This forum is dying.

discus

It's a far cry from the hub of activity it was a few years ago.

Can we merge S&SS forum back into this at least? Both are covering the same ground. Most of the topics coming up these days in H&F are plain boring.

Jerrica

Internet Forum Sees Repetition of Topics Shock

If, by "hub of activity" you mean e-penis swinging contests where n00b voices were drowned out by de reg'lars all trying to drown each other out in 5 x 5 vs. Smolov bro science debates then yeah, it probably has changed. Seems to be a fairly supportive place now, but maybe that's not exciting enough for all tastes. It'll change again though, and again after that. If you don't like it right now leave it be and come back to see what it's like in a while.

Or, y'know, start threads about topics you think are interesting.

Will Heffernan

discus wrote: »

It's a far cry from the hub of activity it was a few years ago.

That's not true. It has basically always been the same. It is the posters that have changed and more specifically the lack of diversity of either the posters backgrounds, experiences or education on the topics on which they are discussing/debating/posting.

Can we merge S&SS forum back into this at least? Both are covering the same ground. Most of the topics coming up these days in H&F are plain boring.

People aren't interested in debating or learning it is really just an internet shouting competition.

ecoli

discus wrote: »

It's a far cry from the hub of activity it was a few years ago.

Can we merge S&SS forum back into this at least? Both are covering the same ground. Most of the topics coming up these days in H&F are plain boring.

Content is in all forums is user driven. If you feel there are more interesting topics to discuss bring them up

discus

Jerrica wrote: »

Internet Forum Sees Repetition of Topics Shock

If, by "hub of activity" you mean e-penis swinging contests where n00b voices were drowned out by de reg'lars all trying to drown each other out in 5 x 5 vs. Smolov bro science debates then yeah, it probably has changed. Seems to be a fairly supportive place now, but maybe that's not exciting enough for all tastes.

Supportive? It's not a councilling forum ffs!

Will Heffernan

Jerrica wrote: »

Internet Forum Sees Repetition of Topics Shock

That's pretty good.

If, by "hub of activity" you mean e-penis swinging contests where n00b voices were drowned out by de reg'lars all trying to drown each other out in 5 x 5 vs. Smolov bro science debates then yeah, it probably has changed.

You don't think it is like that anymore?

Seems to be a fairly supportive place now, but maybe that's not exciting enough for all tastes.

I agree with you here. I think I've seen boards on the whole become more supportive in the time that I've been a lurker here and or in the short periods of time when I actually posted and tried to make a contribution here. That does't always help though. Yes, teams and athletes need cheerleaders but when it comes to actually getting results I'd take a coach over a cheerleader anyway.

It'll change again though, and again after that. If you don't like it right now leave it be and come back to see what it's like in a while.

I'd agree with that point as well.

Or, y'know, start threads about topics you think are interesting.

Personally I for one don't post here regularly anymore other than here and there in logs that I follow. I gave up trying to make a positive contribution here around page 7 or 8 of that reality bites thread about gyms in Ireland. Now I am not saying that because anyone should care. I am just saying that because it just is what it is. I am a member of a couple of forums where I make a lot of contribution and there are 2 Irish coaches based in Ireland who coach national level athletes at an international level who I know have both posted here in the past and were basically 'run off' by the ignorance and stupidity of some of the posters here. I just think that is a shame. So 1. Yes, it is up to posters to start threads that they think are interesting but people should also be more receptive to listening because 2. A huge number of posters here post 'supposedly' looking for advice which is what you'd get from 'coaches' when what they are really looking for is validation which is what they get from 'cheerleaders'.

Anyway....forums get what they deserve and I for one enjoy lurking here and hope it never changes

Jerrica

discus wrote: »

Supportive? It's not a counselling forum ffs!

Just fyi. Do you only associate support with counselling? What a lonely thought. Team-mates, coaches, trainers, hai fives, suggestions, critiques, having a forum to bounce ideas off peers, all support no?

manarocket

I agree there are too many similar forums, u get lost looking for them.

Jerrica

Will Heffernan wrote: »

That's pretty good.

Thank you. I'm having a witty day. They don't happen often so I'm taking advantage.

