Tag: Competition
Understanding Pricing in the Peptide Hormone Market
Understanding Pricing in the Peptide Hormone Market: The Gap Between Cost and Sales Price In the burgeoning field of biotechnology and medical research, peptides and hormones stand out for their critical role in a wide range of scientific investigations and therapeutic developments. These substances, fundamental to understanding cellular processes and disease mechanisms, are produced…
Super Bowl Challenge: Bodybuilder VS Football Players Face Off On Bench Press
In honor of the Super Bowl this coming weekend, we are republishing this archived story showcasing a bodybuilder vs football players facing off on the bench press.
The Test Football Academy is back with another edition of their Bodybuilder vs Football Player bench press challenge. IFBB pro Joel Thomas will be facing off against Test Football Academy graduate Terron Beckham and Utah State Offensive lineman Kevin Whimpey. The challenge is simple: 315lbs for reps.
In previous years, Joel was very dominant and he seemed to be the favorite among most of the staff heading into this competition. All the athletes completed their warm ups, then, since Joel is reigning champ, Kevin and Terron did rock-paper-scissors to decide who would go first. Terron loses and is first up on the bench.
Terron starts repping and immediately it’s clear that 1. He’s very strong 2. This competition is being juded by a ‘soft lockout’ system – no IPF judges here. But strict repetition criteria are no fun anyways, and Terron reps out an impressive 17, the last of which was a real grinder towards lockout.
Next up on the bench is Kevin. He knows he needs to beat 17 reps. When he begins repping, he presses so explosively that the weight is literally bouncing off his chest. This serves as a creative advantage for as long as he can maintain it. Kevin knocks out an impressive 25 before failure. Last up on the bench comes the reigning champ Joel. He mows through a shocking 36 reps, resting at lockout before each of the last two.
Everyone was in good spirits after, the football players teased Joel on his shorter reps, and without a doubt, long football arms do drastically increase the range of motion.
Of course, at the end of the day this is a supplement ad, not a serious competition but it is fascinating to witness different elite athletes measured under one criteria. The difference in quality of repetitions was clear- with the football players being far faster and more explosive- but with the bodybuilder clearly more used to moving barbells under consistent tension for an extended duration.
For the full video of the competition, take a look below.
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Different Types Of Deadlifts You Should Be Doing
5 Different Types of Deadlifts You Should Try
Deadlifts are a compound (multi-joint) exercise which helps in building muscle mass and strength. Just like with the squats, people gravitate away from performing the deadlifts since they can exhaust you completely in a couple of sets.
While there are many different variations of deadlifts, most people stick with the conventional deadlifts leaving a lot of gains on the table. You should perform the deadlifts at the beginning of your workouts as it pre-exhausts your back and you don’t have to perform other heavy compound exercises later in your workouts when you’re fatigued.
1. Sumo Deadlifts
Sumo deadlifts should be a welcome change from the conventional deadlifts. Like the sumo squats, the sumo deadlifts involves placing your feet at a wider stance with your hands inside of your feet.
Since the sumo deadlifts decrease your range of motion, you can lift heavier weights. The main focus muscle groups while performing the sumo squats are your quads, hams, and glutes. While doing this exercise make sure you’re not lifting the weights with your back, your legs should be your focus muscle group.
2. Romanian Deadlifts
Romanian deadlifts are also known as stiffed legged deadlifts. They target your hamstrings and most people prefer doing this exercise on their leg day. You should maintain a slight bend in your knees while performing this exercise.
Bring the barbell down by pushing your hips back while keeping your back straight. Keep your legs stiff and focus entirely on your hamstrings. Think of your hams as chains used to lift and lower your upper body.
3. Deficit Deadlifts
Deficit deadlifts are used to increase the range of motion while performing the deadlifts. You follow the conventional deadlift form and grip while performing this variation. The only difference is, you stand on an elevated platform.
Deficit deadlifts can be a great exercise if you want to bring up your legs as there is a lot of leg recruitment in this exercise. Since you have to pull the bar through a greater range of motion, proper leg drive is essential.
4. Snatch Grip Deadlifts
The snatch grip deadlifts are a type of an Olympic exercise. In this exercise, your hands take on a wider grip like you would take while performing a complete Olympic snatch. This exercise works your hamstrings.
The snatch grip deadlifts will give you a stronger base for performing the Olympic snatch. You should increase the weights on the barbell incrementally as lifting heavier weight than you can handle can cause a back injury.
