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Alexander Training

Alexander Training

Personal training and strength programs in Austin, Texas.

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Personal Training

Personal Training in Austin Texas, Now at Iron Guild Gym

August 12, 2022 by alexandertrdev Leave a Comment

Iron Guild Gym in Austin, Texas. Personal training and strongman training facility.
My mentor, Ed Cosner, and I at Iron Guild Gym in Austin, Texas. June 2022.

Personal Training in Central Austin

Big news! I am now meeting personal training clients out of Iron Guild Gym in Austin, Texas. Iron Guild is a boutique training facility that serves people by appointment only. It has AC and indoor turf and all the things you could ever want to lift!

Build your strength, build your confidence, and build your dream body here! 

Iron Guild Gym

Iron Guild is centrally located at 5501 N. Lamar. Owner Stephen Moore trains strongman competitors both 1:1 and in small group classes. 

The gym has new Rogue equipment, 4 platforms, stones, sandbags, sleds, and and specialty bars like safety squat bars, trap bars and a deadlift bar. We’re not kidding around with high quality gym equipment here!

Let’s Train Together!

If you’re looking for personal training in Austin, I’d be thrilled to help you with your fitness and strength goals! I help my clients with 1:1, small group classes, and custom written online personal training programs. You can find more details on training with me in person, online, or with programs you can do on your own.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you have, or to schedule a consult to discuss your goals.

kathryn@kathrynalexander.com

Filed Under: Personal Training Tagged With: Austin, Iron Guild Gym, personal training, texas

Home Training Program now available!

December 13, 2020 by Kathryn Alexander Leave a Comment

Big news!


Alexander_THT.jpg

The Home Team, my new home training program, just went live!

The Home Team is a training program designed to be done at home with a few dumbbells and resistance bands. It is a 4 day a week program with the option of a bonus day. It is delivered through the Train Heroic app, which I’ve been using with my clients for several years.


An example of a training day on the Train Heroic app. Click the image to visit The Home Team’s page.

An example of a training day on the Train Heroic app. Click the image to visit The Home Team’s page.

By joining The Home Team, you get your own Train Heroic account. Your daily training session will include instructional videos and text, and it tracks your weights, sets, reps and progress. It is your own data center.

The Home Team is $27 a month and you can jump in or out any time.

There is a real need for effective home training programs these days. Whether you are staying in to avoid covid, a commute, or shared equipment, The Home Team will show you the way.

If you’ve ever wanted to follow my plan, now is the time! Email me or leave a comment if you have questions.

If you are ready to start your first week free, click here!

Filed Under: Personal Training, Training Tagged With: home training, home workout, online training, The Home Team, Train Heroic

How to Find the Best Personal Trainer For You

December 30, 2017 by Kathryn Alexander Leave a Comment

Finding a personal trainer, like any other interpersonal interaction, is a matchmaking process. Investing in a good trainer will pay dividends over the years by adding health and vitality to your life. It is an investment, however, so make sure you choose the right trainer to maximize your benefit.


personal_trainer_austin

There are currently no legal requirements to be a personal trainer in the United States. Anybody can do it. Anybody. Scary, right? Estheticians and manicurists have more legal and health rules than personal trainers do. For this reason, it is extremely important to do research, and find the right trainer for you.

By knowing what to look for, you can increase your chances of finding a great working partnership and reaching your goals quickly and safely.

There are millions of personal trainers with thousands of specialties out there. You can find trainers who specialize in pre- and post-natal fitness, fitness and cancer, bodybuilding, martial arts, weight loss, and many more specialties.

How do you know who is right for you? In an industry full of big talkers and charlatans, you have to do a bit of research. It might sound overwhelming, but it is manageable and worth it. Let me help!

What Do You Want from Your Personal Trainer?

A large determining factor in who will be a good match for you is, well, YOU. What are your goals? 

Do you have a physique goal to reach, like losing 15 pounds before a beach trip, or gaining 20 pounds of muscle?


personal_trainer_bench_spot

Do you have a performance goal like reaching a 405 deadlift?  

Do you want short or long term training? Do you want your trainer to coach you on how to get started with the goal for you to continue on your own, or do you want someone working with you continuously over a long period of time?

Are you just interested in learning how to lift safely for health and injury prevention?

