When anyone is starting with strength training, the main thing I’m looking for to see if a movement is mastered is control. What I mean by that is, when they squat are they just bouncing up & down aimlessly, just hoping to hit depth or are the clearly in control of the weight going down and hitting depth, then coming back up smoothly with intent. Then these folks wonder why I give them a tempo to follow...oops. Tempo= Prescribed timing for how long it take to reach the end of the movement, pause there if any and how long it should take to return to the start position of the movement To simply put why I don’t want this, if you are not controlling the weight, then the weight is controlling you or will control you at some point. When you’re out of control doing the lifts, you can’t focus on keeping things tight or fixing the little technique flaws that pop up in your lifts. Eventually the weight gets too heavy for one of these technique flaws to remain hidden and bang you’re hurt. Once I see trainees have sound technique and are in clear control of the weight, we can talk about doing things for speed or being sure that the weight moves quickly to the top of a lift. Less time worrying about injury and more productivity towards desired goals, makes sense right?
So next time you want to deliberately bounce the weight off the floor during deadlifts or bounce in and out of a squat for no rhyme or reason, consider whether you have control of the weight or the weight is controlling you. Thanks for hanging out and reading folks. See back here next week.
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How goes it this week friends? Today we're talking about an experience most teachers or trainers have, I'm sure you'll enjoy. It never fails when I mention to people what I do for a living, some new interaction brings about a comment to the like of, “You’re a trainer, you must workout 7 days a week and run 5 miles a day,” or one of my favorites “You must eat to super healthy and clean,” whatever that means. I’m not insulting any of these folks or trying to make them out in a bad light (mostly). They simply are going off what they know in their brain to start and interaction. I’m just here to clear things up a bit.
Let’s start with this, coaches and trainers aren’t perfect. Overall, yes, as a group we all try to practice what we are preaching, but then again, the above (though they are super exaggerations to drive the point home) isn’t all that healthy either. I personally am to improve everyone’s health, that’s both the body and the mind. With that, I’m freaking human too, we all are. I go through periods of time where I’m eating food that’ll fuel me well and take care of my body, but I also like to indulge a bit and go out with friends...really shocking I know. Side note: When I hear someone say a term like "eating clean", this makes me want to walk away from the conversation very quickly and get a frosty one. The point is, coaches do what we do because we want to show everyone how to live a health lifestyle, but we aren’t tyrants to our clients or even ourselves. Please alter your expectations of your coaching friends & acquaintances, you’ll find your conversations with them more enjoyable, I promise. Thanks for reading everyone, enjoy your end of September and beginning of October. Be back next week for more. Hello again all, I hope those that have had to endure their return to the school year, in whatever capacity that may be, have gotten through it without letting it get to you too badly. Today I've got a little blurb about what commitment really means and how I think folks misuse or misunderstand the term. Being committed means consistently showing up, even if it’s not getting things done at your maximum level.
I think people truly misunderstand what the word committed means, especially in the fitness realm. When folks say, "I’m committed to this", they think it means they’re going to show up for 5 days a week, do everything at 1000 MPH and be this shining light of awesome for all to see (cue dramatic godlike music). Then Reality Check Tech calls and says hold the phone chief that’s not gonna happen for as long as you think. This will last a week to a month at most, with very very few exceptions. When you commit to something, like a fitness regiment, it means showing up for yourself every day to the best of your ability. Most (probably 75-80%) of the days in your fitness routine, will be getting in, getting out and getting on with the rest of your day. This is the secret path to success that so many are desperately searching for. Not getting into the gym, sweating buckets for 2-3 hours and then laying on the floor like you’re going to puke or pass out. That is the one way street to breaking your commitment. Think about it, do you really have that kind of time to spend freely every day? How about your energy, can you do that and then go home to do the battle royale for homework or bedtime? Didn't think so. I just want folks to understand what they're saying and what it really means, simple as that for today. Thank you very much for reading my babble and to those coming to the Clubhouse on Saturday, can't wait to see you there! Have a week friends. |
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AuthorJarrod Dyke, CSCS Archives
April 2024
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