Well, another shiny new week is upon us (and this one leads directly up to the holidays… hope you’ve got all your preparations underway or finished, cuz I don’t think it’s going to wait for anyone).

Anyway, to the point:

I was having a discussion the other day with my friend and fellow fitness blogger Becca Calhoun about how so many in the fitness industry negate perfectly good, valid and EFFECTIVE training techniques just because it’s not “their” way of training.

Seems Becca is pretty passionate about this particular topic.

So I asked her to share her viewpoints with us, so that we all might learn from her expertise and experience.

Thanks Becca!!

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Don’t Be So Quick To Dismiss

It amazes me how many “trainers” I see that are quick to dismiss different types of training, and hype theirs as the end-all to fitness. They claim their own to be “revolutionary”.

For example, some heavy lifters whose only focus is on the amount of weight they can rack up while nay-saying routines that consist of high rep “body weight” exercises.

They lose site of the fact that it’s not just about brute strength, but that a true athlete relies heavily on the endurance that the latter style of training builds and that this type of training burns more fat in less time.

Or, the lifters who believe only in heavy weight with minimal reps, who do their body an injustice by dismissing moderate weight hi-rep routines, as a routine that is for wimps!

They negate that this style will pump so much blood to their already-developed muscles, creating nothing but definition, symmetry and belly growth to the muscle while over time creating more muscle maturity.

This style of training also contributes to faster muscle recovery, in turn promoting muscle growth.

How about the people who do a** to the floor squats but dismiss the idea and benefits of squatting just to a slightly below parallel (10 degrees) position?

They do not achieve the benefit that they could from going heavier while losing the higher risk of injury if they cut it a little short of “to the ground”.

As trainers, it is our obligation to realize all styles of training are necessary to create a symmetrically pleasing, fully developed, sound, and healthy body! We need to understand each style of training and adapt it to our clients’ needs and abilities in order to realize the benefits, so that they can obtain their desired physiques.

I have trained with professional body builders and it was often all-out-as-heavy-as-you-can-lift. I was repeatedly told that my form was perfect as I squatted heavy butt-to-the-floor. My personal best on leg press was 600 lbs for 8 reps doing 2 sets.

I was put in front of several men and asked to show them how to properly execute a squat.

Now, mind you, I am 5ft 5.5 inches tall and weigh 127 lbs.

What do you think I got from all those months of “heavy” training and hour upon hour of cardio?

Well, let me list them for you: a hernia, both knees shot, a hip that wouldn’t stop popping, grinding tennis elbow and shoulder, exhaustion, and minimal muscle gain with average storage loss.

But, another girl who I trained with repeatedly during this time achieved phenomenal results!

She suffered no injuries, instead reaping heavy muscle gain while her body fat plummeted.

Please note that this didn’t have me walking away saying that heavy training is a crock. Quite the opposite, in fact. It told me that for my body type, joint range of motion, and my desired physique, this type of training was not right for me.

Do I avoid heavy training?

Not at all. But, it’s for a limited time using modified form to not repeat injuries from overuse.

I know that the most crucial part of fitness is creating optimum muscle confusion.

So, I employed various styles of training, finding my body responds best to lots of body weight dynamic exercises, including mass high reps.

I lost 9 lbs of storage in 3 weeks, while gaining more lean muscle then I had ever had. My endurance went through the roof, and my hip, elbow, shoulder, and knees do not ache one bit.

I now do 2 to 3 workouts a day, each never lasting more than 30 minutes.

Do I believe everyone should train this way? NO!

I would be doing myself and, more importantly, my clients an injustice if I ever thought in a training techniques “box”.

All I am saying is that, as trainers, we should open our minds and bodies to the glorious array of techniques, forms, methods, and styles of training.

Let’s stop belittling those who do not adapt to our style of training, instead trying to open them up to the benefits of it so they have a broader horizon.

By doing this, the fitness industry, as a whole, will work more productively and peacefully together, instead of waging a constant battle and competition with each other.

The average person is already intimidated enough looking in on the fitness industry without us dismissing and belittling each others’ techniques.

The bottom line is this: No one in the fitness industry is re-creating the wheel. The techniques and styles are time honored traditions used, perfected, and tested by Arnold, Zane and many more along the way.

Becca~The Fitness Kitten~Marie

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Thanks again Becca!! That was great insight.

If you want to check out Becca a little more, she’s also a heavy tweeter with lots of great things to say … follow her on Twitter at @fitnesskittin.

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

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This is a GUEST POST by Karen Gurney about what working with HER Personal Trainer means to her (and, ahem … in case you didn’t already know: Karen’s Personal Trainer is … umm … ME!)

Thanks Karen. It means a lot to me to know that this is what I mean to you!

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My Trainer Has Me Figured Out

During my second set of tricep kickbacks, I noticed my trainer, Jackie, shifting slightly. I couldn’t see her face, but I knew what she was thinking: “That looks like it’s getting too easy.”

