Build Strength Prior to Beginning to Lift Weights?
WhiteRabbit1313
Posts: 1,091 Member
So, my trainer (at a commercial gym) is dead set against the idea of me doing compound lifts with a barbell, yet...although, I've already done them. She claims that I need to work on form using kettlebell routines and build initial strength that way. Now, I know that I'm coming from a relatively sedentary state and that I am really wimpy, but do you build up to compound lifts, or do you use compound lifts to gain strength?
Thoughts, please?
Thoughts, please?
0
Replies
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Your trainer sounds like an idiot.
If you aren't strong enough to lift the bar- you can still train with a smaller bar- or a PVC pipe.
There is absolutely unquestionably almost no reason outside physical medical limitations for someone to NOT learn to do proper compound lift barbell work.
Fire her immediately.0 -
She might be worried about proper form and risk of injury. Or maybe she is uncomfortable doing the exercises herself, or may not have the experience necessary
You may also be able to try compound exercises and such without a barbell.
I have just started weightlifting and I am still using body weight and dumbbells. I figure I will build up to the barbell.
I want to be able to do that with confidence and not struggle, so for me I am building my strength.0 -
Your trainer sounds like an idiot.
If you aren't strong enough to lift the bar- you can still train with a smaller bar- or a PVC pipe.
There is absolutely unquestionably almost no reason outside physical medical limitations for someone to NOT learn to do proper compound lift barbell work.
Fire her immediately.
Well, I think it may be motivated more by money, honestly. (More training sessions = more money). That's why I'm asking if there's validity to these claims. I also considered that she might have a point in practicing form on low weights first, so I don't hurt myself.0 -
She might be worried about proper form and risk of injury. Or maybe she is uncomfortable doing the exercises herself, or may not have the experience necessary
You may also be able to try compound exercises and such without a barbell.
I have just started weightlifting and I am still using body weight and dumbbells. I figure I will build up to the barbell.
I want to be able to do that with confidence and not struggle, so for me I am building my strength.
She's certified in Olympic lifting, by who? I have no clue, honestly. She has me doing kettlebell squats and deadlifts. I suspect that I won't be on those long, because the weights are pretty easy.0 -
It's a "USA Weightlifting Certification."0
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Switch to a new trainer... Dead lifting with kettlebells? that gets easy and boring quick!0
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If we give her the benefit of the doubt, then what are you not telling us? Are you straining with the bar or do you have problems with coordination? No shame in either, they take time to learn.
If you're not straining with the bar and your coordination is good to begin, then there is no reason to avoid getting started with the big lifts and the bar.
Also, plenty of people use goblet squats as assistance work to improve their barbell squats and train form. No shame in that, but if you don't need it, then... you don't need it. lol
Also, I don't believe you need a personal trainer. They are there to provide motivation, and make a plan for you. I believe you already have both, so what are you going to be paying them for?0 -
I've told you several times to fire her. This isn't the first time you've complained about her. It's obviously not a good fit.0
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I've told you several times to fire her. This isn't the first time you've complained about her. It's obviously not a good fit.
Yeah- I just realized this was the same poster as the cardio issue...
definitely fire her.0 -
Your trainer sounds like an idiot.
If you aren't strong enough to lift the bar- you can still train with a smaller bar- or a PVC pipe.
There is absolutely unquestionably almost no reason outside physical medical limitations for someone to NOT learn to do proper compound lift barbell work.
Fire her immediately.
Well, I think it may be motivated more by money, honestly. (More training sessions = more money). That's why I'm asking if there's validity to these claims. I also considered that she might have a point in practicing form on low weights first, so I don't hurt myself.
You hit the nail on the head most probably. Your form is important, but you can hurt yourself with bad form and kettlebells too, and you can do just as low weight with a barbell or dumbbells. If she isn't wanting to do what you want her to, maybe you should get a new trainer. You also can start with machines first. There is really no good reason to "build strength before you build strength" unless you are too weak to lift the lowest weights, you are lifting kettlebells now so that does not seem valid...0 -
You can also upload lifting videos you've taken on your phone to YouTube and share them here with us. We can coach your form for you.
I.e.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOzlpujZwBA 0 -
I tend to agree with some of what others have written here, but until we know what your goals are, then we're all just sort of shooting in the dark.
Secondly, does she have a kettlebell trainer's certification? Does she have a bias towards kettlebells?0 -
Working with kettlebells is a fine addition to the main lifts. Wouldn't call them particularly safer though, or directly applicable to training up to barbell lifts.
If you asked to train with barbells and the trainer decides kettlebells but no barbells, that's pretty goofy.0 -
Just go talk to your trainer and if they can't get you to buy into their training methods, then either go it alone or look for another trainer. There may be a method to their madness.0
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Hmm - my first trainer was reluctant to go anywhere near the weights room despite me informing her that's what I wanted to do. I found one that did and we have been working happily together now for more than 2 years. Time to move on.0
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Unless the trainer can demonstrate to you that you have a muscle imbalance that would cause a significant injury if you go into lifting, I'd call them on it. You have set your fitness goals, if getting stronger or gaining muscle mass is one of them, heavy lifting has to be a part of your program. Kettlebells are great for functional strength and fitness (and dealing with some muscle imbalances), but I'd be getting a trainee under the bar as soon as I knew they could do it with good form.0
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Well, I think it may be motivated more by money, honestly. (More training sessions = more money). That's why I'm asking if there's validity to these claims. I also considered that she might have a point in practicing form on low weights first, so I don't hurt myself.
I was a trainer (technically still am)
I taught barbell training. if your client likes you- they will keep coming back for a variety of other reasons- but so what- they go out and get strong with out you? someone else will be along to fill their gap.
