How to navigate the world of online fitness, according to a personal trainer

It’s a paradox unique to our digital age—we have access to all the information ever created, and yet we’re less well-informed than ever before. One part of the problem is related to quantity, the other is related to quality; There is simply too much content coming at us, much of it contradictory and from dubious sources that present themselves as experts and authorities.

Just about every aspect of our culture has been affected by this phenomenon, and the popularity of fitness influencers on social media is one of the most obvious examples. The number of talking points for a thought leader position in the industry is huge. Whether it’s gym bros debating protein intake, science nerds splitting hairs over semantics or soccer moms spreading health misinformation, the result is the same: more noise and air pollution than ever before. Saturated pollutes the atmosphere.

I am doing my part to fight this disaster and remove myself from this group. Last month I deleted my Instagram account, leaving this column as my main platform to connect with the audience. I’ve also boosted my coaching IQ by using these archetypes called “books”; It’s amazing how much you can learn when you give your brain a chance to focus on one subject for a long period of time. If you also want to remove yourself from the sphere of influence, but are not ready to take the same extreme measures that I have, I recommend limiting your information and going directly to reliable sources outside of social media. .

I’m here to give you a hand by sharing my approach to staying current in health and fitness.

Learn how to move

If I could only recommend one agency to get your fitness information from it would be GMB Fitness. I learned a lot from following GMB programs and studying their methodology. Their unique approach to bodyweight training is the perfect antidote to the physical ailments imposed on us by modern life, and their relaxed style of training is unlike anything promoted by the fitness-industrial complex. Their YouTube channel offers some of the best exercise tutorials I’ve seen, and while their podcast hasn’t been updated in a while, the episodes that are available are worth exploring.

See also: Anyone over the age of 40 and/or who struggles with back pain should familiarize themselves with Dr. Eric Goodman’s books and his core training protocols. Centered around encouraging ideal posture and improving breathing mechanics, this stuff is legitimately life-changing.

Learn how to eat

For nearly 25 years, Precision Nutrition has been providing the highest quality nutrition content on the Internet. A Canadian-born company, PN’s flagship certification program has become the industry standard; I have my PN Level 1 certification and I apply the lessons learned every day. But you don’t have to be a professional to benefit from PN’s content. The amount of free stuff in their archives is amazing – from guides, e-books and do-it-yourself courses to academic articles and infographics, the average person can get an education without having to compete with a nutritionist. Without spending a single penny.

See also: I have been following a plant-based diet for almost 15 years. Whenever I have questions about plant-based foods or am curious about the latest science on the subject, I turn to Dr. Michael Greger and his team at NutritionFacts.org. Greger’s best-selling books are also great resources.

Learn how to climb

It often comes as a surprise when people learn that I buy training programs for my fitness needs. Of course I have the necessary knowledge and skills to write my plans, but it’s a bit like a defendant representing himself in court – they’re the fool for the client. One of my favorite traditional weightlifting programs, the one I go back to and recommend to anyone who asks, comes from Zack Evan Ash. His no-nonsense, old-school approach to building strength appeals to my inner Luddite. There is no charm in his programs, which is one of the reasons they deliver results.

See also: The girls got stronger. I doubt any fitness pro has done more to promote the radical idea that women belong in the weight room than Molly Galbraith. The GGS YouTube channel is full of free content aimed at educating and empowering women in the gym.

Paul Landini is a personal trainer and health educator in Kitchener, Ont.