5. Chains and Bands Deadlifts
Chains and bands deadlifts will test what you’re made of. Bands and chains put added tension and weight at the top of the deadlift, which forces you to concentrate on the lock-out position. Lifting with chains and bands on the barbell will put extra tension on your core.
You will experience added resistance at the top of the movement since the chains are completely off the ground and the bands are stretched to the max. The added resistance will be taken off the barbells as you lower the weights. If you practice deadlifts with bands and chains, you’ll feel much more stable when you’re doing straight weight.
Which is your favorite deadlift variation? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
The Anllela Sagra Diet For The Perfect Physique
The Secret Of The Anllela Sagra Diet
If you don’t know who Anlella Sagra is, you’re already missing out. Anllela is a 23-year old Colombian fitness celebrity. Her rise to fame is her Instagram page where she posts regularly and engages with her fans.
There is no doubt about the fact Anllela has the physique of a Greek goddess. She arguably has the best abs we have ever seen on a girl. While training plays an important role in developing her perfectly carved physique, you can’t overlook the significance of her diet.
No matter how hard you workout, you won’t see the results until your diet is on point. Pros like Sagra are known to be disciplined and follow a strict diet. Washboard abs like hers are made in the kitchen and not in the gym.
1. Eat Frequently
If you want to build muscle and lose weight, you should eat at regular intervals throughout the day. Anllela eats four times a day and spreads out her meals evenly. Many people have the misconception that skipping meals will help them lose weight.
Skipping meals can have the opposite effect. You might force your body into storing fat by missing meals. Eating frequently can increase your metabolism rate which can help you in burning fat even while you’re not physically active.
2. Take Protein With Every Meal
It is no secret protein is the most important macronutrient when it comes to building muscle mass. As a rule of thumb, if you want to gain muscle, you should be taking one gram of protein per pound of body weight daily.
It is important you span out your protein intake throughout the day. Don’t try to gulp down all the protein in one or two sittings. Eating protein containing meals will help your body repair and recover from your workouts. Every meal Anllela eats contains protein in the form of egg whites or chicken and veggies.
3. Cycle Your Carbs
Some people cut out all the carbs from their diet in order to lose body fat. There is a smarter way of doing this. You can cycle your carbs throughout the week. This way your body can better respond to your diet.
Anllela eats zero carbs on the first day of the week. Doing this will create a carbohydrate deficit in your body and it will have to use stored fat as a source of fuel. This sounds good but this approach is not feasible in the long run.
The second day of the week is a low carb day for Sagra. You can go all out on the third day of the week and meet your normal carb needs as per your body weight. Repeat these three days over and over every week and you will see incredible results.
4. Cheat Meals
Cheat meals are an important aspect of losing weight and body fat. They make your body work harder to burn all the extra calories, fats, and carbs you intake in a single meal. This ramps up your metabolism system and helps you lose weight.
Anlella Sagra eats a cheat meal four times in a month which usually consists of a burger, fries, cheesecake, and peanuts. This is enough for her to satisfy all her cravings. Sagra loves sweets and eats protein bars whenever she has a craving for them.
What do you think of the Anllela Sagra diet? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Images courtesy of Instagram
10 Daily Habits of Successful Bodybuilders
The Most Common Habits of Successful Bodybuilders
Of all the people working out to get a better physique, only a few can be deemed successful. Most people blame their genetics for not seeing results in the gym while the real problem lies elsewhere.
Being successful at bodybuilding takes a lot of self-discipline. If you follow fitness athletes on social media, you would have seen a common pattern in their days. There are certain things accomplished bodybuilders do every day which makes them the best at what they do.
1. Wake Up Early
We’re sure you would have never seen a professional bodybuilder wake up late and social media is a proof for this. Successful people wake up early and get to work. Most of the successful bodybuilder workout early in the morning.
2. Follow a Schedule
Top bodybuilders follow a schedule. They don’t go to the gym when it is convenient for them. They have a fixed schedule which they follow. Your muscles respond better to your workouts when you hit the gym at the same time every day.
3. Eat Frequently
Following a healthy diet is a must. It doesn’t end there, you have to eat frequently and on time. Feeding your muscles at regular intervals helps in the recovery process. If you’re looking to build muscles, you should be eating anywhere between 6-8 meals a day.
4. Set Goals
You should have short-term and long-term goals. You can’t expect to see results in the gym if you go there without a goal. All the successful bodybuilders have a goal in their minds when they step into the gym and they will do anything to achieve it.
