Interesting Article about ergs in L.A. Times

[woolsmith]

Here's a link to a website that also has a link to an article in the L.A. Times about indoor rowing: http://www.indo-row.com

What's really cool, is this guy talks about how so many people are using improper technique when they use the erg and how many athletic club staff members don't know who to use an erg properly, either. This leads to people trying an erg, getting back/shoulder pain and muscle soreness as a result of using improper technique, and then deciding they "hate rowing." I know many folks have mentioned in theses forums about encountering this very problem in gyms/athletic clubs in the past. (BTW, Grams is a great amabassador for erging by the way she helps to encourage folks to use an erg in some of the gyms she's been to, and she also teaches them proper rowing technique--go Grams!)

The article also mentions something about an upcoming episode this fall of "Biggest Loser" (wight loss reality show) which will feature some ergs. C2 might have to gear up production after that airs, hey?

Has anyone read this L.A. Times article? What do you think about it?

--Jen in WI

[Sean Seamus]

hello Jen -
there was some comment on this article in the "Training" section a week or two ago, under the title
Indoor Rowing Ticking Time Bomb.
I think it is a great development.

By the way, C2 runs a one day Trainer's Program. I intend to take it in August in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Perhaps you could get there from WI <I think that is Wisconsin ?>

Teaching is a good way to learn, in my experience.
~ Sean

[woolsmith]

Hey there, Sean!

Figures--I'm late with everything I do! I'll have to scope around and find those postings. I looked briefly before I posted this but didn't see anything.

Yup, I'd like to see the indoor rowing pick up in popularity, too. I think it would bring a higher interest into the sport of rowing in general and make a lot of rowing coaches happy.

I should go to that Trainer's Program up in Yooper land--I need all the help I can get! I'm not too far from the U.P. border, actually. Anyway, my "study" of proper rowing technique has been very limited. I've carefully studied the C2 video, Xeno Muller's technique video, and what C2 has as far as technique info on their websites. And of course, the forums have provided a wealth of info as well.

Unfortunately, even after a 40 pound weight loss, I still have a ways to go to get rid of my gut. At this point, I feel like I can only do a 3/4 row because I feel like I have this extra "pillow" on my lap that most normal weight folks don't have. In the realm of overweight people who are built like either apples or pears, I'm an apple. I can't get all the way into the catch without compromising a lot of other components. I'd make the folks at that Trainer's Conference crazy!

I think it's a natural tendency for folks to look at a rowing machine and think, "Well how hard can that be?" I think it's soooo unfortunate that a great form of exercise gets dissed my so many people who have tried it and didn't like it, only because they weren't using anything resembling proper form. But since I love my erg so much, I'm probably a tad biased, hey? Rowing technique fits into one of my pet categories of things that are "easy to learn, but difficult to master."

I know I have to remind my husband about his technique, because he tends to do the "wave over the knees" with the handle. I'm bad about bending my knees too soon on the return, too, but I've gotten a LOT better. What helped me with that was the tip I learned on the forum about releasing the handle just as quickly as you did when you finished the drive.

So my trek to Yooper country probably won't happen this year.

If you go, let us know how it all went, Sean!

--Jen, nearly a Yooper

[Sean Seamus]

well . . . the idea that one must be buff & blonde to teach exercise is . . .

it might be a remarkable way for you to overcome something; and to help the whole fitness business with bringing healthy living for normal people into the mix - for a lot of people, the use of Elite Athleticism as a Standard Measure is a trick to enable them to opt out of sincere effort

I work in a gym, and I see all sorts. I teach some exercise, and I sincerely believe that the Only Requirement for Success is TRYING.

All who TRY, succeed. Always.

but maybe next year . . . .

[woolsmith]

Hey Sean!

Hmmm...I must have given you the impression that I was wimping out on the training class. My apologies for communicating my thoughts so poorly.

I was looking at the training program as "training for the trainers," based on the title. And while I don't doubt that I would learn a great deal at that session, for someone like me to attend would be like trying to kill a mosquito with one of those infamous 500-lb bombs that got Zarqwari in Iraq. I guess I interpreted that training session to be targeted towards folks like you, who work in a gym or who are trainers. You then would learn how/what to teach people like me. Like a kind of erging evangelism of sorts. And being a trainer yourself, you would have many more opportunities to do just that compared to someone like me who never goes to a gym (my gym is at home ). So you would be that program's target audience, and I would be yours.

I suppose I also looked at that from the angle of what those poor teachers would have to do to teach a non-trainer like me. They'd have to spend more remedial time and resources with me because I'm *not* a trainer. My thinking was that the whole thing wouldn't be the most economical use of time and resources for anyone involved to have someone like me to attend.

So because of all of that, and since I have never seem to have enough of my precious vacation time, I felt that I would be better served by spending the time rowing! And I'm on to getting my 3 million meters for my next goal.

But like I'd said, I'd sure be glad to hear what you get out of that program! Maybe you could ask them what to do with "apples" like me????

--Jen in WI

[Sean Seamus]

and I was saying that becoming / being a "Trainer" isn't all that specialized

When you are ready, if you want to, perhaps you will ascend to the lower order of the priesthood of Fitness Trainers.

Meanwhile, I will let you know how the course seems to me.

[woolsmith]

Ah, gotchya! That might be something for me to think about.

And now you've stimulated my curiosity. What are all of those different fitness trainer titles out there, and what do they mean exactly? Like, what requirements are needed to become a trainer (or whatever any of those other titles are called)? What kinds of certifications? Some programs are as simple as a certificate program, some folks just have to pass the written test, and some folks have to have college degrees...which one is which? And why? And if I recall, there are two main certifying organizations--ACSM (?), and another one that I can't remember.

I'm an RN, and nursing has a similar confusion--like three entry levels into practice--Associate Degree (2 yr), Diploma (3 yr), Bachelor's (4 yr), and then there are advanced practice nurses like me (women's health nurse practitioner), other specialties of nurse practitioners, Master's degree RNs, PhD RNs.... Nurses know what all of these are (usually, but sometimes even WE get confoosed! ), but the general public usually has no idea what's what. To the public, a nurse is a nurse is a nurse....

And you're from Canada, so Canadian fitness trainer certifications might be totally different from what we have down here??

--Jen in WI

[Sean Seamus]

yes - you got it

and in my experience, if you are a nurse, you know more than lots of "trainers" - about the body, what is safe, what is insane

as for the certifications, I will make the overly general remark that there are many of them worth about as much as a shiny foil stamped gum wrapper - the business is wildly under-regulated - but then that's probably a good thing, in that there ain't all that much demand, and if the only way to get into the business was to have a medical degree there wouldn't be many practising it, as it doesn't pay very well

the best trainers have a knack and desire, and it is probably always going to be that way - it is a . . . hmmmm . . . can't think of a term or phrase just now - anyhow if you'll google "fitness trainer" and related terms you'll discover multiple parallel universes.

gotta run - let's continue this, and maybe under a different title, so as to draw in some more contributors