In an effort to stay relevant to wavering social media minions, most fitness establishments have been forced to greatly expand the cardio and stretch classes they offer, usually to the detriment of the areas formerly occupied by free weights and bar racks. What is left is usually scant: A few dumbbells; A couple of benches. Maybe a few multi-station machines. Boxing bags? Forget it. They scare ownership because of the misguided theory that they attract the wrong element. Not to mention bags take up space. Without them, there’s more room for Cardio Dance and Active Stretch.

This is not to suggest that if you love this kind of workout, you shouldn’t do it. Anything that gets this increasingly obese nation off its well-padded arse should be regarded as positive. Still, it has become too common for today’s trainers to point their charges away from resistance types of conditioning, mostly because of a negative stigma around weights. These same doubters mythologize arcane physical junk science stating weights will add more bulk. They will, but only if you want them too. Admittedly, it is easy zone out and go too heavy, which can leads to increased bulk and often injury. NO one needs to be doing straining bench presses, unless they are playing line in the NFL. Look at what it did to Tiger Woods’ back.

Modern trainers are increasingly shunning free wight and resistance programs.  They are schooled in how to become a client’s friend – to make them feel as comfortable as possible. More enlightened trainers reinforce good habits and a mindset beyond comfort zones.  Passive aggressive coddling does a disservice to both sides.

Along with Cardio, Resistance Training is just as, if not more vital, for most casual workouts and those looking to cut fat. (In fact, the best resistance workouts are cardio driven: more reps and shorter rest time.)  The clear benefit is waging war with diminishing bone structure, as well as offering the best chance for holding age-related dementia at arms length.  All doctors should be pushing a regimen of dumbbells, instead of anti-depressants and opioids. Strengthening the tissue around bones and muscle is the operative goal, something not nearly as effectively triggered doing Zumba, Pilates and yoga. Are they effective? Yes, but within a blueprint including heavy doses of resistance as well. Some trainers and true-believing friends will say that is ok to hate weights, and that you shouldn’t do something you find too taxing or uncomfortable.

Do yourself a favor and  believe nothing.  Invest mentally in your own case study, but don’t let yourself off the hook. Try a bit of weight work a few times a week, for a couple of months. Nothing grueling or heavy, just consistent with good form. Then maybe pass the word to gym managers that they could use a bit more room for the essentials.

Lifelong jocks will always figure out a way to make even the worst gyms functional, though the path to well-rounded training should never have to take a back seat to the increasingly shrill and frenetic push of fad workouts designed to be increase class sizes and hit members with extra charges.

Cardio and resistance. Both are, in equal measures, the goal for well-rounded training.