The Death of Personal Training
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One-on-one training is dying.
That’s a BOLD statement coming form someone who’s made a living training people one-on-one for the better part of 13 years.
But, given society’s new "budget-conscious" state, having a personal trainer has gone back to becoming more of a luxury item than a necessity.
So, unless a trainer trains A-List celebrities or the uber-wealthy, it’s going to be a tough road trying to make a living by training people one-on-one without working 8, 10 or 12hr days.
As a result, bootcamps are popping up at every local park, community centre, gym and even backyard.
The problem with bootcamps is that they, more often than not, are run by trainers with weekend personal training certificates who read the latest politically correct fitness magazine -you know the kind that tell you to use soup cans for bicep curls- to get their exercise info.
So, it won’t be uncommon at these bootcamps to see pink dumbbells, half-balls and elastic bands with less resistance than the waistband on a 15-year-old "banana hammock".
I’ve rode my bike past bootcamps where trainers have 50-year-old women and 30-year-old men stand on one leg while they do lateral raises with 3lb dumbbells. I almost fell off my bike when I heard one of the trainers yell "feel the burn".
What is this, 1983?
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When I see this kind of thing, I ask myself if this is actually progress or regression?
For some reason, the fluorescent dumbbell, elastic band workout looks too much like a Richard Simmons revival than it does a bootcamp style workout that’s supposed to get you in shape.
So how do we make bootcamps an effective alternative for clients who are used to squatting, dead lifting, doing chin-ups and interval training?
We add kettlebells.
The versatility of kettlebells is unparalleled. They’re compact, transportable and are the perfect tool for bootcamps.
Here’s a kettlebell circuit that I used recently for one of my outdoor bootcamps:
I had my clients (who bring their own KBs to our class) start with a bodyweight warm-up and some mobility drills, the they did this circuit…
KB Revolution Bootcamp Circuit
1) 1-arm KB Swings x 20 per arm (switching arms every 5 reps)
2) Spiderman Push-ups x 10
3) Tactical Lunges x 20 (alternating legs)
4) KB Rows x 15 per arm
5) KB Squat to OH Press x 10
6) 2-arm KB Swings x 30
Rest 60s, repeat 2 additional times.
Then we finished up by do some interval training - either by dragging a sled, flipping a 150lb tractor tire or doing suicide sprints (a la highschool PE class).
Regardless of how your bootcamp is structured, it’s important to remember that the people taking bootcamps need to be challenged. So using weights less than 10lbs -regardless of how old or inexperienced the bootcampers are- will not provide an effective stimulus for the types "bang-for-your-buck" exercises that should be used.
There is absolutely no replacement for squatting, doing hamstring & glute dominant exercises like KB swings and snatches or tough bodyweight movements like chin-ups and push-ups.
…And there is no place in bootcamps for pink dumbbells.
-Chris Lopez
Author, TT Kettlebell Revolution
P.S. For MORE bootcamp workouts, get your copy of The TT Bootcamps Workout System
Hi Chris,
So true, no place for barbie doll weights. I was going to do Craig’s KB 555 this afternoon but will try this routine instead. I have a quick question about what sort of KB weight range I should be using. I know that both Craig and yourself have mentioned previously what KB weights you use and that is helpful for my husband but I am a fairly petite female at 160cm (5′3″) and 47kg (104 pounds). I would say I am an advanced trainee, workout 5 to 6 times per week and easily maintain a body fat of about 15 to 16%. I am currently using a 12kg (27lb) KB and am looking to progress to 16kg (35lb). Does this sound reasonable?
Thanks for your advice….
Kimberley in Hong Kong
Hi Kimberly
If you’re proficient at the exercises and you find them quite easy, then yes, progress to a 16kg. If you have an RKC trainer in your area, have him or her take a look at your form to see if they can clean anything up. Or take a video and send it to me and I’ll see if I can help you out.
Chris
amazing, I’ll be looking to get in to it.
thanks
Can you explain what Spiderman Push-ups look like
Hi Kay
I’ll be filming a video of Spiderman Push-ups for you this evening and will post it tomorrow!
Stay tuned,
Chris
you are very correct chris i can see the death of personal trainnig coming, smart people will take your advice and the dump one will stick to the old way and die with it . thanks for your great idaes looking for more in future.
victoria
hi great…actually another good resource for bootcamp workouts is http://fitnessbootcampworkout.com love the KB circiut!
Hi Chris,
Does squatting with kettlebells have the same benefit as performing traditional squats with barbell?
Thanks,
David
great content. How do I do a one arm snatch without smashing my forearm?
Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for your response. Great idea about getting my form checked. There is surprisingly only one gym in Hong Kong that really has any idea on KBs, incidentally the owner is Canadian, and I will go see him. It is very unfortunate but the bulk of trainers here in HK look like they have never lifted a weight and haven’t progressed beyond the 1 hour of cardio and maybe a few light machine based exercises type of program. Hardly inspirational!! It always surprises me that I out-lift almost all the guys at my gym and I have never seen a female in the free weights area.
I did this workout yesterday afternoon - after figuring out what tactical lunges are (gotta love Youtube). I teamed it with intervals of burpees, mountain climbers and squat jumps. I liked it a lot although next time I am going to add 15 KB RDL. Thanks for all the great ideas!!
Kimberley
Chris,
Your circuits are absolute monsters. There is no way I am able to complete all six exercises in the circuit without pushing the redline to beyond (way beyond) max! I started using a 20kg KB but just dropped down to 16kg.
Most of Craig’s TT routines aren’t all that challenging as he gives you a rest after each superset of two or three exercise. Your’s though really challenge me. I’ve not been able to get through one yet competely but I’m working on it. (I’m male, 57 years, 5′9″, 184 (down from 247) and have a bf just south of 20% now.)
Appreciate any tips you can throw my way for those of us that are on the opposite side of the time scale from you young guys!
Thanks!
I want to get started exercising with the kettlebells. I’ve never used them and need to know the best size to purchase for a beginner. Currently I walk 2 miles 2 days a week, deep water aerobics 1 time a week. use my gazelle (an exercise machine targeting all muscle groups) 2 times a week and practice tennis 2 times a week. I am 5′9″ was diagnosed with diabetes in 2006 and told if I lose the weight (I am currently 220 and want to get down to between 155-165) I can stop taking all this medication I am on.
I really am working towards losing the weight this time. Instead of talking about exercising I AM DOING IT. I do something physical everyday. I wan to purchase the kettlebells and start using them. What weight shall I start with?