Anyone who has been in the fitness/health industry for more than a couple of years can attest to the fads that permeate the industry. After obtaining my undergrad degree from UC Irvine, I worked for several running and cycling retailers and manufacturers. From the inside I was able to witness some crazy inventions that were marketed as the "next great" thing. Some of the highlights were the Quintana Roo Redstone, Cannondale Headshok, Z Coil, Nike Shox, Reebok Pump, and Adidas Feet You Wear (though, in fairness, the Feet You Wear was a brilliant concept for running and tennis shoes that retailers and customers failed to understand...too bad).
Then several years ago I became a CSCS through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The CSCS exam is known as the most difficult in the fitness industry (I have been told that the pass rate is only around 40% of test-takers). The exam called on a great breadth of knowledge from endurance sports to skill sports to strength sports to geriatric activities to powerlifting to periodization. It is difficult to find a collegiate or professional sports team strength coach who does not have a CSCS certificate. Similarly, a large number of sports medicine doctors and therapists have obtained the certificate. Just as it is a great way for a doctor to differentiate his/herself from less athletic peers, personal trainers can use the CSCS to demonstrate their superior knowledge over their peers. Seeking a trainer or coach with a CSCS is a great way of screening the potentially good from the probably bad.
Some of the workout fads I have witnessed are Bikram yoga, Pilates, Curves and pole dancing. A current "fad" in exercise is CrossFit. I don't mean to be demeaning--I actually am a fan of the types of exercises that CrossFit incorporates. What I like about it is the emphasis on closed-chain exercises and the embargo of machines. I think it is fantastic for general fitness, though it is not the sort of program I would recommend for a competitive athlete.
What is my point? Well, before you embark on your fitness journey, set a fitness goal. Define what you hope to achieve and why. A jogger has different needs than a surfer who has different needs thant a Cat 1 cyclist who has different needs than a rock climber. For most of America, simply beginning a fitness routine, any fitness routine, would be a great step in the right direction. But an athlete needs a workout routine specific to his/her sport. In my opinion, no one needs to perform Olympic weight lifting exercises other than Olympic weight lifters. A person's exercises should mimic his/her daily or athletic activities.
What if you don't want to hire a coach or a trainer? Read, a lot! Regardless of your sport or level of activity, start with the "father of periodization", Tudor Bompa. All runners should read Jack Daniels and Timothy Noakes. Cyclists and triathletes should try Joel Friel. Swimmers should.....well, swimmers should join a masters swim group.
One piece of advice I can give to all athletes and fitness enthusiasts is to "mix it up". Do not do the same workout two days in a row, two weeks in a row or two months in a row. Many weight lifters think it is adequate to break lifting into chest, back and leg exercises. Try occasionally splitting exercises into flexion days and extension days; internal rotation and external rotation days. Sometimes lift weights before you swim, sometimes after. Sometimes swim-bike-run, sometimes bike-swim-run. Whatever you do, constantly change it up. Variety really is the spice of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment