Article Link "Why the Fitness Industry is Out of Shape"

Vintage VFer · 10-22-17, 11:23 AM

I was reading the Bobby Whisnand article that Sara1000 linked to about shoulder pain and saw another great article:

http://bobbywhisnand.com/why-the-fit...-out-of-shape/

I agree 100% with all of his points. I've seen the fitness industry change so much in the last 20 years. Newer workouts skip proper warm-ups and cool-downs, there are fewer modifying exercisers, form pointers have gone out the window and cueing is even worse (if that is possible). The worst part is so many instructors ignoring any injuries or limitations an exerciser may have. You just get the disclaimer in the beginning to not do the workout.

I have a few videos that address working with injuries. Thankfully, like most VFers, I know how to modify to suit my issues. Not everyone has that advantage.

millie · 10-22-17, 02:55 PM

Thanks for posting this. I like his number 1: Mis-representation. No one ever gives what the average "achievements" are.

BunnyHop · 10-22-17, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage VFer

... Thankfully, like most VFers, I know how to modify to suit my issues. Not everyone has that advantage.

Thank goodness for that! If I didn't know how to safely modify, I'd never find anything to use.

fanofladyvols · 10-22-17, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyHop

Thank goodness for that! If I didn't know how to safely modify, I'd never find anything to use.

Agreed... Early on, I didn't give myself the freedom to deviate from what was demonstrated.

MathTeacher · 10-23-17, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanofladyvols

Agreed... Early on, I didn't give myself the freedom to deviate from what was demonstrated.

I'm glad I am not the only one.

Indy · 10-23-17, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathTeacher

I'm glad I am not the only one.

Oh Yes - me too. Would not do anything but what the instructor did.

JackieB · 10-23-17, 09:35 AM

Good article. I liked that he addressed chronic pain, body destroying workouts, and instructor qualifications.

Nuggie's Auntie · 10-23-17, 10:16 AM

Totally, totally agree. I do think it's very important to address people's expectations. So many people have WILDLY unrealistic expectations about what exercise--ANY exercise will do for them. I remember many, many years ago, I saw a picture of a fitness model in a magazine who had a really beautiful body. I cut out the picture and put it on the cover of my workout journal for 'inspiration.' At the time, I had absolutely no idea how much effort and specific interventions were required to get a body like that. I was so disappointed that, despite regular, vigorous exercise and a normal healthy diet, I was not achieving that look. In reality, I looked good and had very good results, but unrealistic expectations kept me from appreciating the fruit of my efforts!

I'm really grateful whenever a fitness professional gives a very candid account of their whole lifestyle and how it contributes to their results--ALL their results (not just the visible.) This is how I eat on a typical day. This is how often I have a treat, this is what I do for exercise (which may or may not be what they are promoting/leading.) This is how much activity I get apart from my workouts. This is how much I sleep, this is what my parents and grandparents are like, etc. There are so many factors to how someone responds to exercise. It can really help people--especially young people--understand how to set their own expectations.

Calistro · 10-23-17, 11:57 AM

excellent article!

Paragraphs 4-5 especially resonate with me as I remember when I used to work out hard core, high intensity, high impact and thought I had to keep up with every instructor even though my poor knees were failing me. I felt like I had to go hard or go home and like someone else said I did not give myself permission to deviate or modify as I felt it was cheating.

It was when I started to notice that programmes were becoming more and more high impact I then had to accept I had limitations, which was a struggle, but I had too many knee injuries.

Meanwhile something thing that really annoyed me at that time when I had to accept that my workouts had to change is when Shaun T launched the Insanity commercial, and the some of the comments he made when he said,
"Insanity was not for everybody, it was not for people who are lazy, or people who find excuses"

He then went on to say it was for people who were ready to take their body to peak physical condition.

He mentioned 3 groups of people, the lazy, the excuse maker, and those who wanted peak fitness.

Now I love Shaun T, especially with Hip Hop Abs, but I took offence to those comments. I thought hang on a minute! I am not lazy, I have bad knees!

What about the group with health issues? Why did he not say this programme may not be suitable for people who have health issues? do we not also work out as well or have we become a non entity?

Logically I know his comment is not for me personally, and I should not take it to mean so, but he was addressing a limited group.

Vintage VFer · 10-23-17, 12:20 PM

I had heard that Beachbody's 21 Day Fix was geared to beginners. I finally got to see some of the workouts and about fell over. The first move is a surrender:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPC416qdIZo

Sure, Kat is there to modify, but that is an advanced move that one works up to, not starts out with.

