatted 265. I was a 17 year old who hadnt pushed himself hard enough in the past. All it took was some motivation from an ex-powerlifter.
We pyramided back down of course through the weights, which was extreme torcher. Once we were done I tried to leg press like i usually did after squats. I couldnt even move the sled! My leg workout was done, I left right there and then. I had never been pushed so hard, and never had I enjoyed myself so much, pushing my limits. I've had intense workouts since then but nothing quite like that session with the powerlifter. Wont ever forget that.



Sparky
My most memorable gym moment doesn't involve any achievement. In fact, I look back over my years lifting, and I don't know that I've ever lifted anything that was very impressive. It just seems like slow, steady progress.
My most memorable gym moment happened in January of 1994. Since I was about 7 years old, I have been a fan of the Denver Broncos. I was a huge fan as a kid. One of my favorite players was #36, Billy Thompson. He's now in the Denver Bronco Ring of Fame. He played safety and cornerback. In addition, he ran back punts and kickoffs. I respected his play so much, that I wore his number in High School.
I was in the gym shortly after having reconstructive knee surgery. I had torn my ACL and meniscus. The repair was done by taking the middle 1/3 of my patella tendon and using it as a replacement for my ACL. Probably 3 weeks after this, I was in the gym riding a stationary bike. I was working really hard and had a special knee brace on. The knee brace ensured that I stayed within a safe range of motion. Well, a black fellow gets on the bike next to me -- and it's my Pro Football Hero, Billy Thompson. He's starts chatting with me on how to take care of the knee and rehab it. Rather than gush about who he is and what he has meant to me, I just treated him like I'd treat any other man, with respect. I thanked him for his advice. Now Billy and I are casual friends (I think he knows my first name and that is about it. He was going to come to my first BB show but it didn't workout).
Over the years I've encountered many pro athletes in the gym. Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Dave Widell, Steve Sewell (all Broncos), etc. I always treat them the same way. I give them space and treat them like anybody else in the gym -- respect. In fact, I live by an active Pro today. I don't ask for autographs, I don't stare in wonder. He's just my neighbor with the cool cars (while I drive a stinkin 99 Ford Taurus -- yuck!).



Future
Well, I have had a few. But one was when these meatheads were busting on me about my fingernails being painted. Then I went and squatted 715x3 raw weighing just 238 (natural) that day. I am not sure BUT I think they may have had painted fingernails the next time I saw them.




www.fortifiediron.net

Eyeofthetiger
The first day I ever worked out in my life is definately my most memorable experience. I remember that time-I was so determined on being a bodybuilder lol. I was all over the place but I remember just joining the gym and feeling at peace with myself.



VanillaGorilla MOD
Watching this really hot girl named Maria performing perfectly executed stiff legged deadlifts three times a week. Ah, the precious, precious memories.
Most of my favorite memories involve other people screwing up, getting hurt, or as in Maria's case, just looking really good.
I watched a guy deload a heavy bar from one side. I believe he had about 495 on the bar doing what he thought was squats and screaming like a marauding viking. The big stud pulled a couple plates at a time off the one side and after his second handful cleared the end, the bar jumped off the squat rack and flipped into the window on the opposite side taking it out completely. I don't remember ever seeing that guy in the gym again after that.



GRUNT#4
The first time i did deadlifts and squats, and both on the same night.
lol, i couldnt walk for days without someone asking if i'd sh*t myself.



Lattimer MOD
The first day I met Bill Crawford and worked out with the Metal Militia. Benched 700 for the first time, had the workout of my life, and felt like I was hit by a bus for at least a week.



Barbaccio
RE Lattimer:Funny you should say that Shawn....
The first day I met Shawn Lattimer and worked out with the South Jersey Metal Militia. Benched 500 for the first time, had the workout of my life, and felt like I was hit by a bus for at least a week.



VVV
Probably back in the day working out with my football buddies. You know the 2 hour workout session 6 days a week. I was over training but as 16 year old kids we didn't know the difference. Besides that maybe the day I hit 340 on the deadlift weighing 170 lbs. Also yesterday will go down in memory as I doubled 225 for the bench meaning I'm probably the strongest I've ever been bench wise. 225 has been the fing monkey on my back since I was 17 years old and I think that sh*t is finally conquered.



adpac
I was training a bunch of kids in a high school and they cleaned the gym for an inspection. They cleaned the bar and sprayed it down with WD40. I was the first one to lift after the inspection and they loaded me to 315 and left off the collars. My left arm dipped and all three 45 lb plates shot off the bar on one side shortly followed by the other 3 from the other side leaving me holding an empty bar trying to figure out what the hell happened.



