Advice for serious lifters

Diabolical_Nuke · 2015-06-20T12:09:51+00:00

As a personal trainer...

I 100% agree with you on not trusting personal trainers. When I decided to become a personal trainer, I was expecting good sources on biomechanics, how to build a real strength training program, and proper form. What I got was a few books on how to make sure people didn't get in shape (so you could continue getting money from them), how to train "special populations" as opposed to 100% healthy people (it ended up being the same for everyone), and absolutely zero material on form or how to coach and cue.

When I originally started working as a personal trainer, I was very eager to learn from the other, more experienced trainers. Especially my ripped 51 year old boss. It became apparent very quickly that only one of them knew what he was talking about. My ripped boss could bench 315 lbs, but could only squat 225. They all told me squats are bad for your knees if you pass a 45 degree angle. One trainer had a client who needed to lose 40+ lbs and had her focusing on arm workouts. It was a joke.

Since then I have been studying on my own, I have found a few people who really know their shit and make videos, and I have a few friends who know what they're talking about that I listen to.

The amount of bad info out there is ridiculous, and most trainers just gobble that shit up. I'd suggest never hiring one who doesn't have the credentials of competing in something or coaching people who compete at a high level. Paying some pencil-necked pussy $75/session is madness.

sardinemanR · 2015-06-20T05:48:48+00:00

Injuries are inevitable, especially at the professional level. Pro weight lifters get injured all the time. You can have the best form, stretch, do everything right, you're still going to get injured.

chapaholic · 2015-06-20T07:24:27+00:00

Just make friends with the "usuals" at your gym. It'll go a long way in helping yourself -sauce I worked at a gym for 2 yrs.

alisonstone · 2015-06-20T15:05:23+00:00

Most "trainers" at gyms are actually just there to run the gym, not to train people. They typically run a large class (in which they only operate at a beginner level) or just tell older or overweight people to do very simple exercises (situps, air squats, push ups, etc). If you want to focus on powerlifting or Olympic lifting, then you need a specialist that can coach those lifts. Very few people actually power lift or Olympic lift, so specializing in that doesn't bring a lot of money to the trainer unless he works at a power lifting or Olympic lifting gym.

Red_SoloCup · 2015-06-20T23:02:08+00:00

I've learned that anyone who calls himself a 'Personal Trainer' has his own goals in mind, while those who call themselves 'Strength Coaches' or something like it have your goals in mind. You should also look at the gym they operate in. If it reminds you of Globo Gym, that's a massive red flag. If it looks like he's been using the same 45 lb plates since 'Nam, that's a pretty good sign.

TheJessee · 2015-06-20T07:22:29+00:00

If you're really serious about it you don't necessarily need a mentor, a lot of the research can be done yourself, but what i would advise for everyone going into lifting is getting someone along for a few gym sessions who lifts himself and knows proper form, you'll want to get that right to avoid serious injuries

blacwidonsfw · 2015-06-22T20:53:09+00:00

This is the worst at the Y I work out at. Most of the trainers are far middle age losers who couldn't pickup a 45 plate. Its the saddest thing when I see a young 14 yr old scrawny kid getting trained by some lady who looks like she should be serving pudding at an elementary school. I almost want to tell the poor kid to ditch the trainer and come workout with me....but I don't because I live in America and I'll probably get sued by someone for something. It sucks cause the kids going to get discouraged by not getting any results (how could you when all you do is leg extensions and crunches?), and think that the gym is stupid, I know I would if I was him.

ThePillAdvisor · 2015-06-20T09:41:10+00:00

I often find the best method is to observe the lifters in the gym that have great form and can lift a proportionate amount of weight to their build(I say this because I see juice heads that are huge, and I mean huge, and I can lift heavier than they can. One guy in my gym had biceps twice the size of mine I kid you not but he can only bicep curl 20kg).These are the people in the gym you want to befriend and train with. They will spot errors in your form quicker and help you reach where they are over a per longed period of time.

Also a key point is find someone in the gym that has the physique you are aiming for. No point training with a 220lb juice head when you want the physique of a cut to death 170lb athlete.

I find that training with someone makes me push myself harder. When I believe I have reached my limit and my partner demands two more reps and you do it, shows you that your only limit is yourself.

Always question what your form is like, they will be honest with you. If you lift right with the right form. You won't do yourself an injury. The thought process behind this is that if you are deadlifting for example and you have the right form. You won't be able to get the weight that is too heavy for you of the ground. Because if the form is right you are isolating the back purely. That being said, if you stupidity push yourself to lift it of the ground by any means then..... Pop goes your back my friend.

Ask them about every aspect of their diet, that is key. I would go as far as to say your dieting more important than than lifting itself.

I can now leg press 530lb on leg day purely because the person I train with is pushing me. That's 12 reps on that weight.

Best bit about this is that it only costs you the gym membership haha.

shzftw · 2015-06-20T16:38:26+00:00

GLO and scooby is all of the mentoring you will ever need.

Vurkyzo · 2015-06-20T12:00:06+00:00

PT's are usually bunch of brosplit nogains.

Title	Advice for serious lifters
Author	TheDialecticParadox
Upvotes	21
Comments	36
Date	June 20, 2015 5:39 AM UTC (11 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/TheRedPill
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/TheRedPill/comments/3ahh8b/advice_for_serious_lifters/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/TheRedPill/advice-for-serious-lifters.33834 https://theredarchive.com/post/33834

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