| How to Master Muscular Anatomy Fast & Avoid | | | | Fitness Anatomy Strength Training Anatomy Book - |
| the 5 Most Common Anatomy Mistakes | | | | This is a great book. Detailed, colorful, and just plain |
| Anatomy = Foundation of Exercise Science | | | | fun to look at. The muscles illustrations are very |
| Learning anatomy as a fitness professional is like | | | | much of a jacked body builder, it is not what you will |
| learning to build a foundation as an architect; it | | | | normally find in a general population client, but it is a |
| supports everything else! | | | | cool guide to basic anatomy. There is not as much |
| Everything else is built on top of it! | | | | attention to anatomy of the "passive structures" |
| Personal training is super dynamic and intimate, so I | | | | (bones, ligaments, tendons) and spinal anatomy. |
| suppose you could make the same claim about | | | | Cadaver Course - One of the best ways to learn is |
| personality being foundational; if the client doesn't | | | | to get your hands dirty! I went to this class and it |
| want to spend time with you because of your bad | | | | was AWESOME! We are so used to thinking of these |
| attitude or bad communication skills, it really doesn't | | | | tissues as separate, as they appear in books, but |
| matter how much you know! | | | | they are all intertwined together! It was eye opening |
| But that is why we break up personal training sills into | | | | to see the fibers of the rhomboid fan into the fibers |
| categories. Because training is so dynamic, it is helpful | | | | of the Serratus! It looked like one muscle! This is a |
| to break up the various skill sets into 3 key | | | | link to the RTS website. They have a cadaver class |
| mega-competencies: interpersonal skills, exercise | | | | in Pittsburgh and in Connecticut. If you are in another |
| science, and business acumen. | | | | part of the world, you should be able to find a |
| Anatomy and biomechanics are the very foundation | | | | cadaver class at any university with related courses. |
| of exercise science, with physiology secondary. | | | | The cool thing about the RTS anatomy elective is |
| (What is physiology anyway, except your anatomies | | | | you can get continuing education credits, and it is a |
| response to forces/mechanics? Feel free to disagree | | | | requirement for your Resistance Training Specialist |
| in the comments, I know this isn't a popular | | | | certification. But don't let it stop you if you are not in |
| perspective, but I think it is one worth examining.) | | | | CT or Pittsburgh, find a class and get your hands |
| It really doesn't matter how much you know about | | | | dirty! |
| other areas of exercise science, if you don't have a | | | | Most Common Anatomy Mistakes! |
| strong foundation in biomechanics and anatomy, you | | | | These are the BIGGEST mistakes that fitness |
| will not be able to accurately and safely apply your | | | | professionals AND BOOKS make about anatomy: |
| knowledge. | | | | 1. The action of the muscle tissue is entirely |
| Types of Anatomy | | | | dependent on its position! Yes, your hip adductors |
| Within anatomy, there are multiple focuses; neural | | | | move your legs inward toward each other if they are |
| anatomy, bony anatomy, muscular anatomy. As a | | | | abducted, BUT they will extend the hip if you are in |
| trainer, it is VERY important to keep in mind how | | | | the hip is fully flexed, or extend the hip if it is fully |
| many other structures there are in the body that | | | | flexed. If you are just starting out, don't get |
| affects its performance and health. | | | | confused, just focus on the most obvious muscular |
| Yes, initially we should be focused on muscular | | | | action, but keep in mind that each muscles function is |
| anatomy, but as fitness professionals, we have to | | | | positional, and will change based on the position of |
| keep in mind that we tend to be too focused on | | | | the joints. |
| muscles sometimes. Often, a tight muscle will tighten | | | | 2. Each muscle has some kind of function in every |
| because of a fascial restriction! Everything is | | | | plane, and it has an eccentric action, concentric |
| connected to everything through the fascial network. | | | | action, and isometric action. Oh, and by every plane, I |
