If you could have 1 Piece of Equipment to Train Clients What would it be?

[askthetrainer]

So if you only could have 1 piece of equipment to train clients what would you take and why?

For this Poll the Client is the typical commercial gym client w/general fitness goals such as wanting to lose 10-20 pounds and gain strength, endurance and become more fit.

EDIT: In the poll, forgot to mention a bench/power rack is included for the associated equipment (bars & Kbs & Dbs)...

[JulianBee]

I could give a client a good workout with any of those, but if I had to choose it would be the dumbbells for sure.

[askthetrainer]

I could give a client a good workout with any of those, but if I had to choose it would be the dumbbells for sure.

It would be a very tough choice obviously but I chose the cable cross...

Cable are a little weaker for leg Exercises where Dumbbells are a little weaker in lat exercises.

[JulianBee]

It would be a very tough choice obviously but I chose the cable cross...

Cable are a little weaker for leg Exercises where Dumbbells are a little weaker in lat exercises.

Yeah thats true but with the cable cross you could still do bodyweight exercises for legs

[askthetrainer]

Where are all the Kettlebell Nazis?

Is the fad over?

[Mr.ILL]

Dumbbells

[flexapeal]

Dumbbells for me.

[Lasharm]

Dumbbell set for me... Even the little pink ones for the old lady clients, lol! You can combine them with step aerobics for great results.

Really, I went with it because dumbbells are versatile.

Cable crossover machines are good also, but I try to avoid depending on cable machines because too many people get fixed on them and end up not developing their stabilizer muscles.

[Environ]

Where are all the Kettlebell Nazis?

Is the fad over?

Well, most of my clients are women and I am sure that they would baulk at the idea of picking up kettlebells. Now, I know that part of our job is to convince our clients of the great benefits of using X pieces of equipment, but kettlebells are a hard sell to women (and they should ideally be painted black, be chipped and slightly rusted for optimum effect ), and I'd rather just get stuck in with dumbbells (which I chose in your poll) rather than waste time convincing people WHY they should use kettlebells. Of course, I've hardly ever used them either.

Anyway, for me, I chose the dumbbells because of their practicality and variability, even though I'd love to have chosen the barbell (but, I am well aware than you should not assume that your clients will enjoy or want to train the way you do).

[askthetrainer]

Well, most of my clients are women and I am sure that they would baulk at the idea of picking up kettlebells. Now, I know that part of our job is to convince our clients of the great benefits of using X pieces of equipment, but kettlebells are a hard sell to women (and they should ideally be painted black, be chipped and slightly rusted for optimum effect ), and I'd rather just get stuck in with dumbbells (which I chose in your poll) rather than waste time convincing people WHY they should use kettlebells. Of course, I've hardly ever used them either.

Anyway, for me, I chose the dumbbells because of their practicality and variability, even though I'd love to have chosen the barbell (but, I am well aware than you should not assume that your clients will enjoy or want to train the way you do).

I was really trying to give the thread some life w/ that statement, hoping some crossfit monkeys would come and start arguing...

Personally I love kettlebells but you're right unless women see something like (below, "Cardio bell" LOL) they're gonna be scared

[NDiNardo]

Dumbbells for me.

[jkdman81]

heavybag...nothing beats it
its 1 of those things that you can train for strength,endurance,cardiovascular,power all at the same time...
it is rare that you are able to do that with something

[nickmanzoni]

I was really trying to give the thread some life w/ that statement, hoping some crossfit monkeys would come and start arguing...

Personally I love kettlebells but you're right unless women see something like (below, "Cardio bell" LOL) they're gonna be scared

Are kettlebells swings supposed to hit you in the a-hole as you do them. It's not just this vid, I've seen a bunch of clowns (guys and girls of all ages) literally bruising themselves with this form. How can that be right?

[Environ]

I was really trying to give the thread some life w/ that statement, hoping some crossfit monkeys would come and start arguing...

Personally I love kettlebells but you're right unless women see something like (below, "Cardio bell" LOL) they're gonna be scared

I love kettlebells too. I keep meaning to buy some.

By the way, that video is hilarious. And, they're using hollow kettlebells.

[dantheman212]

I was really trying to give the thread some life w/ that statement, hoping some crossfit monkeys would come and start arguing...

