Workouts Putting You at Risk?
Sunday, May 31st, 2009There’s debate over just about everything in the fitness trainer’s world. What should be done in what order, and how can that be used to benefit the client the most?
This week’s question has been “what about core training vs. abdominal training?” Personally, I have been teaching core/abdominal classes by the name “Awesome Abs” at my place of employment for around two years. For a while I was teaching eight classes a week, and I was sure my body couldnt take any more at one point. Let’s just say I forced myself into injury by taking on that many classes. Doing abdominal work forces the spine into constant flexion, and that’s where I found my injury. Luckily I’ve come to know my body well and am all about preventative care; the injury still needs some work, but it will not have me down and out of training. I’m not against a bit of core training, but I am completely against working the core to work the abdominals.
Think about it a minute. Working the abdominals IS NOT going to give spot results. If there is ANY excess of body fat to still be worked off the body, then I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT recommend working the abdominals alone. Abdominal exercises, like any other exercise, will work the muscles, tear the fibers, and promote growth in the muscle. This would make a heavy person appear thicker in the midsection. Does that make sense?
Core work is by no means the same thing, especially if we focus in on balance training. Why are we built in the core area the way we are? Do you not think that the muscles go in all directions to work as anything other than stabilizers of the body, especially of the spine? Why then would we want to jeopardize our core by working it to exhaustion? Why would we want to build up strength rather than increase our stabilization skills? Could you imagine what would happen to my classes had I dropped all abdominal work and started completely doing core and balance training? Our members would be at a gain, but they’d all be disappointed.
The truth remains that we should be working our core/abdominal muscles throughout our entire exercise routine to keep good posture. One of my biggest pet peeves when teaching an “Awesome Abs” class is when the members/students would do the class first or in the middle of their workout simple because they came late or couldnt wait for the next one. That is no excuse to jeopardize the rest of your workout. The core needs to be able to stabilize the body throughout the whole workout to optimize strength gains. The truth remains that most do not yet understand the importance of tightening the core muscles throughout exercises.
One more thing. I watch guys in the gym working inappropriately on strength and power lifting all the time. I am one to not be afraid to ask them what they are training for and continue to ask questions. Some say I am a true personal trainer at heart with all the questions I ask. But, I have more concern for them then possibly gaining another client. If youre not sure how to train appropriately, then I recommend hiring a trainer for a few days a week for a few weeks. It may cost a few pretty pennies, but go in with a list of questions and get your monies worth! I highly recommend it. The first few sessions are the most important, especially if the client does not have any background in exercise and training.
NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!
The body isnt made to last forever. Sorry to tell everyone that, but it is true! My mother tells me that if I am training to improve my health so that I can spread the word of God longer and stronger, then she will not stand against me in my training endeavors. But, I know there’s no good for some of these guys to train the way they do or even some of the gals that do cardio 24-7. Some of them could be killing themselves with their training and for what good?
I’d like to introduce you to another home of mine: http://faithfamilyfitness.blogspot.com/. It is there that I would like for more to get involved. I’ve learned that many here on Bodyspace are followers of Christ. It pleases me to get long messages filled with faith and thanks for what I am doing here. I am surprised daily with confirmations from God of the wonders He is doing through my life. The biggest surprises come from people I have never met who come into my work and see me display my love of Christ through my actions, and not my words.
The Faith, Family & Fitness group is taking a new challenge starting tomorrow. We are taking on the 90 day Bible challenge. More can be found at http://faithfamilyfitness.blogspot.com/, and we will be starting by reading through Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 16:16 tomorrow (June 1st). If you’d like to join us, do not be afraid to read at your own pace. Further information of the 90 day reading can also be found at http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&gid=2 [download the Bookmark (.pdf)]. Also, I recommend the use of http://www.biblegateway.com/ which can be used to listen to the Bible while reading along.
Hope you all are doing well. Prayer requests are welcome here, but they are preferred on http://faithfamilyfitness.blogspot.com/. Please keep my own family in your prayers as my father’s medical files have been recently changed to include a “DNR” after the doctors have insisted, because his tumor above his brainstem is inoperable in his condition and is now the size of an orange or grapefruit. It could be days, it could be weeks, it could be months, but the Lord is calling him home.
Many thanks to all of you! Stay strong in your worthy pursuits!
Sara
Update: With the many requests, here is both twitter and myspace links to keep in contact and up to date!
https://twitter.com/SaraZimmerman
http://www.myspace.com/sarazimmerman
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