334. New Strength

Over the last year-plus that I've belonged to my present gym, I've been surreptitiously "interviewing" personal trainers.  I think I've found my man.

The other night, I was watching a guy I hadn't seen before, and I thought he'd be a good match for me.  I am rather well self-educated and opinionated about my personal fitness regimen.  I'd really like the owner of the gym to be my trainer, but he's too busy with a full-time day job, owning and managing the gym, and training for and fighting his own fights. (He's one of those crazy ultimate fighters.)  He clearly doesn't have time to take up fitness training as well.  I was at the place where I thought maybe I'd have to either forgo a trainer (really, I'm not positive I need one) or merely settle for one -- one that would serve the limited purpose of getting me in there on a more regular basis just to keep the appointment. 

I've had a problem all my life with having teachers I thought were "not as smart" as I. It's a personality flaw, and I admit it.  I also have a problem taking fitness advice from a woman who does not inspire confidence in me because she herself does not look the way I feel a very fit and accomplished woman should look.  I have a hard time taking advice from a guy who looks a bit "soft" or not physically balanced himself, and/or someone who doesn't seem to really know his stuff. I know that teachers and coaches do not necessarily have to be doers, but still.

There is a female trainer there who I was feeling that I could maybe work with, but I had some misgivings, so I did not schedule any sessions with her.  It's a rather big investment in money and time, and I'm a loyal type, so I could just see it -- even if I weren't all that happy or inspired with her work, I'd end up sticking with her (while still complaining about it when not there) if I initiated a relationship with her.  I am quite sure I would have fun with her, and she is very good to look at and clearly extremely fit herself.  She is the person who, when I was leaving the gym one day, asked me, "Do you have a background in exercise physiology or physical therapy?"

"No."

"Because we've been watching you. You know exactly what to do when you get in here. You're putting on a lot of strength and definition." 

Well, then.  So the question remains:  Do I really need a trainer? 

I think I would like one, to help keep me motivated and maybe help me focus on things that I don't know.  I don't know everything, despite what I may believe and what I may try to make YOU believe, (she says, with feigned humility.  hahahaha) I have some fitness goals I'd like to attain, namely I want to lose 10 pounds, gain core and back strength, and work on keeping my shoulders "open" -- my work and my knitting conspire to make the shoulders cave in upon the clavicle and cause severe pain and muscle spasms.  I want pain control and, well, all the other health benefits that come with exercise that we all know by now, so I do not need to list them.

I guess it doesn't hurt to have some help and extra focus.

Anyhoo, the new guy.  I come home and I say to David, who knows all the gossip about this gym, "I was watching this guy tonight.  I haven't seen him in there before, and I don't know who he is. I think I might want to hire him as a trainer."

"He looks kind of ex-military," is the only description I could give.  (Grey's Anatomy watchers, picture the new surgeon character and you have a not unreasonable idea.) 

Yup, he knew exactly who I was referring to.  He said, "He used to be a strength trainer for an NFL team. I've read all kinds of articles about him." 

Well, do I know 'em when I sees 'em or what? Although I do wonder: will he know the difference between a woman's exercise physiology and limits (or not) and a professional football player's?  It remains to be seen, I guess, but he seems like a good resource I could put to use. 

By my 50th birthday next summer, I could be a lean(er), mean(er) fighting machine.

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For those not interested in the testosterone surge in my life, how about a bit of knitting news? 

I bet you had forgotten about Marta, huh?  I almost had.  But after finishing Abigail's hat, my hands -- though they and my arms and elbows and shoulders were in pain -- felt horribly lonely without knitting in them. I did let my good sense rule and took a day and a half off knitting, I had a massage, got extra sleep, and drank gallons of water. And then yesterday I pulled Marta out of the bag and before I knew it, I had finished the back and then the right front. (Only the tops of those remained to be done -- this sweater is knit from the bottom up, all in one piece, and divided at the armholes.)  I must admit I have given some serious thought to leaving this as a vest. But I'd have limited use for a vest, so I've cast on for a sleeve.  I'll probably have a new sweater before Christmas!

The yarn is Green Mt. Spinnery Mountain Mohair in Spice, which is a fabulous caramel color with flecks of purple.  Love it!

 

 

Comments

[Kristen]

It took me a long time to realize that I could actually learn a lot from people who aren't as smart as I am. I think it went along with the realization that for as high as my IQ supposedly is, I've done a lot of really stupid things over the years. {sigh} I hope your new trainer works out!

[gayle]

I was just picturing how you'd look in a football uniform...

Marta will be beautiful. I like your choice of yarn better than the original!

[marianne]

So... what would they call this guy, if he were a new surgeon on Grey's Anatomy? heh.
So glad to see Marta, I do love that Spice!

[Paula]

Marta looks great! I would love that as a vest, myself. I particularly like that the front bands were worked in place and don't have to be put on after.

