When I first started training in the gym, I was determined I was going to achieve a physique I could be proud of.
I was fresh out of 10 years where 90% of my exercise came from swimming training. Moving into the gym environment wasn’t an area I felt entirely competent.
So I did what most people do when they are unsure…
I googled it.
I was confronted by a variety of different exercises, exercise plans, diets, articles on exercises and diet etc. etc. Some of the exercises were accompanied by demonstrations. And, if I’m being completely honest, I chose the ones with the most jacked guy performing them!
“That must be the key,” I thought.
THE FIGHT FOR ATTENTION
The internet in general but particularly social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram (especially Instagram) are full of attention-grabbing, weird and wonderful exercises with people from all over the world in amazing shape performing them.
In all this clambering for attention on these platforms, people are having to come up with new and sometimes crazy ways to grab your focus. The exercises you’ll come across vary to a large degree.
Some are really good that could be perfect for you and your goals. Some might be really good but might not necessarily work for you and what you’re trying to achieve.
Others, to be frank, are utterly ridiculous.
People saying “do this exercise for bigger glutes” as they perform banded squats, balancing on an upside-down Bosu Ball, juggling 2kg dumbbells whilst wearing a waist trainer.
Ok, maybe I got a bit carried away after Bosu Ball but I reckon that if I searched for long enough I’ll find this exercise. The point I’m making here is that while there is a tonne of very good exercises and exercise adaptations to be found out there.
HOW TO SPOT THE BS
The key is separating these from the BS. If you are in a similar position to the one I was in when I first started, it really isn’t hard to be led astray by these attention grabbers.
If I can give just one piece of advice it would be to always ask why.
Why do that exercise?
What does it work and how does that relate to me?
Know the purpose behind any exercise.
Don’t accept anything blindly because Jonny Fitpro said it and he has 1.2 million followers and drives a Lamborghini Diablo. (Not jealous at all).
Just don’t let your ONLY reason for doing a particular exercise go no further than because you say so and so doing it on Instagram.