| Just keep this in mind when you are problem solving | | | | don't mean all 3 planes because there is an INFINITE |
| and studying. | | | | # of planes (another major yet common anatomy |
| As you advance, more time should be spent on | | | | mistake.) What plane is cutting a diagonal with your |
| learning more advanced anatomy like fascial anatomy, | | | | arm? If this blows your mind, I recommend taking |
| and the anatomy of the tendons, ligaments, and how | | | | the RTS certification ASAP! |
| they attach to bony surfaces. | | | | 3. We tend to focus on superficial muscles and |
| Practice Makes Perfect | | | | anterior muscles because they are easier to see and |
| There are a lot of great tools out there to learn | | | | appease our vanity! Do not make this mistake with |
| anatomy. Use these tools, the first one is free, and | | | | your own body or your clients; without balance, |
| practice with other trainers. Make cards, quiz each | | | | symmetry, and the deeper/smaller stabilizers, you |
| other, and try to link the specific names to your own | | | | WILL become a cripple sooner or later! |
| exercise routine when you workout. | | | | 4. Do NOT try to impress your clients with your |
| [Anatomy for fitness] - This website is AWESOME! It | | | | knowledge of anatomy! Naming the deep 6 hip |
| is a digital animation of the muscular system. Click and | | | | rotators will not impress your prospect! Unless they |
| drag a little slider under each joint, and it will build the | | | | are a doctor, they will only be confused and maybe |
| muscular support system around it from the most | | | | intimidated! ALWAYS talk to your client in a language |
| deep to the most superficial. Very cool and definitely | | | | they understand; this is better for communication and |
| worth checking out, you can also click to see each | | | | sales. Yes, as you build a relationship, you should |
| muscles action, which is good but very simplified. (Be | | | | expand your client's knowledge so they take control |
| sure to read "Most Common Anatomy Mistakes" | | | | of their fitness, but even then, focus giving them |
| below). And it's free! Also, you can take a quiz on the | | | | practical knowledge and not Latin names. In the |
| site. Every new fitness professional should know | | | | beginning, if they say "I want smaller arms, they look |
| about this site and spend time on it, it is great. | | | | like old lady arms", you say "Well this program will |
| Human Anatomy Atlas of Human Anatomy DVD Set | | | | specifically target those granny arms." You will sell |
| -This dvd set is AMAZING! I have watched all but | | | | more packages guaranteed. |
| one of the dvds (the 6th one is about the organs). | | | | 5. One other quick note on language. At all costs, |
| While it is on the pricey side to get all 6 at once, it is | | | | avoid using the word "Functional" where ever you |
| a great reference for anyone who wants to take | | | | want just to sound knowledgeable. Yes people like it, |
| their anatomy to the next level. They basically build a | | | | and it is a buzz word, but buzz words are often very |
| fresh cadaver in front of you, with precise animation | | | | ineffective at communication. Instead of "functional" |
| to show each origin and insertion. They start with the | | | | say "exercise or program xyz will help you function |
| bony anatomy, and then build the muscles from deep | | | | better at ABC or perform better at ABC or transfer |
| to superficial on top, show the tissues from 360 | | | | over to activity ABC". Major pet peeve of mine! |
| views. Then they show the vascular and neural | | | | Don't just sound smart when you can be smart! |
| anatomy, and have quizzes between each section. | | | | I sure hope this is helpful! Please leave me some |
| You can also start with just one DVD at a time, and | | | | questions in the comments and I will get right back |
| watch just 10 minutes a day. It is fascinating! All | | | | to you. SHOW ME YOU ARE ALIVE!o How did you |
| these intricate structures are the bodies evolutionary | | | | learn anatomy?o What is the hardest part?o What |
| reaction to FORCE! DVD 1, 2, and 3 are most | | | | mistakes have you made? |
| important for newer trainers, as they are upper | | | | Leave me some comments and let me know. |
| extremity, lower extremity, and trunk/core. | | | | Until next time, keep your business fit. |