Drink for Energy Boost

Enthusiasts!

I'd like to pose to you the following question:

If you had to pick 5 or so fitness professionals that you'd consider exceptional, would there be a common denominator amongst them?

Of course, I use the term "fitness professional" very loosely, but even in getting much more specific (pick 5 strength coaches, body building instructors, PT's, diet gurus, oly lifting coaches, or whatever subset of fitness you'd like), could you name any real, meaningful commonality?

Without giving it too much thought, I might throw out a list of something like Martin Berhkan, Stuart McRobert, Eric Cressey, Lyle McDonald, and Alan Aragon.

Cressey's got a M.S. in exercise science, Berhkan's got a B.S. in medical science and majored in public health sciences, McDonald holds a B.S. In Kinesiology, Aragon is the proud owner of a B.S. and M.S. in nutrition, and McRobert holds no relevant fitness degrees.

None of them share a common degree. Hell, not one of them even share a common career path or fitness history. If we accept that they all present themselves at generalized fitness guys (and they pretty much do, with maybe only Cressey keeping his fingers out of the nutrition pot), then what groups them together? A cursory science background?

I don't know what's worse, the fact that the best guys in the field have a smattering of largely unrelated educations and backgrounds, or that even amongst the ones who have degrees that should be highly relevant, most say their formal education counts for jack shit in the real world (myself included).

The next time you go see your family doctor, ask them about their education. Would you be okay if they replied "Well, I don't really have a formal education, I just kind of figured this stuff out as I went; but I swear I'm really smart and passionate! You can trust me!" What if you got the same answer from your kid's math teacher or your $100/hour therapist?

This is no small problem. If we can't name one single credential that unifies and qualifies the top guys in the field, something that guarantees a baseline of expertise, then how can any novice ever hope to figure out who and who not to trust?

This situation is absolutely unacceptable in any field that involves treating a living human in any capacity whatsoever.

It is the author's opinion that a complete lack of a meaningful, standardized credential is the number one most destructive problem in the fitness world. Unfortunately, there's no alternative.

Until (if ever) that changes, I strongly advise the novice to exercise extreme scrutiny when deciding what programs to adhere to. At this juncture, there is no substitute for doing your homework and making damned sure that what you are doing to your body is safe and effective. I would estimate that literally 95% or more of the fitness information on the internet is at best, very flawed, and at worst, absolute garbage.

Do your homework, take your health by the horns, and become your own fitness professional. Chances are you'll end up more qualified than most of the so called "experts".





Note: I won't argue with anyone on whether or not these guys are "quality" because that isn't the point of this thread; if you don't like them, choose any of your own five and apply the same razor.