Trainer says not to start lifting.... Recommends boot camp style workouts
Galonamission81
Posts: 62 Member
Hi all,
I met with a trainer last week. After reading a lot of information about lifting programs.. I decided to get " the new rules of lifting for women". I was wound right up, and brought it along to my first session with my new " trainer" at this new super convenient gym close to home.
I showed him what I wanted to try, and brought my new book along.
He said, it's pretty outdated. And then suggested I do the boot camp sessions that they have 3x per week ( 1 hour classes). He said, first try these for 4 weeks and then we can talk again in a month to see about switching it up after that.
So I went ahead and tried the boot camp class. It completely kicked my butt. we completed a list of 20 things like (15 burpees, lunge walking the length of gym & back with 30 lbs, squat presses with 30 lbs, Russian twists, sprinting, ab wheels, etc, etc)
What I'd like to ask is this.... Do you think it's more beneficial to start lifting after you're more fit?
I've got about 30 lbs to lose.
I met with a trainer last week. After reading a lot of information about lifting programs.. I decided to get " the new rules of lifting for women". I was wound right up, and brought it along to my first session with my new " trainer" at this new super convenient gym close to home.
I showed him what I wanted to try, and brought my new book along.
He said, it's pretty outdated. And then suggested I do the boot camp sessions that they have 3x per week ( 1 hour classes). He said, first try these for 4 weeks and then we can talk again in a month to see about switching it up after that.
So I went ahead and tried the boot camp class. It completely kicked my butt. we completed a list of 20 things like (15 burpees, lunge walking the length of gym & back with 30 lbs, squat presses with 30 lbs, Russian twists, sprinting, ab wheels, etc, etc)
What I'd like to ask is this.... Do you think it's more beneficial to start lifting after you're more fit?
I've got about 30 lbs to lose.
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Replies
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Your trainer is an idiot.
Get a new one.
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I don't understand why your trainer suggested this. It sounds backwards.
Do you have an injury or medical condition that you haven't mentioned? ( you do not have to disclose that info unless you want to )
If you have no medical reason why you shouldn't lift right now, then I would fire your trainer and go ahead and begin that program. I've done it myself. Its great0 -
The sooner you start lifting, the better! CPT here lol0
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I agree that there is no point in waiting to start lifting if that is where your interest and enthusiasm is. I personally like to combine the two. I weight train 3 times a week and do boot camp style classes once or twice a week. I consider them my cardio. I have been doing this for over 2 years though. I started with the classes but only because weight training hadn't occuted to me at that point.
My advice is to do whatever exercise you want to do - whatever you think you'll most enjoy and stick with.0 -
amyrebeccah wrote: »There's probably nothing wrong with the boot camp classes, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a profit motive there. You're paying for the classes, I assume. Once he trains you on the lifts, I'm sure he's anticipating that you won't have as much need for him.
This is likely the reason. Another possibility is that the trainer doesn't know how to lift, but it's likely about money. A lot of trainers seem reluctant to instruct people how to be self-sufficient at working out.
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Well I'm thinking the class is good for me .. And it will definitely help to get me fit. Maybe I'll buy the equipment necessary and try lifting at home in a months time!0
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Thanks all. I really appreciate the input!!0
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Well I absolutely love my Boot Camp classes - they whoop my a@@ something fierce. But if I am honest with myself - some heavy lifting would get me more of the look I'd like to achieve. I just like the classes so much I hate to give them up and by doing the classes I'm lacking the time to do the other stuff. Plus Boot Camp forces me to work hard for an entire hour and left to my own devices I'm kinda a slacker.0
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What are your goals? Are they more focused on overall fitness and weight loss or on building strength? It's likely your trainer made that suggestion based on that.
You could do both. I lift 5 days a week (though not always heavy compound lifts) and do HIIT/boot camp/running classes 4 days a week.0 -
there's nothing wrong with boot camp style classes...every so often I switch my lifting routine to reflect more of a "boot camp" workout when I'm truly training for endurance and stamina for riding events...I focus more on traditional lifting when I'm just riding, but not really training for anything.
