A LECTURE I RECEIVED FROM A FELLOW TRAINER

I first posted this back in April 2011, but I want to share it again. I wonder what ever happened to this idiot!

These days there is no shortage of stupidity in the gym.  Stupidity, however, means different things to different people.  In my mind, stupidity is having your client perform cable curls while trying to balance on an upside down Bosu.

Now having said this, let me set the stage for a most interesting lecture I received from a trainer I saw working with a client.  The gym where I run my business has been there about 25- years.  It is hardcore, old and worn, but has just about everything you need to train your client. It also has a few things you don’t need, like the aforementioned Bosu.

Last week, I get upstairs into the gym. The first thing I see is this trainer I have never seen before having his client performing the cable curls I mentioned earlier. The client is clearly handling too much weight for the exercise while desperately trying to balance on the Bosu.  The poor client is leaning so far forward he is at risk of falling flat on his face.  The trainer is standing behind him holding his hips to prevent him from becoming one with the floor.  It was almost X- Rated.

Several of my colleagues and I have a good time ridiculing this type of trainer.  But, what happens when the criticism goes the other way?

I get to work and train my client.  It’s his leg day. There is nothing fancy going on here; just Squats, RDL’s, Lying Leg Curls and Lunges.    We get done an hour later. We say our good-byes and confirm next week.  Now, here comes the interesting lecture…Mr. Functional Arrogant Trainer was incredibly aggressive and wouldn’t let me respond to anything he said. Just as suddenly he started his tirade he turns around and leaves.

I’m sitting in my office and this trainer pokes his head in…

Functional Arrogant Trainer:       Hi. Do you have a minute?

Mark Cotton:     Sure. I’m Mark.  I haven’t seen you here before.  (I extend my hand to shake his, but I’m ignored).

FAT:       I just wanted to talk to you about how you were training you client. How long have you been a trainer?

MC:        Oh, OK.  I’ve been a trainer for 10 years.

FAT:       Who are you certified through?

MC:        Currently, ISSA, USAW and Poliquin. I’m in the process of studying for my CSCS Exam.

FAT:       That explains a few things then. First, ISSA is a shit certification. Most gyms and health and fitness organizations don’t recognize it. The USAW is pretty good, but do you even coach Olympic lifting? (Not sure why he made this assumption) And that other one I never even heard of before.  I never heard of a Poliquin?

MC:        I’m not sure why you are being so insulting?

FAT:       Dude, I’m not playing. The way you trained that client, I feel like I have a responsibility to contact ISSA and that Poliquin thing.

MC:        Poliquin isn’t a thing. He’s a person.  You’re really serious?

FAT:       I am. I watched you make your client do deep squats, incorrect lunges and pauses on the squats and leg curls. You are going to ruin his knees.  You NEVER squat all the way down and you NEVER pause during basic strength movements. He’s going to have all kinds of joint problems.

MC:        If you give me a moment I can clearly explain why I’m doing certain things.

FAT:       After what I saw tonight, I really don’t feel the need to discuss anything.

MC:        Can I ask you who you are certified through?  Personally, I think you are misinformed.

FAT:       I’m not here to talk about me and my certifications. I have over 6 years of experience as a fitness professional currently accredited by one of the NCCA certifying bodies and a BACHELOR’s DEGREE in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. And when I compare the two, my college education helped me become the successful and more understanding fitness professional because I now completely understand the full science of exercise and insure that I practice my profession to the upmost safest, scientific, logical approach.

Mark this isn’t the Wild West where we as an industry can take the initiative and set our own standards and qualifications. Maybe you might be much more respectful to yourself and others by really going out there and finding a really good solid accreditation and get a decent foundation of the practice of the profession. You must be in this for a quick buck. Our profession is under anarchy. (Anarchy?)

MC:        You really are serious.

FAT:       Yes, I am. Maybe once you get your CSCS you can get on the right track.  What is your degree in?

MC:        My degree is in Music.

FAT:       Music? Oh come on…No wonder you don’t have a clue. I need to get out of here.

(He turned and left abruptly).