I was told the following three things from "certified" personal trainers at my gym. I ignored them, but I couldn't believe the carp I was hearing.

Did you know women shouldn't left dumbells heavier than 8 pounds, or we'll get too big? or that women shouldn't do squats, because it will make our butts too bulky? or that women really should stick to low impact cardio?

Of course, it is also equally important that we eat plenty of carbs after a workout, or our bodies will eat our muscles.

Ayi, yie, yie.

In that case, I'm going to be built like Schwarzenegger in a very short time. That is, if my body doesn't eat itself.

Dear lord, don't get me started on "certified" PTs. I read the general fitness and nutrition forums at myfitnesspal.com pretty regularly before getting fed up and leaving but before then, by far the most persistent and irritating source of misinformation there seemed to be from personal trainers.

I have a left prosthetic leg. I generally wear pants (not shorts) to the gym. I had an over eager newbie certified PT walk up to me and actually 'chide me' over not doing hours of cardio and that 'lifting those heavy dumbbells at YOUR age will work against you!' I had to actually turn towards her (no salivary glands, and hole in the throat here, only one lung too, lol..I'm not complaining...she WAS) and say (pulling pantleg up) "Anything else?" I think I 'cured her'...walked away and stays away! LOL

But my optical muscles are incredibly healthy because of them. Every time I read/hear that crap, I get a good dose of eye-rolling in!

Wow. What a load of bull!!!!! I've been seeing a PT for about 6 weeks now. I'm squatting with 40kg, deadlifting, bench pressing... my lowest weight is 15kg for my split squats. Not a jot of cardio in sight. I eat plenty of protein after my workouts.

I guess I got lucky with my personal trainer!!

Agree that you've been told a total lot of cr*p, but in my own experience, and that of oblong, it really depends on the PT and very often, the philosophy and attitude of the gym itself.

I've also been lucky with the PTs I've used, but I have also been careful to join a gym that is right for me. I always run a mile when I see all the cardio bunnies lined up on their machines in full makeup and 'fashionable' workout gear. Equally so, any gym that doesn't have a power rack and a full range of dumbbells is one that I also avoid.