When Exercising Right Looks Wrong

For most of us we live in a black and white world. Good vs. evil, right vs. wrong. For a few of us the shade of grey is more appealing. In the world of fitness and exercise most people, novice and advanced exercisers (athletes) there is generally a correct and incorrect way to exercise. Just as in any other specialty or business there is much research that goes into doing the right thing from the wrong thing. There are consequences from doing the wrong thing and rewards from doing the right thing.

In fitness and exercise there are a scant few of us that understand the right way to exercise from the wrong way to exercise. Much research is done and continues to be done and interpreted on the correct way to exercise, the beast way to fire the muscle or the fastest way to burn fat. But there is a very scary reality at play here. There is so much miss-information and so many accepted ways to do things, the wrong way, that when you see people doing the proper exercises it looks wrong to you.

But you are not at fault. Coaches, Trainers and other people that should know better have swayed you to the dark side. A thought process called gym science prevails. Gym science is not science at all, it simply states that if that fit or pretty person over there is doing that exercise it must work, never mind that the exercise they are performing is dangerous and injurious. To further sway your thought process exercise machine manufactures continue to make new and fancy machines to place in the gym or your home. These machines generally force you to move in a specific pattern, this pattern conversely is horribly damaging to your joints and is posturally inefficient. Why do we continue to recommend the same exercises that hurt us.

It shock's me that Personal Trainers continue to recommend dangerous exercises to random people in the gym with absolutely no regard for the consequences of those exercises. There is not a day that goes by that I do not have people in the gym stare at me performing "correct" exercises. I must look like an alien, what strange exercise am I performing on one leg. Why am I not jerking the weight or using momentum, or swinging. Why do I never use the seated machines but I sure hog the cable machines that allow me to stand and do not control my movements, I control my movements. Right exercise is so right it looks wrong.

Yet for some reason trainers do not keep up with science and research. Only a few certifications require any con-ed and much of it is through that certifying company. If you are a trainer reading this, read. Read anything and everything pertaining to fitness, wellness, biomechanics and kinesiology. It must be research based and unbiased studies and articles from experts in their field. Go to seminars often. Muscle and Fitness, Men's health and Self do not count. If you are an exerciser or athlete try to find a trainer with current certifications that require con-ed, preferably a four year degree and when in doubt ask for references or a resume. Go online and research that trainers fitness certification.

I challenge everyone to open up to new exercises, we open ourselves to new technology daily. Technology has allowed us to better understand the body and what exercises are safe and effective vs. what we did in the past with no real reason why, but hey that big guy did it so it must work!

Bryan Fass, BA, ATCL, CSCS, NREMT-P

Bryan Fass holds a bachelors in sports medicine, is a Certified / Licensed Athletic Trainer, Nationally Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Nationally Registered Paramedic. Bryan is also a highly skilled soft tissue and Myofascial Release therapist, And has over 10 years of experience in clinical and fitness settings.

Precision Fitness is an advanced personal fitness, corrective exercise, post-rehabilitation, and sports performance facility with locations in Cornelius and Mooresville. http://www.lakenormanfitness.com

---

Core Strength Limits Arm and Leg Power

Core training has become such a hot topic in the... Read More

Yoga

Yoga traditionally conjures up images of long hair, loin cloths... Read More

Metabolism: How to Increase Your Metabolic Rate?

Metabolism is a process by which the body burns the... Read More

Rotator Cuff: Exercises and Strategies to Prevent Injury

Have you ever experienced a dull ache or sharp pain... Read More

Arthritis Exercise for All Levels

Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving... Read More

The Power Workout:

Scenario: I really want to get in shape, but I... Read More

Essential Power Walking Tips

Ever since I took a power walking class in college,... Read More

6 Things A Norwegian Fable Teaches Us About Healthy Perseverance Part 1

Author, H. Besser, in his book, "Perseverance: How To Develop... Read More

5 Mistakes People Makes When Doing a Workout Program

When you start out with a workout program - whether... Read More

Double Calories Burned With Five Minutes Of Exercise Each Morning!

Recent studies have shown that if you perform just five... Read More

2-Minute Fitness

Why would I want to write about yet another fitness... Read More

Forget Exercise - Go Play

Can't seem to get the energy or motivation to exercise?... Read More

How to Keep Your Body Fit

Fitness is just as imperative as health. As a matter... Read More

Why You Should Learn Tai Chi

Learning Tai ChiTai Chi combines movement, meditation and breathing, to... Read More

Speed Training With Intensity - Bound To Get Faster

Bounding can be a great addition to your high intensity... Read More

Warming Up Properly

In our 'Stretching' article series , we discussed why it's... Read More

Exercise and Diet ? For Your Waistline

Caring for your body is the most important thing you... Read More

Bodybuilding Training Tips ? To be a Champion!

Twenty two years ago I fell into the world of... Read More

Fitness Focus: Overcoming Obstacles

If you're like me, the quest to be in shape,... Read More

The Different Types of Treadmills

When we usually think of treadmills, we tend to think... Read More

The Two Greatest Myths About Abdominal Exercises

If you have ever read a fitness magazine...If you have... Read More

Recognize Your Motivation to Exercise

The positive effects of exercise have been documented and reported... Read More

Movement That Matters: Exercise With a Greater Purpose

You've seen the commercials Ive fallen and I cant get... Read More

Precision Abdominal Training

It's almost impossible to turn on the television or open... Read More

Exercise and Losing Weight for Life ? Avoid the #1 Mistake Everyone Makes!

Do you ever feel like you are working out so... Read More

Who Else Wants To Get In Shape in 35 Minutes?

Most of the physical fitness trainers, and coaches agree that... Read More

The Cool Down - Recover Faster & Avoid Injury!

Many people dismiss the cool down as a waste of... Read More

Exercising for life ? The magic is in the synergy!

Synergy: the working together of two or more things, people,... Read More

Exercising In Heat

Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your... Read More

No Time For The Gym?

As you have undoubtedly heard, college students around the country... Read More

Have a Detailed Exercise Plan Before Training

You would never build a house without a site plan,... Read More

Discover the Best Weight Loss Exercise Ever!

The Best Weight Loss ExerciseThe exercise the experts are keeping... Read More

After WLS: Walking for Wellness

Step for step, mile for mile, walking is the best... Read More