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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/Whole-Worker9005 on 2025-06-30 12:06:24+00:00.
I’ve been lifting for around 5 years now. I went from 93kg down to 73kg at my leanest, and I wouldn’t say I know about weight training more than everyone but I’ve always tried to stay updated with proper lifting techniques and nutrition.
But last year, I started a super demanding job that took all my time and focus. I was only lifting twice a week, didn’t do any cardio, drank a lot, ate whatever I wanted — and now I’m back up to 88kg and probably lost about 30% of my strength (but I don’t look as fat as 5 years ago that’s magic of weight training)
This year though, things settle down, so now I’ve got more time. I just joined a new gym and I’m lifting almost every day again. If you lift, you know modern strength training focuses a lot on range of motion and training muscles at a stretched position. So I’ve been doing that — slow negatives, not too heavy, full ROM.
There’s this older dude at the gym, probably around 45, lean and strong for his size. I guess I look like a big chubby guy trying to lose weight, so maybe he assumed I was new. While I was lifting, he came over and told me not to stretch the muscles too much or I’d get injured, because I was “just starting out.” 🫠
My brain just froze. I wanted to say I was training based on science, but didn’t think he’d get it. And I didn’t want to come off like some cocky kid who won’t listen to elders. So I nodded, said thanks, and finished the set doing half-reps. He gave me a thumbs up like “good job, you’ll get better soon” and I was dying inside.
I’m not even that weak anymore, just out of shape. I ended up waiting for him to leave and then came back to redo everything with full ROM. I think I need to switch gyms.
TL;DR: TIFU by not telling the experienced dude at the gym that I’m not completely new and was doing full range of motion on purpose. Now I’m sneaking in proper form behind his back.
Edit: i’m not really going to switch gym i just said it as a joke