Words of a Strength Coach

So I chatted with a strength coach today that works at my university. Before he was a strength coach he was a personal trainer for 10 years and we had a pretty good conversation and I’d like to share some of what he said.
In terms of motivation and the desire for working out

• for athletes, like the ones he trains, the reasons for working out are different. Athletes are mainly training to better themselves at their sport by gaining muscle and endurance and whatever is needed. Most athletes don’t have extended periods of “lack of motivation” because they are always training for a goal. That right there is what he was getting at: a goal. His opinion is that for people who aren’t training for something specific (i.e. a race, a marathon, a competition, a game, etc.) then they’re more likely to a) lose motivation along the way but also b) focus more on aesthetics. Let me point out that there is NOTHING wrong with wanting to look good and change your body, but if that’s all you focus on then you’re more likely to run into some trouble. So set yourselves some goals, even if they’re small!
• he saw the picture I put on the board about the “thigh-gap” and he said he had never heard of it. As I was explaining it to him I could see by the look on his face exactly what he thought of it. Not only was he confused, he was shocked and put off. He literally couldn’t believe that a “thigh-gap” is what some people are working for and measuring themselves by. He even immediately pointed out how they are mostly determined by genetics. Honestly girls, coming from someone who was OBSESSED with the thigh-gap, it really holds no meaning or relevance when it comes to your health.
• Another we talked about was very brief but IMPORTANT. We were talking about how many people are working out misinformed. Specifically he mentioned how he meets a lot of people who are obsessed with cardio and think that’s the only way they’ll get results. The trainer got his point across by saying people need to learn to lose fat not weight. Yes, losing weight will lower that number on the scale, but essentially all you’re doing is becoming, as he put it, a “skinnier fat person.” Unless you are doing some form of strength training, toning, and building muscle, you won’t really see the results your looking for. Burning fat is what fuels the metabolism and helps in the process of gaining muscle.
• The last thing we talked about I found SUPER important. It’s all about questioning information. All the time we hear people say “well, they said this” and “they say that.” Who is they? I’m serious. Question the information you’re being given. Is it backed up by research? Where did “they” hear it? Do “they” have credentials. When it comes to your body and your health you have every right to be inquisitive so get as much info as you can!

The point of this was to just give you guys the opinion of a professional in the field. I’m not saying he’s correct and has all the answers but I definitely think there’s importance to what he’s saying. This is just to plant the seed for some things. If there’s anything you want to add just let me know!