Within the past month, I saw 5 patients who were injured in their respective gyms while working out with trainers. One was performing dead lifts with more than his body weight and blew out a disc at the age of 24 and now has chronic low back pain. One was working out with a trainer who claimed to be a body building champion and worked his shoulder so hard that he developed a bone spur and a tear of the rotator cuff. Another simply torqued his back on the leg strengthening equipment and has difficulty sitting and standing.
Personal trainers are not all the same. Just because they were able to work up to Mr. America, doesn’t mean that they can teach you to do the same. Pain in the gym does not equal gain! If it hurts, it is not good. I can walk through a gym and pick out all the potential patients in a few minutes. If an athletic trainer does not respond appropriately when you complain of pain with a particular exercise, it is time to get a new trainer.
Gyms can be hazardous to your health if exercises are performed incorrectly. Get professional help from a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant before you start. It can make all the difference in the world.