Admin ADMIN
Training people and watch them progress.
The other day i helped this one kid out who really wanted to hit a 375 deadlift.. his best before was a slow 365..
Needless to say by the time i finished fixing his form he pulled a smooth 405



il campione
My second time snatching ever, i somehow hit a 155 lb squat snatch. Discovering the olympic lifts was fun, i did it in the grass with metal plates.



big MAC
I have a few
-Missing a 140kg/3 plate squat at age 15, then reading a Dave Tate article and squatting 160kg/350lbs for a triple the very next week.
-First time I cleaned 110kg/242, I had missed it on 3 occasions, once I did that, I gained alot of confidence.
-My first 16m put in shot in training, I was a freshman, it felt unbelievable.




www.EliteProBodybuilding.com

bigcity MOD
My most memorable gym moment was when I walked into the gym the first time and realized I was a gladiator. It was during the first weeks that I found DC. I walked into the gym and It was jam packed but people seemed to move out of my way. Maybe I looked crazy with my chuck T's and chalk on my hands. Or maybe it was my bandana of the long old school loose fitting thermal that was ripped up. Not really sure about it but I inclined 275 for 15RP and barbell rowed about 245 for 10 and it just felt so animalistic. I sat in my car eating chicken brest with barbeque sauce and rice and it just clicked. I felt I stepped over the threshold of Bodybuilder to Warrior. Maybe I developed my mindset through pain with the weights ot stretches. It just seems that after that day something changed in me and I have not been the same since.




www.proactivehealthnet.com

American Idol MOD
When I passed out after doing curls. Found out the next day I was pregnant with my son.



James MOD
Probably the day the air conditioner was broke in the aerobics room and they had class out in the weight room. *snickers* no! I made that up.
-Seriously: The day I hit 315 on the bench or, the day I threw up (in the garbage can) after doing a set of heavy squats.
-Comically: the day I was working out at a new gym I was one of those cutesy clubs complete with whirlpools and tanning beds.
While doing dead lifts and getting the "what the heck is he doing over there" look by the high school aged trainers, I was stopped by some ridiculously dressed older dude (around 45). He asked if he could work in.
Let me set up the whole situation.
First he was dressed like he came out of a time warp, Mid 80's spandex under shorts, cut off tank top and he was accompanied by, I am assuming his wife. She was dressed like she came off the movie Fame complete with hot pink sweat bands. He walks up and goes "dead lifts that’s old school mind if I work in sonny" He then begins to lift the bar (which had 405 on it) with the worst form I have ever seen in my life. All the while his lady was cheering "you can do it babebeeee" in a squeaky voice.
After 4 reps "he puffs his chest out and says that’s a little light for me."
Since I was not at my working weight range, I decided to humor the guy and said "its cool dude I was about to go up a plate anyway." So I finished 4@ 495 and it's Conan’s turn. So, he walks up to the bar, Bubbles starts up her cheering routine and I hide my face and try to think of something serious because the situation was more than I could handle with a straight face. He grunts and begins to lift the bar again in even poorer form than before. Then, I swear (and I don’t usually swear) the dude farts, I mean loud and long.
I can't handle it so I begin laughing so hard I start hurting. They leave red faced and my dead lift workout is wrecked.
Those two took the cake even before he topped it off.
I didnt mean to laugh ,I wouldn't intentionally do that, but that was one of those rare situations where I think life throws you a custard pie.



Lil'Lifter MOD
My first day doing DC training. It was chest/shoulder/tri/back day. I could tell this was the kind of routine I had been looking for and would make great gains off it. Perfect combo of high training intensity and frequency.



92StangMan MOD
The day I benched 135, I thought I was hot stuff in high school, LOL! Benching 225 was nice, now I'm shooting for 315.
At the end of this year when I WILL deadlift 405, it'll be another good feeling.
LMAO, I'll post this little story, too, while I'm thinking about it...
We had a small gym in our high school but still had all the necessary machines/benches to get a good workout in. Halfway through my senior year, we got a couple rubber weights that were 45s in. They looked almost identical to 100lb weights, but they were rubber. When we first got them, I saw the girls track team walk in to get a drink of water so I told one of my buddies, Tyrone, to help me put the 45s on the bar and I'll impress the girls by lifting it. We put the 45s on and as soon as they came through the door, I started to rep out 135 and got it 5-6 reps. After I was done, I racked the bar and looked at the girls while they were wide-eyed thinking I was hercules repping out 245!!