5. Plan in Advance
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” You need to have a workout, diet, and a day plan ready in advance. When you have your workout plans ready in advance, you can focus on the workouts instead of thinking of exercises to do next.
6. Visualise
Visualisation is made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. He used visualisation techniques to imagine his dream physique and then worked in the gym to achieve it. Visualisation combined with the mind-muscle connection can take your gains to a whole new level.
7. Work on Something Bigger
While you might enjoy your time in the gym, don’t get absorbed by it. Take out the time to work on something bigger. Most of the famous bodybuilders spend short but effective time in the gym and work outside the gym to build their empires.
8. Share
In today’s era, you will hardly find a successful bodybuilder who lives in isolation. If you’ve achieved a goal, share it with the world and motivate them. On the other hand, if you’re working towards a goal sharing it with your friends and family can motivate you to work harder for it.
9. Have Fun
Not seeing results can lead to frustration and anxiety. It is important you have fun in and out of the gym. Don’t let go of a chance to have fun. Follow a hobby or spend some time with your friends and family.
10. Sleep Well
No matter how hard you work in the gym, deep sleep is where all the magic happens. Your muscles need at least six hours of sleep every night to rest and repair after your workouts. It is time you stop wearing sleep deprivation as a badge of honor.
Which of these habits do you need to form? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
When To Take BCAA Supplements For The Best Results
When To Take BCAA Supplements
BCAAs are arguably one of the most mysterious supplements. While many people know about the existence of BCAAs, they don’t know what they do. BCAAs are an incredibly effective supplement when taken at the right time and in the right amount.
Branched Chained Amino Acids (BCAAs) got their name because, from a chemical structure standpoint, they have forked outcroppings which look like a branch. Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are the three essential amino acids forming BCAAs.
In a study, the trained triathlete who consumed BCAA supplements for eight weeks gained about twice as much muscle mass and strength as compared to the athletes who only took a whey protein supplement without additional BCAAs. The results rely a lot on the time you consume the supplement so you should know when to take BCAA supplements.
One BCAA supplement to consider is National Bodybuilding Co. Pro Contest BCAA which won GI Supplement Awards for Best Post-Workout. With a great 2:1:1 ratio, this BCAA supplement can boost athletic endurance and reduce fatigue while also optimizing muscle growth and stop muscle breakdown. A simple formula with naturally sourced ingredients, this supplement is definitely one to try.
Check out National Bodybuilding Co. Pro Contest BCAA here. You can also check out the top BCAA Supplements for Recovery here.
Difference Between Amino Acids and Branched Chained Amino Acids
Most people have a hard time differentiating between amino acids and branched chained amino acids. Both these supplements are processed uniquely by your body and have different effects on your physique. Understanding the difference between them can tell you when to take BCAA supplements.
As you probably already know, your muscles are made up of protein. Protein is further made up of amino acids which look like a pearl necklace. If you want to build muscle, you want this pearl necklace to get bigger so your body can make more protein. This process of converting amino acids into protein is known as protein synthesis.
The BCAAs are indispensable components in the aforementioned process of converting amino acids into protein. They act as the building blocks for building muscle. Each of the three branched chained amino acids plays a vital role in this process.
When you consume amino acids, they go directly to your liver. In the liver, they are either converted into fuel to be used as energy by your body or are passed for building and repairing muscle. Your muscles will only receive the amino acids if they’re not converted into energy.
BCAAs are treated differently. They are not sent to the liver and head straight to your muscles where the muscles use them as fuel or to build and repair themselves. This is the reason BCAAs have grown in popularity in the bodybuilding community.
Role of The Three Amino Acids
Why and when to take BCAA supplements has a lot to do with the role they play in bodybuilding. Apart from being effective at muscle growth, BCAAs help in delaying fatigue during your workouts, boost fat loss and supports strength and mental focus. Each of the three essential amino acids plays a specific role in the supplement.
Leucine
Leucine helps with protein synthesis and leads to muscle growth. Leucine is the main essential amino acid which starts the process of combining amino acids to produce muscle protein.
Leucine also boosts insulin levels which are an anabolic hormone which further stimulates protein synthesis. Furthermore, it boosts growth hormone which promoted muscle growth and reduces cortisol levels which break down muscle.
Isoleucine
It is a known fact protein synthesis can help fight body fat. BCAAs increase the protein synthesis in your body which in turn increases your energy expenditure so much that it helps in burning body fat.
Isoleucine activates special receptors known as PPAR which increase the fat burning process in your body and inhibit fat storage. When you supplement with isoleucine, your body starts using the stored fats as fuel.
