Looking for weight lifting coach

Bonkrs

I recently started doing a barbell weight lifting program and i'm looking for a professional to help with my form for the squat, deadlift etc.

I'm thinking along the lines of a few weekly sessions for starters and once i get the hang of it a few monthly checkups.

Anyone here qualified or know someone who they can recommend?

Btw you can read my log here.

BossArky

Take a few videos of yourself squatting, deadlifting, etc and throw them up on your log. You will get plenty of helpful feedback. Helped me a lot.

Hanley

BossArky wrote: »

Take a few videos of yourself squatting, deadlifting, etc and throw them up on your log. You will get plenty of helpful feedback. Helped me a lot.

+1

gabgab

Yeh that is what I am planning on doing and heading to Colm when I have 2 of each workout done,

video's are good, but having someone there to actually put me in the right position and call out prompts made a big difference,

Maybe PM Colm O'Reilly or go www.crossfit.ie

I'm doing starting strength, and the difference small things make is huge, eg: bar further down my back and wrists in the correct position squatting seems to place emphasis on muscles I never knew I had

I will be heading out, and maybe a mate of mine too soon, so maybe we could get all the starting strength or similar logs out to do a group coach with him?

You could piggyback that and see some of my brutal form at the same time so you dont copy it,

LegacyUser

You don't need a professional couch to do things like a squat or a deadlift. You just need to look how it's done and do it. You don't need crossfit, a professional couch or anything else just to learn how to do squats and deadlifts.

LegacyUser

BossArky wrote: »

Take a few videos of yourself squatting, deadlifting, etc and throw them up on your log. You will get plenty of helpful feedback. Helped me a lot.

If you are going to do anything, just do this...

aye

BossArky wrote: »

Take a few videos of yourself squatting, deadlifting, etc and throw them up on your log. You will get plenty of helpful feedback. Helped me a lot.

+1.

here is a good deadlift instructional video,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZX6OaLctfI&feature=related

gabgab

Not getting into another 4 liters of milk thread with cheesedude :D

But IMO,

If you want some pointers on how to do it, then go and get it. Its your choice,

Like most things in life, to do it as it meant to be done normally needs instruction and supervision,

Plenty of people can do things but may not be doing them as they are meant to be done,

These seemingly small insignificant little differences can make a big difference to the exercise, the results, and you're susceptibility to injury.

LegacyUser

Exactly. Do it as it's meant to be done. And if you need pointers, go and get it.

i.e. do what Bossarky says. No need to pay all that money to learn how to deadlifts and squats. If you have eyes and ears, you can learn it and do it yourself...

Bonkrs

Sure i'll make some vids, np.

I'd still like to get someone experienced to check my form and do a few sessions with me though. Someone actually got a recommendation?

Bonkrs

gabgab wrote: »

Yeh that is what I am planning on doing and heading to Colm when I have 2 of each workout done,

video's are good, but having someone there to actually put me in the right position and call out prompts made a big difference,

Maybe PM Colm O'Reilly or go www.crossfit.ie

I'm doing starting strength, and the difference small things make is huge, eg: bar further down my back and wrists in the correct position squatting seems to place emphasis on muscles I never knew I had

I will be heading out, and maybe a mate of mine too soon, so maybe we could get all the starting strength or similar logs out to do a group coach with him?

You could piggyback that and see some of my brutal form at the same time so you dont copy it,

Yea cool, get a little class going:) If anyone else is interested PM me.

gabgab

Colm O'Reilly who is on here is my recommendation, he runs crossfit in tallaght.

www.crossfit.ie

DM-BM

Cheesedude, you seem to know a lot about this, why don't you post a few videos and show us how it's done?

I'm sure lots of people could benefit from it.

gabgab

Yeh throw one up, be good to see it done right

LegacyUser

That's what youtube is for. I'm not part of a charity.

Roper

cheesedude wrote: »

That's what youtube is for. I'm not part of a charity.

No but of late you've proved yourself to be a bit of a know it all and a bit rude to go along with it. Maybe people are just wondering if there's any trousers behind the talk?

kevpants

cheesedude wrote: »

That's what youtube is for. I'm not part of a charity.

Cheesedude all of your posts sound like someone just interrupted you from doing something really important to put up the post. Why would you respond to a thread where someone is looking for advice if you are so clearly annoyed by their question?

LegacyUser

Roper wrote: »

No but of late you've proved yourself to be a bit of a know it all and a bit rude to go along with it. Maybe people are just wondering if there's any trousers behind the talk?

