Why PTs should stick to weight plates and not what's on yours
When it comes to exercise, the support and guidance of a personal trainer has moved from the privilege of the elite to the mainstream. And whether you just need a little gentle coercion or like being screamed at while face down in mud by an ex-Marine, there’s a trainer for you.
And if you’re looking at losing weight and getting fitter it can really make sense to get a PT on board. Someone who understands the body and how it responds to exercise; someone who can help you train in fun and engaging ways and push you to achieve your goals. So it’s not in the least surprising that most PTs want you to get your nutrition “on point” too.
I should know. I’ve not only been personally trained but I‘ve been one too. And when I was, I operated in line with register of exercise professional’s code. That “PTs should only provide general advice on healthy eating, rather than give specific, prescriptive advice…and avoid giving advice which calls for the omission of food groups or encourages restricted eating patterns.”
But out on that gym floor, there’s a lot more than heavy weight being thrown around. There’s a lot of loose talk about food. In my time as both a trainer and trainee I’ve been recommended to
- Curb carbs after five
- Cut all fat-
- Do a 30 day ‘detox’
- Avoid all carbs for a week
- Add X brand of protein shake to your diet
- And my favourite – cut down on vegetables “because broccoli is a simple carb”