Ask a Personal Trainer/Gym Owner

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Replies

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,740 Member
    dimasj wrote: »
    what if you are motivated and have lost 50lbs on your own... what reasons would you give for hiring a trainer?

    Are you trying to convince yourself to hire a trainer or not hire one? Most people don't need a personal trainer to be healthy and fit - it is a luxury service. If you're doing fine on your own, you should continue on your own until you are no longer making progress to your goal(s).

    I agree. A personal trainer is a luxury because it's not cheap but once I got to the point that I wasn't progressing enough on my own I hired one for a few months. I learned much more than I ever thought I would and it was worth it to me. I'll be able to use that knowledge for a while and then will go back to working with my trainer again in a few months.
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    Regarding the 1977 documentary "Pumping Iron," do you think Lou Fergino should have won?

    I know it's sad, but I actually haven't watched Pumping Iron yet. Maybe this weekend...

    First time I saw it was last year. IMO, I thought Arnold was a prick.

    Some would say the same about Muhammad Ali. He was good at getting into peoples heads. Just like Arnold did.
  • lizzelspark
    lizzelspark Posts: 178 Member
    Would you ever from a picture of my body be able to tell what I need to do to reach my goal ?
  • lizzelspark
    lizzelspark Posts: 178 Member
    I was asking the same thing on one of these things but for some reason I can't read the comments
  • darrfarrahxo
    darrfarrahxo Posts: 4 Member
    I'm currently on a calorie deficit, trying to lose some fat (namely the belly area). However I'm also aiming to build up on my glutes. Considering that I'm on a deficit right now, is there anyway I can maximize my muscle gains in the glutes on days that I train them? By nutrition or other ways? On days that I train glutes I don't worry too much about being in a deficit and rather focus on getting enough protein and exercise, but not sure if this is the right approach?
  • Would you ever from a picture of my body be able to tell what I need to do to reach my goal ?

    If it was an aesthetic goal.
  • lizzelspark
    lizzelspark Posts: 178 Member
    Would you ever from a picture of my body be able to tell what I need to do to reach my goal ?

    If it was an aesthetic goal.

    Be right back gotta google what aesthetic means
  • lizzelspark
    lizzelspark Posts: 178 Member
    Well my goal is beautiful
  • amandalyons30
    amandalyons30 Posts: 4 Member
    I have a chondromalacia of the patella and after having a dislocated patella and wearing a knee brace for awhile I have some asymmetrical muscle meaning my inside muscle is larger than my outer thighs muscle. Which is pulling my patella out of alignment. Looking for tips and or exercises to help. It hurts so bad to even walk i am having a hard time motivating myself to exercise.
    Thanks for your time,
    Amanda
  • I'm currently on a calorie deficit, trying to lose some fat (namely the belly area). However I'm also aiming to build up on my glutes. Considering that I'm on a deficit right now, is there anyway I can maximize my muscle gains in the glutes on days that I train them? By nutrition or other ways? On days that I train glutes I don't worry too much about being in a deficit and rather focus on getting enough protein and exercise, but not sure if this is the right approach?

    Even though you're not in a deficit on training days, your weekly average is still negative, which will make gaining muscle mass hard.

    I would just make sure you are consuming 25%+ of your calories from protein to maintain/gain as much muscle as you can. After training you should aim for a 3 to 1 ratio of carbs to protein in your post-workout meal.
  • I have a chondromalacia of the patella and after having a dislocated patella and wearing a knee brace for awhile I have some asymmetrical muscle meaning my inside muscle is larger than my outer thighs muscle. Which is pulling my patella out of alignment. Looking for tips and or exercises to help. It hurts so bad to even walk i am having a hard time motivating myself to exercise.
    Thanks for your time,
    Amanda

    Your case may be different, but I don't subscribe to the idea that patella dislocation is a result of a strength discrepancy between the medial and lateral quadriceps. I think you are looking at an underlying ankle or hip issue.

    I would find a pt or a good trainer and have them make sure your ankle function is good and you have good strength in your glutes.
  • jpbazemo
    jpbazemo Posts: 71 Member
    Hi, I hope this hasn't been asked before, but how do you feel about electrical muscle stimulators? Not for pain control, but with just enough voltage to make a muscle twitch? I'm trying to get rid of about 200 pounds of body fat, then I want to switch gears, and build the muscles back up. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
  • lizzelspark
    lizzelspark Posts: 178 Member
    Thank you I'll give that a try
  • amandalyons30
    amandalyons30 Posts: 4 Member
    I have a chondromalacia of the patella and after having a dislocated patella and wearing a knee brace for awhile I have some asymmetrical muscle meaning my inside muscle is larger than my outer thighs muscle. Which is pulling my patella out of alignment. Looking for tips and or exercises to help. It hurts so bad to even walk i am having a hard time motivating myself to exercise.
    Thanks for your time,
    Amanda

    Your case may be different, but I don't subscribe to the idea that patella dislocation is a result of a strength discrepancy between the medial and lateral quadriceps. I think you are looking at an underlying ankle or hip issue.

