Need advice...Personal trainer doesn't listen

[diabeticbob]

Me and my wife have been using a personal trainer for nearly six months. We have seen some excellent results and certainly have better overall health and appearance.

We have used him in the past but quit for financial reasons. Resumed after a 3 year hiatus.

One issue bothering us, wife has developed severe tendonitis in her wrists.

From the very beginning the S.O. said her knees and wrists were a concern, and would specifically state that an exercise would hurt. The Trainer just chalked it up to excuses (wife does complain alot ) and pushed her to continue.

As we have moved up in weight the issue has now become a serious problem. The other day, she could barely drive the car without pain.

Visited a Doctor said to stop lifting all togeather. A week later, and the pain has subsided some, but she is afraid to touch any weights.

Of course the trainer said it was job related, that the Dr. doesn't know crap, and barely acknowledged that his routines may have aggravated the issue.

Wife said she was willing to do lighter weights (8lb -12lb) and he just kinda blew off the idea.

Things are coming to a head. In the past we have broached using lighter weights, and this was dismissed. He related stories of other clients being fired for telling him how they wanted to train.

Wife is 5'8 and 136lbs and in her early 50's with long lean arms and twig like wrists. I know she is well past the 10lb dumbbells. The exercise that we think aggravated it the most was a machine bar curl that was bending back her wrists.

She worries about building mass and only wants some lean definition.

Have always been doing 2 sets of 15-20 reps so I get his arguement that she is doing light weights. She's probably curling 20lb dumbells, and everything from using dumbells with squats and shrugs aggravate her wrists. Machine/bar related hurt as well.

Am I wrong for being concerned?

He's been cutting back the weight a bit and tonight said for the next several weeks would design routines not involving her wrists (Finally). Pretty silly the more I think about it...what is the point?

But now I'm just pissed... she's injured and unhappy and questioning his judgement.

Would a pilates machine or yoga routine for a few months be helpful to her?

Am I over-reacting?

I do it because I enjoy working out with her, but could easily go it alone, and put the hefty monthly fee into saivngs.

Any advice appreciated...

 

[NVRBDR]

Your trainer did an arrogant and foolish thing, imo. you should have immediately stopped any exercise that was causing your wife enough pain to cause her to see a doctor, remember you wife's best interest is your best interest first and foremost especially in a gym.

There is more than one way to skin a cat, heavier weight is not the only answer, slow and fast twitch muscle fibers can be stimulated without ever using heavy weight. Muscle exhaustion can be reached with light weight/mind to muscle link and slower controlled movements, using static resistance, etc...


Tell your wife not to worry about bulking up, her nutrition is what will keep the body fat low, many people spend years trying to bulk and many are unsuccessful, so don't worry, it won't happen by accident for her

 

[Merkaba]

Wait, let me go copy and paste what I posted in another thread last night.... here: " Your trainer sucks. It's ok cause 99% of them suck. Good luck. "

Your trainer is a moron and should no longer be referred to as your trainer. Fire him immediately. Look for other alternatives. What part of SC are you in? I'm in the upstate.

There's not alot you can do for tendonitis besides rest,ice and nsaids.... and getting to the cause.

 

[Curt James]

You're clearly not wrong for being concerned.

Can your wife use machines that have pads and eliminate gripping? There's also that gizmo, what is it? The isolator or something that allows a variety of cable exercises which take grip out of the equation.

Oh, and consider a new trainer.

 

[ANIMALHAUS]

Lose the trainer and find another, or take everyting you've learned and continue to work things on your own with your wife.

 

[ctr10]

Kick the trainers ass

 

[bjg]

your wife's problem could become chronic , she should stop using her wrist while training for a week and ice it before bed time....wrists respond well to ice because the injury is not deep like in the case of a shoulder. then she can start training back again using machines instead of free weights and slowly resume with free weights....in the mean time her training should avoid any pain and she can use a wrist brace specially designed for support..that she can use only when she works out.

 

[diabeticbob]

Thank you for taking the time to reply...

As much as I like him personally, and enjoy the gains we have made, it looks as though we will go in a different direction.

Financially we could use the money, and looking back the injury could have been prevented.

I'm less concerned about her being able to maintain her gains, she's long and thin and content with her look... but I will have to be more determined and push myself.

 

[DEVILtrainer666]

sounds to me like the trainer is either a tard or doesnt want to loose out on the money and doesnt actually care very much about the client. damn shame, ditch the trainer completely for that, this means you stop using them too.

 

[cck99352]

Use the knowledge gained to date, educate yourself further, make use of the expertise and collective knowledge on this site - and save some $$$.... you can learn to train effectively, and considering your trainer has little regard for your needs - fire him.