Take some time to think about what you are really looking to gain from training. These goals can always change. I encourage you to THINK BIG.

You can do so much more than you think you can. Humans are almost always limited by our imagination or mental drive. Need proof? Look around! Someone with fewer resources and more limitations has most likely done what you are seeking. Let that be motivation! 

I encourage you to read this post: How To Get What You Want. 

 

Where to Start Looking for a Personal Trainer

Choose your priority goal in a few words. For example, “lose weight”.

Google “your goal” + where you live. See what pops up. Do any particular gyms or individuals stand out to you? 

You can also try adding “personal trainer” in your search query. For example, “lose weight in Austin with personal trainer” or “Austin Texas personal trainer weight loss”.

A good gym is worth driving for, but if you can find a good gym close to your home, that is even better.  

You will likely find a facility you would like to look into, or an independent trainer you are interested in. If you find an independent personal trainer, or find a trainer’s website, please feel free to contact that person directly. 

If you find a facility you like, check out their trainer bios and see who stands out to you. Use the guidelines below to filter them. From there, you can call or drop by, and ask to speak to a training manager. Ask this person if you can have a quick conversation about finding a trainer. Gyms often have an owner or manager who is excellent at match making trainers and clients for compatibility. 

If you find a facility you are interested in, check out their training policies. Are their trainers self-employed or employed by the gym? 


Self Employed vs Employed Trainers

What is the difference? Trainers employed by big box gyms like Gold’s, 24 Hour Fitness or Bally’s, require clients to pay the gym, and they pay the trainer as little as 30-50% of that. This is where many trainers start, which allows them to work with a wide variety of people and learn the business of training.

You can sometimes find good trainers in these gyms, but there is very high turnover. These gyms often put more emphasis on reaching sales quotas than continuous learning, and require their trainers to work pretty awful hours. It behooves the gym to have more trainers aka salesmen, so they aren’t often stringent on the quality of hires. Like I said, you can sometimes find good trainers here because they are starting out or haven’t realized they can work on their own, but be very careful about who you trust to train you. 

I prefer trainers who are self-employed working out of a gym. Usually they are contract with a facility and run their own business. Their rates are not set by the gym, they are not forced to fulfill others quotas, and they are free to take time off to go to continuing education clinics and conferences. (This is very expensive, so I budget all year to do this, but it is worth every bit.) 

Besides learning from experts, I have a blast at conferences. Check out the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Conference here and here, and The University of Texas Athletic Performance Clinic. I go to these every year, and there are more I haven’t written about yet, but this will give you an idea why it’s so important that your trainer networks and continues to educate him/herself. 

 

This sounds a bit Darwinist, but I like the fact that independent trainers fail if they don’t keep providing value. There is no boss or manager to prop them up if their clients aren’t satisfied. This is better for you, and better for me. I don’t want bad trainers out there giving a bad name to my industry! I don’t want you to find a bad trainer, either! 

True story, I worked in a gym that sold metabolic tests that they knew were faulty, therefore a complete waste of money. I was made to sit in unpaid remedial sales meetings because they noticed I didn’t sell any of these. It wasn’t because I couldn’t; I have a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology, and I understand the value of metabolic tests when the hoses aren’t broken. I didn’t last long there, and it was the final push for me to work for myself.

One thing to note about paying independent trainers is that payment is directly between the two of you. This is nothing to be scared of because it is the same way you would probably pay your hairdresser, house cleaner, tutor or guitar teacher. However, ask how long they’ve been a trainer, how long they have been working at their particular facility, and about their refund policy.



Just one of my clients, loving her life. We don't always go outside, but when we do, we find some fire hose and battle ropes, and get after it.

Just one of my clients, loving her life. We don’t always go outside, but when we do, we find some fire hose and battle ropes, and get after it.

The Consult

Contact two or three of the most promising trainers and ask if they will do a consult. They should. From here, pay attention to the general feel you get from your interaction. Consider response times and thoroughness, friendliness and aptitude. Note: most trainers will do a free consultation, but some cost a small fee for the time. If the trainer provides some sort of value like an assessment, or credit toward training, that might be OK with you.

