Lately I’ve been witnessing a lot of negativity within the “professional fitness community.” It seems that everyday, I come across something that, instead of being helpful to exercisers, winds up being confusing or demotivating. I’m sure it’s even worse for those trying to get hooked on a healthy lifestyle of eating well and working out regularly.

Here’s an example. One doctor is claiming that by doing cardio you are basically killing yourself. I wonder how many people read that headline, stopped reading, and then stopped doing cardio, or any exercise altogether! Too bad for them. They missed the point, but it was because of the marketing hype used to sell a book.

Dr. Frederick C. Hatfield(he’s not the doctor I was referring to earlier) made the following statements when discussing a form of training that he doesn’t think too highly of:
 ” * As long as whatever form of training you’re using doesn’t hurt you, it’s “good.” Even if it keeps you from achieving your maximum potential, it’s better than no training at all. So, on a scale of good, better, best, training according to the tenets of HIT theory is “good.”
  * As long as whatever type of training equipment you’re using doesn’t hurt you, it’s “good.” Even if it keeps you from achieving your maximum potential, it’s better than no training equipment at all. So, on a scale of good, better, best, training with Hammer equipment is “good.” “

 If you are using machines that must mean that you’re working out. And that’s good. So what if someone has a preference over machines than free weights. If that keeps you getting your money’s worth from your gym membership and it’s keeping you healthy and fit, then good for you.

I’ll say the same thing for training methods. Recently, many trainers are saying the bodybuilding style of training is dead. I think the fact that Bodybuilding.com’s BodySpace site has over 450,000 member profiles, and their forum has just under 2 million members proves this style of training is quite useful to many. Those people are doing something healthy so there’s no reason to knock them down.

Some experts will inform you how you are training in prehistoric times if you’re not swinging a kettlebell. Many of those same people will tell you you might as well be eating poison if you’re not following the paleo diet. Some say you must take supplements. Others say all supplements are worthless. A one hour workout is way too long. 12 minutes of cardio is not enough. One set is better than 3. You must do 3 sets, no more, no less. Slow training is better, super-slow is best. Slow training makes you slow. Training with a fast tempo is asking for injury. Is your head spinning yet?

Well, I just want to say that if you are exercising regularly, good for you. If you are making a serious effort to clean up your diet and improve your health, good for you. Keep it up. While you’re at it, do your homework and find out if there is anything you can do to improve your efforts, in the way of exercise or nutrition. But one thing to keep in mind, when you come across those that enjoy belittling, condemning, or judging, take the time to ask why, AND, ask for the proof. What works for one doesn’t always work for another, and everyone has their own opinions. But that doesn’t make it fact. Always search with your own goals in mind.

So, to Everyone making an effort to get and stay healthy and fit, keep up the good work!

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