That’s it that’s the post.
Oh, I need to write more?
There’s a lot of bs in the fitness industry, and often that bs is repeated by athletes themselves.
It irks me especially when new gym-goers turn towards the geared buff guys for their advice. You have to understand that the difference between you and these guys is that you’re never gonna reach their level. These guys can go to the gym twice a day every day of the week and make gains like it’s nothing. You’d be lucky to be in condition to go back the next day if you put yourself through an intense workout as a natty.
It’s an assumption that because someone looks strong, they must know what they’re doing. It doesn’t apply to people on gear solely; at my gym people go to the big guys for advice, some of whom are not loading. But the “tiny” guy whom I sometimes work out with has some great science and biomechanics advice to give out, some of which I’ve put into practice myself.
But certainly if they get results they have a good workout plan. Ask them about that first before asking about how much you should eat or how you can maximise your gains if you take creatine. (Although in my experience people are quick to praise their training routine yet never actually want to share it lol)
Though sometimes you see people like V Shred who look muscular but have no idea what they’re talking about, and it does kinda comfort me to know that if it worked for them and their terrible advice, then it can only work for me and my sound advice.
Then there’s the 20 year old athletes who market themselves as gurus. You can look like them if you just follow the advice. That may be true, but let’s see how they do in fifteen years, looking after three kids, working 45 hours a week at a desk (55 hours with the commute, and there’s no fridge at work), and not enough money for gym membership.
I’m not hating, btw; let the young be youthful and energetic. I’m highlighting what seems to be an industry assumption that everyone has as much free time and resources as they need, and the ‘problem’ is the way that out-of-shape people spend their time and resources.
This seems related to your observation, as the 20-year old who always played sport is going to look athletic with a moderately healthy diet, plenty of water, and a reasonable maintenance regime. Not quite as big as the guy on PEDs, but their fitness is not necessarily proof that they know what they’re doing. And it’s a bit different when other responsibilities pile up, but these tend to get framed as ‘excuses’ by people who haven’t lived with them yet. Some people do obviously manage to juggle everything, but it’s incredibly difficult.