What a horrible decision! What if a newbie is very overweight or has bad knees. WTH?????

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10-22-17, 11:23 AM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	"Why the Fitness Industry is Out of Shape" I was reading the Bobby Whisnand article that Sara1000 linked to about shoulder pain and saw another great article: http://bobbywhisnand.com/why-the-fit...-out-of-shape/ I agree 100% with all of his points. I've seen the fitness industry change so much in the last 20 years. Newer workouts skip proper warm-ups and cool-downs, there are fewer modifying exercisers, form pointers have gone out the window and cueing is even worse (if that is possible). The worst part is so many instructors ignoring any injuries or limitations an exerciser may have. You just get the disclaimer in the beginning to not do the workout. I have a few videos that address working with injuries. Thankfully, like most VFers, I know how to modify to suit my issues. Not everyone has that advantage. __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

10-22-17, 02:55 PM
millie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Washington DC Metro	Thanks for posting this. I like his number 1: Mis-representation. No one ever gives what the average "achievements" are.

10-23-17, 09:35 AM
JackieB VF Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minnesota	Good article. I liked that he addressed chronic pain, body destroying workouts, and instructor qualifications. __________________ Jackie Certified Essentrics Instructor, Level 4---February 2017 Yoga Tune Up Roll Model Method Practitioner---December 2021 "Movement is a privilege. You don't have to exercise. You get to exercise. Visit a person whose mobility is severely limited, and you'll appreciate the distinction. Do what you can, count yourself lucky, heal yourself in the process." Essentrics Colorado

10-23-17, 10:16 AM
Nuggie's Auntie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I love that dirty water...	Totally, totally agree. I do think it's very important to address people's expectations. So many people have WILDLY unrealistic expectations about what exercise--ANY exercise will do for them. I remember many, many years ago, I saw a picture of a fitness model in a magazine who had a really beautiful body. I cut out the picture and put it on the cover of my workout journal for 'inspiration.' At the time, I had absolutely no idea how much effort and specific interventions were required to get a body like that. I was so disappointed that, despite regular, vigorous exercise and a normal healthy diet, I was not achieving that look. In reality, I looked good and had very good results, but unrealistic expectations kept me from appreciating the fruit of my efforts! I'm really grateful whenever a fitness professional gives a very candid account of their whole lifestyle and how it contributes to their results--ALL their results (not just the visible.) This is how I eat on a typical day. This is how often I have a treat, this is what I do for exercise (which may or may not be what they are promoting/leading.) This is how much activity I get apart from my workouts. This is how much I sleep, this is what my parents and grandparents are like, etc. There are so many factors to how someone responds to exercise. It can really help people--especially young people--understand how to set their own expectations.

10-23-17, 11:57 AM
Calistro Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: United kingdom	excellent article! Paragraphs 4-5 especially resonate with me as I remember when I used to work out hard core, high intensity, high impact and thought I had to keep up with every instructor even though my poor knees were failing me. I felt like I had to go hard or go home and like someone else said I did not give myself permission to deviate or modify as I felt it was cheating. It was when I started to notice that programmes were becoming more and more high impact I then had to accept I had limitations, which was a struggle, but I had too many knee injuries. Meanwhile something thing that really annoyed me at that time when I had to accept that my workouts had to change is when Shaun T launched the Insanity commercial, and the some of the comments he made when he said, "Insanity was not for everybody, it was not for people who are lazy, or people who find excuses" He then went on to say it was for people who were ready to take their body to peak physical condition. He mentioned 3 groups of people, the lazy, the excuse maker, and those who wanted peak fitness. Now I love Shaun T, especially with Hip Hop Abs, but I took offence to those comments. I thought hang on a minute! I am not lazy, I have bad knees! What about the group with health issues? Why did he not say this programme may not be suitable for people who have health issues? do we not also work out as well or have we become a non entity? Logically I know his comment is not for me personally, and I should not take it to mean so, but he was addressing a limited group.

10-23-17, 12:20 PM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	I had heard that Beachbody's 21 Day Fix was geared to beginners. I finally got to see some of the workouts and about fell over. The first move is a surrender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPC416qdIZo Sure, Kat is there to modify, but that is an advanced move that one works up to, not starts out with. What a horrible decision! What if a newbie is very overweight or has bad knees. WTH????? __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!