Quite literally
If you do one of two things in the gym
1-run or cycle
2-resistance machine exercises
Let's begin by discussing number 1-running or cycling
You have used these before right?
Well, according to IRSHA report, they are two of the most popular exercises that members do in the gym
Plus, they are the first two things that a personal trainer will put you on if you are trying to lose weight
Cardio to lose weight and all that bulls@it
Now, I am not going to go into a rant about how cardio doesn't work for weight loss - I've done this many times before
This time I want to approach it from a different angle
And that is...
Well, if we consider the average 'weight' of a beginner at a gym is around 12-14 stone
The actual IMPACT on joints when running for instance is proven to be around 4 times your own body weight vibrating
through each joint especially those knees of yours... ^^^ouch^^^
Now, a few things to consider how this impacts the body
Bare in mind there are more but for the purposes of today I'll just share a few
*stress through your joints (cause for weight gain)
*inflammation build up (cause for weight gain)
*injury concern (cause weight gain and lifestyle effected)
*feeling of inadequateness (imagine trying to run at that weight - how demoralising it must be) im not suggesting for
one minute that you cant it just wont feel natural and will be really uncomfortable)
*once one joint is effected it tends to hand itself to effecting other joints, i.e. lower back problems
----
Is this the same for cycling Joe?
In short, yes.
I know what you are thinking, "but you sit down when you cycle, Joe"
Yes you do,
But you also sit for 8 hours of the day if not more
Cycling, sitting however you want to put it for those many hours do lead to muscle length imbalance's and other
technical things around bio mechanics but i'll spare you the jargon (I hate it when trainers try talking to clients in fitness
language it should be in the language that you understand)
If anything, where by running can be what we call a self limiting exercise...this is where your body tells you when a
enough is enough
The bike can actually 'MASK' this
e.g. the cycle starts to get a little tougher, so you decide to lower the resistance...which makes it easier but you still can
continue to cycle though
did you know that a 45 minute 'spin class' is equivalent to approx. 4000 lunges
Talk about over training the joints
Try doing 10 lunges with a 4 second pause at the bottom... never mind 4000... haha!
The same goes for machine based resistance exercises- point number 2
For one, they work muscles only in isolation (one muscle at a time)
Only body builders really use them
Though gyms are packed with them
They essentially allow the body to push more load (weight) than the joints are capable of withstanding
Mainly operate in one plane of movement
Using only one to four muscle groups at time
By the way, tell me a time when you only ever use 'one muscle' when moving in the real world...
There isn't a time!!!
Ever!
The funny thing is...
The resistance machines are laid out randomly
No thought process behind it
Just whatever machines fit in the space available on the gym floor and we'll fit the rest around it kind of thing
By doing it this way I can more or less predict your program already and it will usually consist of the following
Leg press
Shoulder press
Leg extension
Leg curl
Lat pulldown
In that order as well...
So what are you getting at Joe?
Well, for one you're doing exercises in the order they are placed in the gym not what best for you
Two, it's exactly the same program as the other thousands of members at the gym
Exactly the same
Talk about a disservice
Or designing a customised program for your customised body
It NEVER happens in a gym
And it will never happen
So be my guest and join a commercial gym in the New Year
You don't need to as I've just shared with you the program they will give you
Here it is again
Cardio (bike or treadmill)
10 mins on each
Resistance machines exercises (3 sets of 10 or 15 reps)
Leg press
Shoulder press
Leg extenstion
Leg curl
Lat pulldown
No wonder the fitness industry is in decline
Too predictable
If you want something that is not your typical standard Gym or PT approach
Something whereby we had to unlearn everything that the industry taught us
We're smaller and more personal in our service.
We're very private and exclusive and have a dedicated small team of coaches who work with you to provide a service
that's tailored to your needs.
We've won multiple awards and one of our coaches received international personal trainer of the year 2013.
We're renowned for what we do because we give you all the steps you need to reach your goals then provide all the guidance and support you need along the way to get you there and maintain it.
we've creatde our very own successful system
Joe 'don't like the gym?, we're the place to begin...' Hanney
Ps.. I'll share my story where I went in to starbucks the other day and didn't even buy a coffee... if you know me i'm a coffee snob and i love my coffee as well.... it'll be with you later this week