Anyone who’s read my blog for any length of time knows I don’t take myself too seriously, and that a big part of what makes it popular is mixing solid fitness and health information with a pinch of entertainment. You can learn about program design, technique, corrective exercise, femoral acetabular impingement, and gluconeogenesis—while being sprinkled with Lord of the Rings references, self‑deprecating humor, and cute cat pics.
Today’s post aims to show that balance between teaching and a little humor. It’ll be short and sweet.
If you train in a commercial gym, you’ve probably seen a lot that makes you roll your eyes. I’m not saying all trainers or gyms are bad, and I’m not painting everyone with the same brush. Some do a fantastic job. Still, there’s a vibe you’ll often notice—loud music, people hogging equipment, and a variety of “techniques” you shouldn’t imitate.
People have to start somewhere, and they’re exercising, which is better than doing nothing. Most folks don’t know better; they may flare their elbows on push‑ups or subject their knees to extra stress with certain leg extensions. They learn from what they see online or on TV and try it at the gym.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when I see a trainer do something dumb. I once watched a trainer spot a client during dumbbell bench presses by grabbing the elbows instead of supporting the wrists. It seemed like a one‑off error, but I saw it again and feared something bad would happen. I posted about it, and the responses were a mix of humor and questions. Then two trainers privately asked why spotting through the elbows is wrong.
So, here’s the right way to spot someone: if they start to struggle, guide their wrists to help, and steer clear of shouting or overreacting. And there’s a flashy, risky way some people joke about, but it’s not acceptable. Don’t spot dumbbell presses through the elbows. It’s not smart.
Honestly, I’ve been doing this for over two decades, and I’ve never sat down with a client to discuss gluconeogenesis. With my imaginary friend Timmy? Sure. But not with a real person.