Use this template if you are stuck on what to say:

Hi _____,

I found your information on _____ and would like to talk to you about personal training. I would like to (goal, ie, lose 15 pounds, gain 20 pounds muscle, get a 405 deadlift) and would like to meet you for a consult. Can we discuss my goals and your background to see if we are a good match? 

The best way to reach me is _____.

Thank you, 

_______

 

Easy peasy! You can share more information if you would like. Most trainers will get right back to you to schedule, but don’t be put off if a trainer suggests referring you. This can happen if a trainer thinks he or she is not the right trainer for you, in which case, trust that! It can also happen if a trainer is booked. If he or she doesn’t provide a referral, feel free to ask.

 

Questions to ask your Personal Trainer

The best case trainer is a person who values education, experiences, communicates clearly and empathetically, and does his or her own training. 

Personal Trainer’s Education

Look for a trainer who values education. Look for a college degree in kinesiology, exercise physiology, biology, pre-med, or a related field. There is absolutely no substitute for the investment of time, money, and energy of going to college to learn from professors, in labs. Degrees take years to earn, and certs usually require a few weeks of study. 

Unfortunately, there are trainers with degrees who aren’t good at being a trainer or aren’t good people. Likewise, there are competent, good hearted trainers out there without degrees. In this case, AND in the case of trainers with a degree, you want to see a certification or multiple certifications from NSCA, ACSM, ACE, or The Cooper Institute. There are many many other certifications out there (hundreds!) but these are the best. 

Personal Trainer’s Experience

This is going to be one of the most important determinators in whether you want to work with a trainer. How long has this person been training? Does he or she have experience with people in similar situations with similar goals? If not, is he upfront about that? Yes, everybody has to start somewhere. Brand new trainers should work at a gym where they can learn from and with others, or at university where they are guided.

I mean no disrespect, but please be wary of training with someone who just “found their passion” and jumped in. It takes more than just getting their own body in shape to be able to help others. Being a good trainer also means learning things you aren’t passionate about (hello, chemistry, accounting, statistics, so I can filter out bad research!) and sticking it out.

And yes, I was a beginner too. But I was a beginner at a university with a graduate assistant guiding me, and a training manager guiding her. 

Testimonials

Does this trainer have testimonials from happy clients? Is there a variety of success in their testimonials? Look for people to not only see physical transformation, but also mention that they learned how to lift, or developed a greater faith in themselves through their time with this trainer. Your trainer should not only have tactical knowledge, but should also give you tools for life, too. I am a much much better trainer in year 13 of training instead of year 1, not only for what I’ve learned in another decade, but also because I communicate better.

Extras


An overview of my client's deadlift day. The app includes videos of how to do the exercises, notes from previous workouts, etc.

An overview of my client’s deadlift day. The app includes videos of how to do the exercises, notes from previous workouts, etc.

Does this trainer have a website? Does she have a blog? Social media presence? Does he or she offer a community on Facebook or forums? Does she offer any information or other resources? Does she offer training programs beyond he work out you do together? None of the above are necessary to be a competent trainer, but they are make or break for some people.

For example, I have a website and a blog that I am continuously updating. I have over 200 exercise video tutorials, and provide my clients individually written training programs through an app called Train Heroic. My clients love Train Heroic, and I love that it helps them learn. 

I do not have a community meet up or Facebook group. For some people, this is a deal breaker. If the community is important to you, seek out trainers who seem to have built that up with teams, group classes, or meet up events. 

Practicalities

Do your schedules match up? Does he or she have availability when you need, and how will you accommodate travel schedules, etc.?

Soft Skills

Does he or she listen and hear you? Do you like this person? You won’t be BFFs, but you’ll be spending time together so compatibility matters!


Serious face! But seriously, this lady works hard!

Serious face! But seriously, this lady works hard!

Dealbreakers

Beware of: 

The Super Expert

Trainers who say they can do/are experts in everything. NO ONE has time to be an expert in everything. No, instafmous trainer, you are NOT an expert in weight loss, muscle gain, botty gaining, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, running, training older clients, teen development, athletic development, youth sports, group training and yoga. You think I’m kidding? I wish I was. Sadly, people this delusional are out there. 

Hard Sellers

If you trainer insists you must buy sessions otherwise you are neglecting yourself making a bad decision, or otherwise makes you feel bad about yourself, thank them for their time and leave. 