Will Heffernan wrote:

You don't think it is like that anymore?

Not as much as it used to be. There's a time and place for e-dick waving too, I mean it's great craic to watch from the outside. and when done properly it can produce some amazing ideas and unearth a wealth of knowledge. I guess that was when the forum was going through its tantrum teenage years. The "I know everything I need to know and I'm not tidying my room and I HATE YOU" mode. Now it's a young professional. It has a bit of knowledge, confident enough to share it and hear other ideas but occasionally too cocky to keep an open mind.

Personally I look forward to the old-age "Back in my day..." era when we all get to romanticise when this was all fields of unused data and only the really cool kids had discovered myspace. I think the OP might be a step ahead of us there....

A lot of the people who were part of the good-old-egotistical-days have grown up, and aren't interested in having to prove themselves right anymore. They have clients and competition wins to do that for them.

Will Heffernan wrote:

I agree with you here. I think I've seen boards on the whole become more supportive in the time that I've been a lurker here and or in the short periods of time when I actually posted and tried to make a contribution here. That does't always help though. Yes, teams and athletes need cheerleaders but when it comes to actually getting results I'd take a coach over a cheerleader anyway.

The knowledge quality on the forum isn't as rich as it used to be. That's the downside of it maturing - the "people in the know" are left to post the last words because they... well, they know what they're talking about. And if they don't post it gets a bit stagnant.

Will Heffernan wrote:

I'd agree with that point as well.

Oh stop. Now you're just flirting.

Will Heffernan wrote:

Personally I for one don't post here regularly anymore other than here and there in logs that I follow. I gave up trying to make a positive contribution here around page 7 or 8 of that reality bites thread about gyms in Ireland. Now I am not saying that because anyone should care. I am just saying that because it just is what it is. I am a member of a couple of forums where I make a lot of contribution and there are 2 Irish coaches based in Ireland who coach national level athletes at an international level who I know have both posted here in the past and were basically 'run off' by the ignorance and stupidity of some of the posters here. I just think that is a shame. So 1. Yes, it is up to posters to start threads that they think are interesting but people should also be more receptive to listening because 2. A huge number of posters here post 'supposedly' looking for advice which is what you'd get from 'coaches' when what they are really looking for is validation which is what they get from 'cheerleaders'.

It's happened alright, and very regrettably so. Sometimes the Mods don't know who these people are or don't see it happening, and when these wells of knowledge are driven away it can feel like a real kick in the nuts. Like someone said above though, a forum is run by the posters, and it's really posters shooting themselves in their collective foot but they can't see it at the time. Sometimes - not often - but sometimes those same people come back for a second shot. Maybe they'll come back during this period of maturity, and the forum won't be afraid to listen.

Unless the experts are douchebags, then the internet hounds are welcome to them. There's nothing any forum hates more than an expert introducing themself as an expert and demanding respect without proving themselves.

Will Heffernan wrote:

Anyway....forums get what they deserve and I for one enjoy lurking here and hope it never changes

Like a bad burger that reminds you of your childhood, it's impossible to resist coming back for more.

discus

Jerrica wrote: »

Just fyi. Do you only associate support with counselling? What a lonely thought. Team-mates, coaches, trainers, hai fives, suggestions, critiques, having a forum to bounce ideas off peers, all support no?

LOL, none of the above is happening on this forum.

TheBellJar

discus wrote: »

Most of the topics coming up these days in H&F are plain boring.

In fairness to you, I personally agree with that... BUT I'm also mindful that some people probably love the topics that arise here now so it's catering to them just fine.

I never really post here now anyway. I learnt my lesson about listening to people on the internet.... It makes spend too much time thinking about what to do and not enough time doing it; funny thing is that once you actually start doing it your questions usually answer themselves.

Jerrica

discus wrote: »

LOL, none of the above is happening on this forum.

No?

COH

Lets just bite the bullet and merge the fitness forum first with the strength forum, and then with the sex forum and personal issues forum - then merge all those with the zombie survival forum.

I for one am all in favour of threads like 'Help, my boyfriend thinks I'm walking funny from doing smolov, should I tell him I got an STD from sleeping with a dead guy?'

tmc86

Personally I stick with the same threads within the H&F forum but that's only because they interest me the most.

