When I’m working in a public gym people like to check out what I’m doing with my clients, and why not.
Some people actually take it a step further and lurk around trying to listen more closely to what’s being said.
There are some nosey people about.
But I really don’t mind, I quite like it, as it shows me who is interested and wants to learn more.
More often than not, the lurkers are the ones who sign up to train with me in the end.
They were just doing their homework.
One lady in particular called Lilian, who is now my good friend, is the chief lurker at the Gym in Sketty.
Lil as she is lovingly known would actually copy what I was doing with a client and then join in and contribute to the (private) conversations we were having.
I had to explain to Lil that these ladies were paying me top dollar to help them so I needed to give them all my attention – if she didn’t mind too much.
After that I always tried to help Lil in-between clients.
Just 5 mins here and there.
She has never actually had a full one to one session with me, but did do a course in a group once.
Since we have been changing her training about (she used to do 3hrs a day on cardio machines) – her body has changed dramatically.
She’s in her early 60’s and in fantastic condition.
Having spent 3 hrs a morning in the gym for years she knows everyone who comes in, and if she doesn’t know them, she makes a point of talking to them.
Over the years she has referred me loads of new clients for which I’m very grateful.
They speak to her and she tells them about the help she has had.
I have worked with lots of people like Lil who have trained for years before seeing me.
The most common thing I have to fix is their technique with all the basic exercises like squatting lifting, pushing and pulling. (20 years in the gym and she couldn’t squat)
The next thing I look at is any joint imbalances which will lead to shoulder – knee or hip problems further down the line.
The trouble is when people have exercised alone for years they have invariably followed the same routine leading to HUGE imbalances usually at the knee, hip, trunk and shoulder.
Imbalances lead to problems eventually.
I can tell you now, you don’t want injuries or joint problems.
The older you get the worse these things are.
After I have worked out someone’s imbalances I will then put a programme together which will address the problems and keep the risk low.
Certain exercises I do with people in their 20’s I would RARELY do with some of my 40 & 50 year olds, just in case of injury I always adopt a safety first policy.
At the end of the day popping a knee or a shoulder or tearing a muscle in your middle age is completely different than if you do it in your 20’s.
For example as you get older, the consequences of a serious shoulder injury can affect the rest of your life, it could stop you doing LOADS of things in work, day to day life and retirement.
It’s not worth it.
In your 20’s you may have the time and are YOUNG enough to fully recover.
I’m telling you all this today because I see too many people UNWITTINGLY wasting their time doing useless stuff in the gym which is actually making them worse in the long run, and more prone to injury.
Always try to keep one eye on the big picture – living a long healthy life, without hobbling around because your knees are screwed because you trained too much and incorrectly for years.
There is a right and wrong way to do everything.
Rich “training clever” Clarke
PS – nowt down here today but thanks for checkin.