Big Sellers

 If a trainer pushes you to pay for 20 sessions up front and you do not want to, consider if you want to continue. This is not an inherently bad situation; you might want to pay for sessions up front to create a commitment. Trainers should ask for prepayment, too. However, if you want to pay monthly and push for an excessively large prepayment, stick to your guns. 

 

The Bottom Line

After you have talked to the trainers you are interested in, do a truthful gut check. Do you have a good feeling about this trainer? Does this person seem like a professional in his or her chosen field, or someone who jumped into training following a whimsical passion or because he or she was all out of other options? The bottom line is, passion is ok, but education, experience, and professionalism are better.

When you have decided, contact the trainer you would like to work with and schedule a first session. Drop the others a quick email to update them.

If you are stuck here, try this template: 

Hi ____,

Thank you for meeting me to discuss my training goals. I have decided to go another route with training, so I won’t be scheduling with you at this time. I appreciate your time, and wish you the best. 

Thank you, 

______

Professional trainers will completely understand, and appreciate your discerning nature. Remember it is your right to pick a trainer best for you, and you are under no obligation to anyone. 

Training can be the best decision you ever made! You can stop training at any point you would like, or seek another trainer if one just doesn’t work out. You have nothing to lose! I encourage you to try it. 

If you have more questions, or are local and would like to set up a consult, please email me at kathryn@kathrynalexander.com.

Filed Under: How To, Personal Training Tagged With: how to, personal training

Tony Sanchez’s 15 pounds weight loss in 1 month

December 13, 2016 by Kathryn Alexander 2 Comments

Hello everyone! 

Every once in a while I am so blown away by someone’s change that I have to share it. If you are at Hyde Park Gym, you know Tony Sanchez. He’s the funny one, the sometimes quiet one, who knows everyone. He’s a giver by nature and in both his personal and professional life has taken it upon himself to help others.

A few years ago, he made it his goal to take care of himself and lose weight. He went from over 400 pounds down to 280. At this point, he was having great progress building up his strength to impressive levels.


Tony Sanchez at the Day of the Deadlift meet on 10/29/2016. 

Tony Sanchez at the Day of the Deadlift meet on 10/29/2016. 

He decided to rededicate his efforts toward weight loss, so we started him on remote training. We made him a food and workout plan, which he implemented entirely on his own. Following those guidelines, he lost over 15 pounds in the first month! I should note that Tony is exceptional at giving feedback and has great intuition about his body and workouts. 


L-R, Nov. 2, 2016, Dec. 6, 2016. 15 pounds weight loss.

L-R, Nov. 2, 2016, Dec. 6, 2016. 15 pounds weight loss.


L-R, Nov. 2, 2016, Dec. 6, 2016. 15 pounds weight loss.

L-R, Nov. 2, 2016, Dec. 6, 2016. 15 pounds weight loss.


L-R, Nov. 2, 2016, Dec. 6, 2016. 15 pounds weight loss.

L-R, Nov. 2, 2016, Dec. 6, 2016. 15 pounds weight loss.

I asked him more questions:

KA: You’re already very accomplished in the gym, with a deadlift of 515. What made you want to switch toward the goal of fat loss? 

TS: That’s a tricky one to answer because there are a couple of reasons… training is a spiritual practice for me. I set my goals based on what I feel my spirit needs. If I need strength I get strong, if I need endurance then I do more conditioning, etc… I reached a point in my life where I felt as though I needed a complete transformation. I had developed and strengthened a lot of life and interpersonal skills but was struggling to grow beyond that. So I figured the best way to step out of my comfort zone for personal growth was to do it in the gym first. 

But if you’re looking for a more surface level answer it’s because I was going through a breakup and needed a self esteem boost. (Note from Kathryn: I love the honesty here. Rededicating yourself to a workout plan or goal is a great way to get through tough times.)

__________________________________________________

KA: You clearly had a productive 2 months, with a 15 pound weight loss. What has been the most challenging part? 

Sticking to the diet and training program has actually been really easy and lots of fun.

The most challenging part has been allowing my ego to detach from the image of “powerlifter”. It’s been very humbling to work with lighter weights and higher reps… and the cardio. I thought I was in decent shape until you had me do cardio!

__________________________________________________

KA: What has been the most helpful part? What gave you the most tactical, useful advantage to getting your workouts and better food decisions? 

