Who Made You the Fitness Expert? Start with the basics. (Fit Bomb)

Just because you do something and are slightly successful at it for a little bit doesn't make you an "expert" or "coach".

A little bit of background to my RANT, If you're not interested in my sob story skip ahead.

Sometimes the goal, the vision, the plan, is so big, and seems so damn impossible, that it knocks you off your ass and causes you so much anxiety and fear that you can’t seem to take even one step forward.

You know, when it feels like everyone else is growing businesses, training daily, making home cooked meals, having awesome "social media" lives, filled with happy faces and great times; are you jealous? I sure get that way.

I didn't realize that I was becoming obsessed with other people's lives, and how perfect they seem on social media but couldn't seem to find the time to get my own shit together.... then something happened.

Something "actually" important took place in my life and all the BUZZ and mindless social media stalking stopped and my world didn't fall apart.

That's when I realized how unimportant, fake and unhelpful most of the "people" I followed were.

I always thought I took a strong position against B.S. but it turns out, I was starting to wade eyeball deep in the stuff.  I had fallen into the trap of wishing, wanting and caring about nonsense.  My life is certainly not as spectacular as what it can seem like on Facebook but who's going to post EVERYTHING (not I. I'll keep the really serious stuff private). But most of what I put up is pretty on point.  And so, I started deleting the Avon ladies of fitness, false Gurus and hidden sales pitchers.

SKIP TO HERE > If your Facebook feed looked anything like mine, there was a constant stream of ads and posts touting people as "experts" in coaching, fitness or what have you. And will fully admit, "I AM NOT AN EXPERT".  I just happen to know how to sort through the B.S. and do what works for me and my clients.   So let me help you sort through it all: 

If someone is sharing their process to help guide you...great. 

If they are selling you on a one time thing or just there awesome life then...hmm? 

Don't be fooled by the selfies.

Coaching is about helping. It's empowering the client. I don’t believe in fad diets, calorie counting, quick fixes or packaged meals. Coaching is helping folks to learn "how", it's helping them to "do" things they couldn't do without you. It's not a thing, a product or a perfect selfie!

Just because you do something yourself, doesn't make you an expert or coach. I learned that YEARS ago!  That's why I learned.  I paid my dues and more dues and more dues and will continue to pay more.  I mean, should everyone who has lost weight be running a fitness or nutrition program?  What's their story? Did they starve themselves to skinny or are these pictures from years ago, pre children?  Hey, I hear a good bout of gastro will have you drop weight.  Get my point?

So yeah, I'm a bit skeptical. I'm sure there are some nuggets and pearls out there too? But are they experts?  I don't know.  I sure as hell am not!

Remember this when sorting through the waves and waves of pictures, posts, recipes, tips and the like:

They aren't you. They don't have the same life, stresses, strengths, weaknesses, years (more on this one), background, shape...so what works for them isn't necessarily right for you. Take everything with a grain of salt...use the information but be willing to adapt it to you unless you're perfectly ok with being a watered down version of them.

Experience with something doesn't make you an expert. ME INCLUDED!  I do not teach Olympic Lifting past a foundational level.  I've been doing this training thing for far longer than Cherry Bomb Garage Gym has been open and I'd be hesitant to call myself an expert...at all!

I'm not perfect. I miss gym days.  I eat garbage and I'm pretty foul mouthed and that's OK by me. 

Again...can you learn from these false prophets, yes.

But someone catching a wave and riding it for the summer months or New years, doesn't make them an expert...most of them are about as close to being coaches as I am to becoming a supermodel... coaching someone is time, caring, empathy, frustration and actually listening to what the other person wants.  It's not a product.

I see overpromising and under delivering. Mostly kids playing at being Facebook superstars.

Please oh please, tell me how your 20/30 year old body has changed, because of the newest DVD or food substance shake thing or weight-cha-ma-call-it, or whatever...your 20!!! Wait till you're my age! Two kids in, 40 and fan-effin-tastic!

Why do I rant? Because I care about more than money. I want to deliver results to those who trust me enough to realize it takes time and that it's OK to fail once in awhile.  Life has that tendency -You know, to side track you with family, finances, work and being an old fart like me. 

So learn daily from these folks but don't be duped. It's not that complicated.  Stick to the basics and progress from there.  I've posted the 7 basics below.

You're amazing.  You're you, and always will be so stop trying to be someone else.

That’s why I’m cutting away the fat.

As coaches and trainers, we are so often asked, “How do I put together a program at home?” or “How do you put your classes together?” The simple answer is we make sure to include the seven basic human movement patterns.  Sprinkle in a healthy dose of cardio (skipping, rowing, running, sled pushes, brisk walk etc.) and you're gold.

The Seven Basic Human Movements

1. Squat
2. Lunge
3. Hinge
4. Push
5. Pull
6. Rotation
7.  Walk (loaded carries)

By no means is this a comprehensive list, but here are some examples of each movement and how it relates to daily activities:

1. Squat
Bodyweight Squat, Goblet squats, front squats and pistols (weighted or unweighted). - Basically sitting down and standing up. If you poop, you squat.

2. Lunge
Lunge, jump lunge, weighted lunges.  - Transfers into walking, stair climbing, hiking up a steep hill and picking up things from the floor.

3. Hinge

Deadlifts, kettlebell swings, cleans, and snatches all are hinges. - One of the most functional of daily movements – picking up an object from the floor example a laundry basket.

4. Push
Military press, floor press, resistance band press, combine push and counter-rotation by doing a one-sided floor press. If you don’t want to use a weight, you can do push-ups. - Pushing a car, pushing back up off the ground from a fall.

5. Pull

Rows, renegade rows, single-leg rows, ring rows, band pull aparts or pull-ups. A standing resistance band pull apart, as with the push version, can also be used as a substitution to pull ups. - Pulling yourself up from any position or something toward you.

6. Rotate
Russian twist, Knee to elbow Mountain climbers,  overhead rotation, resistance band rotation - great for rotational strength and balance. Any time you twist to pick something up and put it to your side, swinging an axe.

7. Walk 

Farmer carries, racked carries, waiter’s walk. The ability to walk is such a fundamental part of daily life that it should be a priority in any training especially if you like to go shopping ;)  - Carry any shopping bag or suitcase.

In this video we work pretty much every movement and we get a good sweat on.

Grab a kettlebell or even a dumbbell.  

Set your timer for 30 seconds of work.  10 seconds of rest.

3 Rounds if you can.

Hey, I'm no expert but I sure as heck can smell B.S.

Do what works for you and forget all the rest, that includes anything I say too.

If you have questions, I'll do my best to help.

Be you.  Be strong.  Be awesome!

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WAIT!!!

Before you go, I've got a question?  To local folks, Lancaster Ontario types, you interested in another Kettlebell Seminar?  If so let me know.  It won't be FREE this time round as people just don't value FREE.  If you're feeling like your health is worth something then hit me up!  EMAIL ME.

Here's our last seminar.

If you'd like to get these workouts sent to your INBOX for FREE!  Click here.