It's videos like these which make me cringe, for the reasons you mention. People showing off in the gym are there for precisely the wrong reason - for attention whoring points and not there to be stronger. It fucking disgusts me - and these are usually the same clowns who look down on beginners like myself because we're not able to lift much.
Gym culture is very interesting.
Beginners always feel awkward and insecure when they first start coming in to work out. They feel like they're being judged by everyone, all these fit people doing exercises that they cannot do yet. I say this from first hand experience, walking into a gym for my first time as a freshman in high school, doughy and a little on the weak side.
But I learned that most of the gym bros don't give a shit. They'll help you, give you advice, and if you listen to them, you'll get strong. I actually admire when out-of-shape folks start coming to the gym regularly. It shows they know they have a problem and have the willpower and desire to solve it. They should be encouraged and made to feel comfortable.
Of course, there are assholes in most gyms. But the majority of gym bros are cool, in my experience. Martial arts gyms have some of the coolest people ever.
Yeah, that's precisely the same thing that happened with friends of mine who have trained a long time when it has come to my initial efforts - they have been nothing but supportive even though I'm only just starting out and can't even hope to do even a tiny fraction of what they're able to do. The only arseholes have been attention whoring types - which, like I said are the ones not taking it at least semi seriously and aren't there for the purposes of getting stronger. They are quite rightfully viewed with contempt by the gym bros.
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