I tried to show some convincing strain on my face but it’s always too late.  She just knows me like that.

Over the past few months, we have learned a lot about each other.  Aside from the fact that she knows all about my puppy and the time I ran out of gas on the Coquihalla Freeway, and I’ve heard all about her ‘upstairs neighbour ordeal’, she knows when to mix things up.

I would not be able to push myself like she does.

Through years of trying to win the battle of the bulge, I have tried many exercise programs: Bootcamp, cardio classes, magazine articles, video tapes, etc. 

All of them got me some results and are better than nothing, but none of these things could give me the success that I have had with my trainer because each one lacked the accountability of a personal relationship.

Building a relationship with my trainer is more than just her pushing me harder.  It is celebrating successes, encouraging during a set-back, teaching new skills, and swapping some great meal ideas.

We are a team.

Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your relationship with your trainer:

- Respect her/ his time: Sure, you paid for the time, but your trainer is busy and may not be able to show you everything they planned if your time is cut short.

- Be honest: The workouts are for YOU, so if you cheat or slack off, not only will your trainer be able to tell, but you are only getting what you put into it.

- Ask questions: Your trainer probably knows why you aren’t feeling an exercise where you are supposed to.

- Be open: Her suggestion to try something you didn’t think you could do may surprise you!

My “weekly beatings” with Jackie have been worth it.

I have lost 20 lbs since we started and all my friends have coveted front row seats to my “Gun Show”. 

Building a good relationship with your trainer is super rewarding and at the end of the day you will feel great and have a friend, too.

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If you’re also interested in working with me to achieve YOUR fitness or weight-loss goals, check out my Online Fitness Coaching page.

It doesn’t matter where you live in this world (Vancouver or elsewhere), with Online Fitness Coaching or in-person Personal Training, I CAN help you realize your goals.

Just put your name in the box at the bottom of the Online Fitness Coaching page to get in touch with me and get the ball rolling.

There’s no better time to take the first step than NOW, right?

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Thanks again to Karen Gurney who has honoured and flattered me with this GUEST POST (as well as providing some terrific tips about working with your Personal Trainer).

Please feel free to check Karen out at her blog Wine Bard or hit her up on Twitter where she tweets under the handle @winebard.

If you are interested in providing a guest post here on Girlwithnoname.com, please get in touch with me through the Contact Tab and let’s see if we fit!

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Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

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I saw something today that I absolutely must share.

I almost slapped someone today. Yes, it’s true. I was VERY tempted go make something of this situation.

The object of my ire was a fellow Personal Trainer (and I use the term ‘fellow’ verrrrrry loosely) …

I’m absolutely LIVID!!!!!!

If you ARE a Personal Trainer, don’t let me catch you training your clients this way …

… and if you’ve had the misfortune to HIRE a Personal Trainer like this guy, FIRE THEIR ASS RIGHT NOW and go get yourself someone who knows what they’re doing …

… and whatever you do, don’t let that idiot scare you off from your fitness goals or workout regime, OR make you decide that weight training is just ‘not for you’ … because it just MIGHT BE …

… with the RIGHT Personal Trainer providing you what you need, what you deserve, and WHAT YOU PAID FOR !!!!

Here’s exactly what I’m flying off the handle about:

SEE what I mean?

I mean honestly.

He’s lucky I didn’t go talk to his boss about him. It’s really unacceptable to train anyone in that manner.

Try a Personal Trainer / Online Fitness Coach that actually “GETS IT” (yes, its me) …

I have a couple of slots available at the moment (but only a couple) so hurry and sign up before they’re taken and let’s get the ball rolling right now.

I “get it” and I can help you reach your goals. Sign up here now:

Fitness Coaching ONLINE
– or –
Personal Training (Vancouver)

See ya there!

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

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Ah, Personal Trainers. Gotta love them… well, most of them.

A friend of mine recently had an experience with hiring a Personal Trainer (I think it was the first time he’d hired one too). How he felt about the whole thing made me really want to post this little diatribe for you guys.

I won’t elaborate here because I think the video is worth watching to hear what happened to him and my feelings on the subject.

I also address my OCD behaviour with my Inner Circle Mailings this week!! Free Stuff!! Its not a BAD thing is it? LOL. If you aren’t signed up and you like knowing when GOOD free stuff is available out there, then you should probably sign up. I like to keep my Inner Circle people fully in the loop when good free stuff is being offered by the fitness community.

Check it out!

And as always, here’s our Workout Song of the Day, chosen for its fabulous angst. One helluva good weight training song, I guarantee it!!! Enjoy!

RANCID – Salvation

BTW, you guys know that if you like this song its super easy to go get it right? Its like 99cents or some ridiculously low price… just click on this widget and it takes you to Amazon where you can buy an actual mp3 (not that confusing format that iTunes forces on you)!!

That’s it for today kids!! Have a super duper day and we’ll see you again very soon!

Girlwithnoname



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