So i've proved myself to be a bit of a know it all? Well, that's good, i'm glad I proved it and hope people got something from it. I don't think I am being rude, if i have come across that way, then I apologise however if people want to see if there are trousers behind the talk...then come take a look at what i eat, come take a look at the stuff i like doing and feel free to criticise.

I work hard, I look after myself and I look good too. That works for me.

LegacyUser

kevpants wrote: »

Cheesedude all of your posts sound like someone just interrupted you from doing something really important to put up the post. Why would you respond to a thread where someone is looking for advice if you are so clearly annoyed by their question?

eh...I was asked to throw videos up, I said no. If i had a fitness log, and people asked, i'd happily throw them up...depending if people actually want to learn how to do it...Simple as that. Why would you want my videos when there is youtube? I don't make videos of myself doing squats. It's not necessary.

g'em

cheesedude wrote: »

I don't make videos of myself doing squats. It's not necessary.

I think you just damaged your credibility beyond repair with that one.

Can we quit waving the e-penis's around folks and stay OT please?

LegacyUser

g'em wrote: »

I think you just damaged your credibility beyond repair with that one.

Can we quit waving the e-penis's around folks and stay OT please?

well fair enough, I don't think so.

g'em

cheesedude wrote: »

well fair enough, I don't think so.

My point is, the day when you no longer need to refine and perfect your technique should never come. You never stop learning, practising, and keeping an eye on your form. Even the most seasoned and experienced lifters know that they need to stop and reassess from time to time. Arrogance causes injuries.

That, and it makes a person look like a knob tbh.

LegacyUser

g'em wrote: »

My point is, the day when you no longer need to refine and perfect your technique should never come. You never stop learning, practising, and keeping an eye on your form. Even the most seasoned and experienced lifters know that they need to stop and reassess from time to time. Arrogance causes injuries.

That, and it makes a person look like a knob tbh.

I agree with you and I always have an open mind to learning how to better myself. But in my opinion, you don't need a personal trainer to learn how to something as basic as a squat or a deadlift. And I speak to all sorts of people in the gym, one of which is competitive and holds a few records abroad who shares the same view as me so that helps back up my initial thoughts.

d-gal

IMO the squat cannot be learned by a video, much better to have a experienced professional helping you.
You cannot just watch a video, head off to the gym and hey presto its perfect! I'm always improving my technique and I have been at it for years. It is a extremely technical lift and anyone that thinks it is just a basic movement is very naive. (especially if its more than x2 b/w).
OP go to a pro and let them correct your technique coz u might think you have it right but could be very wrong, a video cannot tell you what to do.

Hanley

d-gal wrote: »

IMO the squat cannot be learned by a video, much better to have a experienced professional helping you.
You cannot just watch a video, head off to the gym and hey presto its perfect! I'm always improving my technique and I have been at it for years. It is a extremely technical lift and anyone that thinks it is just a basic movement is very naive. (especially if its more than x2 b/w).
OP go to a pro and let them correct your technique coz u might think you have it right but could be very wrong, a video cannot tell you what to do.

Seriously, how many "pro" squat teachers are there in Ireland??

d-gal

Hanley wrote: »

Seriously, how many "pro" squat teachers are there in Ireland??

sweet f*ck all, bit of searching for the OP i suppose. :pac:

Hanley

d-gal wrote: »

sweet f*ck all, bit of searching for the OP i suppose. :pac:

And ironically enough there's several people on this very board who could do a very good job of teaching people how to squat. Surely utilising this resource would be a good idea....?? If someone has decent enough proprioceptive skills then they should be able to learn to squat thru video feedback.

gabgab

Like its been pointed out by others, its not a basic lift cheesedude. Not even close, and the reason you should put up a video is so you can demonstrate your skill in what you think basic lift, with what you have learnt from youtube. It will back up your very strongly displayed beliefe that there is no need at all for coaching and that you can do it right with very little instruction,

As for the charity point, nonsense

Another option for you bonkrs would be to get starting strength, or post up your own video and people that know alot about it can help you out,

I would agree with you Hanley people can pick up most of it, but there is nothing like having someone there at the time to prompt you the whole way through, that way the movement, set up, how you rack and unrack, the height of the bar at the start is etc etc all become habit.

Hanley do you get coached, be interesting to see at you're level what its like, particularly under the kind of weights especially relative to bodyweight you guys lift

LegacyUser

Hanley wrote: »

And ironically enough there's several people on this very board who could do a very good job of teaching people how to squat. Surely utilising this resource would be a good idea....?? If someone has decent enough proprioceptive skills then they should be able to learn to squat thru video feedback.

Thank you.

And you know what makes it even sweeter, you set goals and achieve them and you compete at this ****. I respect people like you.