Personally I love kettlebells but you're right unless women see something like (below, "Cardio bell" LOL) they're gonna be scared

The track on this video would get enybody excited about kettlebells!

[askthetrainer]

The track on this video would get enybody excited about kettlebells!

It sounds like porno music to me...

I forgot 2 things on the list,

1. TRX


2. Pull-up Bar



Not taking anything away from those guys, but I would guess by the baggy pants that they all have toothpicks for legs... if they even have legs

[jules_d1]

DBs or a TRX

[BSCSCS]

Free Motion Dual Cable. Nothing else combines the versatility and safety that it does. All you need for legs is a step for step ups.

[CSmit724]

Free weight dumbbells. Nothing provides the versatility and practicality that they do. If you're creative, or knowledgeable, you can do pretty much any exercise with dumbbells and can easily target any movement.

I stay as far away from machines (i.e. the Cable crossover) as humanly possible when training both myself and my clients. Too many people are far too dependent on machines, and their results are limited because of it. I'll admit that a cable allows more free motion, and allows the recruitment of more muscle groups, but honestly when it comes down to it, you are still limited in the choice of exercises you can do.

Kettlebells are great, but I still find them too specialized, despite what the KB fanatics say about they being more versatile. There are few exercises you can do with a KB that cannot be replicated with dumbells.

Barbells are excellent, but lack the same versatility as DBs.

I can get a great workout with a heavy bag any day. But again, you cannot develop everything using it. Excellent full body workout, but still lacks the versatility of DBs. Not to mention there are plenty of people out there who just aren't interested in working out with it.

I have devoted entire workouts to resistance bands, and they are a great tool. However, you cannot develop the same functional strength using bands as using free weights. Bands are a supplement, not a replacment.

Ah, the BOSU. Here is the biggest fad on the market. Sure it can be a great balance trainer, but the same rules apply here as with every other piece of equipment on the list. If you are creative, you can introduce a balance element to any exercise using free weights, and you don't need a BOSU to do so! Quite frankly, keeping things simple gets the best results. Having someone do one legged squat-curl-presses while balancing on a BOSU doesn't really achieve much other than looking and sounding unnecessarily complicated.

Stability balls are a staple in my workouts. But same thing as bands: supplement, not replacement.

Ditto medicine balls.

I was almost tempted to choose the empty aerobics rooms. I have had plenty of awesome workouts that didn't involve any equipment, but honestly, you will always reach a point where you need to use something. Maybe I'm taking the empty part of empty aerobics room to literally. Assuming there are various pieces of equipment in the room (most of the above choices) I'm going to take that any day. As a matter of fact, when training most of my clients, that is what I choose. But I understood empty to mean no equipment in there either, essentially just empty space, so I have to give it a thumbs down.

[STRENGTH COACH]

dumbells would be my choice

empty aerobics room would be fun, could do endless bodyweight exercises in it

what, P90X isn't an option:-) JK

[Keltron]

I voted for the barbells w/the power rack.

I like it because it supports all of the fundamental movements. Overhead pressing, squatting, deadlifting and there's so much you can do w/the rack aside from a place to put the barbell.

It's great for people of all levels. you can place the bar @ chin level and have them do self-assisted pull ups on their toes. You can do hanging rows. You can do real pull ups. If they can't do push ups, you can have them push off of the bar and you can progress them by putting the bar lower and lower.

Kettlebells are great but they're more advanced.

[BSCSCS]

Free weight dumbbells. Nothing provides the versatility and practicality that they do. If you're creative, or knowledgeable, you can do pretty much any exercise with dumbbells and can easily target any movement.

I stay as far away from machines (i.e. the Cable crossover) as humanly possible when training both myself and my clients. Too many people are far too dependent on machines, and their results are limited because of it. I'll admit that a cable allows more free motion, and allows the recruitment of more muscle groups, but honestly when it comes down to it, you are still limited in the choice of exercises you can do.

Kettlebells are great, but I still find them too specialized, despite what the KB fanatics say about they being more versatile. There are few exercises you can do with a KB that cannot be replicated with dumbells.

Barbells are excellent, but lack the same versatility as DBs.

I can get a great workout with a heavy bag any day. But again, you cannot develop everything using it. Excellent full body workout, but still lacks the versatility of DBs. Not to mention there are plenty of people out there who just aren't interested in working out with it.

