Cholesterol as a blanket term with no context has zero relevance to health.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound like I was having a go. I'm sure you're good at your job. Most PTs (don't know if that's what you are?) I know or have trained under have been more committed and good at their job than 90% of the population are at their respective jobs. I think you have to have an actual passion to work in that environment and have to obviously keep pretty fit yourself.

I'm not having a go at PTs or the industry, but I think there has to be some level of self-interest in getting people believing the best thing they can do for their fitness is join a gym. You would know more than me, but I would wager that at least 50% of people at gyms are there for weight loss (the rest spread out for Sport, Muscle gain/toning, rehab, etc). The best thing to do for that is HIIT. You don't need to be in a gym for that. Running/sprints in a park mixed with calisthenics would do most people fine. Even for muscle building/toning I think more people would be better off building up using calisthenics and once they have a decent level of strength progress to weights.

As a PT, it's one of those things where you HAVE to be 'good' at your job. If you are lazy or inattentive then people WILL get hurt and it's a massive liability for gym owners, etc. Bad trainers get weeded out pretty quickly I'd think.

You'd be surprised how many bad trainers there are out there.

Fair call, I probably shouldn't have jumped straight on the defensive there.

People join gyms for lots of reasons. At our gym we try to focus on community, culture and facilities (ie: we have a lot of members that joined us only because the equipment that we have is better than other places around here). Most of our members enjoy coming to the gym because it's a pleasant place to be whilst doing something that sucks (working out DOES suck sometimes).

HIIT with no equipment takes you so far, throwing in some kettlebells, skipping, resistance bands, plyo boxes, bosu's etc. gives variety and fun.

BTW, I'm not a PT (I guess technically I am because I'm qualified to be, but I don't have clients) - I manage the gym I work at. I have a team of PT's, and I constantly check over the advice they're giving to make sure they're not being dangerous etc.

Not so much surprised as perplexed I'd think. Got any horror stories for us?

We trialled a girl that suggested the best way to train a severely obese t2 diabetic was training 6 days a week, training them the same way that she would be training a maintenance client - just with lighter weights.

:lol: I'm reminded of homer simpson on a treadmill...I take it she's no longer working there.

We decided against hiring her after her trial :D

Noto, which gym do you work at?

Gym's Mowing.

I'd rather not say exactly where I work.

Just joined a gym the other day, any advice in dealing with soreness 24 hours after a workout?

Foam rolling (just after your session, along with stretching), warm baths, ride it out and ENJOY THE DOMS!

I'll give the foam rolling a look next time. Had to have a rest day today due to my arms being so bloody sore and stiff.

Now in the last hour and a half the calves have just gone to shit. Can barely walk.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Can't recommend this enough. Hurts, but it's worth it.

How much do they charge you for this glorified swimming pool noodle?

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about, please leave.

Can barely walk today. Will only be able to do two workouts this week which is quite disappointing. I do have a training partner which is great but these DOMS are killing me.

Just a quick question, overtime after more workouts the DOMS won't be as bad as they are now?

Correct. Every workout you have (provided you are consistent), the DOMS effect progressively lessens until you don't notice it at all.

I just changed up my program in the new year, never realised how little I had been using my hammies until I got a full dose of DOMS after a couple of RDL sets.

Fantastic news.

Any advice in upping my calorie intake?

GOMAD
Gallon Of Milk A Day

How could you drink 3.5-4 litres of milk in a day? That's a lot of milkshakes.

I've never had that much but I find it easy to smash through a couple of litres in a day.

Started Gym last week. So keen;

[youtube]R8D08WuHNTE[/youtube]

-PB

Why do you want to increase your energy intake?

Any advice on decreasing calorie intake?

Yea I got a high calorie protein shake but I was wondering about quick meals and snacks.