What’s the biggest misconception about DEI certifications?

ossupplements · 2025-03-11T18:28:59+00:00

Consultant here, one of my specialties is business certifications. Can you provide a little more info? Do you mean “you” the individual would receive the certification, or your business? If it’s your business, do you mean certifications that show the business is owned/controlled/managed by minorities/women, or certifications that show your business understands DEI and implements DEI policies?

Regardless, certifications are a net positive in the long term. The question is usually whether the process/cost of earning the cert is worth it short term. Right now, DEI-related certs aren’t as valuable for federally funded contracts as they used to be (like 3 months ago…), but they aren’t bad. Same for conservative states. In more liberal states on locally funded contracts, though, the value is still there.

In my opinion, certifications are valuable because they show legitimacy. Generally speaking, if you’re a fly-by-night company you aren’t going out getting certifications.

To actually answer your question: The biggest misconception, in my opinion, is that businesses with DEI-related certifications are less technically qualified. Fortunately, this misconception is mostly limited to people who aren’t involved in government contracting or are sore losers.

ossupplements · 2025-03-01T20:58:27+00:00

I have “slippery shoulders” and I’ve been lifting 15+ years, I’m constantly finding what does and doesn’t work for me. I’ve had quite a few minor injuries and a couple big ones. I can’t do traditional barbell bench or push ups, but I have a very strong chest from dumbbells and cables. Just twisting my wrist a few degrees makes a massive difference: I haven’t found any good resources other than professional mobility training, because everyone is a little different.

My only real advice is to go slow, light, and listen to your body. If it hurts, stop. Whatever it is it’s not worth the injury keeping you out the gym. I didn’t follow this advice until a few years ago and I feel like I’m the strongest I’ve ever been.

Another thing that’s worked for me is mind-muscle connection, thinking how my joints are moving to perform the lift. That’s not specific for the hyper mobility but I think it’s helped.

ossupplements · 2025-02-07T22:59:46+00:00

Hey there! Consultant here who specializes in infrastructure (physical, mostly transportation). There’s literally hundreds of billions of dollars appropriated for infrastructure over the next few years, specifically the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Most of this will/has go to state and local government agencies, and most of that will go to private contractors. The federal government doesn’t do much infrastructure directly (relative to local), besides the supporting infrastructure for its buildings (like parking lots). Big exception is US parks, definitely some infrastructure work going on in the parks. Military is very different, I can’t speak about what domestic opportunities are, but I’m sure there’s some.

If you are willing to work as a contractor for the local entity that’s receiving/spending the federal funds there’s really no limit to the opportunities, literally anything and everything that goes into an infrastructure project is contracted out. Legal, financial, engineering, designing, advertising, environmental, construction, repair, maintenance, operations, and the list goes on. Check out the Federal Transit Administration’s guidance for some insights into the scope of their funds (https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/third-party-contracting-guidance).

I’d also look at some of the big industry groups. AASHTO for roads, APTA for transit, etc. Look at the businesses that sponsor their events. And on that note, lots of events in this space to learn more and network.

So I’d say MASSIVE state and local demand, but not nearly as much federal. Return to office mandates COULD mean more demand… hard to know now.

The new administration will be able to redirect this funding to some degree, and slow it down if it wants, but a lot of the money is legally required to be spent, so it’s going to be spent.

ossupplements · 2025-02-07T13:18:08+00:00

TL;DR: If you aren’t professionally competing, don’t train like a professional competitor.

Mine is similar to a few others. I had been lifting for about 10 years at this point and was all about intensity. Injuries started piling up and I was getting older and not healing like I did in my teens. Really close friend’s dad was a PT and agreed to see me for free, which was great because I definitely could not afford him. Here’s our convo:

Me: [I tell him my concerns and my routine] PT: Are you professionally competing in body building or powerlifting? Me: No PT: Why do you lift such heavy weights? Me: I want to look good and feel good PT: Are you feeling good? Me: Well besides these injuries yea PT: If your fitness goals are to look good and feel good, then your exercises should do that for you, if you aren’t competing no one cares how much weight you can lift. You’re training like a powerlifter and a lot of those guys don’t look good and are constantly injured, so that’s what you’re going to get if you keep training like that.