[Anne]

Ok - you are going to laugh, but the reason why I feel you'll be fine with the ex-NFL trainer type is a stupid show on the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Ever seen it? Their trainer is ex-military, obviously a guys-guy kinda guy, but he gets the cheer squad to do all kinds of stuff that makes them look toned, but still girl-like. Go for it. I bet you'll be really happy with the results.

LOVE your Marta. I envy you the ability to wear all those colors you love. They aren't so good on me, but I love them on you!

[Etherknitter]

These guys, they are expensive, but they do know some (exercise) tricks.

[Carole]

I've been getting pain in my shoulder/collar bone for the last several weeks. I've been telling myself it's not caused by knitting and the computer but I think I'm lying.

[Jean]

Marta is looking yummy. I waved to the North at you as I drove through Vermont from Harrisville to Webs yesterday! I said, "Hey there, Norma!" :-)

[scoutj]

I have been working out with a trainer for 3+ years now. I work out with him once a week and I love it. It's the only time I'll actually work out in the gym. I hate working out in the gym with a passion. This way I go, work my ass off for an hour and I'm done. Of course I know how to do all of that myself but there's no way I'd do it by myself!!!

[--Deb]

Good luck with that, Norma! Fitness is definitely one of the things I'm falling down on ... walks around the block with Chappy are about it. (Sorry.) The prospect of looking as good as you do is definitely motivation, though!

And, Marta looks great.

[Deb Roby]

I LOVE working a trainer (even though I'm considering studying to become one myself). And I love it for the reason you mentioned: I do not know everything about fitness and there are goals I have that I won't work on well on my own.

My first trainer got me through my weight loss before he left (45# of menopausal adipose fat); I am that leaner, meaner woman I knew was inside me. My current trainer got me to do unassisted pull-ups, full barbell squats, and let me say my triceps and core should have his name engraved on them.

Working with someone who has a different style or approach than you do expands your knowledge base and shocks your body out of adaption mode. And a former NFL strength guy will likely kick your butt in ways you haven't imagined. Fight the need to be in control, give yourself over to the process, and you'll be fine.

[Anne]

I know what you mean about not wanting a trainer who is a bit soft or doesn't look the part. I am a Physical Therapist and while I do home care with a mainly geriatric population, I certainly feel obligated to practice what I preach. Very little irks me as much as an overweight, out of shape Physical Therapist. Especially if they smoke!

I think the benefit to having a trainer is they can watch you, see things you can't in yourself, and change things up for you because they will have a different perspective.

[Sarah]

I am interested to see how this works out for you.

[Margene]

He sounds like the perfect trainer. He'll kick your ass. You think you know it all? Just watch grrl, you'll be toast. I miss my trainer SO MUCH!
Love the sweater! You needed a break, a well deserved break.

[jessica~]

I like what Deb Roby wrote in her comment. I'm a believer that a trainer can open a whole new world of options when it comes to fitness. That being said you're 100% right that it needs to be a good trainer. A bad trainer can do a whole world of good. You obviously know what to look for in a trainer. As far as him not knowing the diff between a woman and an NFL player,I say stick to the number one rule in pushing your fitness levels: communication - if something doesn't feel right to you, tell him. I do small group training (two clients, one trainer) at the KB gym and it has increased my strength and seriously improved my form! It sounds exciting!! Keep us updated. :) Oh, and see if he knows any kettlebell exercises... perfect for increasing strength!

[jessica~]

I wrote "A bad trainer can do a whole world of good" but meant to say "a whole world of BAD." Duh.... I need a trainer for my brain.

[Cheryl S.]

Marta looks great! Fabulous color. As for the trainer, go with your gut feelings. If this seems to be the guy, you could at least ask him about his experience training women.

[sandy]

Marta looks like such a wonderful sweater! It will be another everyday sweater. Srsly.
xo

[Cookie]

Love the knitting.

He does sounds like a good trainer for you. You need someone who will kick your ass, keep you in line (HA!), and challenge you. And how good do you feel knowing they watch you at the gym and like what they see? Skinny buff bitch. :p

xo

[Judi]

I admire your ambition and I hate to admit having the same feelings about teachers. But you know, a teacher isn't there to tell/show you new "stuff", they are there to show you a new way to process information and organize your thoughts and plans. Or at least that is how I try to approach my learning and my teaching.

[anne]

wow, that's amazing . . i swear to gawd i made my dad a sweater out of that same colorway in green mountain sport about 100 years ago (well, MAYbe it was more like 20 years ago). it is an exact replica of his favorite type of golf sweater (which was only sold in acrylic at the time). he's gone unfortunately, but i still have the sweater. i would wear it, but my mom's moths got to it first, so for me it's just a keepsake . . . but i do love that colorway, hahaha.