23/05/13 AM session
Weighted pullups +40kg *4/4/2 +30kg*5/5
Bent over bb rows 100kg*5 105kg*5/5/5 107.5kg*5
Bear with me, im going to rant. As usual topic is about the abysmal standards of PTs and deadset minds that they call a "brain".
It was any usual day that i was doing my weighted pullups. I know that dip belts are not allowed (any formal source) but i've never had any issue with the resident PT or gym attendant - afterall i've been a regular face for the past 3 years - but today, this particular woman, an***ia, who was standing in for another PT, continually harassed me during my weighted pullups.
Her reason?
1) clubfitt is not a hardcore gym
2) i can do lat pulldowns
3) weighted pullups are not allowed
4) it is SRCs rules and regulations that weighted pullups and dips are not allowed.
Obviously i took the stand that latpulldowns are entirely different from weighted pullups, and that weighted pullups are completely safe. Following which she proceeded to tell me that it was her duty to uphold the rules and regulations blablablabla. So i tried to be cordial and told her that if she would let me do my last 2 working sets that would be the end of it but she refused.
She went on further to assert that if i wanted to do hardcore stuff i should join a hardcore gym to which i rolled my eyes and asserted that being more consistent and disciplined in training does not make one "hardcore".
Following which, i ignored her and proceeded to finish my last 2 sets while she continually harangued me about "rules and regulations" and that she isnt like ben so she "cannot stand by and watch" and that she would proceed to "escalate the issue to management" and maybe "get my membership suspended".
I was seething and i told her i can do just the same and escalate the matter. I can lose my membership, but she can lose her job, which is no biggie for me - its clear who loses out most. The gym attendant, an elderly lady that i've seen for the past 2/3 years had to pull me back into the exercise area, telling me to chill and exercise. I listened cos she's nice.
Stupid ****ing PT, had the unfettered temerity to interrupt my workout and giving me sh1t excuses at that. Whenever i countered her argument with hard facts she went back onto the premise that its the rules and regulations, its the rules and regulations, its the rules and regulations..i told her it was a simple relationship between the SRC staff and the gym users, one where we take personal responsibility for our safety, and the safety of others. As an adult, i find it puzzling and unnecessary for PTs to interfere with people's regimes as long as it is within reasonable limits, i.e no ballistic movements during peak hours. More so when i clearly know what i'm doing (and im pretty sure i look the part).
Simply because "higher management" dictates that "steel toed boots must be worn" doesnt mean that you, as a "qualified fitness instructor" follow it to the letter without giving it any second thought. (Im serious, there is such a rule on the poster for bishan CF). If deadlifting is disruptive to other users, or weighted chinups are dangerous, or squats done with knees past the toes can mess up the knee, then i have to question the standards of the PTs. The caveat is that not ALL PTs are equally silly and possess shallow knowledge of what they are supposed to specialize in, but my experience so far convinces me that SSC needs to take a damned good, hard look at what they have been doing to promote sports and fitness.
THE END.