You should probably approach this from a fitness goal aspect...you're going to achieve completely different things from a fitness aspect with lifting vs boot camp classes, etc.0 -
Ready2Rock206 wrote: »Well I absolutely love my Boot Camp classes - they whoop my a@@ something fierce. But if I am honest with myself - some heavy lifting would get me more of the look I'd like to achieve. I just like the classes so much I hate to give them up and by doing the classes I'm lacking the time to do the other stuff. Plus Boot Camp forces me to work hard for an entire hour and left to my own devices I'm kinda a slacker.
Oh I think you and I have a lot in common. I definitely thought the class was good for keeping me motivated! I worked so hard I was about 5 mins from throwing up! Lol. I would never push myself like that!!! I felt like the fat kid in gym class which was humbling, to say the least.
As much as I'd love to try the weights.. Being a busy mom of 2 little ones only allows me a very early morning workout. And because this gym is the only one close to home... The boot camps are the option that might work best. I'm going to keep my eye out for some equipment to lift at home.
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What are your goals? Are they more focused on overall fitness and weight loss or on building strength? It's likely your trainer made that suggestion based on that.
You could do both. I lift 5 days a week (though not always heavy compound lifts) and do HIIT/boot camp/running classes 4 days a week.
I would say I'm definitely looking to lose fat. I've been a yo-yo queen my entire adult life and while I was always able to " lose weight" by drastically cutting my calories to 1200. My new goal is to stop the insanity of yo-yo'ing and get back to being fit and being strong! Eating clean, and stopping myself from the notion of getting to ideal weight like a mountain climb; reaching the summit... And jumping off to do it all over again!
So, to answer your question... I want to be overall fit, lose this excess weight and build strength! But I know the biggest hurdle is creating a plan that I can stick with! Maybe constantly switching it up, is the key I'm looking for!
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Saying it's pretty outdated is being disingenuous. The movements in NR have been done since the beginning of weight lifting for health and fitness and are staples for most programs today.
There's nothing wrong with doing both at the same time if you can handle it.
Personally I have my clients start with lifting to build a base. I've seen people who come in sedentary and then try to start off with BC right off the bat and their form is horrible. Chances of injury and bad habits of form are higher too. I'd rather work on form first, build a strength foundation, then ease them into more challenging fitness options.
IMO, it's like throwing someone out in a race car instead of a regular car when learning.
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
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Trainer might not even be familiar with the book. Trainers have different preferences and tendencies for many reasons, not just profit. You can start lifting at any time, you just need a program that geared to your level and progresses you appropriately. Why not do both boot camp and lifting/strength training?0
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I've been doing boot camp style classes for about 3 years now. I absolutely love them. I consider them cardio also. They have definitely helped me get more fit and strong. However...I am now outgrowing them in terms of progressing. So I've just started lifting. I think they both have a place in a good workout regimen.0
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Bootcamp is great, but lifting also has great benefits, why not do both0
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Saying it's pretty outdated is being disingenuous. The movements in NR have been done since the beginning of weight lifting for health and fitness and are staples for most programs today.
There's nothing wrong with doing both at the same time if you can handle it.
Personally I have my clients start with lifting to build a base. I've seen people who come in sedentary and then try to start off with BC right off the bat and their form is horrible. Chances of injury and bad habits of form are higher too. I'd rather work on form first, build a strength foundation, then ease them into more challenging fitness options.
IMO, it's like throwing someone out in a race car instead of a regular car when learning.
This exactly. Learn some basic moves, get a good foundation and then add in boot camp. I am doing NR and I don't find it out dated. I've gained a lot of strength in just three weeks. If buddy won't take a few sessions to help you with form and then set you free, he's just a money grubber and he doesn't deserve your business.0 -
Saying it's pretty outdated is being disingenuous. The movements in NR have been done since the beginning of weight lifting for health and fitness and are staples for most programs today.