TS: The accountability. Since you’ve gone above and beyond to help me achieve my goals I feel waaaay more guilty about letting you down than letting myself down. Seriously though, knowing that I’m going to weigh in, take measurements, and report my diet and workouts back to you makes me second guess that second (sometimes third) piece of pie. 

__________________________________________________

KA: What are you looking forward to from here?

TS: I’m really looking forward to the feeling of knowing I accomplished my goals in a healthy manner. I’ve set weight loss goals before that I was unable to reach on my own or that I met only because I was starving myself and overtraining. 

I’m also looking forward to buying new clothes! Everything I own is getting pretty baggy and I no longer have to shop in the big & tall section. So many more options!!

Kathryn here again: stay tuned for further updates about Tony’s progress. You know I can’t help but brag about my clients.

Filed Under: Attitude & Mindset, Personal Training, Real People Tagged With: clients, real people, remote training, success stories, weight loss

Emily does pull ups before the wedding!!

June 6, 2016 by Kathryn Alexander Leave a Comment


Emily is a smart, funny woman. A dream client, really. She showed up on time, worked hard on short and long term goals, and her sense of humor made me laugh every session. 

Emily began training with me in July 2015. She was already beautiful and fit, but wanted to start being more active, both for her upcoming wedding, and to be healthy in general. The pull up goal, though… that might have been my favorite.

Emily wanted to learn how to lift, but didn’t consider herself a gym person. (Yet.) She wanted to learn the right way, and that served her well. 

What she didn’t realize was that this was a huge benefit to her since her form was perfect; she moved naturally, completely devoid of bad habits.



Can I tell y’all that this girl is a trooper? She had no idea how hard she worked, simply because she didn’t have a gauge. I have worked with clients for over 11 years, so I have a huge perspective of people in the gym and can tell you honestly she worked harder than most people. She set her mind to it, and got the job done. Another set of heavy squats? Ok. Three more heavy deadlifts? Done.


I asked her a few questions about her gym experience. See below.

Why did you decide to go to a gym and lift instead of zumba, group classes, etc.?

Before last summer I hated gyms. I always felt intimidated when I would go because I did not know how to use the machines or weight lifting equipment. Of course I could ask someone, but who wants to do that? I’ve tried the group classes and I’d find myself in the far back corner not really trying that hard and wishing the class would just hurry up and be over. I would also find excuses to not make it to a certain class because the class time would not fit with my schedule that day. For someone like me, just getting to a gym with flexible hours is important. Knowing how to actually use the equipment was the next step.





Why did you decide to see a trainer?

I needed someone to push me, hold me accountable AND I wanted to learn how to properly use gym equipment. I’ve known people to hurt themselves lifting weights, whether from bad form or too heavy of weight and I didn’t want that to be me. I had a friend training with Kathryn and I used my upcoming wedding as the motivating kick I needed to get myself in a gym.

What was your main goal? 

I wanted to be stronger and healthier. I wanted to not be scared to go to the gym by myself. Oh, and I wanted to be able to do a pull up.

What was your favorite part of working out?

I am really surprised that I liked squats so much. (Kathryn: she’s good at them! See proof below.) I mean I actually enjoyed working out! I didn’t enjoy pull-ups much, but it felt so great when I was able to do several of them in a row. The results I saw in the mirror were also quite nice. Having friends and family notice my muscles was very flattering.





Anything surprising you learned from the gym? 

Gyms aren’t scary (though I always knew that). I feel totally comfortable being the only female in the free weight section of the gym now. 

Anything else you want to add about your experience?

If you’re considering making some healthy changes to your life, a personal trainer is a great way to start. I think learning proper technique and form is vital and something you can take with you when your training ends. Kathryn makes the whole experience fun. I was sad when my training with her ended, but I’m going to the gym by myself now 2-3 times a week and I’m very thankful for all that she has taught me. It’s definitely worth it!

Filed Under: Brides, Life, Personal Training, Real People, Training Tagged With: brides, clients, life, lifting, personal training, photoshoot, weddings

The 6 Most Important Ways an Experienced Personal Trainer Can Help You

April 24, 2015 by Kathryn Alexander Leave a Comment

Seems like personal trainers are a dime a dozen these days, doesn’t it? Is it a fad, just a passing fancy, to hire someone to tell you you’re doing a good job and count your reps out loud? 