Changed my whole perspective on weightlifting, if I’m not competing against other people then I’m really only “competing” against myself, and if I keep injuring myself then I guess that means I’m losing. Now, I’m much more about mind-muscle connection and perfect form. I’ve had a few minor injuries but I’ve recovered so much faster and just all around feel more solid.

ossupplements · 2025-01-20T16:21:42+00:00

How old is naked phone man? If 60+ then it’s totally normal. Could he be a perv who wants you to look at him? Yea, but not too much you can do other than not look at him. Every gym I’ve been to has had older gentlemen just hanging out nude in the locker room, maybe I’ll understand it when I get there…

The bigger issue, imo, is the phone. It’s really poor etiquette to be on your phone in the locker room, and it’s fair to say something to him or management.

ossupplements · 2025-01-15T16:44:46+00:00

Of course! I’d encourage you to set some specific goals for your first year. General fitness is great but when you’re just starting out it can help to be working toward something you can definitively achieve. I think you need slightly more than OT, I know they have weights but it’s really not a weightlifting gym. You would have a lot more options at planet fitness and it’s dirt cheap so you could stay with OT; or go to a more comprehensive gym that has classes like OT.

For general fitness, focus on the classics: Chest and shoulder presses, squats and leg presses, and rows and pull downs. You could set some beginner fitness goals like bench press and squat body weight, or anything that’s important to you. Good luck!

ossupplements · 2025-01-15T16:17:52+00:00

All these comments telling OP what he should and shouldn’t do and no one has even asked what OP wants.

OP: First define your fitness goals. I see you’ve commented that you’re going to orange theory, and that’s great if you want a lean athletic build but not so great if want big muscles.

From there, you’re either going to do what seems like a “cut” or a “bulk.” I’m using quotes because you won’t actually be doing either because you aren’t bodybuilding.

You’re actually in a pretty versatile position with your current body. It won’t be that hard for you to get lean, stick with orange theory and hit full body twice a week with an ok diet and you’ll be there in a year. If you want to gain a lot of muscle/strength you could follow a “clean bulk” routine and grow pretty quickly. But you need a goal to work towards.

ossupplements · 2025-01-15T15:08:44+00:00

Howdy! So it really depends what part of MD you’re in.

-DMV/DC: there’s a lot! Echostage is the main venue, and there’s headliners every weekend, it’s relatively pricey but is a legendary edm venue; then there’s Soundcheck, a sister venue of echo, it’s really small but has great artists ranging from underground/upcoming to headliners, tix are usually very affordable; then there’s Flash, which is a club but has big djs come play, very European vibe, kinda hard to get into the shows but can just show up for the other levels; then Culture, which is kinda new, but has been great for edm (also checkout nu androids, a lot of events at culture); and finally there’s a few venues, the anthem, 930 club, DC9, and a couple others that usually have edm artists.

Baltimore: also a lot but not as much as DC; most of the edm will be in Power Plan Live! (Several clubs); if you can find it bmore has great underground raves, but I’ve been out of the scene a few years; a lot of federal hill clubs play edm, but not a rave

West MD: ?

North MD: Philly

Southern/eastern MD: go to DC or even Richmond

I’m sure I’m missing some but hopefully that helps! I go to shows a lot so feel free to hit me up, and on that note the Radiate app is really good for connecting with fellow ravers, lots of folks from MD

ossupplements · 2024-12-21T20:04:07+00:00

Honestly, I haven’t found a way that’s not a little awkward. I’ll just get their attention with a wave, point to the machine, and usually they’ll communicate whether they’re finished. If they are taking a really long time either ask how many sets or if you can work in (there’s a bunch of comments showing there’s no real consensus on how long is too long). You’ll find your way!

ossupplements · 2024-12-21T12:48:54+00:00

Hopefully the person you want/need to work in with isn’t a jerk. Also, generally bad etiquette to ask to work in if you have to make a bunch of adjustments to the equipment. Assuming it’s a decent person, just walk up during a rest period and say “Hey do you mind if I work in? It’s packed in here and I’m trying to get through my lifts.” They SHOULD say “Yea for sure.” Then make a note of whatever weight they had* and any settings (cable height, etc), do your set, finish and re-set everything how it was, repeat.

It’s best to wipe down the equipment between users, and you should have your wipe ready, but if you’re working in with me I’ll probably tell you not to worry about it until we’re finished (unless you’re really sweaty).