Valine
The amino acid tryptophan is responsible for producing serotonin which signals to the brain that the body is fatigued. The BCAA valine actively competes with tryptophan for entry into the brain.
Consuming valine before a workout can delay fatigue and reduce the amount of tryptophan in your brain. This shows that BCAAs don’t only improve your body function, but also your mental capabilities. They help you stay sharper and improve your cognitive abilities.
This Is When To Take BCAA Supplements For The Best Results
Before a Workout
BCAAs are a great supplement to be taken before a workout. BCAAs help in breaking down fat to release energy which can help you get more out of your workouts. You should also consume BCAAs first thing on waking up since you’re in a fasted state and BCAAs helps in preventing the breaking down of muscle.
During a Workout
BCAAs can help you during your workout by supplying constant energy. It also helps with delaying fatigue so you can make the most of your time in the gym. BCAA supplements can also improve your mental focus during your workouts.
After a Workout
BCAAs help with muscle repair and recovery. They’re a must with a post-workout shake or after a post-workout meal. BCAAs can speed up the protein synthesis in your muscles and help them heal and grow faster.
Dosage
You should take anywhere between 3-5 servings of a BCAA supplement throughout the day. Each serving should not be less than five grams. Sipping on BCAAs throughout your day can promote muscle growth, speed up recovery and reduce muscle soreness.
Do you supplement with BCAA? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
3 Nutrition Tips For Winter
Classically, winter is known in the fitness community as ‘Bulking Season,’ which in reality becomes justification for gaining fat during the holidays. While taking a break from strict dieting can benefit the body, better than increasing fat and carb intake would be using the season to focus on different aspects of nutrition. In his guest contributor article, Dr. Jacob Wilson shares tips to make the most out of nutrition this winter.
The first one is a no-brainer: probiotics. Everyone knows that winter is the season of sickness, but cold isn’t the only danger. The digestive tract is both integral to the immune system and ground zero for unfriendly viruses.
Constant eating, especially of high amounts of sugar and fat will imbalance gut bacteria and make one more susceptible to sickness. Excellent sources of probiotics are Greek yogurt, and Glutamine. But you could even try fashionable fermented products like kombucha, kimchi, or sauerkraut.
Second on the list of nutrients to emphasize during winter is Vitamin D. Obviously, supply of Vitamin D generally decreases during months that are cloudy or spent indoors. But unfortunately, “Vitamin -D Enriched’ products or vitamins simply do not carry the quality of bio-available Vitamin D that arrives in whole food sources.
Sockeye salmon and other types of fish are fantastic sources of this nutrient, and their high Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratios can help reduce levels of inflammatory cortisol throughout the body.
Such fats are also absolutely critical for brain function. We all know that the dreary and reminiscent months can trigger a less than chipper attitude, and keeping the brain properly supplied will go a long way to alleviating mental fog.
Saturate fats positively affect free testosterone, have been shown to help cells retain more Omega-3’s, and assist in conversion of fats into DHA which is optimal fuel for the brain. Of course, saturated fats have their con’s too. But if there was a time in the year to experiment with amounts and sources, it would be winter.
Ultimately winter is the season for experimentation. Everyone should try out different foods, eating schedules, and nutrient rations, to see if there’s anything to carry over into swimsuit season or competition prep.
If you’re looking for a deeper in-depth guide for maximizing your bodybuilding nutrition, make sure to sign up for Generation Iron Plus. The most detailed bodybuilding training and diet subscription guide with a massive archive of content and new courses uploaded every month.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Quotes to Keep You Motivated
Arnold Schwarzenegger Quotes to Keep You Motivated
It’s safe to say Arnold brought bodybuilding to the mainstream. If it was not for Arnie and his Greek god-like physique in Conan the Barbarian, Terminator, Commando etc., bodybuilding probably wouldn’t have flourished throughout the world.
Who would have thought a guy from Austria would end up marrying a Kennedy and become the Governor of California? The Governator is no ordinary human. His thought process, hard work, discipline, and visualization techniques have helped him get where he is. When Arnie talks, we should all listen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Rules of Success
Make it Count
“The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens.”
Chase the Pump
“Not many people understand what a pump is. It must be experienced to be understood. It is the greatest feeling that I get. I search for this pump because it means that that my muscles will grow when I get it. I get a pump when the blood is running into my muscles. They become really tight with blood. Like the skin is going to explode any minute. It’s like someone putting air in my muscles. It blows up. It feels fantastic.”
