Questionable advice?

[bobu]

I'm concerned that there is no way to determine if some of the members giving advice to newbies are qualified to dispense advice. Some of them don't have logs or any information about their weightlifting experience. I know that although I've been a member and lifting for over a year I don't feel qualified to give advice. I'm still working on form issues myself. I don't have a problem with people relating their experiences but I'd like to have some idea of their qualifications for telling someone what is wrong with their form, diet, etc. I agree it is up to everyone to judge for themselves the value of advice and that different people can have widely varying viewpoints, but it would be nice to have something to base it on.

[mjh]

I think you make a good point, bobu. Unfortunately it seems to be the nature of this kind of forum. While I wouldn't necessarily like people to start "calling out" those with no logs or stats posted (though in some cases it is totally called for), it definitely does make a big difference to how I read someone's posts.

Me, I'm a total newb and my stats reflect that (this thread reminded me to finally add them to my sig!). So I try to limit my advice to those things that I've experienced myself or those things that are recommended (for beginners) by coaches that I trust. You'll see me tell people that squats are good for a person's knees, because I myself have experienced that and I've read dozens of similar testimonials here and in other forums, but you won't see me chiming in on intermediate/advanced routines, power cleans, board presses, rack pulls, the anabolic diet...... because I simply don't have experience with those things.

So I agree that stats or a log go a long way to lending credibility to a post. Another good thing to do is to clearly signal when you are speaking from experience, expressing an opinion, or citing something you read from some coach or other (preferably with a link or reference).

[vhalros]

Is this perhaps directed at me ? I think most of my 'advice' has just been directing people to other resources that are created by people who hopefully know more than me, I sure don't feel qualified to correct any one's form though. I really should start maintaining a journal here though.

But, coming from sort of the opposite end of your comment, I do kind of worry that some one will take something I say as some sort of gold-plated truth and manage to hurt themselves. I therefore try to use language that suggests I have limited knowledge in this area.

Can you propose a remedy?

[mjh]

Is this perhaps directed at me ?

Looking at your post history, I doubt he has you in mind. I think your posts clearly show that you're sharing your opinion based on your experience, which is great.

[vhalros]

Some of them don't have logs or any information about their weightlifting experience.

Yes, I was being semi-sarcastic is saying it was directed at me, but I did none the less take this as impetus to start a log.

[atypical1]

Logs go a long way towards credibility. When I see someone posting up advice I always look to see if they have a log going. To me it's just that important.

I also look at post count. If they give advice on post 1 or 2 then I definitely take it with a grain of salt simply because that person (in my mind) doesn't have all the context that they might have if they posted around for a while.

But I realize that there' plenty of good information out there and plenty of people have much more knowledge than I do regarding strength training so I try to keep an open mind. Oddly enough I'm much more apt to listen to someone with a log or who is speaking from experience than if they quote from a book. Not that book learning isn't important or useful but I find that it is better when it's tied back to some experience.

MJH is right though about it just being the nature of the internet and the forums that reside on it. Just remember caveat emptor.

james

[sik0fewl]

I'm certainly not the most qualified here to give advice, but I still do from time to time. I like to think if I make a mistake, others will quickly point it out. Even if somebody just disagrees with me (even if neither of us are right or wrong), I expect them to share their opinion, so the OP can make an informed decision based on information from multiple viewpoints.

That being said, I only give advice when I'm sure I'm right or I have something useful to offer.

[lovestolift]

I would say that for every post I submit there are at least two that I erase because I don't feel like I can back up what I wrote. I try to give advice based on what I have learned, both from reputable sources and from personal experience. I hope that others post with the same, or a possibly better level of discretion. But ultimately, as James said, it's caveat emptor, pal. If you want free advice, you have to learn to discern between what is useful and what is complete gibberish.

[Tintin]

I hope that natural selection will take care of the people who believe everything they read.

[bobu]

lovestolift: I agree completely but information about the advisor is needed to make an informed choice. Some of these folks can be very impressive sounding until you look at their logs/history or lack of either.

Tintin: I don't think what you hope for is what the site is all about. We're supposed to help each other, not weed out the gullible.

[eLvarouza]

I don't think it's too incredibly hard to tell who is or isn't completely full of shit. People who aren't full of it will be able to explain what they say and they'll have relevant experience.

You'll occasionally see posts from someone who possess one of those attributes. So occasionally you'll see posts by some guy who has no experience but has read a lot so he can explain things well. Also you might see posts by somebody who has a lot of experience and is very strong/big/whatever but has no clue how to apply his knowledge to teaching novices.

A lot of people who haven't much experience or knowledge will probably say it, e.g. "well I've only been squatting a few months, but I've noticed blah blah blah." I don't really see a problem with that; it's mainly the guys who assume they know everything who you need to watch out for.

[maroon]

I don't really think this is a problem around here, but you do make some good points.

Most people that give advice here but without the extensive experience usually mention this in their posts. This includes me. This way the person knows how to interpret this information.

Also if some bad or wrong advice is given, there are so many experienced people here to potentially spot this, that it will probably be dealt with fairly quickly.

I think it is better to keep it open and subject to moderation than perhaps define rules to say who can and can't give certain types of advice.

[Tintin]

As long as people, who are perceived to have knowledge, do not give poor advice then there isn’t any problem. This includes: Moderators, administrators and people lifting heavy weights. When people are asking for advice it is therefore important that moderators and administrators confirm or negate advice given by other posters. This is especially relevant to sweeping statements like: “Squats are bad for your knees”.
The clear field of expertise in the forum is the weightlifting and nutrition and hence the advice given outside this context has to be viewed with skepticism. There are few people who are adequately qualified to give advice on injuries, and usually they can only relate to their own experience. For a person, who is perceived to have knowledge, to say something like: “Even if you are feeling ill, you should lift weights.” is where the alarm bells should flicker as a reader, since people are mixing personal experience with advice without knowing the severity of the condition.

[Portillo]

Forums are a place for discussion. Theres always that danger that you might get wrong information, but its up to you to use caution.

[NotNowChief]

All the advice is for you to digest and absorb as needed. Part of that is assessing the validity of the source for yourself. This is a discussion forum and I don't think anyone should feel that their contribution will not be valued or will be frowned upon because other people lift more.

Anyone can provide an insight or fresh viewpoint on a topic which might prove helpful to someone and I think the board would suffer if people felt stifled. I think if people are posting questionable advice it is usually pretty quickly countered by good advice and why explained/debated, as it should be. Sometimes more information is brought forth and greater knowledge actually aquired this way as viewpoints are examined and tested.