Form. Style. Respect.

When a person starts a weight training or an exercise program, where does one even begin? There are a lot of different starting points based on your goals, current fitness levels, etc. But some of the biggest ways people cause injuries, both physically and mentally, is by trying to add weight from the beginning, one begins training in a way that is just not the style of training they would like to do, and often there is a lack of respect and judgment given to help and improve.

FORM

Completing exercise movements within the proper movement pattern is CRUCIAL for (1) correctly training your muscles and working them hard, but (2) it is important as far as staying healthy by preventing injury. If one cannot complete a bodyweight squat or lunge in the proper movement pattern, using the correct form, why would a person add weight? When stress is continuously added on joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. in the wrong way, it creates what is categorized as exercise-induced injury. Repeatedly completing movements in ways the body should not be moving is very dangerous for the long haul if it is not corrected. This next statement is VERY important, movement of one’s own body weight has to occur, first and properly, before the thought of adding weight can even be an option.

STYLE

Don’t be discouraged that you are not using that barbell or those heavyweights someone is using across the gym. Everyone is accomplishing something different with their bodies and everyone's body is different! To think everyone would want to be a bodybuilder is insane, so why would a person only train like that if that is not the goal? There is a lot of "shade" being thrown at trainers because they do not train their clients the way other trainers think they should. There is a difference between knowledge, ignorance, and experience. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE CLIENT! As a client, do not feel that you should have to conform to the trainer's style of exercise. If you want to complete your exercise in a crossfit format versus pilates, go for it! If you want to hit your core hard every day to be that solid rock at the gym and not rely on just machines to do the work for you, by all means, get after it! The thing that is so hard for many exercise professionals to wrap their minds around is the simple fact that PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT! Therefore, how can only one style of training be suitable for everyone? It's not!

RESPECT

I'm sorry, but at PURE GOLD, we will not critique the work of other trainers to put ourselves on a pedestal. That does not make our members trust us more, but instead, makes us look bad! PURE GOLD believes in putting your head down and getting the job done! Results speak for themselves and there is no need to degrade the expertise of those around to accomplish results. Respect those around you in the gym, on social media, or in passing because you never know when you might learn something. Sometimes people are too busy looking for a way to judge and miss out on opportunities to learn or provide support. '"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." - Unknown. This is a quote to live by.

So, what is all of this about? Form, style, and respect! Train how you want, but listen to the professional as they know best about form and programming. Always respect those around you and lend a helping hand if you see some incorrect form, don't degrade or mock those making the effort to improve their health just because you need to feel better about the knowledge you possess! The workout mindset is a happy place, go enjoy it and help others along the way!