The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

I am glad to see you on this forum as well HisLamb26, I hope you are doing well, even more glad that we've got a weightlifting topic already!

OT: Two days ago was exactly two years since I started weightlifting, I just switched over to a modified version of Layne Norton's PHAT(Power Hypertrophy Adaptive Training), it's a 4DAW program and I'm looking forward to see some results. For those who aren't too fond of Layne Norton, he's a natural professional bodybuilder, who's also quite educated as well from what I can see(Graduated some university, something to do with biology of the human body, etc ).

Anyway, seems like I started out with weightlifting just as a hobby, but over time seems like I devoted myself to bodybuilding/weightlifting entirely, not in a way that I'm an obsessed hyperactive teenager flexing in front of a mirror 24/7, but I really love anything to do with weightlifting, and I'm amazed by how our bodies react to different approaches of exercising, developing muscles, after I finish highschool here(equivalent of a college in USA/UK I suppose), I'm planning to enroll on the university of sports here at my place, section for strength sports, nutrition, etc. My dream job is to become a full-time fitness instructor at some fancy fitness center/gym.





Hi! I'm just wondering, can your job itself be draining and tiring? Taking into account that(I suppose) you do like your profession, does it involve a lot of work at home, such as planning programs out for each individual, etc? I'm just wondering since, God's willing, I'll be an instructor/counselor but mostly focused upon strength training. Thanks!

Hey WS,

If you do what you love, you will love what you do! Yes my job can be time consuming setting up a new program for someone. The time that it takes will also depend on the knowledge that your client already has. Someone who doesn't know the different between a dumbbell and a resistance band for example would need more education than another who has some idea. Since I am on my own so to speak I do all the planning and training myself, when you work in a fitness club you will have others there to help you design your programs and most facilities often their own software to make it easier for you the trainer which in turns allows you to help more people.

One of the reason that I do NOT work in a fitness facility is most of the ones around here offer "cookie cutter" programs for each and every client. This isn't what I wanted to do. Each client is different and has a different goal. If your desire is to help others a fitness facility is a great place to start. When you do your training don't forget to include classes in nutrition. A double major would be very helpful, nutrition and kinseology is a great place to start! If you don't include nutrition as part of your training then get to know a good registered dietician or nutrition counselor that you can refer your clients to!

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Jennifer Dent
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Thanks for your reply! Hah, I can totally imagine, there sure is a difference between somebody who's been a gym regular without any specific goal for a month or two and somebody who has walked into a gym for the first time. And yeah I noticed the instructors there just give everyone the same program, for example when I started out two years ago my instructor just gave me a 3-days-a-week push/pull/legs routine, which would have me work each muscle group only once a week with EXTREME number of sets, for example I'd do 15 sets for chest and then 10 sets for triceps right after, it was only 5 months ago I realized that plan is totally dumb, especially for someone like me, who's not too much genetically gifted or on steroids. Oh and yeah, I heard everywhere that nutrition is one of the MOST important factors of fitness, be it bodybuilding or weight reduction, some even go that far to say that nutrition is THE most important factor, and it somehow makes sense. I suppose I'm already "getting ready" for my future job since quite a few people I know go to me for weightlifting and nutrition plans. xD I lose my breath saying "I ain't a professional, yet!" over and over again!

Anyway, I apologize to anyone if I've choked this thread with these walls of text.

No need to apologize write away, the limit is 6000 characters per post

Grow in your knowledge in what you love to do and you will never be disappointed (or at least not much)

and you are right that many sets for ANYONE is just plain NUTS!!

I only weight train each body part once per week, as I also teach dance and a belly dance for fitness class which both include a segment with light weights cover most major muscle groups. This way I can prevent over training in myself while still be able to demonstrate what I need my girls to do

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Ah that's great! I used to work each muscle group once a week but I went on to train them twice a week now, speaking of dance/belly dance, I'm trying to push my mother to get on some dance/fitness program since she's one of those 50+ ladies that work in the office 8 hours a day, I think that most of her muscles have atrophied by now, now and then I force her out for a brisk walk with me, or get her to do a few squats and stretching with my assistance, I feel I have bigger odds to become the king of England than to get her in shape, but I ain't giving up yet!

Well Oriental Dance is great for EVERY level of fitness, although there are soooo many misconceptions about it which is sad. I am co founder of one dance troupe called Twinky's with Filling (after all it's what's on the inside that counts lol) and the director of another called Collectively Unique, both have multi skill level dancers and both are just plain fun. And the classes I teach (and take) are also fun. The key to ANY fitness program is fun, if it's not fun it's just no good I'd be glad to recommend a class near y'all for your mom just pm me where you live (if your stateside) if you live overseas I can give you some links of other good organizations where you are that can point you in the right direction.

twice a week per group is a good balance, as long as you are doing more than just lifting. Any program should have flexibility and cardio training built in to help with that balance.

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Jennifer Dent
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Hi Wavering,
Glad to see you made it over safely. and no...I didn't waste any time looking for other Iron Heads over here. As you can see, one of the admins is a PT.....how cool is that?

I have thought about going back to school to train to be a personal traininer myself-though market for PT is soft round my way due to economy. And of course between work and family, and maintaining my own fitness program.....not much free time to take up study. Though the manager at my gym is always telling me I should go to work for them. I have it in mind as a "backup plan" in case layoffs hit my department.

I'm am happy to hear you are still at it. Slow and steady...and I bet you are seeing progress now, huh?

One of the benefits of taking classes (even CEC classes) for personal training is the increase to your OWN knowledge. Even if you don't make it a career choice you can never go wrong with more education. I'm currently also working on getting certified as a sports conditioning specialist. (in addition to working on my masters lol) I started this program because 2 of my boys play tennis and their coach is a bit flaky and the workouts they do in the weight room are not consistent nor are they really beneficial for their sport or their age so I figured the best thing for me to do is learn more and help them myself.

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Jennifer Dent
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Jennifer,
That's a great poiint about increasing your own knowledge. Like wavering, I truly enjoy working out. New people at the gym ask me questions, as do coworkers, and I especially like to encourage women when I see them lifting.

I have looked at ISSA training-at least as a start.

But parting with funds in this economy is scary-my husband and I have been actively working towards a debt free goal....(almost there! YEA!), so in the event one of us gets layed off, we will only be left with costs for basic expenses....ie...housing and food.

That's a great goal!! Well instead of going for a full course you can also look for classes to take for CEC's (continuing education credits) these are usually cheaper (lots cheaper) lol And every once in a while you can free classes or courses online or at your local community center

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Jennifer Dent
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Oh I can imagine how it is with the nowadays' financial crisis, jumping from one foot to the next and trying to keep things in order, but I believe that is an outstanding back up plan!

Personally I noticed tiny progress past months, though past two weeks about 7 or 8 different people asked me which chemicals I'm using, my PE teacher came up to me saying I shouldn't use creatine. So I suppose I am making good results, however I guess it has to do a lot with my genetics since I'm big boned, even as a skinny 15 year old I had about 80 kilograms which is weird! However I must say that the planned nutrition is really going on my nerves, I believe you(and everyone who's into fitness seriously) have faced the same thing, sometimes I get tired of eating everything through a calculator and counting how much protein I got it, I wish one day I could take a normal sandwich to school instead of plastic packages with soy, rice, cornbread and apples. My schoolbag always looks as if I'm going on mountain hiking!

Ohh and Jennifer, thanks, sure thing I'd send you a PM with my location however I live faaaar away in Eastern Europe and I wouldn't want to be bothersome since there are many small time fitness/dance clubs around here, though I ain't seen any world-wide fitness organizations!