There's nothing wrong with doing both at the same time if you can handle it.
Personally I have my clients start with lifting to build a base. I've seen people who come in sedentary and then try to start off with BC right off the bat and their form is horrible. Chances of injury and bad habits of form are higher too. I'd rather work on form first, build a strength foundation, then ease them into more challenging fitness options.
IMO, it's like throwing someone out in a race car instead of a regular car when learning.
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
This is really the most important point. Lifting builds the base so that you can be more effective in a boot camp class.
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amyrebeccah wrote: »There's probably nothing wrong with the boot camp classes, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a profit motive there. You're paying for the classes, I assume. Once he trains you on the lifts, I'm sure he's anticipating that you won't have as much need for him.
Lol at switching a client from one on one to boot camp for profit motives. Double lol at that trainer saying NROL is outdated. As if lifts go out of style like the lapels on men's suits0 -
amyrebeccah wrote: »amyrebeccah wrote: »There's probably nothing wrong with the boot camp classes, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a profit motive there. You're paying for the classes, I assume. Once he trains you on the lifts, I'm sure he's anticipating that you won't have as much need for him.
Lol at switching a client from one on one to boot camp for profit motives. Double lol at that trainer saying NROL is outdated. As if lifts go out of style like the lapels on men's suits
Boot camp classes in perpetuity v. one-on-one for a couple weeks til she learns the lifts. Really that farfetched? Especially when it explains why he would make the latter statement?
1. He doesn't get paid a percentage of the profits from the boot camp
2. There's no guarantee of payments in perpetuity from boot camp goers
3. Training is likely $60-80 per session. Boot camp is $10-15. Even if he got her to only agree to 1 session a week he's ahead of boot camp monies....if he even got a percentage of the boot camp. And at a place like 24 Hour Fitness the group classes are free so there's no money
4. If he's worth a damn as a trainer* it's not hard to convince a potential client that at minimum a one month investment in training is a good idea to get the form and concepts down.** From there there's no reason to think that he might not convert her into an long term client.
5. Think about it in terms of pure economics for yourself. Would you try to convert her to a 2-3 month training package for $1500-2400 paid immediately or would you, for profit motives, not even try that route and instead try to convince her to pay $150 for boot camp and then pray that she stays for 10 months so you can squeak out that same $1500? If I was a trainer I know which way I'd hope the client accepted.
*he's not. Lol@outdated lifts and routines.
**it's not hard because it's the truth
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Galonamission81 wrote: »What I'd like to ask is this.... Do you think it's more beneficial to start lifting after you're more fit?
So there are lots of variables. What you want to achieve, what you told the trainer you want to achieve, what time you have available, what you told the trainer about your preferences and what your current fitness level is.
Notwithstanding the statement about outdated which does suggest an issue, saying that out of context of everything else might not be giving a reasonable representation of what he was saying and how he expressed it.
Equally trainers have their own preferences, in some places you'll get a lift heavy recommendation regardless of your objectives, in others it'll be different.
Lifting and CV work are complementary. If you've told the trainer that you're only available for three sessions per week and your current level of CV fitness is low I can see an argument to improve that before moving onto a wider programme. If you've indicated that your less likely to stick to a prograsmme that would involve doing your CV work outside of the three sessions that might be what's driving the advice. Personally I loathe the idea of classes, but others love that social experience.
As with so many discussions on here, it's not an either/ or situation. Work out how much time you have available, use a combination of resistance and CV training. If you've constrained the advice then I can see some situations where it might be the right answer, given your requirements.
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Your trainer sounds poorly educated and I would find another. With that being said, what are your exercise goals? Weight loss is largely dictated by nutrition, so put that aside as an exercise goal and look beyond that.