www.fitnessgeared.com

Big_Mike1979
My training experience is : when i broke my plateau on my bench press and i maxed out at 440-445 and i was the happeist person alive..the smile was on my face 24/7




www.worldclassbodybuilding.com

w8girl
My most memorable gym experience is not a positive one. It was the time I asked someone to spot me on the 35s for the bench press and he let me drop one on my chin and down my chest! That was NOT a good day in the gym! I had a similar spotting experience later in the squat rack where I ended up going down to the floor with a weighted bar across my shoulders. Needless to say, I have a really hard time asking/trusting anyone for a spot anymore!! LOL!



palomino
When I was doing rope pulls and was clenching and accidentally got myself off- no lie. And yes I can turn anything into sex.



muscle_n_blood
It happened to my ex-wife on rope pressdowns. She had awsome triceps.......



palomino
Thats why mine are so defined......hooray for tricep day!



birdie
You got off on rope pulls, wow. Anyway mine was probably when I benched over 300 for the first time.



MERC
The most memorable experience in the gym for me was the first time that I had 3, 45lb plates on each side of the bar for bench...315 for a skinny peewee herman looking guy it was a great feeling



jterry16
RE MERC: Same here. 185 natural and I repped 275 three times. I was ecstatic. When I first started years ago I couldn't even get 95 done 12 times. Needless to say I have come a long way!




www.ironlife.com

Senri
squatting 300lbs.


jipped genes
My workout partner dropping a plate on my pinkie toe.




www.beyondmass.com

LA MOD
Well my most memorable gym experience was with a cardio chick named "Anytime". Come to think of it, that was my most memorable workout too. But something tells me that's not the answer you were after.....
I do remember quite a few times after working triceps and biceps together it felt like my skin was going to rip. I remember using the preacher bench doing champhered bar curls, feeling my biceps grow with each rep- like they were being inflated! I was thinking- "Damn, try to rip the skin and let the bicep out!" And that is what I did try to do. It felt, oh so good
The fact that this question is posted in this forum and not the mass prevents me from going into any further detail.
Another time I was doing calf raises on a smith machine with another guy. This was back before I tore the Achilles. I had a massive number of plates on the thing and one of the gym expert big guys is watching us. He was barrel chested, fat and never, never ever trained legs in his life (but hey, he could bench 4 plates at a bodyweight of 325). He told me I was doing them wrong of course. I looked at him and said really, turned to the mirror where everyone who was watching could see, hit a calf pose and then said- "Really". At this time (again before the Achilles) my calves were 17 1/2 inches cold and split. He shut up and walked away as I got more than a few acknowledging nods from the other people standing around watching.



skwood MOD
I would have rather heard about the chick
I think mine would have to be the first time I broke the 300, 400 & 500lb bench barrier. I felt like I was on top of the world - I need to feel that one more time.....

klause
As far as my most memorable moment goes,I would have to say 25 years ago I trained with Lou Ferringo. We both did a most muscular shot in the mirror side by side. I was about 225 then.I asked him if he thought I could ever be as big as him. He didnt laugh but said, "rather then compare yourself with someone else, you need to be as good as you can be."
What a pearl of wisdom!!





www.chemicalfitness.com

Bellina MOD
By far the most memorable although not good experience was when I was squatting. I had decided to wear sketchers instead of my normal sneakers. Well I guess they were angled just a little differently causing me to lean forward slightly. While squatting 185 I folded like a wet noodle. 185 still on my back and I'm face to face with my knees. I managed to rerack on the last peg and haven't gone that high since.



Illusionsize
This is not my post but I read it on another board last year.I am paraphrasing but this would have been cool to see.
A little guy was trying to bench 2 plates a side and couldn't get it so he asked a BIG guy for a spot.
The guy spotted him and all his buddies came over and surrounded the little guy on the bench and started encouraging him and chanting " Big Bench" out loud.
He got three reps.



cowgirl
I was in Ft Lauderdale for 2 weeks and was working out at a pretty hardcore Gold's (before it turned fru- fru) There were some pretty big dudes there many of them competitors. None of them would even acknowledge I was there.
I was warming up to do pull overs with a 20lb DB, getting the muscles stretched. This huge guy that was big as a house got on the bench next to me and picked up a 50 lb DB and started doing pullovers, then commented to me I should try a little more weight with a snear on his face. Then he picked up is 50 and went back to the bench next to me for a set. So I picked up a 60lb'er and did 12 reps with perfect form right next to him, and all his buddies started cracking up!
He and his buds all talked to me after that.



saks MOD
About 2 months ago I finally decided that my mental block of 405 should be gone. Hell I can push 385 for 4-5 reps so I tryed it. It was so easy! After seeing this an aquainance asked me how many times I could push 225. I was so pumped I told him I would match whatever he could do. He pushed it 13 times. I layed down and reped out 28. I was sore for a week afterwards, but it is still talked about to this day between him and his crew.



