Familiarity Breeds Contempt! - JP Fitness Forums

Irishdazza · 12-05-2007, 03:29 PM

Hi Guys,

As some of you know, I'm back training after an injury.

The guys from the gym - I mostly hang out with the trainers - have been locker room supportive "nice to see you training again... is that your warm up weight?...there are some pink dumbells over there mate"..banter stuff.

I've become an internet snob. I cringe when I see the trainers doing "WRONG" exercises with clients and I've become very negative about the trainers in my gym. I have access to all the experts on here and become quite contemptuous of the guys I see every day.

Anyhoo...there is one particular trainer at my gym, who I know is brilliant - he coached Steve Collins for 5 of his title fights. The guys clients always make massive progress and he is always positive with clients. I've seen him on an off day, fed up, miserable and tired... the client walks in and he shrugs - slaps his hands beams at the client and bellows "Let's go!!!"

I slag him off in the usual way and give him a hard time whenever I can.

He charges twice what the other PT's do and works a set 7-4 Mon to Fri - telling clients when they can train, rather than suiting them, and still has a waiting list.

So..I'm ready to risk deadlifting again - and dropping the weight, have reached the stage to start pushing again.

NROL H2 3x12 deadlift day - I get started.

Wayne walks past to start a female client bench pressing. Smiles. Says hello. Glances back and says "How's it going?, How are your hamstrings?"

I smile and give some inanity back.

Two days later the DOMS have hit, and the hamstring on my weak side (weak back that is) is by far the worst. He saw one deadlift and picked up on it!

I owe him thanks and really an apology - the smart guys aren't just on the internet. Just cause most PT's are idiots. Just because you see someone everyday, doesn't mean you should forget the massive resources in knowledge, wisdom and experience that are around you every day.

May even fork out for a training session - if he has an opening!

Lisa~ · 12-05-2007, 04:12 PM

You are lucky to have a trainer with a good eye in your own gym. Go ahead and do that session. It sounds like it'd be totally worth it.

kingkop182 · 12-05-2007, 04:19 PM

As Lisa said it sounds like a good idea to get a session with him; anybody who has had a part in Steve Collins' success deserves to be listened to.

Irishdazza · 12-05-2007, 04:24 PM

Lol...yup...but like I said...it's easy to beome comptmptuous of what you see every day.

You guys, probably you especially Lisa, are so impressive and accesable, we become "snobs". As you have often said...and I at least haven't listened hard enough... seeing you in person is more important.

And as you said...if you're lucky enough to have someone with the "eye" (kudos to John there!) we should take advantage.

Obviously I know everything and am still damned clever(ahem..ahem) - but had a real dose in humility there. I hope this rings a bell out there with you non-expert guys! (not that I'm not a whole exercise genius or anything obviously!)

Lisa~ · 12-05-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishdazza

Obviously I know everything and am still damned clever(ahem..ahem) - but had a real dose in humility there. I hope this rings a bell out there with you non-expert guys! (not that I'm not a whole exercise genius or anything obviously!)

Even though you know everything

you still need someone to watch you lift. You can't see yourself move during a lift. We all need someone we can trust for that kind of assistance.

Just be sure to stipulate that you want him on one of his good days, not one of his off days!

John Izzo · 12-05-2007, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the kudo's

If I were you, I would approach that trainer and talk to him about setting up a package for you--even maybe 3 or 5 sessions, just so you can pick his brain. WE can all use a trainer at times--whether they serve as training partners or resources or instructors. I had a great trainer/friend that I looked up to and trained with when we worked together named Wayne, and I tend to measure new trainers up to him (and me

).

Irishdazza · 12-05-2007, 05:07 PM

Thanks Lisa...sorry that came accross wrong...what I meant was...no matter how he feels he turns on for the client...I don't think he has traditional off days. He keeps the negative to himself annd I alway saw that as his asset...forgot that he must really know his stuff too!

like I said...familiarity breeds contempt. Guess you guys see that online when you post with us idiots from time to time. The relevant dodgy threads, ring more pointiantly to me now too - people forget the fantastic resource you guys offer free of charge.

I am now more significantly grateful for your contribution than ever before...well, till next week when I'm an internet genius again...

Once again guys...a sincere thanks..I'm getting good from you guys even when I'm nightmarely nonresponsive and/or cocky. I guess that's true of 90% of the community (well I tell myself that so I don't feel such an ass!)

Thanks for being here and doing all that you do selflisly and probably unsefconsciously!

You make a bigger impact than you know and unfortunately...more than we do either.