I still scan the wider forum because there are the occassional topics that pop up which do interest me and the odd time I'll have a read of something that I wouldn't necessarily be interested in but would like to know something about.

That's the beauty of online discussion forums, not everyone is the same with the same interests and the same opinions.

Therefore what may not be a "hub of activity" to you may be for someone else who is interested in those current topics.

As other posters have said, you can either post more topics that you are interested in otherwise have a read of some other threads that you may have passed up on, you never know what might spark an interest.

The Davestator

I suppose I'd consider myself a regular lurker and poster here and I think its the old 'everywhere was better a while ago' (jobs, gyms, clubs, pubs)

The forum can only be as good as the posters, and I agree that there used to be a higher quality of contributor.

Hammar

COH wrote: »

Lets just bite the bullet and merge the fitness forum first with the strength forum, and then with the sex forum and personal issues forum - then merge all those with the zombie survival forum.

I for one am all in favour of threads like 'Help, my boyfriend thinks I'm walking funny from doing smolov, should I tell him I got an STD from sleeping with a dead guy?'

That is a very good point about the merging of the Zombie Survival forum.
When the Zombie Apocalypse comes,This forum will be inundated with user requests for help on how they can improve their cardio. It would be better just to bite the bullet now.

ferike1

The comment about cheer-leading/opinion validation reminded me of this

the drifter

look...go read bodybuilding.com for 15 minutes and then come back here and be glad with what you have.

deadlybuzzman

The biggest change I've noticed over the last couple of years is there's now less posts from people that are knowledgeable but their posts come across in such a way that the easily butthurt take it personally and instead of being a normal exchange of views and information ,very quickly it decends into a tedious row.
Personally I dont think theres anyone being straight talking but too many people take it as an insult when someone says "No I think you're wrong", losing guys like Will Heffernan is really bad for the forum but I dont blame him for one second for only lurking. Many times Ive read threads and not bothered replying because I could'nt be holed with the back and forth that I knew would follow had I posted a reply with a polar opposite view.

King of Kings

I would support discus but I don't really post here enough to care, a huge amount.
But in the past I learnt a lot from here - new ideas, programs or writers i wasn't aware of. That has fallen by the way side.

I'm guessing I'd post more if there was more interesting topics.

Gummy Panda

All forums go through cycles. I think boards in generally is going through changes. AH would be my most read section and a lot of the old names are gone but thats how it works. I look on UKM at the old threads and most of the posters from them are gone and now people say the same thing there "This forum use to be good".


That or I drive people away from forums

Hanley

People come on, look for advice and get it.

Some stick around and become the resident experts.

6 months later new people come on, ask for advice and the new resident experts answer with the answer they got 6 months ago purple monkey dishwasher.

The "old timers" don't contribute much because a lot of us are actually busy working in the industry these days. Purple monkey dishwasher she said WHAT?!

Or at least that's my take on it.

Zamboni

I'm fairly certain I read this thread in 2004.

Zombienosh

Zamboni wrote: »

I'm fairly certain I read this thread in 2004.

And every year after.
Sometimes it's like groundhog day here, the same topics crop up over and over asking the same questions, i.e "Whats the quickest way to a 6pack?" "which protein will give me mad gains bro?" "I've tried everything but I can't lose weight, p.s also I eat crap." "Creatine will make your kidneys blow up" "what do you mean bread isn't healthy?"

To name a few classics

kevpants

A "Classic Threads" thread would be hilarious.

the drifter

kevpants wrote: »

A "Classic Threads" thread would be hilarious.

greatest thread ever...

Scuba Ste

the drifter wrote: »

look...go read bodybuilding.com for 15 minutes and then come back here and be glad with what you have.

I don't know, it wan't too long ago every second thread seemed to be about zzzzzs and bras. I was very unaware.

Seriously though the stickies haven't changed much since 1980 or so which imo is symptomatic of the forums progress. Wasn't there some technical/programming advice thing that was meant to get off the ground but never did?

Brian?

