Health And General Life Care: [Supertraining] Re: Free weights versus machine weights

Gordon,

I am not confusing the two. I believe I said that you obviously are very passinate about your beliefs in training and I meant that. I don't think that you, personally, are an arrogant person (although we've never met). I appologize if that was the message you got . However, in your post you seemed to paint any trainers in commercial gyms as lazy/poorly trained for using machines with their clients. It BORDERS on arrogance when you basically right off an entire group of people because they don't share your ideas. I have dealt with many very good trainiers who are just as passionate about their chosen field as you and work in commercial gyms. Depending on their clients needs many of them will incorperate machines and free weights in program design. Does that make them lazy or poorly trained? Not necessarily. Of course there are gyms and trainers intersted only in padding their wallet. That happens everywhere. But there are many very good people in both areas who have
different ideas about training. that dosen't make them less qualified.
Let me clarify my position. I am not employed by a commercial gym. The involvement I have in the fitness industry is through my work as a tactical officer. I co-ordinate the physical testing and training for my unit. My certifications did not come from the web. I actually did and do attend classes and workshops to broaden my knowledge base. I don't get paid extra for this I do it because it is what has interested me for upwards of 30 years.
Are free weights better for athletes and those who are more than novices. Very likely. Does that mean I would instruct someone to never use any machine? No. Heck I'm very much a proponent of bodyweight exercises. Lord knows when I run the guys in my unit through a training day of only body weight exercises the majority of them are amazed at the workout they get... and reminded of it for a couple days when DOMs sets in. These are guys who are not your average donut scarfing cops but highly motivated Type A personalities who have a pretty good background in training.
I think you would find there are quite a few people on this group who may not contribute much to the discussions but are here to draw as much as they can from the posts to enable them to enhance their abilities as trainers or, as happens with me frequently, point them in the direction to research topics broached here. Some of these silent group members be are likely trainers at commercial gyms, and while they may not speak up, they might be somewhat offended by the stereotyping of them.
I don't think your intent was to insult anyone. Sometimes passion clouds our ability to make a point without considering the words we use to convey it. God knows I've been guilty of that.
At any rate, as you can see I've rambled on here for a while. I guess its my passion too.

Lee Robillard
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada.

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gordon waddell <g_k_waddell@hotmail.com> wrote:
Lee,

Please do not confuse PASSION with arrogance. Arrogance is when someone is headstrong and not willing to learn or accept change; and that is NOT me. I love to learn and that is why I asked for any peer reviewed studies or names of world class athletes / coaches who prefer machine training. If they were provided and sound I would have to change my thinking.

I am extremely PASSIONATE about what I do and I just want everyone in the field to be as committed as I am. (I know that will never happen). As always, I am stating my opinions about the quality of training I see in commercial gyms. I base this opinion on experience and trying to follow the coaches / trainers/ therapists I look to as mentors and leader's in the industry (it just so happens they don't train on machines- I don't think this is a coincidence).

From the majority of the feedback I have read, most people are in agreement with me. I guess I never considered that there would be poorly educated / skilled trainers / coaches on this site. The level of the information is so great, I just assumed that everyone was above the basic gym floor trainer in knowledge and skills.

I am not arrogant but I do hold to my opinions for I rarely see good program design and exercise instruction in commercial gyms. I want to elevate our industry but that will never happen as long as clubs promote bad training on useless equipment just to make a profit! I want all clubs to require highly skilled trainers with college degrees & high level certifications – not some online multiple choice exam!!!

I think the majority of the folks here will agree with me for they are just as devoted or more so than I am and we all want to see our industry gain the respect it deserves.

I used the test from Alwyn Cosgrove just to prove a point about the low level of knowledge and skill I was forced to deal with on a daily basis (of course I would call the police). The worst part is the GM and owner would not allow me to even teach the trainers good info for it may take them away from their time to sell training to people.

The only way we will ever change the industry is to start from within and not use junk equipment and poor training just because it is easy or time efficient.
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