Everything You Know About Fitness Is a Lie | Hacker News Reader

Everything You Know About Fitness Is a Lie

mensjournal.com

15 pointsstickhandle7 comments

Previous 20 discussions: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=Everything%20You%20Know%20Abou...

... and the first of two with 300+ comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2287213

At this time of year, this one is always worth reading again.

Off balance "single limb" exercises will work your entire body quickly with great effect. Ex. one arm overhead lift while on one leg, amazing. Single leg squats, romanian squats, holding a weight on one arm...jump rope. You can make up a ton of these and they will force your core to engage for balance. They are tiring (you sleep well) but are amazing and once mastered you have a deep strength.

> Little-girl weak: a man doesn't easily forget that kind of crack.

If and when I ever decide to get really fit (beyond my current every-few-days-on-the-treadmill) the absolute LAST thing I will be wanting is some muscled-headed ex-jock shouting insults at me.

If I can't get fit under my own steam, then no amount of stupid name calling is going to encourage me.

OK. Some people react to external criticism with seething resentment. Others end up finding it a useful source of energy to push themselves into a new state even if they are hating it in the moment. The continued "tough love" approaches in traditionally masculine spaces like military boot camps suggests it works for many.

That’s really the mark of a good coach: being able to identify what’s good for the individuals they’re coaching. “Don’t be a weak little girl!!!” works for some “C’mon 5 more you’re almost there you’re awesome!” works for others.

> the absolute LAST thing I will be wanting is some muscled-headed ex-jock shouting insults at me.

With guys like that, it's not their attitude, it's about what they actually know. A lot of athletes are spectacular because they have phenomenal coaches. Unfortunately, ability to teach and coach is not transitive meaning this sort of person might not be an ideal trainer. For examples of this take a look at some the coaches from Soviet Union who produced some of the legendary Olympians. Ancient, frail coach who could barely stand on their feet wasn't exactly a rare sight. This surely wouldn't work in the US where image counts for a lot. It's not a jab at either country, just my observation.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com