I agree that it should be in every doctor's waiting room, and in his private office, open on his desk. What are the odds?
Member
Senior Training
Rip,
I just wanted to let you know what an amazing resource y'all have in Andy, especially for seniors. My dad just had his first coaching session with him and it was worth every penny. More, in fact. My dad had leukemia diagnosed 4 years ago, multiple vertebral compression fractures, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, multiple hospitalizations and a stem cell transplant which aged him drastically and left him pretty much the definition sarcopenia and atrophy. Andy seamlessly and effortlessly adapted to my dad's level of strength and multiple limitations, of which there are many. It was amazing to watch. I can't wait for Andy's and Sully's book for seniors. I'm going to hand them out to patients like free Viagra samples. That book will need to be everpresent in every doctor's waiting room.
TMPHBITEU
I agree that it should be in every doctor's waiting room, and in his private office, open on his desk. What are the odds?
Member
About the same odds of me getting diabetic patients to realize drinking 4 Dr Peppers a day is destroying their entire body. After they've had a toe amputated. But those odds are quite high for me, well, when once y'all release the book. I suspect the editor is quite the stickler. Changing lives one at a time can get disheartening, though. Such is the burden of working with humans.Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe
Member
Hey it's a start Rip. Vanslix is changing lives and minds little by little. Sully and Andy are preaching the good word. I've got a friend doing Starr Rehab protocol. It's daunting, but it's happening. How do you eat an elephant?.....One fucking bite at a time.
DRLVEGAS
I train at 4:30 a.m., so there are only a few people there & we all know each other. There are two MD's, one PA, and one anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist actually squats and deadlifts, and the rest do at least some lifting. I had a discussion with the PA while he was removing a lymphoma from my shoulder & he mentioned that squats were the "best lift for you" because of their full-body impact, although he never performs them. These guys are all 35-45, pretty bright, and at least "get it" enough to spend some time doing some kind of lifting.
I'm getting copies of Andy & Sully's book for all of them as soon as it comes out.
Starting Strength Coach
The change is not going to come from the top down. I have no illusions about the number of doctors that are suddenly going to change their paradigm based on this book. I've always envisioned the change coming from the ground up - from the patients. We're hoping that at some point the Medical Community simply won't be able to ignore the positive impact that barbell training has on the Sick Aging Phenotype. And perhaps at that point they'll pick up the book or give me a phone call.
And the book is just going to be a small part of it. It takes a network of professionals operating in the field that are actually putting their hands on these people and teaching them something. It can't just be articles and arguments.
✓ Member
It may not be as gloomy an outlook as you think. I can remember the pre-Ken Cooper days when there was no firm measure or support from doctors and others for some quantification of aerobic fitness for the general public. But it started slow in the late 60's after I bought his first book when it came out in paperback my senior year in high school. Then jogging took the US by storm in an even bigger wave than crossfit has. The fact that SS in general and you in particular have Sully on board with this could well trigger a greater response in the general public and hopefully in the medical community than you might think possible just now.
Member
I used to work out early mornings at the University gym before we upgraded the Fire Department gym and got a power rack and real weights. There were a dozen regulars there most days, and half of them were practicing or retired doctors. That impressed me. These people knew the benefits of real exercise.
Starting Strength Coach
Sully's credentials make him the most powerful weapon we have for the mission.
We have a few more obstacles than running does. I'm not sure that running had the same stigma that heavy barbell training does. Currently if you ask a doctor these questions, here are the likely responses:
Should I exercise: Yes
Should I do strength training: Yes
Should I do free weights: maybe some, but machines are safer
Should I do squats and deadlifts: light squats ok, but don't go down deep. Never deadlift.
Should I go really heavy with free weights: NO!
And the problem is that they have plenty of evidence to make their case
Member
I'm a doctor. There is no authority granted with an M.D. that makes you an expert on fitness,exercise, or strength training. You have to study, learn, and apply the knowledge gained. There was no meaningful teaching on any of this stuff, at least in my school (med 1985-1989). I know exercise science is full of BS studies but guess what, BS studies get published every month in hundreds of medical journals across every specialty. Asking most doctors advice on exercise or training is about as useful as asking them how to fix the transmission on your car. When I am asked and I start in on squats and dead lifts, this is so far removed from anything they have read, heard, or experienced that it usually goes in one ear and out the other. It is frustrating. Starting Strength is in my office and I've recommended many to purchase, read and we'll talk. So far, not one response. Seriously thinking about putting my squat rack, bar, and plates in the waiting room.
Posting Permissions