I like to get my workouts in at LA Fitness in the mornings before I head out to work. I generally try to avoid working out at work unless something in my schedule demands it. The reason is simple, I’m at work. This means whenever there is any kind of issue I have to stop my workout and deal with it graciously. Needless to say, dealing with issues is not the purpose of my workouts. On the other hand, when I’m working out at LA Fitness nothing is my problem.
Yesterday was my back and bicep workout. This consists of a lot of pull-ups and rows followed by about nine sets of biceps work. I finished the workout with a 40-lb kettlebell/TRX/core circuit. The circuit looks like this:
- Warm-up with two-handed and one-handed kettlebell swings
- First circuit: KB snatches 5 each hand; TRX get in push-up position, feet in handles, bring knees towards chest, 10 times; planks for 20 seconds. Repeat 3x.
- Second circuit: KB overhead squats, 5 each hand; TRX get in push-up position, feet in handles, lift hips up making a “v” with the body, 10 times; side bridges for 20 seconds on each side. Repeat 3x.
- Third circuit: KB windmills, 5 each hand; TRX planks and side bridges, feet in handles (20 seconds each); supine holds for 20 seconds. Repeat 3x.
The picture below shows you what this set-up looks like when I do this at LA Fitness.
It’s not Steve Cotter’s workout, but it’s a good way to finish off a good back/bicep workout.
I bring this up because in any kind of workout there is a potential for injury. The snatches, overhead squats, and windmills have the potential to put the shoulder in a compromised position especially if you don’t pay close attention to technique. In addition, I still do back squats, front squats, split squats, RDLs, and good mornings heavy. I don’t deadlift anymore, I stopped them after herniating two discs doing them (took me two times to learn that it might be time to move on from those) and I don’t use the barbell on the Olympic lifts anymore (because I don’t want to) using the kettlebells instead.
Point being, in my workouts alone there are a lot of areas where an injury could occur.
Where is this leading? It’s leading to the picture below which is a sign located at the LA Fitness that I exercise at. This sign is next to the battle ropes that are located in the facility. I hadn’t even given this much thought until a police lieutenant commented on this after seeing my kettlebell/TRX/core workout.
I understand the part of the sign that says “Personal trainer use only.” Translation: We want to make money off this $200 exercise tool. If they had left it at that, I’d be fine with this. But to use the liability excuse is disingenuous. I use kettlebells and do heavy squats. Other people deadlift and bench press a lot of weight. The dumbbells go to 125 pounds. A lot of the upholstery is torn up on the various benches, making them a great environment for germs. There’s a dry sauna. People take showers in the locker rooms, resulting in wet floors and wet mats. I’m going to respectfully argue that there are a lot more dangerous sources of potential injury and liability issues than a pair of ropes that aren’t going to create the same mechanical strain on the body as a weight training exercise.
