Welcome to Pro Form Instruction, LLC’s blog site, ‘Smart Training Matters.’ This blog has been created to discuss biomechanics and fitness matters. Some topics might be more controversial than others, but, a lot can be learned from a good discussion. Please remember that without you, there is no blog experience…so, please join in the discussions so that we can fully discuss each topic so as to garner as much information as possible. Only through this process will be able to work out in an optimal fashion. We hope you enjoy Smart Training Matters and help make it a useful reference source for your fitness interest!
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Thanks! Looking forward to fitness dialogues! I train high level athletes and you make an invaluable resource – thanks – we need more of you!! Please let me know when you have more of your classes.
Will do…enjoy the topics and please contribute to them…it’s always great to have a lively discussion!
Dr. M
Dr. M.,
I was training an athlete in the gym today. Afterwards, another trainer called me over and pointed out that my client’s knee wobbled slightly during the first few repetitions of the lunges she was executing. He noticed that I fixed her biomechanics and hence her improvement. He questioned whether I should allow her to perform lunges. My question is this: Why wasn’t he watching his client? An hour earlier I noticed his client lying on a bench from shoulders to low back, hips to feet extended in mid air, while wrenching his legs from the floor to 90 degrees at the hip, explosively? Should I have said, “Perhaps you should worry about blowing out your client’s low back?!” – Help. Frustrated by hypocrisy.
This is rather interesting. A good trainer will pay attention to his/her own client. I think it’s great for trainers to talk between sessions, but to interrupt another trainer (and who knows if this trainer even has as much education as you do) during a workout can be perceived as rude and improper. I would only intervene if I saw a trainer doing something that was so bad that injury was imminent. Perhaps the client would be showing signs of pain/injury and the trainer was ignoring this. As far as the exercise you are describing that the other person was doing, yes, this is a dangerous exercise and a trainer with a proper education would not have his/her client doing this as they’d have a good understanding of spinal biomechanics. Take care and don’t get frustrated…just keep learning and going forward…chances are you’ll end up with others’ clients after they receive medical care for their injuries they got from their previous trainer and need to start training again…with someone else!
I took this from my wife’s facebook page…
I tried reading your husband’s blog but I fear it was over my head (either that, or I don’t have enough brain cells left at the end of the day). Does he have an opinion on how much a twelve year old should be allowed to run — either in days per week or total miles?
Cristi,
A 12 year old, when not doing chores obviously, can safely run four to five days a week. In regards to miles, 10-20 miles would be fine. If we look at kids in that age group who partake is soccer, basketball, and other sports, they are likely easily matching this number between practices and games. The key to child athletes is to listen to how they feel and react accordingly if they complain about anything. All too often, kids will not mention injuires to parents or trainers, but only to their friends. This is because they do not want to be pulled from their respective sport(s). If you have good rapport with your child, you shouldn’t have this issue. 12 years old heal quite quickly provided nutrition is good. There is nothing wrong with supplementing basic nutrients such as amino acids to help with tissue healing. Being he/she is a runner, be sure that proper footwear is used.
Take care and I apologize for the delay with your question.