I am taking a PT course in portland right now and the course is based upon the ACSM book. It suggests that if you get a beginner as a client that you make up a program that uses machines. I was floored when I read that as that is exactly opposite of what I would think. I have only just started to use machines in a hypertrophy program and quite honestly don't see the good in them for anything other than blasting one certain area to death.
I note (for example) that when I do a db 1 legged romainian dead lift that my whole body works and especially stabalizer muscles in the calf as well as the muscles in my lower back and glutes. When I use the ham curl machines I get non of the other muscles firing.
What possible reason do the experts at ACSM have for this recommendation except to reduce injury under the assumption that the trainer cannot teach proper form (I have seen enough of that)? I have class tomorrow and want to go in prepared to discuss this point.
__________________
The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
I realize that I have to memorize this stuff to pass the cert but is there ANY reason at all to suggest this? There must be some logic to it...... isn't there?
__________________
The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
You can discuss it, but if you want to pass the cert, be prepared to pretend it's the right thing to do until you actually get that client.
Sorry.
I agree 100%. I remember when I was 16 and my driving instructor told me that when I was taking "the driving test with the DMV officer, to always stop and pause for 3 seconds at each stop sign".
He then said, "once you pass the exam and you get your license, you can roll thru all the stop signs you want"
The ACSM is what it is. If you want to challenge the instructor on the use of machines, its not his/her fault. But his job is to teach you whats in the book. I am curious...is this a WITS course?
Hi John... I am not looking to "challenge" anyone but to understand what the benefits of this are. Remember I am pretty new at this stuff myself so am suspecting that I am missing something. It sounds to me as if there really are none or no good reason. Weird that a team of "experts" would all agree that this is the right thing to do....
This course is for an "in-house" certification for a few of the local gyms here in Portland. The instructor has an ACE cert and ACSM cert and a degree in exercise science. He chose the ACSM material to base this class on. It is basically free for me to take the course and since I intend to get a national cert soon I thought it would be smart to take this course too and get some "hand on" experience while I am studying.
__________________
The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
Hi John... I am not looking to "challenge" anyone but to understand what the benefits of this are. Remember I am pretty new at this stuff myself so am suspecting that I am missing something. It sounds to me as if there really are none or no good reason. Weird that a team of "experts" would all agree that this is the right thing to do....
No problem...nothing wrong with challenging the instructor either...it provokes thoughts and ideas, and enhances the learning process. I teach for WITS and we use the ACSM text for the class, so I am consistently asked "why's" and "how's" that the book's content is, as Allerious" stated, outdated.
It is clinical and basically places everyone on machines in an effort to keep them "safe".
Thanks for the information and for the compliments on my work. I have completed my first bulk and cut and am now starting my 2nd bulk. I was able to get pretty ript for this one but am unhappy with how little I am. So it is eat, rest, lift like a big dawg and repeat for me for the next 6 or so months. (a year if I can keep up gains without gaining too much fat)
__________________
The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
Update from class last night. First let me say how grateful I am for having this board and all of you are resources and also for having the teachers that I have in my life right now. My first trainer was awesome and this new teacher is nothing short of amazing.
He is building a 10,000 sq ft gym (it is in build-out phase right now) that is serviced based instead of sales based. In our first class he taught us a bit about his philosophies on this and it was a total shock to me to hear what he had to say. Of course sales are important to the extent that they are to get people to buy but the service is stressed over the sale here. I am totally blown away. Also his training philosophies seem to be spot on to what I am learning here and also from my first trainer. I am excited as hell to go through this course and to learn from him.
With respect to the machines, he pretty much confirmed what you guys said RE doctors writing the material and that it is a bit outdated BUT he also stressed that he doesn't subscribe completely to the new "fad" of complex movements only. He then went on to explain to me how some clients come into the gym in such bad shape and coordination that just to get them to move safely that a machine may be the best answer. We went over so many concepts such as how to breath and move during a rep. When teaching a client these things if they are very uncoordinated it often helps that they do not have to think about balancing db over their head while catching the rep and pushing it and breathing. Using the machines for a microcycle may allow them to gain the confidence and technique required to move onto the more advanced sort of movements. He stressed that everyone is unique and that we have to be able to play these things by ear. He said if someone walked into a gym in the condition that I was in, he would obviously put them under db right away even if they were new to lifting.
Anyway I am pretty jazzed about the class and about the future right now. It sure feels like there are great opp ahead for me to do some real good with all this mentorship.
__________________
The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
With respect to the machines....He then went on to explain to me how some clients come into the gym in such bad shape and coordination that just to get them to move safely that a machine may be the best answer... When teaching a client these things if they are very uncoordinated it often helps that they do not have to think about balancing db over their head while catching the rep and pushing it and breathing. Using the machines for a microcycle may allow them to gain the confidence and technique required to move onto the more advanced sort of movements. He stressed that everyone is unique and that we have to be able to play these things by ear.
Exactly. Machines DO have their place - also, as I've posted elsewhere, they are great for clients with certain joint issues. (Disc degeration = no compressive loads = leg press instead of free-weight squats. Also machines are great for folks with plantar fasciitis who can't put weight on their feet without excruciating pain...)
- Jennifer
__________________
ACE-Certified Personal Trainer Since 2002
Lifetime Member of WeightWatchers
ACSM for newbies
I was floored when I read that as that is exactly opposite of what I would think. I have only just started to use machines in a hypertrophy program and quite honestly don't see the good in them for anything other than blasting one certain area to death. 
Linear Mode