I have devoted entire workouts to resistance bands, and they are a great tool. However, you cannot develop the same functional strength using bands as using free weights. Bands are a supplement, not a replacment.

Ah, the BOSU. Here is the biggest fad on the market. Sure it can be a great balance trainer, but the same rules apply here as with every other piece of equipment on the list. If you are creative, you can introduce a balance element to any exercise using free weights, and you don't need a BOSU to do so! Quite frankly, keeping things simple gets the best results. Having someone do one legged squat-curl-presses while balancing on a BOSU doesn't really achieve much other than looking and sounding unnecessarily complicated.

Stability balls are a staple in my workouts. But same thing as bands: supplement, not replacement.

Ditto medicine balls.

I was almost tempted to choose the empty aerobics rooms. I have had plenty of awesome workouts that didn't involve any equipment, but honestly, you will always reach a point where you need to use something. Maybe I'm taking the empty part of empty aerobics room to literally. Assuming there are various pieces of equipment in the room (most of the above choices) I'm going to take that any day. As a matter of fact, when training most of my clients, that is what I choose. But I understood empty to mean no equipment in there either, essentially just empty space, so I have to give it a thumbs down.

You can do ANYTHING with the dual cable that you can do with dumbbells. Can not say that the reverse is true. It seems as though you equate the dual cable, as a "machine", with other fixed ROM selectorized machines. No offense, but I think with a little more "knowledge and creativity" you will see that nothing could be further from the truth.

[Keltron]

Whoever voted for the BOSU should be blacklisted.

[Keltron]

I was really trying to give the thread some life w/ that statement, hoping some crossfit monkeys would come and start arguing...

Personally I love kettlebells but you're right unless women see something like (below, "Cardio bell" LOL) they're gonna be scared

These ditz's are doing kb work on sand. Geez..

[CSmit724]

Snatches, cleans, swings, deadlifts, RDLs, goodmornings. None of those movements can be replicated effectively and safely with a cable crossover, and they are some of the most effective movements for developing strength and fitness. Cable movements do not build the same kind of effective strength that free weights do.

[askthetrainer]

Snatches, cleans, swings, deadlifts, RDLs, goodmornings. None of those movements can be replicated effectively and safely with a cable crossover, and they are some of the most effective movements for developing strength and fitness. Cable movements do not build the same kind of effective strength that free weights do.

Yes but this was stipulated in the original post

For this Poll the Client is the typical commercial gym client w/general fitness goals such as wanting to lose 10-20 pounds and gain strength, endurance and become more fit.

[Drekkor]

So if you only could have 1 piece of equipment to train clients what would you take and why?

A whip, probably not a bullwhip, but damned close.

[CSmit724]

I perform swings and goodmornings with my clients often. Those types of movements are not exclusive to powerlifters and athletes. In fact they have a tremendous benefit for people who are of average or below average fitness when performed with good technique and proper loading.

Edit: Look I'm not trying to argue with anyone here or say anyone is right or wrong. This poll was meant to be about everyone's opinion. I, as a trainer and coach, do not use machines; yes I include cables in that definition. I never said they are not effective at all, or that they should never be used. Everything has it's place. I don't want this thread turning into an argument!

[Keltron]

I perform swings and goodmornings with my clients often. Those types of movements are not exclusive to powerlifters and athletes. In fact they have a tremendous benefit for people who are of average or below average fitness when performed with good technique and proper loading.

Edit: Look I'm not trying to argue with anyone here or say anyone is right or wrong. This poll was meant to be about everyone's opinion. I, as a trainer and coach, do not use machines; yes I include cables in that definition. I never said they are not effective at all, or that they should never be used. Everything has it's place. I don't want this thread turning into an argument!

I'll say it. If we're talking about your typical client, having them do all or mostly cable work is not going to do much for them. Yes, it has it's place. Some good things can be done w/cables... But in this situation where you have to chose JUST ONE form of equipment, cables would be a bad decision in my opinion.

[CSmit724]

I'll say it. If we're talking about your typical client, having them do all or mostly cable work is not going to do much for them. Yes, it has it's place. Some good things can be done w/cables... But in this situation where you have to chose JUST ONE form of equipment, cables would be a bad decision in my opinion.

Thank you, Keltron. That was exactly my point.