    I would find a pt or a good trainer and have them make sure your ankle function is good and you have good strength in your glutes.

  • amandalyons30
    amandalyons30 Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you
  • jpbazemo wrote: »
    Hi, I hope this hasn't been asked before, but how do you feel about electrical muscle stimulators? Not for pain control, but with just enough voltage to make a muscle twitch? I'm trying to get rid of about 200 pounds of body fat, then I want to switch gears, and build the muscles back up. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

    There is no substitute for hard work, don't waste your money.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,956 Member
    I have a chondromalacia of the patella and after having a dislocated patella and wearing a knee brace for awhile I have some asymmetrical muscle meaning my inside muscle is larger than my outer thighs muscle. Which is pulling my patella out of alignment. Looking for tips and or exercises to help. It hurts so bad to even walk i am having a hard time motivating myself to exercise.
    Thanks for your time,
    Amanda
    If the pain is that bad, it's not a muscle issue. Your best bet is to consult an orthopedist to assess the issue and how to address getting it better.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • Lisa_Ookoo
    Lisa_Ookoo Posts: 134 Member
    I am a 57- year-old female cyclist, 5'6" tall and 122 lbs. I maintain that weight on 2000 calories a day. I want to start lifting to improve my upper body strength. Do I need to eat more calories to build muscle?
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    IGbnat24 wrote: »
    There's not much you can do to target your abs. Keep dropping the weight and things will tighten up.

    Really? I could think of so so many exercises which target the abs...

    Not for weight loss. You can't target weight loss, anywhere.
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    Lisa_Ookoo wrote: »
    I am a 57- year-old female cyclist, 5'6" tall and 122 lbs. I maintain that weight on 2000 calories a day. I want to start lifting to improve my upper body strength. Do I need to eat more calories to build muscle?

    I am so jealous that you can eat that much. I am 60, 5'7", and maintenance for me is around 1200. And I weigh a lot more than you do. How much do you ride?
  • Lisa_Ookoo
    Lisa_Ookoo Posts: 134 Member
    I ride about 150 miles a week. I also have a job where I'm on my feet all day. At lunch time I climb up and down the stairs 10x in a 4-story building. I also do a lot of hiking.
  • Lisa_Ookoo wrote: »
    I am a 57- year-old female cyclist, 5'6" tall and 122 lbs. I maintain that weight on 2000 calories a day. I want to start lifting to improve my upper body strength. Do I need to eat more calories to build muscle?

    Yes.
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    Lisa_Ookoo wrote: »
    I ride about 150 miles a week. I also have a job where I'm on my feet all day. At lunch time I climb up and down the stairs 10x in a 4-story building. I also do a lot of hiking.

    AH...yes the job makes a huge difference. I sit on my *kitten* all day. It's unfortunate, but that's my type of work. And 150 miles a week is a lot. 20 miles in a week is a lot for me.
  • soccerkon26
    soccerkon26 Posts: 596 Member
    What qualities should a good trainer posses? I.e any questions they should ask during the consultation, certifications, etc
  • What qualities should a good trainer posses? I.e any questions they should ask during the consultation, certifications, etc

    Experience and certifications don't mean much. During the consult they should ask about your exercise and medical history, and your goals. I think it is also a good idea to do a movement assessment before getting into any training.

    The evolution of a good personal trainer usually goes like this...

    I know some stuff >>> I know everything >>> I know nothing

    Find a trainer that "knows nothing." A good trainer is educated and confident, but isn't afraid to say, "I don't know."
  • Giving this thread CPR to answer some more questions today...
  • Sassie_Lassie
    Sassie_Lassie Posts: 140 Member
    What qualities should a good trainer posses? I.e any questions they should ask during the consultation, certifications, etc

    [/quote]

    Whether or not they've taken any AP courses is pretty huge. If not then I'd move on. Anyone can get a certificate to be a personal trainer. Heck, they have classes that can get you certified in a weekend. You want someone that is knowledgeable of how the body actually works first and foremost.

  • Quiet day at the gym today, so I was wondering if anyone had a question they needed answered...
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    Ok. I've been lifting for a year now and recently managed to irritate my rotator cuff. I've had issues with it in the past (unrelated to weights) and this time earned myself a cortisone injection and a few rounds of physical therapy. I was planning to ask this when I start therapy next week, but since you're here...what do you think I should do moving forward as far as my weight training goes? Should I simply be doing some light exercises as a warm up before getting into my heavy upper body routine, or incorporating more specific accessory work to improve on this weak area? I hope that makes sense....
  • mrswardogsboxing
    mrswardogsboxing Posts: 5 Member
    I have one that I'm hoping you can provide some insight to. I did Stronglifts last year and developed very painful tennis elbow which continued for a couple of months. I was working on trying to keep my wrists straight and aligned while holding the bar thinking this would help, but to no avail.

    I would like to start this program again. Any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening this time around?