Kettlebells Suck! Hallelujah!

I never did jump on the kettlebell bandwagon. I've always used dumbbells, barbells, cables, and selective machines. All I've been hearing lately is, "Do you train with kettlebells? Oh, no? Well, I train with kettlebells!" To me, it's a fad to make a workout more "special." To differentiate themselves, trainers are falling for it everywhere. Well, folks, a gentleman over at www.skinnybulkup.com wrote the article I would love to have written. He feels how I feel. To sum it up, kettlebells aren't safe for the average person. Everything you need to get strong and lean - safely - can be done with traditional free weights and machines. If you don't think your workout is "hard" enough (therefore requiring kettlebells), come talk to me. Ask, and ye shall receive!

Check out the article below:

http://skinnybulkup.com/kettlebells-are-inferior-to-dumbbells/

5 Things to Look For Before Hiring a Personal Trainer!

5 Things to Look For Before Hiring a Personal Trainer!

What should you look for in a personal trainer? How do you know if they're any good, or even know what they're talking about? Perhaps you're one of the many lucky people who have fallen victim to deceptive salespeople. I know it happens all the time at the big commercial gyms. I watched it for over a year. They employ and train smooth-talking smokers that eat double Whoppers with cheese for lunch everyday in the breakroom (where you can't see them) and have the bellies to show for it. Yet, for some reason, people still fall victim to their schtick. And then they start training with a trainer - who costs twice as much as me - that has them do 4 sets of 20 lunges carrying 25 lb. dumbbells during their first session (so you know they can kick your a$$, "'cuz that's what you want," right!?), leaving you so sore you can't walk or sit down on the toilet for 2 weeks. Sound like fun? Too bad it's a true story. People get duped into training with complete morons all the time, and it's these morons that make well-educated trainers who get fantastic & consistent results (ahem, ME) look bad. And I don't like to look bad, so...

Here are 5 things to look for while shopping for a good personal trainer:

1. Proof. What certifications and/or degrees does your trainer have to prove they have what it takes to train you in a safe and effective manner? Look for someone with a bachelor's degree (or higher) in physical education or exercise science. Next, look for a personal training certification that is DIFFICULT to get, or even requires a 4 year degree to attempt the written test. The top three certification associations are the NSCA, ACSM, and NASM. That's the National Strength and Conditioning Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I have a B.S. in exercise science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and three professional certifications. I am a Certified Personal Trainer with both the NSCA and NASM, and have a Performance Enhancement Specialist certification with the NASM. Oh, and I have proof (see the end of this post).  Just so you know, 80% of test takers fail the NSCA-CPT test the first time they take it. And also so you know, I passed mine the first time.

2. Results. Only with experience and time do results manifest themselves. In my 2 1/2 years of training clients professionally I have two women that have lost 100 lbs. or more, 4 women or men who have lost over 20 lbs. in one month, and many more that have improved their cholesterol profile, gained lean body mass, improved posture, core strength, body strength, lowered body fat percentage, and gained confidence by changing the way their body looks. If you're one of my clients and you have experienced any of these positive results, please leave a comment on this post and say so!

3. Compatibility. Simple question: Do you two get along? Can you train with this person long term? Can your trainer hold a simple conversation with you? Or is he/she busy lookin' at the floor...or in the mirror? I look in the mirror all the time. But it's to check your form and posture for error. I have a track record of ZERO injuries. There's a reason for that. I'm digressing, though. Will you and I be compatible? I think so. It's one of my strong suits, and I get great results because of it. If you're not sure about a trainer, ask for an introductory session to see if you'll get along. I offer an introductory session to all of my new clients.

