This blog is more of an opinion but it is still based on practicality and functionality of exercise. With all of this craze towards 'integrative' exercise and new and challenging exercises, what the heck are half of these exercises for??? I have seen some trainers doing the wildest things. We can start with a very simple one that I see very often. I call it the "Doggie Leg Lift"- This one is where the exerciser is on hands and knees and lifts their leg out and up as if they were a dog doing it's 'business'. I know what this is 'for' (outer thighs) but come on! A- It is so unfounctional, B- It is minimal in effect. My solution would be to stand on a small platform with the uninvolved (non-used side) leg. The other leg can be lifted to the side or back. If you have resistance from a cable machine or bands or, even, manual. Another is the "Doggie Kick Back". Again, it is not functional and, I feel, very ineffective. Your glutes are VERY strong. How many of these can you do? Even if a plate is placed on your foot. My favorite single leg glute exercise is a split squat- Place the non- working foot on a bench (more advance can use a ball). The foot on the floor performs like a lunge.
Now on to the point of this. These trainers are getting so fancy that they are forgetting basic concepts of function, measurable performance and safety. If the exercise is so fancy, does it replicate your daily activity or sport? Is is something where you can gauge your performance level? Could it cause a traumatic or a harder to measure and determine chronic injury. Is it too fancy and involved for your fitness level? Many ab exercises are good but the person doing it isn't ready for it. They use compensatory muscles. This can lead to chronic problems later. If you don't really know how to determine if the exercise is good or not try this rule:
Would your trainer use/do this exercise??? I have seen many trainers take their clients through work-outs that the trainer wouldn't do for their life. The trainer is giving in to the commercial demands of the business and not training! Do your research. If you want to train for a sport, look up how to train for that sport. If it is just for general fitness and you don't have time to research, just use the "would your trainer do this rule".
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I agree. But you can burn calories all over, thereby reducing fat, while simultaneously building muscle mass in an area. The muscle will replace fat just as fat grows to replace muscle loss when someone with large muscle mass becomes inactive. Of course, the effect is not as dramatic when building muscle. Also muscles like abs can cover and improve the appearance of fat (I can testify to this) while putting additional presure on a fat pad (hold it in).
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