Scuba Ste wrote: »

Seriously though the stickies haven't changed much since 1980 or so which imo is symptomatic of the forums progress. Wasn't there some technical/programming advice thing that was meant to get off the ground but never did?

That's a good point. I propose next week we debate one sticky at a time and edit as the group consensus seems fit. Subject to fact check of course.

Jerrica

Those stickies are a joke. Whoever wrote them should be shot.

john_cappa

Brian? wrote: »

That's a good point. I propose next week we debate one sticky at a time and edit as the group consensus seems fit. Subject to fact check of course.

No offence but I think that's a bad bad idea unless your "we" means just the mods together.


Stickies need to be written into articles. I would propose ye start an open call to people to submit articles if they choose (no payment of course, just glory). 10 -15 decent articles.

Dathai

Brian? wrote: »

That's a good point. I propose next week we debate one sticky at a time and edit as the group consensus seems fit. Subject to fact check of course.

Something ala: http://www.reddit.com/r/fitness/wiki/faq and http://4chanfit.wikia.com/wiki/Harsh's_Worksheet_(WIP) would be awesome.

In fact, you could just link to those in the stickies or something.

Brian?

john_cappa wrote: »

No offence but I think that's a bad bad idea unless your "we" means just the mods together.


Stickies need to be written into articles. I would propose ye start an open call to people to submit articles if they choose (no payment of course, just glory). 10 -15 decent articles.

I was thinking more of of a general discussion with mods having the final say.

john_cappa

Brian? wrote: »

I was thinking more of of a general discussion with mods having the final say.

Might work but too many voices is the problem. Reality is the stickies need a total rehaul into seperate articles or alternative provide a thread which links to articles else where.

Scuba Ste

Jerrica wrote: »

Those stickies are a joke. Whoever wrote them should be shot.

Now now, no one said that.

OP says the forum's not as active as a few years ago, stickies are all from a few years ago, the majority from over 5 years ago. Kind of has a point.

What do today's posters want and what could be added to the stickies to reflect their interests? Maybe the stickies are fine as they are though.

Tbh while saying the forum is dying is a bit trollish, it doesn't help to round on criticisms either. Lots of forums have regular feedback threads to make sure it caters to its users. I remember one or two here too.

Brian?

john_cappa wrote: »

Might work but too many voices is the problem. Reality is the stickies need a total rehaul into seperate articles or alternative provide a thread which links to articles else where.

I actually don't think they need a total re haul , just a little tidying. There's not a whole lot wrong with them. I do feel a discussion on what people want to see in them is needed.

I'd prefer not to see outside links in the stickies. If the content is important we have a sticky on it.

Brian?

Dathai wrote: »

Something ala: http://www.reddit.com/r/fitness/wiki/faq and http://4chanfit.wikia.com/wiki/Harsh's_Worksheet_(WIP) would be awesome.

In fact, you could just link to those in the stickies or something.

I like the look of that. Instead of links I'd like to see articles written by resident experts.

Sangre

I'm not sure how improved stickies will generate better discussion. If anything even more responses will be "Bro, do you even FAQ?".

Discussion is limited because people with very different views to the current thinking don't last very long unless they're stubborn enough to stick it out.

Then you have people like me who post but don't contribute much because I know it will probably be bad advice.

john_cappa

Brian? wrote: »

I like the look of that. Instead of links I'd like to see articles written by resident experts.

This is the way forward. I wouldn't put it just to resident experts. Anyone can contribute if the content is correct after all.

john_cappa

Sangre wrote: »

I'm not sure how improved stickies will generate better discussion. If anything even more responses will be "Bro, do you even FAQ?".

Discussion is limited because people with very different views to the current thinking don't last very long unless they're stubborn enough to stick it out.

Then you have people like me who post but don't contribute much because I know it will probably be bad advice.

Improved stickies allows people to help themselves. How often do questions crop up like "I am looking to lose weight and have heard that whey protein can help me"

This kind of query can quickly be dealt with via an article.

Jerrica

Scuba Ste wrote: »

Now now, no one said that.

