I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down…

I am sure many of you have seen this commercial and have maybe had a chuckle about it. Maybe it even got you to sign on at Planet Fitness because the commercial reassured you that there would be no monosyllabic muscleheads slamming weights around. While I do understand how some weight rooms can be intimidating (even to men), I am here to defend the poor guy in the commercial who seems to only know how to say “I lift things up and put them down.” Why am I defending him? Because you are much better off lifting things up and putting them down than doing the senseless machine that the guy in the background in the commercial is doing.

How’s this for lifting things up and putting them down?

Nia Shanks doesn’t look at all like the musclehead in the commercial, and yet at 120 lbs she is sumo deadlifting 275 lbs for 5 reps…and that looks a lot like lifting something up and putting it back down to me. In fact, deadlifts (in all their various forms) are one of the best exercises you can do for your hamstrings and glutes, which, quite frankly are something most people could work on. Here’s another video ~ this is my coach, Tony Gentilcore doing a conventional deadlift of 550 lbs for one rep (this video is a bit old…he’s getting close to 600 lbs).

And here he is doing a 600 lb trap bar deadlift (must have been video day as he is wearing the same clothing).

I have never deadlifted until I started training at Cressey Performance. I have now done trap bar deadlifts, sumo deadlifts and rack pulls (another exercise that utilizes those glutes and hammies ~ like a conventional deadlift, but not from the floor) and I have to say, I love them (don’t tell my coach ~ he seems to only let me do things he thinks I hate). I am back to doing trap bar deadlifts this month and yesterday for my fourth set I pulled 160 lbs plus two chains for 5 reps (I don’t really know how to count the chains, as the weight comes off the floor gradually…but trust me, it’s pretty badass). While I have made a lot of progress, I want to (always) do more…current goal is 200 lbs. Not sure how long it will take me to get there, but I like having goals.

So the next time you see the Planet Fitness commercial, maybe you shouldn’t smirk at the musclehead and instead think to yourself that maybe there’s more upstairs than appears. He’s certainly smarter than this poor woman. 🙂

About Lisa Van Dore

I have lived in Sherborn, Dover and most recently North Walpole, for a total of 15 years (and counting). Having recently been through the process of selling a home and buying (and renovating) a new one, I understand the conflicting emotions of excitement and anxiety inherent in the process, whether you are a seller or buyer, whether this is your first home purchase or your tenth. I have a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Indiana University. My early career found me working as a CPA, and later as the controller of Crate & Barrel. More recently I spent seven years running my own personal training business. I understand the hard work and dedication necessary to build a business and a reputation...most of my personal training clients came to me by referral and my first client was still with me when I decided to leave personal training. This speaks to the level of effort I put forth for my clients, week after week. On a more personal note, I raced triathlon for seven years and more recently completed my first half marathon. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, Maine, hiking and, in the fall, following college football...my teams are the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and Texas Christian University (Go Frogs!).

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2 Responses to I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down…

Nia Shanks says:

April 29, 2011 at 11:10 AM

Hey, girl! Thanks for sharing my video. I definitely am one for “lifting things up and putting them down.” : )

With such an amazing coach, you’ll be pulling 200 pounds in no time!

Keep up the awesome work, and keep spreading the word about women lifting heavy!

Gordon Wayne Watts says:

May 5, 2011 at 1:01 AM

@ Lisa — I saw not only your video of the Commercial/Ad for ‘Planet Fitness,’ but also your comments -to which I would like to say:

#1 — Your defense of the muscle-head is RIGHT-ON CORRECT: I would trust *his* advice *any* day over that of the pin-head manager who is depicted in the ad.

#2 — Oh, and if it wasn’t obvious, up front: … Your inclusion of that commercial made my day: It was AS FUNNY AS H-LL!!

I may not be the strongest dude around –even after pound-for-pound and/or reach/length corrections, but I am not stupid: — I understand fully the importance of pushing yourself physically -and mentally/spiritually to be a stronger … a better person:

Planet Fitness can stay in its own galaxy … hey, maybe the Imperial Klingon Empire and Darth Vader will team up and kick that Planet’s BUTT. (Are you a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan, he heh.!)

PS: If I can ever get my act together (read: not be lazy & make time), I may do my own news coverage on my own blog about that commercial -and echo the points you make. (And, if so, I will not neglect to give credit to all those in the chain of communication who led me to your funny post / news clip / aka: short Op-Ed piece.)

I, too, ‘”lift things up & put them down”‘ —… including the PEN, which is (often) mightier than the sword!