Advice I Would Never Give as a Sprout Wellness Personal Trainer
Personal trainers have a lot to say, and I’m no exception, but there are some phrases and words of advice that you’ll never hear from me. For the most part, these are things no good personal trainer should say. Let’s talk about some of these bits of advice and what’s wrong with them!
The Principles of Sprout Wellness
While most of the phrases here are things you’d never want to hear from a certified fitness professional, there are a few that might be acceptable for some, but don’t fit the Sprout Style. For example, lifting weights every day is an essential workout schedule for many professional athletes, as well as people with specific athletic goals. However, “you should be hitting the gym every day” is a piece of advice that probably isn’t generally right for most Sprout Wellness clients.
Sprout Wellness’ main principles are:
Individualization
Intentional movement
Sustainable habits
An emphasis on autonomy
So what kind of words should you be wary of? Here are some examples!
“If You’re Not Seeing Results, You’re Not Trying Hard Enough”
Just like just about every other aspect of life, one size does NOT fit all. Though there are some general rules and accepted theories when it comes to exercise, what works for one person won’t work for another. If you’re not seeing results from your exercise program, it’s worth taking a deeper dive into other aspects of your lifestyle to determine if there are adjustments to make.
How many hours are you sleeping? What type of work do you do? How is your diet? As discussed in another bad advice bit below, these factors all play a part in the progress you make.
If everything else seems to be in order, then maybe a change in your exercise routine is necessary! The point is, there are plenty of reasons you might not be seeing the results you want, and not all of them have to do with self-sabotage or a lack of drive.
“If an Exercise Hurts, Push Through”
A little pain isn’t necessarily a red alarm. Sometimes, moving our bodies in new and challenging ways can cause a little discomfort. If an exercise causes a small amount of pain, I like to let clients decide if it’s something they can work through or if we want to try an alternative.
It’s important to me that my clients know I’m listening to their feelings and concerns and that we work together to decide on a solution.
I have clients who struggle to get on board with certain exercises because of the pain they’ve experienced in the past. Instead of finding alternatives, trainers encourage them to push through it, and now they’ve learned to hate the movements and expect pain.
“You Should Lift Weights Every Day”
This is one of the bits of advice that isn’t necessarily bad but doesn’t really fit the Sprout Wellness Way. Lifting weights every day can work with the right muscle split and might be necessary for some professionals or those with advanced physique or strength goals. However, based on Sprout’s principles and the client profile we cater to, lifting weights every day is unlikely to be our recommendation.
While Sprout is open to people of all bodies and abilities, we best support busy individuals who want to fit exercise into their hectic schedules. Those who need gentle support and guidance and don’t feel the typical fitness industry is supportive. We take a more holistic and sustainable approach to help people reach their goals with an emphasis on autonomy.
“Exercise to Make Up for Extra Calories You’ve Eaten”
Yikes! I have no doubt that this is something a lot of personal trainers are still saying. In fact, this tidbit was written into the nutrition course I’m studying (do better, NASM).
Food is not something you have to earn or work off. It’s okay if you ate a little too much, especially if you were hungry.
“Energy in versus energy out” isn’t such a black-and-white concept. Eating less because you skipped a workout, doing extra cardio in anticipation for a night out, or working off a heavy meal aren’t healthy or sustainable habits to support your journey to your goals.
“This Exercise Will Target Belly Fat”
This was advice I wish I could give to my clients, but it’s simply not true. One of my least favorite interactions is when people come to me asking for exercises to reduce the fat in some part of their body and I have to tell them the truth: there’s no such thing as a targeted fat loss exercise. I wrote a blog on spot reduction already and highly recommend reading it!
I see plenty of fitness influencers on spost about targeted exercises for weight loss, especially for stomach and upper arm fat. You can crunch all you want and do thousands of tricep dips, but growing your muscles won’t necessarily help you lose fat in those spots.
When we lose weight, there are a lot of factors determining where the fat loss happens first. It often depends on body shape and genetics. This isn’t to say your goals are impossible, but a more holistic approach is required for physique-based goals.
“Don’t Listen to your Hunger”
Listen to your hunger! If it’s telling you to eat more than normal, do it!
Feeling extremely hungry won’t benefit you, especially if you suffer from hanger as I do. Those with weight loss goals might be encouraged to ignore their body’s signals in favor of a restricted diet, but I think this method does more harm than good.
Learning to pay attention to your hunger cues is greatly beneficial, though it can be a difficult journey. Differentiating hunger from boredom or emotional eating takes time, but it’s much more sustainable to learn to listen to your body than rely on a made-up calorie count that leaves you hungry and unsatisfied.
“Exercise is All that Matters”
There is so much more that goes into your health and wellness than just exercise. No matter your goals, whether it’s weight loss, strength, or performance, it’s important to take a look at every aspect of your daily life. Your diet, your stress levels, your job, and sleep are all factors that come into play along with exercise.
If you feel more comfortable taking your wellness journey a step at a time, it’s okay to only focus on exercise for a short period. However, this approach should be temporary as the other elements of wellness are added in.
“Cut Out Carbs”
You’ll NEVER hear me telling anyone to cut out carbs, or any other macronutrient. This is a form of restriction, and as we know from previous newsletters and the most recent Soapbox Series blog post, restrictions are bad!
It’s one thing to recommend a reduction in carbohydrates, but cutting carbs out completely is a red flag. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins each have an important role in the body and one can’t be blamed for weight gain or eliminated for weight loss.
“You Should Take Supplements”
Trainers with the education and knowledge to recommend supplements can say things like this with no cause for concern, but the Gym Bro telling you to boost up on creatine and BCAAs isn’t a reputable source for such advice.
There’s limited research on a lot of supplements on the market, not to mention the lack of regulation in the supplement industry. While offering more generic advice on supplements based on research and giving tips on picking a supplement might be in the wheelhouse of a trainer, more specific information and prescription is best left to a medical professional.
“-Insert Specific Nutrition Advice-”
This is essentially a follow-up to the previous statement about supplements.
Nutrition was a topic in my CPT training certification course, and I’m taking another course to become a Certified Nutrition Coach, but these certifications still don’t give me the qualifications to offer specific nutrition advice to anyone. Registered dietitians spend years in school and must become licensed to practice.
If you want specific nutrition advice that is applicable to your circumstances and lifestyle, consult a Registered Dietitian. These professionals are trained to help make sustainable dietary changes that work based on the specific needs of the individual.
Don’t Worry! Most Personal Trainers Know What They’re Doing
Certified, educated personal trainers with integrity exist! While philosophies and methods will differ, the basic science is pretty similar. In a time where social media influence is so prominent and anyone can be an “expert,” these are the kinds of phrases that can differentiate a true professional and someone who thinks they know what they’re doing. Just know what to look for, prioritize your comfort, and don’t be afraid to seek help elsewhere if you don’t feel properly supported by a gym or personal trainer.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Contact me!
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