No actually, not at all! A trainer with a degree in exercise physiology, current certifications, and experience with many clients can help you in immeasurable ways. Just like the tax accountant you hire, and the doctor you consult, a professional trainer is a wealth of knowledge in his or her field. 

Consider this: are you getting results the way you are training now? Are you satisfied with your physique and performance? We are long past New Year’s Resolutions, and spring break even sneaked past us. If you aren’t where you want to be for the rest of summer, consider consulting with a trainer.

Given the plethora of exercise options, workout gadgets, and get-fit-now! marketing out there, a personal trainer’s guidance is invaluable.

Of course, you know the obvious benefits of having a trainer: they help you be consistent, they motivate, they encourage. The less obvious benefits of a professional personal trainer are far more important though. Read on for the 6 most important ways an experienced personal trainer can help you.

A Personal Trainer Can Save You Time

Time is the only commodity we cannot gain more of. You can save money, ration goods, stockpile supplies but you cannot change time. How many people do you know that go to the gym regularly, work hard, sweat, but never seem to change? Many people do this! Why is that? 

 


progresschart.jpg

It is because they aren’t making a direct path between their present situation and their goals.

Why would you want to spend the time in the gym, the effort, the sweat, the time away from your family or other hobbies, if you aren’t making full use of it? Find a good trainer to help you establish the safest but fastest way to get the body and performance you want.

An Experienced Personal Trainer Has a Trained Eye for Movement

This is two-fold. First, your trainer will obviously have a different point of view. He or she can stand behind you, beside you, and see your joint angles, the bar path, and bar speed. Do you know exactly what your back is doing on your third deadlift rep? Most people don’t.

Do you know, objectively, how quickly the bar moved on that heavy set? Probably not. What you feel is extremely subjective, and isn’t always the best predictor of how to modify your next working set. This is why many people find videoing and replaying their lifts helpful. 


squat1.jpg


squat2.jpg

I kid you not, this is exactly how my mind sees movement. Do you notice the angle of my back on the first squat? That green line? I want to maintain that as I squat. But, on my second squat, my hips shot up before my shoulders, changing the angle of that line. It is now illustrated in red. This video gave me pointers to work on, and I have improved tremendously in the months since.

A trainer will be even more beneficial than a video, because in addition to another visual angle, an experienced trainer will have a much fuller perspective. If you are not a personal trainer, it makes sense that you spend the vast majority of hours in your week becoming an expert in something else. A good trainer, on the other hand, is in the gym all those hours that you are not, becoming an expert on lifting and coaching.

In the 10 years that I have been a certified personal trainer, I have seen thousands and thousands of lifts. Many have been successful, many have been missed lifts. Others have been in the gray area between; a completed lift with ugly form, an easy PR, a grinder that was narrowly missed.

Because I have seen so many different lifters with a wide variety of experiences levels and technique, I can easily see the exhaustion near a maximal lift. I can see the body nearing a breaking point, or conversely, the body that can safely handle more, even if the lifter feels exhausted. Working out in a fatigued state is when it is most important to choose your next sets carefully, and a good trainer can be sure you don’t leave good work undone, or push unsafely.

 

A Personal Trainer Can Give You New Ideas and Breathe New Life Into Your Routine

Are you, like your gym acquaintances who seem to make no progress, spinning your wheels? There is a very fine line between a groove and a rut. You want to get into a groove. Changing workouts too frequently is not beneficial. Doing something different every week won’t let you master the exercises enough to earn results.

A well designed workout, which you take weeks to fine tune and perfect, will bring you the best results. Stay too long in that same exact workout, and it becomes a rut. The challenge is finding that well designed workout, committing to it for the right period of time, and knowing when to change. 

Often, people know when it is time to change workouts. They feel bored and become uninterested in going through the same motions. Results taper off, and progress becomes rare. The issue is that while they are aware that they need a change, they might not know what to do next.

This is when a trainer’s input becomes valuable. A knowledgeable trainer will be able to introduce you to exercises which are the next step for your level of competence. These will be exercises that are specific to you and your goals, and not just busy work, or exercises that are just different for the sake of being different.

