We were recently at an expo where Colorado Rockies Strength and Conditioning Coach Brad Andress spoke about training methods for today’s top professional baseball players. Guess what? Those training methods are the same ones we’ve been teaching in gyms all across America.

You see, Andress was trumpeting the very thing we’ve been promoting over the last few years...getting back to basics. If you’ve been part of the fitness movement recently, you know about plyometrics, BOSU balls, core training classes, Swiss ball workouts, Xerdisc training and exercise on foam rollers. Do any of these new-fangled routines work? The answer is ... no better than the basic movements that we’ve been doing with a bench and dumbbells for the last 30 years.

So why are fitness magazines promoting these hot new workouts, and why are trainers all over the country encouraging their clients to hold weights over their heads while balancing on a wooden board? The reason is that consumers are bored, and as a result they are always looking for something new to keep their motivation strong. Trainers wind up implementing these outrageous routines against their better judgment because they’re afraid they’ll look like they’re behind the times if they don’t. Or worse yet, they’re worried about losing the clients they need to pay the bills.

But if you take an objective look, it’s our opinion that standing on a Xerdisc while doing a standing overhead press really doesn’t develop your core muscles any better than doing a standard ab crunch. In fact, you should assess what we call the “risk versus reward” equation. In other words, there better be a greater benefit to balancing dumbbells over your head on a Xerdisc in order to merit the increased risk of injury. If most trainers were honest with themselves they’d say you could accomplish the same development without the Xerdisc and significantly reduce the risk of injury. With that said, the limited use of new devices can add a motivational spark to an old routine. Just make sure you use them safely and that your entire exercise plan is not built around a gimmick.

Book Dan and Jennifer Polimino to speak at your next meeting or event today. For program information contact us at support@greatshapeup.com or 303-683-4795.