It's ok for me to say it, I wrote most of them Re-writing the stickies - parts of them anyway - was on my to-do list for a long time, but life and shít. The stickies provide a handy, one-stop link for people to direct the folks who haven't done research of their own, they aren't perfect, but they're not the worst. A bit of 2013 pimping and they'll be golden, no.wheel reinvention needed

tmc86

Jerrica wrote: »

Those stickies are a joke. Whoever wrote them should be shot.

In fairness there are some good contributions in there - not all but some good posts all the same.

Like anything, advice and info needs to be updated. And as Brian and yourself said they could with an update/tidy.

It would be good to get some written by todays frequent posters like Hanley, and Will H (if he'll come back to posting) I.e those who work within the industry.

I don't know what it is but from the common questions posted ( how to get a 6 pack, whey for weight loss) people have something against reading the stickies first!

Will Heffernan

tmc86 wrote: »

In fairness there are some good contributions in there - not all but some good posts all the same.

Like anything, advice and info needs to be updated. And as Brian and yourself said they could with an update/tidy.

It would be good to get some written by todays frequent posters like Hanley, and Will H (if he'll come back to posting) I.e those who work within the industry.

I don't know what it is but from the common questions posted ( how to get a 6 pack, whey for weight loss) people have something against reading the stickies first!

Some points in no particular order:
1. A lot of people are not going to bother to read the stickies for a number of reasons a) they are just posting because they like the sound of their own voice b) the amount of information out their on the interwebs is growing exponentially all the time...with regard to health and fitness everything that needs to be said has already been said...it's already there to find...and it isn't that hard to get a hold of...I could go through and flag all the questions on the front page of this forum right now that have been answered dozens of times from the 'problem with fat loss' to the 'what is a good course to do' questions....they've all been answered here a million times...you could find a page full of answers with a simple search...it's all already here.

2. I am going to say this and people are going to get upset and angry and think that I am an a-hole or more likely feel like this next series of statements confirms the fact that I am an a-hole....but I make this point completely egocentrically...it is better for this forum that I don't post here and I say that for a few reasons...a) I don't post on topics I don't understand...if you are arguing with me you are wrong and I am right and what will either happen is that you will eventually realise that I am right and you are wrong and either be happy to find out the truth or be upset and butthurt because you had to be shown the truth or you just keep arguing and thinking it is just a 'difference of opinion' where in reality it is just a case of you never understanding that you are wrong and I am right. b) when I post in a thread it tends to stifle discussion due to a). c) when I post it tends to stop a lot of other trainers who have a lot more time and a lot more to gain from posting here from sharing their experience and that's a shame. d) everything that I need to say here I think has been said at one stage or another so now it is just a case of me repeating myself over and over again.

3. I just like lurking and people here no where to find me. I still get PM's here and people still email me and I still answer questions and or point people in the right direction like I always did in the past.

tmc86

Will Heffernan wrote: »

c) when I post it tends to stop a lot of other trainers who have a lot more time and a lot more to gain from posting here from sharing their experience and that's a shame.

In an ideal situation this wouldn't happen and instead we'd see a discussion and experiences from a variety of trainers but then again I understand that often there is just plain cut advice so there's no point repeating each other.

I had presumed that it was the Reality Bites thread and the constant resistance of some posters to advice that led to a drop off in posts. Understand now.

Will Heffernan

tmc86 wrote: »

In an ideal situation this wouldn't happen and instead we'd see a discussion and experiences from a variety of trainers but then again I understand that often there is just plain cut advice so there's no point repeating each other.

Firstly, I wasn't saying any of what I was saying in a 'bad way' if that makes sense. I like boards, I've always liked boards and I come back here and look and laugh like everyone else does and I don't do that in a 'looking down my nose' or in a 'condescending way'. This is a place for ordinary folks to come and express their opinions and ask questions and for ordinary folks and people who are working in the industry to answer those questions or express their opinions in response.
Secondly, COH, Hanley and Gymfreak probably a) understand anything I would add in discussion as well as I would or could b) be able to express my views more acceptably and more personably and acceptably then I can and c) most of the questions here don't need my opinion or answer because if you aren't going to listen to normal people giving you the right answer then me saying it won't make any difference.