 

An Experienced Personal Trainer Can Help You See Through the BS

Fitness is a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. Check out America’s fitness related consumption in 2012.


Source: http://www.statista.com/statistics/242190/us-fitness-industry-revenue-by-sector/

Source: http://www.statista.com/statistics/242190/us-fitness-industry-revenue-by-sector/

Clearly, Americans are interested in fitness, wellness, and aesthetics. However, not all of these things are genuinely good products, or even honest efforts at providing a quality product to the consumer.

Shiny fitness fads blow through Instagram and other social media outlets like wildfire; everybody jumps on the bandwagon with the “in” move or product. Weird abductions on the yes/no machine, anyone? #belfies? Shake weights, sauna suits, squeems, and waist trainers.

Ack! Google “worst fitness trends” for some laughs, but don’t actually try these things. Many can be dangerous, and if you unknowingly jump on these trends, you could cause more harm than just embarrassment at being seen in public with the worst footwear ever (ahem, Skechers toning shoes endorsed by fitness icon, Kim Kardashian). 


SkechersKardashian.jpb

By the way, Skechers paid $40 million to consumers in a settlement because the shoes have caused injury and have no basis for the claim to improve fitness.

The Thighmaster does not spot reduce fat on the thighs, but it does contribute to a poor movement pattern which can cause knee pain and ACL injuries. Most people do not need to strengthen their adductors, but actually need the opposite. Knee valgus, which is collapse of the knees inward toward each other, is a common occurrence and is exacerbated when the adductors are stronger in proportion then the abductors. Squeezing the legs together with the Thighmaster reinforces this movement pattern.

Waist trainers compress internal organs and can damage ribs. Sauna suits can excessively dehydrate you. Both of these can even make you lose consciousness. 

I digress. Rely on a professional personal trainer to help you find safe, effective exercises tailored toward your goals.

 

A Personal Trainer Can Solve Biomechanical Issues that are Unique to You

We are all the same, but we are all different. We all have the same muscular originations and insertions. The long head of my biceps originates on my supraglenoid tubercle, which is on the scapula. So does yours. But my scapula and yours are differently shaped, which is why some people have pain from heavy dips, and some don’t. And some people are more prone to impingement in the shoulder from upright rows than others. 

How do you know how your bones are shaped, and what exercises to avoid? Without exploratory surgery, you probably don’t. Becoming adept at listening to your body can help you head off problems before they become severe. A competent personal trainer who understands anatomy can help you solve problems you don’t even know you have, saving you time and injury. 

I, for example, am hyper curious, which is another way to spell “nosy”. Just kidding. But, I always wonder what works, what doesn’t. And, I ask! I ask people why they do the workouts they do, what their goals are, if their program has yielded results, and if they have had adverse effects like overuse injuries. I ask for tips that have helped their motivation, meal planning, and mindset. The collective knowledge and experience from the many individuals’ trial, error, and success is invaluable. 

 

A Personal Trainer Can Help You Avoid Injury

Do you know what population is in danger from doing planks? Do you know simple tweaks to make dips less likely to cause joint pain? 

Trainers can cause injuries that won’t manifest themselves for years down the road. 

Most importantly, did you know there is no legal requirement, qualification or certification to be a personal trainer in the US? It is a completely unregulated industry with no barriers to entry. Your neighbor kid who dropped out of high school can be a personal trainer, and if he’s a good salesman, he might even collect money from people for his “services”.

Your esthetician who does your facials, hair cuts, and manicures require more certification for their services than any personal trainer out there. Scary, isn’t it?

To answer the above questions, high blood pressure is a contraindication for isometric exercises like planks. A better and safer option is to do pushups while breathing regularly. Max effort lifts become isometric when the lifter fails, so knowing when/if to max is a critical decision too. Retracting the shoulders minimizes stress on the front of the shoulder, so dips are less likely to cause pain or injury.


In some populations, pushups are a safer option than planks for core work.

In some populations, pushups are a safer option than planks for core work.

I do hope that all of you reading are happy with your present situation, but working toward your goals too. I love to see people succeed! If I can help you do that, or if you have questions, please contact me!

kalexandertraining@gmail.com

512-348-8929

Filed Under: Personal Training, Research, Science Tagged With: fads, goals, investment, shake weight, skechers, video, video analysis

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