With that being said Boot Camp is not bad for improving aerobic fitness, but it's not strength training. I do like that BC challenges people aerobically, it is good in that sense. I don't like that it's kind of a one-size fits all and that's not the case for most people, especially for those that are previously untrained. Those people likely have muscle imbalances and flexibility issues that need to be addressed.0 -
Just to add, there's nothing out dated about New Rules...New Rules uses traditional compound lifts that are the foundation of just about any quality lifting program out there...squats will never be outdated...dead lifts will never be outdated...bench press will never be outdated, etc.
Is it the be all and end all...certainly not, it's a beginner routine...you should outgrow it and move on...but it's a great program to start with...the read itself is worth it, even if you don't do the actual program.
If by outdated he means not enough bro-sci...then he has a point...Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove don't roll with a whole lot of bro-sci...0 -
I'd be a little weary of someone that thinks those lifts are outdated. He's either blowing smoke because he doesn't like to strength train people...or he's poorly educated.
Boot camps are fine if that's what you'd like to do but I'm not sure I'd do it with someone who makes that claim. Plus, he kinda dismissed what you wanted.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »...squats will never be outdated...dead lifts will never be outdated...bench press will never be outdated...
+1
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What part of it was he dismissing? Killer Calories, "Burn more calories while you sleep!", or lifting techniques? First two is over reaching at best (can't tell what rest of the book is about so reserving final judgement). If you are untrained and out off shape, BC sounds like a good place to get started (as you indicated your fits and starts, it's not much of a waste of yours or his time as well as your money). At least he did give you some BS HIIT routine. Good luck.0
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In my experience, trainers at commercial gyms are not the best to go to for lifting advice. Out of 5 or 6 at my gym, there is only one who actually lifts and I only know it because I have seen him squatting, deadlifting and doing cleans. Most of the other trainers have people doing cardio drills with little dumbbells.
If you really want to start lifting, all the information you need is on the internet.0 -
If you are untrained and out off shape, BC sounds like a good place to get started
On the contrary, BC is probably the worst place to start if you are untrained. She needs a movement assessment done by a trainer that has a clue and develop some mobility and strength and then maybe after 4 weeks or so take-on something like BC as an addition to strength-training. I would hate to see somebody hurt themselves in BC if their body is not ready for it. BC is a lot like CrossFit minus the lifting; well... some weights are used in BC depending on the coach.0 -
ideas for inexpensive equipment that can be used at home for lifting.... empty gallon size milk jugs filled with sand or rocks or water... make great cheap yet useful weights if you want to start with those before buying more expensive ones...0
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Galonamission81 wrote: »Hi all,
I met with a trainer last week. After reading a lot of information about lifting programs.. I decided to get " the new rules of lifting for women". I was wound right up, and brought it along to my first session with my new " trainer" at this new super convenient gym close to home.
I showed him what I wanted to try, and brought my new book along.
He said, it's pretty outdated. And then suggested I do the boot camp sessions that they have 3x per week ( 1 hour classes). He said, first try these for 4 weeks and then we can talk again in a month to see about switching it up after that.
So I went ahead and tried the boot camp class. It completely kicked my butt. we completed a list of 20 things like (15 burpees, lunge walking the length of gym & back with 30 lbs, squat presses with 30 lbs, Russian twists, sprinting, ab wheels, etc, etc)
What I'd like to ask is this.... Do you think it's more beneficial to start lifting after you're more fit?
I've got about 30 lbs to lose.
I started with circuit training and progressed into SL5x5 after reading the forums and learning about the benefits of compound lifting.
I love circuit training. I maintain good form and try to beat my time. I have learned that increased resistance can help you progress. So, if you enjoy BC, do it! It definitely helps burn calories.
I also am learning how compound lifts are best for overall strength and hitting more muscle groups. This is a whole different challenge from circuit training. It can wipe you out in a different way. I see it like a HIT as that I give it my all then rest and repeat... It can help you maintain lean body mass as well.
My foundation is now compound lifting with accessories to keep it interesting. I still throw circuits in for fun.0
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