< As an aside, a close second to the first point is to log everything.
> As an aside, a close second to the first point is to LOG EVERYTHING.
One more tip: most of the big guys at the gym are friendly. If one of them asks to work in, let him, and ask him to watch your form during your sets.
Most people at the gym are either itimidated by, or presume that the biggest, buff guys are the most unfriendly.
The fact of the matter is, they have put a lot of time and effort into something they enjoy or are good at and are more than willing to help out with advice.
If you feel you're doing something wrong, or not sure .. just go and ask.
Get a book like `Starting Strength'. Then talk to the guys in the gym. There are generally helpful---but it's useful to have non-bullshit source to compare their suggestions with.
They certainly don't prevent you from destroying your back during a deadlift with poor form.
This point cannot be stressed enough! I've been strength training for years and have seen way to many people over think what needs to be done. Friends who just start working out come to me with questions like 'what if I miss a rep on my workout' or 'should I use avocado oil instead of olive oil'? Huh? It's not that complicated. In fact it's quite simple.
Learn enough to do the basic exercises safely and then...GO DO THEM! When you can do them with a certain weight, add more weight. Repeat. As an aside, a close second to the first point is to log everything. It's hard to improve if you're not measuring.
The problem is the same one that comes up with diets. People are looking for an easier solution when there simply isn't one. The person who gets to the gym and busts their ass a few times/week will be way ahead than the guy stuck sitting on his computer researching the best way to do finger curls[1].
[1] And another pet peeve. Skinny guys doing 20 sets of curls. Please go buy a book like mentioned above and just follow a workout from it. If you're doing enough pulling like you should, curls can usually be skipped all together.