Partner Advice

[PolishHammer1977]

I have had this partner for a month now. His mother is a trainer at the club we go to and she has good ideas. Very new age and "safe" non-hardcore lifts. All dumbells, leg press instead of squats, never mentioning deadlifts (which I will try for the first time next back day), no military press, and the use of machines is highly recommended.

I tried to explain to him that you have to be innovative and creative in order to grow. I used Clint as an example. I brought him into my room and had him watch Clint. He shook his head and said, "that guys crazy". I said, maybe but he's growing. Are you? No response. I tried to explain that you have to go ass to the floor for squats and he says, "my mom said anything less than 90 will damage your knee."

Pick one major bodypart whether it be Back, Chest, Legs, or Shoulders. Give me the most beneficial exercise and how it should be done. I am going to print them out and give them to him in a folder. No shit fellas/ladies. He needs to learn. I value Elite's opinion.

 

[gettinlarger]

No military press?

I hold all militaries accountable for all my shoulder growth! Nothing compares. Machines give very little ROM. Militaries will teach you to keep the weight straight while pressing it. That, in itself, will strengthen your shoulders. Plus, there are MANY varieties: Seated, standing, clean and presses, etc etc etc.

Hope this helps you out Hammer.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Thanx GL,

I just printed it out and it is the first of what I hope to be many responses so this kid will let go of his mothers happy philosophies and get real.

Help me out y'all.

 

[Citruscide]

Many trainers, I mean MANY trainers are taught to do things that SOUND safe... in actuality, going more than 90 and not less will cause more stress to your knees... going below 90 actually takes the stress OFF your knees...

A big problem that many trainers face is that they do not take into account the individuals needs for growing... all too often I see them using the same routine on very different clients...

THe main thing to know is that in order to grow, you have to push yourself... certain exercises do that... Squats and Deadlifts are two of them.... explore them all, and find out what works best for you...

C-ditty

 

[WarriorPL]

Trainers are taught how to stay fit. Not grow.

When it comes to heavy weight training, they don't belong near you.

 

[Lord_Suston]

if he wants his mom's physique let him do what his mom does. IF he wants growth he needs to challenge hiself and I know no better way than heavy compound lifts. You don't see ronnie coleman going light on the weight.....

 

[PolishHammer1977]

C-Ditty,
Points well taken brother. I have it down. Nice piece. That stat will help the case without question.

Lord,
I might have to rephrase it bc he may be offended lol but a tremendous point.

Wiz,
I like it. I like that attitude.

Thanx guys. your helping me build my case and hopefully this kid will learn what it takes to grow. The more perspectives the better. I welcome as many as possible.

 

[louden_swain]

Never pick a partner who wants to start conversation between sets!!! Find one that has similar goals and is intense!! These are hard to come by.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Never pick a partner who wants to start conversation between sets!!! Find one that has similar goals and is intense!! These are hard to come by.

I agree. Can you add something pertaining to, lets say, deadlifts and their importance. In your own opinion.

 

[gettinlarger]

Does he want to be a monster?

... Or a cardio bunny?

 

[PolishHammer1977]

He says he wants to grow. Yet he eats like shit. Doesn't take care of himself. Stays out all night.
We go to lift and he comes up with a new machine type lift over a raw metal lift everytime. All of this is making me realize that I am wasting my time with him. I have known him for years so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I push him to work in the gym. I make him work hard.
If I do Bar rows..........he goes to the lat pull machine
If I do incline press......he goes to the incline press machine
If I do weighted towell pull ups..........he does regular pull ups

Know what I mean. I feel like the only reason why I still go with him is bc he can spot me on everything.

 

[louden_swain]

I used to have an excellent training partner from 1997-1999. This guy was strong as hell and was able to build your confidence along with motivation. Unfortunately he moved 25 miles away and our schedules became hectic. However, we still get together for a nasty balls-to-the-wall training session every now and then.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

You must have grown a ton during those two years loudin. I am very jealous. I need to find a new partner and fast!!!!!!

 

[JOKER47]

I agree. Can you add something pertaining to, lets say, deadlifts and their importance. In your own opinion.

Here's a whole bunch of input on deadlifting. From some very reputable sources, so I understand...

http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=208307


Joker

 

[skaman607]

ok machines suck and only pansies use them

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Thanx guys. I just about have my case. Almost there!!!!

 

[antny16]

some "creative" lifts to stimulate....

upper back---extra heavy dead/shrug in power rack, set the bars to knee height, maybe a little below, lift and shrug, almost like a power clean.

one armed deads---put the barbell with plates loaded to one side, the bar opposite of how you normally do deads, grab direct center and lift. If that didnt make sense lemme know.

one arm clean and jerks---use the barbell to start off with, grab direct center grip and rip like a normal clean and jerk

If you wanna really freak his mommy out you can always do some work with chains/bands hahaha.

 

[michaelcoutts]

lol....the trainers at the gym really know jack all about bodybuilding training.

They only know how to set up a routine for the middle aged mums who want to take up the slack and the beady eyed accountants who want to lower their cholestrol and get a little fit.

I remember when i first started out at a ymca gym, i asked for a program that would get me huge..

The lady gave me a program that made me train the whole body in one day with 20mins cardio, machine based exercises, 2 sets with 10-20 reps!!!! Isnt that just ridiculous? She designed the perfect routing NOT to put on weight.

Truthfully, those trainers at the commercial gyms are like someone said, cardio bunnies with pin necks and ribby chests.

 

[jerkbox]

i would say do your thing, let him do his....I have never really been able to find someone who lifts with the same determination that I do....

and you certainly will never be able to convince someone who isn't willing.....


i think you have to get lucky in finding a good training partner with similar dynamics and goals and dedication.

eventually, he will see that you are growing and he isn't...maybe then he will have a change of opinion...

 

[gettinlarger]

Tell him he's being a pussy, and he's never going to grow if he does not remove his head from his ass.

 

[louden_swain]

Tell him he's being a pussy, and he's never going to grow if he does not remove his head from his ass.

he he he. . .you are a straightfoward guy!!


Hell, if you keep hearing complaints from this guy, just get rid of him and train alone!! You would be better off!

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I am honestly loving all of this right now. I have a lot of info for him now. All different perpectives are welcome and more if possible. I am going to flood this kid with info so he doesn't fuck up the next partnership he has. That's the kind of guy I am. Trying to help someone else out in the future.

I like the straight forward shooting brother. I am the same way.



Loudin,
I am giving him one last chance. Since I am the only one that logs workouts and knows exactly what we did, how much, and when etc...today is chest day. If there are any excuses why we are doing it. I am dropping him today!

 

[PolishHammer1977]

The Verdict

Partner no more. Excuses, late night drinking. My priorities are to get stronger and progress. Not regress. Thanx to all of you that have shared. I am still editing the booklet and I will be handing it to him shortly.