4. Accountability. Does your trainer hold you accountable to achieving results or just take your money? If you've been training with someone for years without any improvement whatsoever, you need to stop training with that person. I'm sorry if he or she is your psychotherapist-on-the-side/best-friend-for-money, but you're supposed to be with them to better your life and your body. Move on if you've been a bump-on-a-log and your trainer in enabling you to continue, well, being a bump! Oh, and for those of you who work out once every two weeks - coming back for a bi-weekly gossip session - it's time to get real. You're getting nowhere - fast. The clients who get the most results with me train at leaset once per week, with a definite increase directly proportional to training frequency. In other words, if you see me more you'll not only be more consistent exercising (safely and progressively), you'll think about making healthier choices when you're out grocery shopping or eating in a restaurant.

5. Honesty. Do you know the real definition of honesty? Honest people think, say, and do everything in a manner that is consistent. It all matches up. This isn't "Do as I say, not as I do." This is "I practice what I preach, and when I fall down - we all do - I pick up the pieces and keep truckin'!" I won't fill you full of hot air. I'll tell you what I think you should be doing, and I will do my best to apply the principles I teach.  I want to be completely transparent because I need your trust. Only through trust will I have a relationship with you that will be productive. So, ask youself - and tell the truth - is your trainer HONEST? If not, come see me.

Oh, and here's my proof I mentioned:

Told you I'm honest.

Have a great rest of the weekend, and Happy Halloween!

P.S. - Those of you training in big commercial gyms or with trainers that cost twice as much as a I do - you may want to rethink that.  I'm just sayin'.  ;-)

Boot Camp Fanatacism

It's all the rage. Boot camp. You pay $10-$20 twice a week and get to exercise in a glorified group exercise class. I'm sure you can already tell I'm not a fan. Let me tell you why.

Changing your body and changing your LIFE is a highly personal and INDIVIDUALIZED endeavor. In my experience, success comes first in the MIND. Change your mind, and change your life.

Sure, I could get a group of 30-50 people together and charge $10-$20 a head. $300-$1000 per hour of work twice a week? Not bad money, right? I'm not going to blow air up your skirt (forgive the phrase) and tell you that I don't like money. I'm human. I need eat, have fun, and have bills to pay - in that order. :-) BUT - I know I can make the biggest difference in a person's life working with them 1-on-1. Mono-a(ee)-mono. Just ask my clients. They'll be the first in line to tell you how their lives have changed in a positive way. Whether it's how they look, feel, eat, or approach their lives with a fresh set of glasses to see through - you just can't beat working together.

Here's my final breakdown of why you should train with a trainer 1-on-1, rather than in a boot camp:

1.) PERSONAL Training - you get personal attention, individualization, and coaching that is specific to your goals and life situation. You get to train when you want to. You are held accountable as an individual.
2.) It's SAFER - One trainer cannot watch 20 people's form at all times. You get hurt and your're out for 2-6 weeks (not losing weight) and it's his or her butt that you're now looking to get compensation from. There's a reason NOT ONE of my clients has been injured while training with me in 3 YEARS. It's my attention to strict form and writing scientifically progressed resistance training programs and cardio done on your own time.
3.) PERSONAL Interaction - I like to hear about my client's lives, their wins, and about their day. "How was your day?" Sometime's hearing that question can MAKE someone's day. You likely won't hear that at boot camp. You'll hear "Move your $&%%!" Once again, in my experience, that kind of treatment is not for the majority of people I work with.
4.) Fitness Level - Do you fancy a heart attack? Not everyone is in the place, fitness wise, to partake in such an intense program. Make sure you are in somewhat decent condition if you start a boot camp. My clients are pushed - but pushed at the level they are currently at, to push them to the next level.
5.) Evaluation - I measure my client's monthly by taking body weight, circumference measurements using a measuring tape, and body fat (if desired). We then make changes and adapt, refocusing our goals and program to achieve the desired result.

Listen, I don't want to discourage you from exercising. Boot camp is better than nothing at all. If you're BROKE and it's an exciting opportunity to you - don't let me bring you down. DO IT. But if you're looking to achieve results THAT LAST and change your LIFE, call ME.

Thanks for listening, and pardon all the capital letters. I got excited. :-)

Take care, and have a GREAT DAY!

Ross
Your COACH who CARES!