Workout

I'm not a TV junkie. I have a ton of shows on my DVR that I have to catch up on. The only time I'll really sit in front of the TV these days is to watch the Celtics make every series a seven game series. Other than that, there's not much I watch. So last night, I had some time and wanted to catch up on my DVR action. I especially wanted to catch up on Bravo's Workout. Have you seen this show? There's something about this show that makes it one of the only TV shows I'll take time to watch. Do I watch it because there are a couple of hot chicks on the show? Yes. Do I watch it because the shows main character is absolutely crazy? Yes. Do I watch it because Beverly Hills is every thing Boston is not? Yes. But one reason I definitely do not watch this show for is to learn anything about "working out".

I watch some of the crap that these trainers put these clients through and am just dumbfounded. And these clients are not paying your average $75-$85 per session. I bet you they're paying close to $200 per session. Last night, I was watching an old episode where this woman who was about 100 pounds overweight with a sprained ankle was being forced to run through thick sand. What? This woman's ankle could barely hold her up on solid land and now you're going to make her run through thick sand. And then when she breaks down in tears because her ankle hurts so bad you're going to scream at here and call her weak? Ridiculous. As a trainer, I'm embarrassed because it's this type of illogical training or big headed trainer who give the training industry a bad rap. These type of trainers are all about making their client sore. These trainers think it's funny when their clients run to the bathroom to puke. These trainers think the workout is all about them and show no regard for the client. I have friends or clients of mine who think this what my job or role as a trainer is. They couldn't be more wrong. Do I want to get results for all of my clients? Yes. Do have to beat them up or cripple them with soreness to do so? No. If you really want to know what my job is like, take everything you see on that show it and flip it around 180 degrees. Or if you're a reality TV junkie tune into Bravo next Tuesday @10pm.

Exercise of the Week: Pronated Grip Low Row

Artificial Sweeteners

Remember all the hype about Splenda a couple of years back? People claimed it was better for you than Equal. Some people said it wasn't artificial. They said it was natural. Well as bad as sugar intake may be for you, substituting artificial sweeteners such as Equal and Spendla may not be any better for you. Take a look at this article:

http://www.truthaboutabs.com/artificial-sweeteners-natural-stevia.html

Have great Memorial Day weekend!!

My Top Five....

...Worst Machines Found in a Gym.

1. Seated Leg Press. Usually results in too much rounding of the lower back.
2. Rotary Torso Machine. Creates too much rotation at the lumbar spine.
3. Ab Crunch Machine. Crunches are not suited for most individuals. Machine crunches are not suited for any one.
4. Back Extension Machine. Too much hyperextension of the lumbar spine.
5. Smith Machine. Nothing natural about any movement performed on this piece.
   

What's the Rush?

I see it all the time and it drives me crazy. People are in such a rush to lose weight, lean out or get stronger that they go straight to Point C with out stopping at Point A or B. This particularly frustrates me when I see people doing exercises because they look cool or are different. They do not set a base level. It's like putting up the frame of a house before pouring the foundation. Or putting in the windows before there is a frame. I am not a home builder, but to me there were a couple steps skipped there and it seems pretty illogical. So why then are people standing on Bosu Balls performing an overhead press when they can not even do it standing on solid ground? Why are they doing the BirdDog kneeling on two foam rollers when 50% of people can not even do it correctly on the floor? Why are kids underneath a barbell when they can not even do 10 push ups correctly? Because none of that is cool. None of that is different. The only thing these people are doing is setting themselves up for failure in the long run. Think about setting the foundation first. You have time. The world is not coming to an end tomorrow....I think.

RichRuff Training Exercise of the Week: Barbell Push Press

Manny Being Manny

Manny Ramirez never seems to amaze me. Just when I thought I've seen it all from him, he goes and does the ridiculous again.



High fiving a fan in the middle of a double play....ridiculous!!

Too Soft

I wrote a post last week about all these 18 year old guys coming to me and looking for ways to pack on some size and some strength. I stressed that results have to be worked for. They're not going to be handed out and there's no magical solution. The more I thought about, this concept applies to ANY ONE looking for results. As trainers and trainees, sometimes I think we're too soft or too easy on our clients or ourselves. I hear it and see it all the time. Just because you've showed up at the gym you're supposed to get something out of it. Or maybe just because you did a half hour on the treadmill at a turtles pace, you're going to shed some pounds. Or may be you got in a whopping two hours of exercise of the course of the week (Just so you know, there's 168 hours in the week). I'm sorry people, but that is not going to cut it. Just like those skinny 18 year old hormone machines, you have to work to get some results out of your training program. Just because you showed up, followed your program and moved a few weights around is not enough. Why don't you have to work as hard as that 18 year old if you both want results? Because you're old? Poor excuse. Everyone has their limits and and different level of what may be hard. Find yours and get there.

RichRuff Training Exercise of the Week: Neutral Grip Pull Up

One of many different chin or pull up variations. "Changing the exercise, yet keeping it the same". Also, you'll see my client using an X-Vest loaded with 20lbs.

It's Not Magic

It must be getting close to beach season. Or shirt off season. I can not tell you how many emails I've gotten from guys in the last four weeks who are looking to "bulk up". And I think just about every one of these guys was between 14-18 years old. They're tired of being scrawny. Or tired of being weak. Or tired of being shot down by every girl they ask out. They all want to be "buff" (if any one ever tells me again they want to be "buff, do not be surprised if i do not respond to your email). And they all think there's some magic solution. Or they think I can give them a couple of exercises or recommend some new supplement and VOILA!! They look like Nick Lachey from his 98 Degrees days. Well, it's going to take more than a few new exercises and and a Met-RX shake. It takes hard work. It takes lifting 3-4 days per week. It takes doing exercises that you hate because they're so exhausting. It takes moving heavy weight. It takes getting rid of your Cocoa Crisp for breakfast. There's no magic to it. You have to work for it.

Think about this. Hard work on a lousy program will always get better results than little or no effort on a great program. Now imagine the results if you worked hard on a great program. The chicks would be chasing you down.