Resistance is Your Friend
“The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character.”
If It’s Not Fun, You’re Doing it Wrong
“Bodybuilding should be fun because you get a feeling of satisfaction which is very hard to explain. A bodybuilder knows when he pumps up his muscles it means growth. The muscles grow. So, therefore, he knows when he pumps up well, that is progress. And that satisfies him because he feels the progress in his body. Therefore the pump feels good. It’s actually the best feeling a bodybuilder can have. It’s a difficult thing to explain. Like sometimes we joke around and we get a good pump and we say you have to admit that a good pump is better than coming. Somebody off the street wouldn’t understand that, but sometimes a pump is the best feeling you can have.”
“The best activities for your health are pumping and humping.”
Shock Your Muscles
“A beginner does eight repetitions of a certain exercise with his maximum weight on the barbell. As soon as it hurts, he thinks about stopping. I work beyond this point, which means I tell my mind that as soon as it starts aching it is growing. Growing is something unusual for the body when you are over eighteen. The body isn’t used to ten, eleven, or twelve reps with a maximum weight. Then I do ten or fifteen sets of this in a row. No human body was ever prepared for this and suddenly it is making itself grow to handle this new challenge, growing through this pain area. Experiencing this pain in my muscles and aching and going on is my challenge. The last three or four reps is what makes the muscles grow. This area of pain divides a champion from someone who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens. I have no fear of fainting. I do squats until I fall over and pass out. So what? It’s not going to kill me. I wake up five minutes later and I’m OK. A lot of other athletes are afraid of this. So they don’t pass out. They don’t go on.”
Stay True to Yourself
“What I’m doing is the thing I want to do. I don’t care what other people think. If the rest of disagrees and says I shouldn’t waste my time, I still will be a bodybuilder. I love it. I love the feeling in my muscles, I love the competition, and I love the things it gives me. I have never really had to work in my whole life. I’ve never had an eight to six job. I’ve always made good money. I’ve traveled all over the world competing and giving exhibitions. I‘ve made a profession out of a pastime, which perhaps only five percent of the population can do. The other ninety-five percent are frustrated office workers, working for someone else. I’m totally independent. So, I…..feel…if I would live again or if I would be born again, I would do exactly the same thing.”
Never Be Afraid of Failure
“Just like in bodybuilding, failure is also a necessary experience for growth in our own lives, for if we’re never tested to our limits, how will we know how strong we really are? How will we ever grow?”
Be the Sculptor of Your Physique
“You don’t really see a muscle as a part of you, in a way. You see it as a thing. You look at it as a thing and you say well this thing has to be built a little longer, the bicep has to be longer, or the tricep has to be thicker here in the elbow area. And you look at it and it doesn’t even seem to belong to you. Like a sculpture. Then after looking at it a sculptor goes in with his thing and works a little bit, and you do maybe then some extra forced reps to get this lower part out. You form it. Just like a sculpture.”
Struggles Develop Real Strength
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”
Visualization is the Key
“The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.”
“As a kid, I always idolized the winning athletes. It is one thing to idolize heroes. It is quite another to visualize yourself in their place. When I saw great people, I said to myself: I can be there.”
“We all have great inner power. The power is self-faith. There’s really an attitude to winning. You have to see yourself winning before you win. And you have to be hungry. You have to want to conquer.”
Be Yourself
“The worst thing I can be is the same as everybody else. I hate that.”
Never Settle
“When I was ten years old I got this thing that I wanted to be the best in something, so I started swimming. I won championships, but I felt I couldn’t be the best. I tried skiing, but there I felt I didn’t have potential. I played soccer, but I didn’t like that to well because there I didn’t get the credit alone if I did something special. I just avoided team sports from then on. Then I started lifting through the other sports and I enjoyed it the most. I won the Austrian championship in 1964 but found out I was too tall. So I quit that and went into bodybuilding. Two years later I found out that that’s it that’s what I can be the best in.”
Food for Thought
“You have to remember something: Everybody pities the weak; jealousy you have to earn.”
Which is your favorite Arnold quote? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
OPINION: 5 Reasons Not To Compete in Bodybuilding Shows
5 Reasons/Excuses to Not Compete in Bodybuilding Shows
Many people who are serious about bodybuilding have a dream of stepping onto the stage one day. Competing in a bodybuilding show is a certificate in itself that you’re serious about your craft. On the other hand, there are people who would do anything to escape the idea of stepping onto a stage with ripped guys.