Iron_Gook MOD
I remember working out a couple years back at the University of New Orleans. They had just built this multi-million dollar facility on campus. The place was unbelievable. Anyways, I noticed these two guys working out on the plate loaded leg press machine. They had the damn machine completely stacked with 45lb plates. There must have been 10 or more on each side. Well, neither of them could even perform one "true" rep but they were screaming and hollaring while moving the weights maybe a 1/4 of a rep. It was hilarious. But what amazed me was that after they were done, the decided to unload only one side of the leg press machine instead of alternating between the sides. Need less to say, once they cleared the majority of the weights from the one side, the whole leg press machine flipped on to the opposite side. I busted out laughing along with most of the gym members. I couldn't help myself and yelled out loud, "I bet you guys are physics majors, huh?" It was classic!



shiko24
last week on quads I was on the sled press going as heavy as I could I worked my way up to 22 plates for 6 reps I started out with 8 plates and went up by 2 plates each set

8 plates 12 reps
10 plates 12 reps
12 plates 10 reps
14 plates 10 reps
16 plates 10 reps
18 plates 8 reps
20plates 8 reps
22 plates 6 reps

this is not counting the weight of the sled itself





www.sculptedbyiron.com

JCollins
Definitely my first leg workout in the gym. I started off easy with sumo squats and the calf machine and I was really feeling it so I decided to max on everything...even regular squats. By the time I was finished I could barely walk back out to the car! I haven't had a day that I felt like I had accomplished so much since then.



Dodnof
I was lifting with a buddy at Golds back before I really knew what balls to the way training was. So we end up lifting with a couple of really cool guys we had gotten to know up there, they were older, both massive, one dude was a huge Sweedish guy who competed in strongman stuff, so me and my buddy had something to prove of course. Well, they pushed us through a leg workout like I had NEVER had before in my life. I seriously thought I was gonna die, but I couldnt quit and look like a *****. SO...... on my last set of leg press, which I swear I thought my legs were gonna just fall off, I finished it, then all of a sudden, BOOOOOM...... I had to run outside and puke! That was the first time that I had ever lifted hard enough to wanna puke. I have gotten close many times since then, but always stopped myself right before I lost it, but not this time. It was rough, I couldnt hardly walk for a week. In other words, it was great!



jcp2
I pulled 600 lbs the other day, off gear for a year and a half.



Twistdenigma
January 27th, 2005. I was tired and burnt out from working long hours. I was more interested in the hot chick squatting 10 feet from me than my deadlifting form. I came halfway up warming up with 425 then my form slipped. I now have disc and nerve damage for life, and who knows if I'll get back in the gym again, let alone compete in my first place meet. Definitely a day in the gym I will never forget.



antihero
A little while ago, i was just about to start my last set of decline smyth bench, and i saw a midget walk into the squat rack. I didnt think much of it, until i noticed the bar was set on the pins that i was using it at, and im 6ft. Then i wondered how he was going to move it down, just as i was walking across the room to ask him if he needed help, he grabbed on the bar and started doing chin-ups. A midget was doing chins in a squat rack....i didnt know what to do, i just turned and walked away, and didnt really say anything. A buddy of mine was laughing at him, so i turned and said "wtf are you laughing at, ive done chins on the squat rack before"...suddenly he stopped laughing.....



jcp2
Re antihero: You can also tell him a midget is the best 165 bencher in the world, his name is markus schick.




www.mmsfitness.com

Deacon Admin
Me and my partner were in doing back when this dude known as kind of a smart ass and trash talker came in to workout with no shoes - thinking he was cool he started doing chest - when he got to incline bench he dropped a 25 pound weight from the bar onto his right foot! Smashed it badly and broke the bones - I never forgot how he screamed upon impact!



That was fun to read.. thanks everybody!
BIG thank you to klause for allowing me to use his picture.
Backround on the picture: NC state, 2nd place super heavyweights.

Til next month, stay safe~
~lacey