Hanley

gabgab wrote: »

Hanley do you get coached, be interesting to see at you're level what its like, particularly under the kind of weights especially relative to bodyweight you guys lift

There's alot of coaching and cue's that go on mid lift when we're squatting together, but no real "form work" if you know what I mean??

Alot of the things I've picked up while refining my squat form (for example driving my elbows forward, and picking my chest up at the start of each rep) came thru video's I sent to American lifters looking for feedback.

It's worked well for me, that's why I think it's a good idea. It worked well for Bossarky too actually!!

LegacyUser

gabgab wrote: »

Like its been pointed out by others, its not a basic lift cheesedude. Not even close, and the reason you should put up a video is so you can demonstrate your skill in what you think basic lift, with what you have learnt from youtube. It will back up your very strongly displayed beliefe that there is no need at all for coaching and that you can do it right with very little instruction,

As for the charity point, nonsense

You don't need a ****ing professional to teach you how to squat. End of story.

Why should I go through the bother of taking a video of myself performing a squat? I'm not a personal trainer and I don't get paid to do it and I know how to do it. If I was in the gym and someone asked me how do they do it, i'd show them. It's a basic lift to learn.

Go to youtube.com, people who say "I need a pro to teach me" - they are copping out. Go to youtube and type in squat and you will get hundreds of videos teaching you how to

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7MnqGlBj0CE

As I have said earlier, if you want to improve, take videos of yourself and send them to people who know for advice.

gabgab

Go to the bother because I would like to see it done, by someone that is self taught, and is stating as a fact, and very strongly that they know how to do it.

This is not rocket science, you have made a point, now back it up showing that self taught, using whatever means, youtube, books etc, is the way to go and you have done it and now have a decent squat, with good form, depth and based on your own weight are lifting a decent weight,

LegacyUser

Hanley wrote: »

If someone has decent enough proprioceptive skills then they should be able to learn to squat thru video feedback.

Gabgab, this is what Hanley said...^

What do you not understand? As for me going to take a video of myself for you, it's not gonna happen. Come see me in Total Fitness or Crunch and I'll show you how I do it and teach you a thing or two.

gabgab wrote: »

This is not rocket science, you have made a point, now back it up showing that self taught, using whatever means, youtube, books etc, is the way to go and you have done it and now have a decent squat, with good form, depth and based on your own weight are lifting a decent weight,

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yha2XAc2qu8 and to be honest, you don't need to watch the full 5 minute clip...he talks a lot. That's how he sells stuff, overloading of info. You can get the main gist if you take the important bits.

gabgab

Hanley wrote: »

There's alot of coaching and cue's that go on mid lift when we're squatting together, but no real "form work" if you know what I mean??

Alot of the things I've picked up while refining my squat form (for example driving my elbows forward, and picking my chest up at the start of each rep) came thru video's I sent to American lifters looking for feedback.

It's worked well for me, that's why I think it's a good idea. It worked well for Bossarky too actually!!

Cool, but I'm a bit lost if someone is prompting you with cues during the lift is that not the same as form? Sorry I'm not sure if thats what you mean

I will be trying to organise a video and throwing it up in my log so if you would'nt mind throwing your eye over it? Will get Colm to have a gawk too and anyone else that can gimme a hand/pointer

gabgab

cheesedude wrote: »

Gabgab, this is what Hanley said...^

What do you not understand? As for me going to take a video of myself for you, it's not gonna happen. Come see me in Total Fitness or Crunch and I'll show you how I do it and teach you a thing or two.



http://youtube.com/watch?v=yha2XAc2qu8

Cool I will send you a pm, what sort of times do you train? And is it crunch Dunlaoghaire?

LegacyUser

gabgab wrote: »

Cool I will send you a pm, what sort of times do you train? And is it crunch Dunlaoghaire?

Depends. Can be very early or else afternoon. Usually Crunch in town, occasionally Dun Laoghaire.

Hanley

gabgab wrote: »

Cool, but I'm a bit lost if someone is prompting you with cues during the lift is that not the same as form? Sorry I'm not sure if thats what you mean

What I mean is I don't squat with a token weight and do lots of reps trying to get my form right. My form's already good. Alot of the time the cues aren't needed, but when you're working your way thru a max set of 5, or high rep set of 12, seomtimes you let your head drop, or your chest cave. It helps to have training partners to call you on this.

Of course I could argue that the idea of having a weightlifting coach to teach you how to squat wouldn't have any relevance here because unless they're at your side for every squat session you do, they won't be of much help with cues etc outside of learning basic squat form. That's where good training partners come in!!

