Qualified Instruction

Fads. New gizmos. New workouts and exercises. Gosh they look nice, they are different too! Maybe I should try, or maybe its time for me to step it up. I’ve been doing this (my regular routine) for a long time, I need something new, something spicy. I’ll think I’ll try (fill in blank).

Great, you know that you are progressing and it’s time to move up a notch. It’s time to change the routine totally or maybe just mess with rest periods. Maybe your friends have a new tool and you want to start training with that. But are you ready, physically, mentally and physiologically? Do you have full range of motion of all limbs? Do you have enough flexibility to contort your body into a certain position loaded and then return to the start safely? Do you have enough muscle endurance to hold these positions for long periods of time? Can you work through the pain? Can you or do you know how to effectively transfer power through your body?

If not, you need someone to analyze you, note your weak points and teach you how to do what you are about to take on. Too many people read or see things and automatically jump at the chance to try them the next workout session, sometimes without even knowing how to do very part of every move of the exercise properly. You wouldn’t try a triple lindy from the high dive if you don’t know how to swim would you?

A good coach or trainer is important when undertaking new routines. They supply you the expert eye and point out when you do things wrong. Here are some things you need to look for in a good coach or trainer:

1. Do they look the part? If they aren’t in shape themselves chances are I wouldn’t stick around to hear their advice on workouts or diets. Maybe they have an injury or are a past champion, but that gets into the next point.
2. Do they have the credentials necessary to teach you the skill you are about to learn? I wouldn’t go to a car mechanic to learn how work on trombones.
3. Beware the Jack of all Trades, master of none. Even in professional sports training, there are areas of expertise. Most gym rats that think they are trainers are the bottom of the barrel. STAY AWAY! These guys will talk to everyone in the gym about their form all the while you never ever see them sweat.
4. Reputation. This is probably the easiest way to tell if someone is a fake or not. Google them and talk to other people. Most of the time you can find the information you need from others.

As the methods of training change, the principles never do. Follow these principles and you will never be lead astray:
a. Work on the basics first. Range of motion, flexibility and general muscle endurance.
b. Bodyweight movements before loading. If you can’t do 10 pull ups, skip the lat pull down machine. If you can’t do 20 pushups perfectly, skip the bench.
c. Skip the lame steady state cardio. More and more studies PROVE this does nothing for fat loss unless you are “enhanced”.
d. Track your progress. I cannot state this enough. You cannot add any modification to any aspect of training unless you know where you have been.

All in all remember to keep this fun. Unless you get paid for your athletic endeavors, keep training simple and something you look forward to, not dread.

Remember to go see Bigger, Faster, Stronger the movie.