9/10 clients come back because they LIKE working with YOU- not because they aren't smart enough to go do it on their own (OR- big OR- they are admittedly lacking in self motivation- and won't do it without you)0 -
If you're straining with the bar, then yeah you should use lower weight to begin with. If not, you should get started with the big lifts.
Also, plenty of people use goblet squats as assistance work to improve their barbell squats. No shame in that, but if you don't need it, then... you don't need it. lol
Also, I don't believe you need a personal trainer. They are there to provide motivation, and make a plan for you. You already have both, so what are you going to be paying them for?
Goblet squats. That's what she called them.
What am I paying her for? I'm not. It was a pre-paid package of 5 sessions, which I've been regretting ever since. I'm trying to make the most of it and learn what I can. Initially, I told them that I ONLY wanted help with forms for compound lifts; in their convoluted way, they agreed to give me a "plan" to get me there. I see that, now. Hind-sight being 20/20, I would've been more adamant about eliciting an explicit response from them before hiring them.
Do I think I'm wasting money? Not completely. I feel like I'll be using barbells soon enough, because I will put myself on them. It has definitely given me confidence in my form for when I do begin lifting, again. Am I frustrated that I feel duped? Sure. Who wouldn't? No one likes being sold something they didn't really need/want.
Anyway...I suppose it's really a moot point, if I intend to do my own thing in 2 more sessions, anyway.
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I've told you several times to fire her. This isn't the first time you've complained about her. It's obviously not a good fit.
Can't. Pre-paid "training package."0 -
Ummm, build strength before doing compound exercises? I can lift some fairly heavy iron and I started out doing compound exercises from the beginning. Start out with a weight you can lift safely and progress from there
Everyone is a "trainer" now a days...
Go out and do your own research, figure out how your body responds and become your own trainer.0 -
I've told you several times to fire her. This isn't the first time you've complained about her. It's obviously not a good fit.
Can't. Pre-paid "training package."
other trainers at your gym?
switch trainers.0 -
Your trainer sounds like an idiot.
If you aren't strong enough to lift the bar- you can still train with a smaller bar- or a PVC pipe.
There is absolutely unquestionably almost no reason outside physical medical limitations for someone to NOT learn to do proper compound lift barbell work.
Fire her immediately.
Well, I think it may be motivated more by money, honestly. (More training sessions = more money). That's why I'm asking if there's validity to these claims. I also considered that she might have a point in practicing form on low weights first, so I don't hurt myself.
You hit the nail on the head most probably. Your form is important, but you can hurt yourself with bad form and kettlebells too, and you can do just as low weight with a barbell or dumbbells. If she isn't wanting to do what you want her to, maybe you should get a new trainer. You also can start with machines first. There is really no good reason to "build strength before you build strength" unless you are too weak to lift the lowest weights, you are lifting kettlebells now so that does not seem valid...
Lol, yeah..."building strength before I build strength" sounded silly to me, as well.0 -
I've told you several times to fire her. This isn't the first time you've complained about her. It's obviously not a good fit.
Can't. Pre-paid "training package."
You can tell her to change your routine. Go to the gym management if she doesn't...remember, while you are at the gym with her, she is being paid (by you) to help you reach the goals you want to reach.0 -
I tend to agree with some of what others have written here, but until we know what your goals are, then we're all just sort of shooting in the dark.
Secondly, does she have a kettlebell trainer's certification? Does she have a bias towards kettlebells?
Goal: lose 10% BF and eventually gain muscle.
No. She really likes lifting, I thought. That's why SHE was the one recommended to me.0 -
You asked for something specific. She gave you something else. She's a terrible trainer, in that regard. Knowing you wanted specifically barbell training, she should have at least tested you out with a barbell. If things were really bad, then she'd be right to have you start with something else. But she really needed to work with you out of the gate on barbells.What am I paying her for? I'm not. It was a pre-paid package of 5 sessions,
Um, that means that yes, you are paying her. Or you already did, more specifically.0 -
Hmm - my first trainer was reluctant to go anywhere near the weights room despite me informing her that's what I wanted to do. I found one that did and we have been working happily together now for more than 2 years. Time to move on.
That's the plan. If I decide to hire another trainer, it won't be a commercial chain trainer. It will be one who specializes in competition training.0 -
I tend to agree with some of what others have written here, but until we know what your goals are, then we're all just sort of shooting in the dark.
Secondly, does she have a kettlebell trainer's certification? Does she have a bias towards kettlebells?
Goal: lose 10% BF and eventually gain muscle.
No. She really likes lifting, I thought. That's why SHE was the one recommended to me.
but lifting kettlebells is NOT barbell training0 -
If she is good she will make sure you have great form and walk you thru it. She is trying to get money out of you. Hell I can give you internet routines that do what she wants you to start with. I would tell her that. Call her on her bluff.0
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Well, I think it may be motivated more by money, honestly. (More training sessions = more money). That's why I'm asking if there's validity to these claims. I also considered that she might have a point in practicing form on low weights first, so I don't hurt myself.
I was a trainer (technically still am)
I taught barbell training. if your client likes you- they will keep coming back for a variety of other reasons- but so what- they go out and get strong with out you? someone else will be along to fill their gap.
9/10 clients come back because they LIKE working with YOU- not because they aren't smart enough to go do it on their own (OR- big OR- they are admittedly lacking in self motivation- and won't do it without you)
Right. I liked her training manager, and, honestly, she is nice and has helped me, BUT I don't feel like either of them are willing to do what I initially asked them. Too little, too late, now.0 -
Dirty little secret in those commercial gyms is that they don't have the freedom to give you any kind of program. Their bosses have a list of programs to give and that's it. Your trainer might legitimately be sold on the idea that you can't lift a barbell until you can swing a kettle-bell *cough cough BULL**** cough cough* but more likely you're just getting a story to justify why you can only be shown this instead.0
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