I will be trying to organise a video and throwing it up in my log so if you would'nt mind throwing your eye over it? Will get Colm to have a gawk too and anyone else that can gimme a hand/pointer

Yeah of course, let me know tho because I tend to only read logs intermittently so there's a good chance I'll miss it!


EDIT: And lol... are you both trying to use my post to prove your own point??

kevpants

I can understand the OP's point though. I mean if you ask 5 different people in your gym who "look" like they know what they're doing you'll get 5 variations on the wrong theme most of the time. How is the OP supposed to tell the jokers from the people who know what they're doing?

And as for the Youtube argument, you don't exactly have to prove yourself before you put up an instructional video. I mean look at this sh1te:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni0bc_gaGrA

Ooooh deep.

And this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZfnoSBt_U

Round enough in the lower back there buddy?

Hanley

Thing is tho, we all know what a good squat should look like. Well, the majority of us here do anyway!! So if someone puts up a video of themselves, it shouldn't be too hard to coach them, and they shouldn't go TOO awry.

However just asking randomers in the gym who might not know what a good squat is could return bad results. I've yet to see ANY PT in TF Blanch showing someone how to squat properly. They've all been high. There's very few people out there who I think is capable of teaching someone how to squat....

celestial

Put it this way...there are 45 pages in Starting Strength on the squat....

imo watching vids of others doing it is a bad way of learning. Read how to do it properly. Then practice in tune with that.

LegacyUser

celestial wrote: »

Put it this way...there are 45 pages in Starting Strength on the squat....

imo watching vids of others doing it is a bad way of learning. Read how to do it properly. Then practice in tune with that.

I agree.

Use whatever tools you need to aid you. 45 pages on the squat is great. Read it and learn and practice. Don't pay some PT to teach you though, it's not necessary

DM-BM

celestial wrote: »

Put it this way...there are 45 pages in Starting Strength on the squat....

imo watching vids of others doing it is a bad way of learning. Read how to do it properly. Then practice in tune with that.

I know what your saying, but they can have their uses. Personally i feel i have benefited from watching videos on herehttp://www.strengthmill.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36 and seeing the reply they get.

But you do need to realise that a good squat for one person, may not look the same for you, differences in trunk lenght, leg lenght overall height can make two people performing good squats look different . You just need to get used to seeing the correct elements of a good squat being put into action.

Hanley

celestial wrote: »

Put it this way...there are 45 pages in Starting Strength on the squat....

imo watching vids of others doing it is a bad way of learning. Read how to do it properly. Then practice in tune with that.

We weren;t talking about watching videos of other people. We were talking about hte OP posting his own vid of THEMSELF squatting and getting feedback based on it.

How people are trying to depict this as a bad idea is beyond me.

The Shane

More form an economics point of view, how is this so hard a decision? Time spent learning this online/reading etc has a cost, if this is less than coaching - do it that way. If it is more expedient to get coaching and you value your leisure time more - get a coach who knows what he is doing (albeit easier said than done)

Hanley et al, you've received feedback from American lifters and various training partners who while not "pros" have a qualification from hours under the bar. The argument FOR the coach versus correction via posted video.

- Coach is one voice who you have decided to trust. Of all the videos posted each taught a different squat.
- Coach is one man/woman in a room with you, some people don't like posting videos
- Coach provides real time instruction. ie rather than post a video, read a critique and then hope that you've got it right only to post another video and realise you haven't takes longer than someone telling you and cuing you out of your mistakes.

Arguments against
- Coach costs money for information available online and in various books
- information extracted yourself is much sweeter.
- it takes practice but squatting is by no means an advanced technique. Learning will just be slower this way

Cheesedude, as the champion of homelearning it would appear that your credibility has been called into question. I've seen Hanley's videos of competition lifts and honestly he scares me. So I'll accept his advice, but as you are unproven then it would appear that you should either demonstrate a mastery of the movement or back quietly away from the argument. I suggest this not to be confrontational but to give you a chance to demonstrate said mastery.

Shane. The

gabgab

I have to agree with everyone here on this topic, there are many viewpoints and none of them are right or wrong. The only point I am making is that everything is dependant on circumstances, for some people a coach is ideal and the financial side to it are of no significance,

Also, take anything that involves technique, for example a person throwing a combination of punches: Take all things being equal. Someone that has been shown how to do this correctly by a competent and knowledgable coach, versus someone that has not will hit you significantly harder and faster, with coaching. That is a fact.

The same applies to a lift,

Starting strength works out at including suggested warmups 84 squats a week. Movement pattern gets learnt pretty quick, and we all slip into bad habits,

gabgab

Hanley wrote: »

We weren;t talking about watching videos of other people. We were talking about hte OP posting his own vid of THEMSELF squatting and getting feedback based on it.

