Motivation has to be one of the top buzzwords in the fitness world. There is no shortage of magazines, trainers, advertisements, pro athletes talking about motivation. And rightly so! Motivation helps us push towards goals. We are more likely to follow through ideas when we are feeling motivated. There are a ton of YouTube videos with motivational speeches and inspirational music. Sometimes bundled together! Type in “Motivational…” whatever in any search bar and you’ll go down a rabbit hole that has no end.
Low Back Pain: Who Needs Surgery? Part 2
According to what Stuart McGill says in his book “Back Mechanic: The secret to a healthy spine your doctor isn’t telling you”, he claims that back surgery is overprescribed. In part one of this post I talked about the importance of exhausting all non surgical methods before even considering surgery. A comprehensive and thorough assessment should be the first thing that a trainer/coach, physical therapist, Chiropractor, physician should do.
So now that we understand those two main points from part one, what happens next? What should a person look for in a surgeon if it’s determined that the patient is a good candidate for surgery? Here, according to McGill are 9 things to keep in mind
Low Back Pain: Who Needs Surgery? Part 1
Stu McGill: Back Mechanics
Continuing on with my little project of making blog posts on sections from books I’ve read, this next one is on Stu McGill’s book “Back Mechanic”.
Stu McGill has over 30 years of experience researching back mechanics, specifically low back mechanics/pain/pathologies etc. He’s held by many to be a guru when it comes to that stuff. However, that isn’t to say he hasn’t had his fair share of disagreements. I’m not here to defend him. I don’t consider myself a fan of his in particular, but I will say that he’s definitely someone whose points and research are usually misrepresented.
WORK: BUT HOW MUCH?
I’ve dedicated a fair share of my time to catching up on some readings ,during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. I have no shortage of books, and I’ve decided to put most of them away for a couple of reasons. First I don’t have enough space for the bookshelves needed to hold all my books. Second, I feel overwhelmed when I look at all the books that I have. So to keep things simple, I keep a small bookshelf with 3 levels, and restrict myself to the books in it. And maybe few laying here and there.
TRAINING IN A VACUUM
One Point Of View
First of all, I obviously mean a metaphorical vacuum where we have access to a very limited scope and understanding. And I can literally see that with so many average gym goers. In particular, those who have never worked with a personal trainer have the most trouble thinking outside the box.
Specifically gym bros. You know gym bros…they’re either former highschool/college athletes and/or social media fitness aficionados to name a couple. And I can always tell because first: their form and technique are all over the place. Second: most get extremely defensive and dismissive when approached by PT.
Strong People Lift Others Up
In my experience, as a coach, personal trainer, and a client/customer in a gym, I noticed something particular about really strong people. They are always helpful, thoughtful, they shared the equipment, and are considerate of their space. And most of all they never ridiculed or put anyone else down. They were always very encouraging towards anyone who wasn’t as savvy around the gym floor as they were.
Strong people didn’t care what you wore or what you looked like. I believe it’s partly because they are so focused on their own tasks. And also partly because they recognize what struggle and hard work look and feel like. So when they see others having trouble with something they recognized that they were on a path to improve themselves. They didn’t feel threatened by someone else’s effort, or journey towards self-improvement. They were supportive at most, and non-judgemental at the least.
Personal Trainers Protect Your Energy: Part 1
When I first thought about writing this, I considered it from the perspective of a trainer dealing with difficult clients. But the more I thought about it I quickly noticed so many other factors and stressors that trainers must consider. The club or gym where a trainer works. Commuting, for trainers that work at multiple locations. Our own training regimens. The constant prospecting for new clients. The long hours, fluctuating pay checks, continuous education, and the list can go on depending on who you talk to. Women, men, and Trans trainers have different experiences. Trainers who are BIPOC and LGBTQ+ also have different lived experiences.
By The Sweat of Your Brow: How The Fitness Industry De-Values Trainers.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people in the fitness industry. And I have tried to look at each interaction as a learning opportunity. These learning opportunities have provided me with insight. And I use that insight to learn more about the industry and its trends, and also for self-growth and understanding.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is how the industry continuously devalues the work of personal trainers. Often this devaluation is so subtle that it passes unseen, unless one takes a critical hot knife to its buttery exterior.
Back To Work: Gyms Need Personal Trainers
It’s finally happening, gyms are slowly opening back up. It’s been well over a year, lots of uncertainties and frustrations, but people are seeing some light. Both Gym owners and goers are hopeful. Owners can open and operate their businesses without worrying about legal repercussions. Fitness enthusiasts can get back to their favourite spots as more of the population is vaccinated. And personal trainers and coaches can get back to training clients.
However, something has been on my mind since the first lockdown went into effect. And I really began to think more about it when my previous employer, The Cambridge Group of Clubs, filed for bankruptcy protection and terminated many positions. I began thinking, what’s this going to look like for trainers and coaches when gyms and clubs open up again?
“Race-Norming”: The NFL’s Dirty Tactic
What Is “Race-Norming”?
I recently read an article in the Washington Post, which I will link, about how the NFL is pledging to end “Race-Norming”. Find it here if you’re interested
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/06/03/nfl-concussion-settlement-race-norming/
The NFL has a test, that players must take, to assess brain injuries. Except in the case of Black football players, the test assumed that they started out with lower cognitive skills. This means that Black players will have a harder time showing that they have suffered and are experiencing any deficit as a result of concussions. Basically “the concussion didn’t make you dumb, you were dumb to begin with”.