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What’s Up Cygen-Cyber Spacers? This posting is going to PI$$ A LOT OF YOU OFF, haters hate, that’s why there is a comment section below; AGREE/DISAGREE – let your opinion be seen. THE FITNESS INDUSTRY IN CANADA IS A JOKE! Can anyone of you reading this article name a top tier Canadian bred Strength and Conditioning Coach? Who is the first person that pops into your head when you think Top level Trainer in Canada – Jonathan Chaimberg, Tom Europe, Paul Plakas, Matt Nichol, Brian Grasso, Craig Ballantyne, Harley Pasternak, Ian Walling, Marc Lebert, Peter Twist, Maureen Hagan, Lyzabeth Lopez, Tosca Reno? Maybe you recognize these names, maybe you don’t – I’m going to side with the likelihood that you might, and I stress might, recognize one possibly two names on that list. Why is that?
Of that list, several have moved to the United States and become recognizable names in the fitness industry south of the border. Is it due to a bigger population? Are there greater opportunities for recognition? Better pay? What drives professionals such as these to pursue their passion in the United States – why not stay here in Canada?
Why is Strength and Conditioning a topic that is rarely discussed if discussed at all here? It’s no secret that in order to improve performance you need to get stronger. If that is the case why are trainers/coaches such a scarcity to come across in this country? The problem exists because we allow it to – we have allowed ourselves to be modest, tamed and demure; we’ve become domesticated kittens when we were born to be LIONS!
Sport and fitness have by extension become options when the hard fact is they should be woven into the tapestry of our society as should strength training for sport. So many positive lessons are to be gained from sport and in the weight room that the values learned and reinforced through these avenues last a lifetime!
Now I know that our pastime is hockey (our national game is actually lacrosse – by the way) and that a lot more attention is being garnered toward the value of “dry-land” training at grassroots levels but what about other sports? Women’s under – 18 soccer is one of the fastest growing sport populations in Canada – yet how much attention does this sport get from local cable stations? Why are there not strength and conditioning coaches associated with more grassroots teams, regardless of what sport, across the country – and by extension why is there not funding to pay for these positions?
There are not enough recognized professionals in the field of strength and conditioning in Canada and what professionals we do manage to produce leave for the United States or elsewhere. Let me qualify what a professional is; a professional is more than an individual that spent a weekend getting their accreditation; a professional is the perfect blend of academia (theory), experience (practical) and teaching (technical) skill. This breadth of knowledge and fusion of competency is not something that one can accrue in a weekend and to think so is what makes a mockery of the profession in Canada.
Governing bodies that fail to have a gatekeeper at the door are the source of the problem – these bodies are nothing more than a quick cash grab and place members of the general public at risk. There is no standard to be upheld – or held accountable to for that matter. More publicity, better salaried positions from the grassroots levels up (for all sports) and higher required qualifications for entry into the field are only the start of solving the problem and keeping our most skilled coaches on Canadian soil.
I encourage a full out revolution at the source – amidst the people; bring fitness back into the grade schools, playgrounds and parks! Make “fitness” play and use any means at your disposal to get in shape and stay in shape – for LIFE! WAKE UP PEEPS and demand more of yourself and the profession that you are so passionate about; continue learning, continue growing, and continue to challenge those individuals who would seek to conform you and cage you in their mold. Be the LION you were breed to be!
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It's the same thing we're seeing with all of our elite athletes; if you want the best training/coaching/facilities, you're forced to choose an NCAA scholarship over staying in Canada because the support and funding just aren't here the same way it is south of the border.
ReplyDelete@Dave - I agree that athlete's are seeking better resources by heading south but I DO NOT agree with the fact that training is better in the states. I can think of several examples of professional athlete's that have made the pro's being 100% All-Canadian.
ReplyDeleteAgain, there is validity to your belief that resources - scholarship, exposure, money and path to professional sport are all easier when the journey is taken south.
@Christopher - Excellent point. Clearly, the fact that so much of our home grown talent has succeeded all over the world is a testament to that.
ReplyDeleteThe unfortunate part is that many parents and governing bodies aren't giving Canadian trainers the respect (and of course, funding) they deserve.
Hey Chris, I think you forgot to mention Charles Poliquin (he is canadian right?). Anyway, you are correct about the shortage of strength coaches/elite personal trainers. I think it has something to do with the popularity of MMA and beach body look. Many people (in the US as well) just are not into looking like a strenght athlete. The sad thing is they also don't understand the importance of strenght in building a great physique. I guess that is we need to do a better job of educating our clients and the public.
ReplyDelete@Cygen Labs - to win the hearts and minds of governing bodies and parents alike the war must be fought in the trenches! Social Proof and results speak volumes. Social Media such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and blogs such as these have become excellent resources for providng the voice that is so DESPERATLY needed to draw attention to problems such as this!
ReplyDelete@Rafael...Charles Poloquin is indeed Canadian born and bred; how many members of the gen. pop would know that though - haha; but, that is my point exactly!
Educating our clientele is exactly where we need to start. I disagree with your statement about many people not wanting to look like a strength athlete... I can't think of many people that wouldn't want to look like a sprinter or beach volleyball player. Both are strength athletes and I would somewhat agree that with the rise in popularity of MMA the beachbody craze has blown-up.
Regardless of your desire to train for function or form strength is an integral component. ;)