I had presumed that it was the Reality Bites thread and the constant resistance of some posters to advice that led to a drop off in posts. Understand now.

Yeah, actually that did put me off a little. People posting who were just ignorant and idiotic. I didn't need the hassle and to a large extent people don't really listen to me anyway and any of those big threads that have been here on on boards in the past where I did persevere and take the time to show people they were retarded I got no thanks for it and the site lost personal trainers and posters who couldn't handle the interweb shame of having been shown to be wrong.

As I said previously I don't post my 'opinion' or 'ideas' or stuff that I 'think' is right. I've been working in professional sport for over 20 years and even now in my spare time still work as a consultant for professional sport teams. I know EXACTLY what I am talking about and I only talk about what I know.

tmc86

Will Heffernan wrote: »

Firstly, I wasn't saying any of what I was saying in a 'bad way' if that makes sense.

No it didn't come across in a bad way!

deadlybuzzman

Will Heffernan wrote: »

Yeah, actually that did put me off a little. People posting who were just ignorant and idiotic. I didn't need the hassle and to a large extent people don't really listen to me anyway and any of those big threads that have been here on on boards in the past where I did persevere and take the time to show people they were retarded I got no thanks for it and the site lost personal trainers and posters who couldn't handle the interweb shame of having been shown to be wrong.

As I said previously I don't post my 'opinion' or 'ideas' or stuff that I 'think' is right. I've been working in professional sport for over 20 years and even now in my spare time still work as a consultant for professional sport teams. I know EXACTLY what I am talking about and I only talk about what I know.

Talk sense to a fool and hell call you foolish. For every internet 'expert ' that's determined on winning every argument over having a useful discussion there's alot of people that would read what the likes of yourself would have to say on a subject and take it on board.
I say say what you have to say, don't even bother getting into a discussion, just put it out there, let the butthurt be butthurt. The silent majority will thank you for it and the forum will be much better off too.
Ok, holelicking session is now over

Will Heffernan

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

Talk sense to a fool and hell call you foolish. For every internet 'expert ' that's determined on winning every argument over having a useful discussion there's alot of people that would read what the likes of yourself would have to say on a subject and take it on board.
I say say what you have to say, don't even bother getting into a discussion, just put it out there, let the butthurt be butthurt. The silent majority will thank you for it and the forum will be much better off too.
Ok, holelicking session is now over

I just sped read that (as usual) and thought it was abuse...then I sped read it again and thought it was gibberish or written by a non English speaker and then finally read it one more time and realised that I think you were trying to be nice in some sort of way.

There isn't that much more for me to say of any importance with regard nutrition or training that I've not said somewhere or another on boards. I said about 4 years ago that the only 'new' thing that I'd seen in previous 10 years was grip training and that came from a 10 minute convo with Joe DeFranco where he was telling me that a lot of his combine guys had a grip failure before they had a lat/bicep failure or cardiovascular failure in max effort pull up testing....that's it...that was the only revelation I'd had in 10 years and that holds true till today 4 years later. I was doing Crossfit before it had a name. I was screening before it was ever written about. I was doing mobility and stability work and calling it that before anyone decided to put a name to it and the first programs that were written in an IP format date back to before 1997 and I because this week I had a former client send me a scanned photocopy of her program from them and the system is and was exactly what it is and was now...way back then.

So there is really nothing new to say....there isn't a question here that hasn't been asked and answered.

That being said I am always happy to debate and have stuff 'bounced' off and I do that as a sideline to my day job now and am happy to do that here.

deadlybuzzman

To be honest I was only encouraging you to post more so I can read posts with good content but hey, if my unbridled niceness shines through then shucks!

Will Heffernan

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

To be honest I was only encouraging you to post more so I can read posts with good content but hey, if my unbridled niceness shines through then shucks!

Oh ok...I get you...in that case...f*ck you.

deadlybuzzman

Will Heffernan wrote: »

Oh ok...I get you...in that case...f*ck you.

....and you know what? Im not even slightly butthurt. You sir, are losing your touch!

Da Za

The only thing that was remotely interesting on this forum as when someone was trolling Hanley a few weeks ago.

While the guy was a C*NT it was hilarious!!