Interview with Dr. Ellyn Robinson, CSCS*D, CPT
Dr. Robinson is an Associate Professor and the Graduate Coordinator for the Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies Department. Dr. Robinson was named in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 2000. She developed a new course: PE204: Theory and Practice of Progressive Resistance Training, and has added a new dimension of NSCA-CSCS certification to PE400 Physiology and Techniques of Strength Fitness and NCSF-CPT certification to PE406 Personal Training.
Interview
Q. What are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced as a woman in the health & fitness industry, any advice on overcoming them?
A. As a woman in the strength and conditioning field for over 20 years, the biggest obstacle that I have encountered has been overcoming prejudice. Many athletes held a notion that because I was female, I did not have the knowledge base to instruct in the strength and conditioning atmosphere. Often I was met with skepticism towards my abilities; after all, what could a "girl" know about strength. In a predominantly male dominated field, it often felt like I had to prove myself in a way that men did not. The best advice that I could offer to overcome this is first, to be as knowledgeable as you can; knowledge is power. Second, it is important to keep yourself in shape and get strong! Strength is empowering and confidence building. ALWAYS be able to demonstrate the movements and have skilled people trained who can assist you. Third, and perhaps most important, find a female leader in the fitness field who can help you with the gender issues that take place in a weight room. Find a good role model and believe in yourself!
Q. How do you keep health and fitness a passion in your everyday life?
A. I am always trying new things while maintaining consistency by always keeping the "basics" as part of my routine. I practice what I preach. It is important that I always find new challenges both academically and in my training. By reading current research and publications on fitness I am able to do this. I try to work out with people who have good energy and are stronger than I am, but my main training partner for life has always been myself. Never let yourself down, and learn to count on yourself.
Q. What factors do you believe need to be addressed to female athletes to meet their maximum potential?
A. Female athletes need to learn to train hard if they want excellent results. We need to do a better job educating females about the benefits of strength training. The major fear for females… "I don't want to get big" often holds them back from training hard. Balanced training for athletes is the key to reaching their maximum potential. Finding a good coach who employs various training regimes into their seasonal plan is half the battle. If you are a female athlete and you get a printed out sheet for your workout for the year, the same sheet that the entire team gets…throw it away. Find a coach who knows how to periodize your training, design individual training plans based on your goals and your weaknesses, and incorporate restorative methods to enhance the recovery process in your conditioning program.
Q. What made you choose this profession, was it a childhood dream, inspiration from a mentor, please elaborate.
A. I was a highly competitive athlete for the majority of my life. I competed in soccer, swimming, basketball, tennis, track & field, cross country, figure skating, bodybuilding, power lifting, Olympic lifting and marathons over the past four decades. I always knew that I wanted to study human physiology and learn as much as I could about performance. When I went to college right out of high school I studied exercise physiology and loved it. I went on to earn both my master's and doctorate degrees in exercise physiology, never wavering for a minute on what I wanted to do with my life. Now I teach strength and conditioning and coach at the college level. I never get bored, there is always something new to learn and new people to excite about the benefits of fitness. Whether it is the 20 year old football player who needs to become more explosive or the 85 year old lady who can't get out of her chair, teaching people to incorporate some type of fitness into their routine is what drives me… it is my passion, my love, and my life.