One of the most difficult challenges that any NYC personal trainer faces with clients is getting them to understand the importance of racking your weights at the gym. Too many people have seen movies and competition films where the athlete throws the weights or just walks away from the set and leaves the weights in place. This makes for good drama, and it is appropriate behavior during a competition, but there are real hazards of not racking your weights at the gym. It is also not the job of your trainer or spotter to rack the weights either, it’s a matter of respect that you do it yourself.
There are more possible injuries than just tripping
NYC personal trainers worry all the time about clients being injured, and they aren’t just worrying about their own clients. If someone else’s client gets injured at a gym because you didn’t rack your weights, your trainer can get in serious trouble. Racks aren’t designed to keep things neat and tidy, they are designed to minimize the risk of injury when loading plates or lifting dumbbells into position. This is why the racks tend to be set at certain heights and angles. Weights on a floor can present a tripping or lifting hazard. Weights left on a machine can be very injurious to the next person who comes who may not be lifting at that level yet.
It’s the silent language of the gym
Racked weights are also the silent language of the gym. A cleared bar or machine and the weights racked on their station indicate that you and your trainer are done with the area. If you leave your weights out, other trainers and athletes will avoid the area. It is a universal signal that helps prevent a loss of focus through interruption.
Respecting the equipment shows respect for yourself (and others)
One of the most important things that personal trainers in NYC try to instill in their clients is respect. They want you to learn to respect your body and efforts. To do this you have to begin by respecting the equipment and others. If you rack your weights you are showing you respect the process. Since you are included in that process it translates into an increased amount of respect for yourself too. Every aspect of training works to support total wellness. You don’t just want a fit body, you want a fit mind and soul too.