How people are trying to depict this as a bad idea is beyond me.

This is a brilliant idea, and I am gonna do it. But some people are not comfortable with it and that understandable, does anyone have any other suggestions for an actual good coach that can show him correct form in person?

This is getting a little longwinded if not,

LegacyUser

The Shane wrote: »

Cheesedude, as the champion of homelearning it would appear that your credibility has been called into question. I've seen Hanley's videos of competition lifts and honestly he scares me. So I'll accept his advice, but as you are unproven then it would appear that you should either demonstrate a mastery of the movement or back quietly away from the argument. I suggest this not to be confrontational but to give you a chance to demonstrate said mastery.

I'm not the champion of homelearning. I was shown it by an Eastern European who has won **** at competitive level. I looked at him, saw how huge and ripped to shreds he was (one of the few I have seen to have that combo) and said "Yeah, this lad knows what he is on about". But before that, I watched videos online of mark rippletoe and other guys who squat and to be honest, i found it easy to get to learn. I prefer to spend money on other things rather than a personal trainer considering I am happy with my physique and prefer doing things by myself when I know how. I also got myself into shape with my own hard work, discipline and knowledge (some of which i learned from this very board) so I am proud of that and will happily continue to do it. I am also confident I can continue to satisfy my goals. Being 100% truthfully honest, I have gone from the skinny 60kg kid to 90kg of 10-12% body fat and I am happy with that, I have also never injured myself in a weights room.

Hanley has different goals to me, so if you are expecting me to be as huge as hanley, you really are wrong. I've a great, in proportion healthy body for MY weight.

Arguments against
- Coach costs money for information available online and in various books
- information extracted yourself is much sweeter.
- it takes practice but squatting is by no means an advanced technique. Learning will just be slower this way

So which side are you for/against? I agree with all the arguments you raised against...probably because I have done it before you did in this exact thread.

PS: Hanley is scary big.

PPS: I couldn't give a flying **** if you take my advice on board or not. I'm not a personal trainer. I don't get paid by you so you can take or leave what I write. I know what I am about and that is all I care about.

The Shane

I presented rational arguments for and against but my crucial point was opportunity cost and whether or not it actually made sense to spend your money on it.

So after all this, you got coaching?

Not to get into a "I don't care if you care what I care about...." cycle, but posting advice is only worthwhile if someone is likely to take it. I'll generally only take advice from a couple of people on boards. Hanley, Colm O'Reilly, Dragan maybe one or two others and that is largely because through some contact or other I know them and have seen the results of their training.

In this instance, aside from your assertions that you are very nice indeed, I have nothing to confirm this. In any of the other cases - I have. Why is it so much then to ask you to validate your assertions?

Shane, The

littlefriend

cheesedude wrote: »

I'm not the champion of homelearning. I was shown it by an Eastern European who has won **** at competitive level. I looked at him, saw how huge and ripped to shreds he was (one of the few I have seen to have that combo) and said "Yeah, this lad knows what he is on about".

I'm pretty sure you will correct me if I'm wrong, but are you not more or less agreeing that it is preferable to be shown by a professional?

Bonkrs wrote: »

I recently started doing a barbell weight lifting program and i'm looking for a professional to help with my form for the squat, deadlift etc.
I'm thinking along the lines of a few weekly sessions for starters and once i get the hang of it a few monthly checkups. Anyone here qualified or know someone who they can recommend?"

Given that the OP has specifically asked for professional help, what is the issue with him getting it.. is it not a better use of his time rather than videoing himself, posting it up and waiting for the variety of comments to appear? I think that kind of thing can cause information overload to a complete novice.

gabgab

Bonkrs has been in touch with me and were gonna organise something and get a few people together, everyone is welcome, so send me a PM if you are interested.

Regarding cheesedudes offer to "teach me a few things",

All I can say is that he is a serious character and has retracted his offer now,

LegacyUser

gabgab wrote: »

Bonkrs has been in touch with me and were gonna organise something and get a few people together, everyone is welcome, so send me a PM if you are interested.

Regarding cheesedudes offer to "teach me a few things",

All I can say is that he is a serious character and has retracted his offer now,

Quite simply because you are not Hanley, Transform, Gem or Dragan. I have seen these people and they are encyclopedias of information who can teach me a thing or two. I don't know what your exact motives are, but you're not qualified to judge a correct squat since your only reading starting strength so I don't understand why you want to come watch me work out. I probably would teach you a thing or two, but you specifically said you wanted to come watch me squat, full deep ones, and a decent weight relative to my weight. With all due respect, how the **** would you know any of these?