Since you’re reading this article, we’re assuming you’re from the latter group. Once you’re done with this article, you’ll have enough things to say to people who suggest you should compete in bodybuilding shows.
1. Genetics
Not everyone is born to be a bodybuilder. Genetics play a major role in shaping your muscles. If you have a genetically weak muscle group, don’t bother getting on stage and wasting your, your competitor’s, the audience’s and the judge’s time.
No matter how hard you workout, someone genetically superior will always beat you. You can’t overlook your muscle proportions while preparing for a contest. Even if one of your muscle groups is lagging, you should consider dropping out of the competition.
2. Conditioning
Bodybuilding shows are supposed to be freak shows. People fill up auditoriums to look at muscular giants. If you’re planning to compete, make sure you do justice to these people and give them their money’s worth.
If your muscles aren’t in their peak conditions and the lines and striations don’t show, you should save yourself the trouble of getting up on the stage. Do everyone a favor, get a seat in the audience and enjoy the show.
3. Stage Fright
Not everyone can handle the pressure which comes with getting on a stage. If you’re good enough, you’ll be asked to perform your routine which means you’ll have to handle the stage and the audience single-handedly.
Posing is easier said than done. Legends like Arnold and Kai Greene have been documented taking posing classes, and you might need one (or many) as well. If you can’t think of showing off your ripped physique without getting overwhelmed, bodybuilding shows aren’t for you.
4. Someone is Pushing You
We appreciate the fact you have supportive friends and family, but this shouldn’t be the only reason for you to compete. Take a long and close look at your physique before deciding to sign the competition contract.
Run through the list of athletes competing in the show and make sure you stand a chance against them. Having an experienced coach will pay dividends when it comes to having honest opinion and feedback about your physique.
5. Bad Skin
If your body is full of acne or other marks, it is better to stay off the stage. Some people also consider tattoos to be a setback. Tattoos which don’t take up a lot of real estate on your body can cause no harm.
Choosing the right tan can make a big impact on how you look onstage. An expert eye can always catch the difference between a healthy and bad skin. Getting on the dermatologist table before the stage will be a smarter decision.
Are you planning to compete in a bodybuilding show? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Personal Training Should Be A Strict No And This Is Why
These Are The Reasons Why You Should Never Sign Up For Personal Training
Personal training is one of the biggest profit making services for a gym and its trainers. This is the reason the staff at the gyms push people to sign up for personal training (PT) programs. The newbies are the most prone to the PT sales pitch.
If you’ve just got a gym membership, working out can look intimidating. The trainers at your gym know this and will try to push you into signing up for a PT. No matter how hard they try, you should stay away from it.
1. Not For The Long Run
Staying with a personal trainer forever can be hard even if you want to compete in pro bodybuilding shows. Most people tend to stop taking the personal training services once they get the knack of things in the gym.
While this might be the obvious next step for you, there are chances your personal trainer will not be happy with your decision. Don’t expect help or spot from the trainers at your gym once you’re off the personal training program.
2. Cross Selling
Once you sign up for PT, you’ve established you’re ready to spend handsomely on your health. Many gyms recommend and sell supplements to their customers and make a fat commission on every sale.
Cross selling doesn’t end at supplements. It can even extend to gym gear and any other thing related to fitness and working out. Don’t be surprised the next time your personal trainer finds something extraordinary and wants you to try it.
3. Over Dependence
Getting a personal trainer for yourself is like outsourcing the tension about your health. This can be a good and a bad thing. Over-dependence on your trainer for your training and nutrition plans can be harmful.
Your trainer will love to do all this work since it will keep you dependent on him. You should be actively involved in building your diet and training plans. Make sure you’re questioning and learning from your trainer with every single passing day.
4. No Custom Training Programs
Personal training isn’t as personal as you might think it is. Look at it from the business point of view, the more clients the trainer services, the more he earns. Training clients for the entire day can leave little to no time to work on individual client training programs.
The trainers end up building a generic training plan which all their trainees follow. In worse cases, people follow plans which are available on Bodybuilding.com for free. If you decide to opt for personal training, see to it your instructor builds a custom plan for you.
5. Getting A Wrong Match
No two people are the same. You can’t go with any fitness trainer. You need someone who matches your personality and style and understands where you lack. Your fitness instructor will be with you for the entire time you’re in the gym, choose someone you can jell well with.
Hiring a wrong match can act as a demotivation. You might start skipping your workouts because of your trainer. The best way to avoid this is to ask the trainer for a trial and only finalizing if he is a good fit for you.
Have you ever opted for personal training? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
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