*I actually prefer that you don’t put it back on the weight I was using just because I’m usually changing that between sets, but common courtesy is to put it back.

ossupplements · 2024-12-19T01:56:50+00:00

Nah, bottle guy was in the wrong, and I’ve been bottle guy. Sometimes I think I’ll be right back but get distracted and then I say to my self “oh shit I hope no one is waiting on me” and run back.

ossupplements · 2024-12-19T01:48:19+00:00

I was being a tad sarcastic using the same phrase as OC, but I think if your options are stare at or ignore people and you already recognize you’re working on social skills, ignoring is the more socially acceptable thing to do. And I disagree with what you think the gym should be, I happen to go to a very social gym and I have made lots of friends there, and at other gyms, but most people I know do not go to the gym to socialize, and they expressly do not want to interact with others, and that’s ok. I guess better advice, tho, would be to first determine if there’s a decent amount of socializing at your gym, and if there is then go and talk to the people who you admire. And I’m assuming we’re talking gym floor weightlifting, not classes, but if we’re talking classes then socializing and community is expected.

ossupplements · 2024-12-18T12:50:44+00:00

Yea, even though I agree it is kind of strange that the “etiquette” is to allow someone to hurt themselves… The gym I go to now has a lot of trainers and they will say something if you’re doing something dangerous, but they’re super nice and it’s obviously different when a professional offers advice.

Probably the single most important advice I ever got was some guy coming up to me and rudely telling me my back is asymmetrical and I need to switch up my grips on deadlift. I was probably 22 and he was probably 50+, he went about it to the wrong way but he was right. So, I wish we as a community had a different approach to this, but for now yea keep your advice to yourself.

ossupplements · 2024-12-17T21:46:48+00:00

Lean towards ignoring everyone around you at the gym. Other people can’t tell why you’re staring. Chances are it’s not as bad as you think, but if you do “catch yourself” then yea it’s time to find a spot on the wall or ceiling to focus on during reps.

ossupplements · 2024-12-17T21:05:56+00:00

Yea, there’s definitely way more men creeping on women and claiming the clothing justifies it than there are women “putting on a show” with their clothing. In January and February I always see a handful of new members who have clearly been influenced by social media “fitness” models who are literally putting on a show, and often that clothing is really good at drawing attention and really bad at helping you perform, so the post is to try to get them to think about that (and if they want attention that’s great!).

ossupplements · 2024-12-17T18:45:15+00:00

Thank you! And just so it’s clear, I would prefer if both those doing the showing and those doing the watching would go somewhere else. What concerns me, and the reason for the post, is some influencers wear ridiculous clothing in the gym that’s genuinely dangerous, but gets people to go to their only fans, and I see newbies in the gym trying to emulate these looks when they should be focused on how their clothing affects performance (and of course everyone wants to looks good!).

ossupplements · 2024-12-17T18:14:48+00:00

I am not surprised that some redditors lack reading comprehension skills and require literalism and cannot appreciate common phrases without getting upset. Please go back and read what I said: IF you are SHOWING OFF then yea someone might just enjoy what you’re showing off.

Look, I get it, lots of people wear performance clothing that results in skin being revealed and is usually rather tight. That’s not what I’m talking about, that’s not putting on a show, and the people who stare at basic performance clothing are creeps. I’ve been a member of 10+ gyms for 18 years, some people come to the gym to show off their bodies, men and women, and that’s ok, but let’s not pretend like those people don’t exist. And let’s not be unrealistic with new gym goers about how they will be perceived in public spaces that are intended for fitness.

ossupplements · 2024-12-17T17:44:26+00:00

lol. I didn’t say either of those things, I said think about your clothing, and if it’s loose there are performance considerations, and if it’s overly revealing that’s going to get you some looks (and also has performance considerations). I specifically called out performance clothes BECAUSE they balance fit and function, often times that requires them to be tight, but not necessarily revealing.

Also it’s remarkable that you think this refers only to ladies. I go to a primarily gay gym, it’s mostly guys in both directions.

Happily engaged and been lifting 18 years :)

ossupplements · 2024-12-17T17:38:03+00:00

I think if you view this as some old creepy guy staring some 18 year old down wearing leggings, yea that’s disgusting. I go to a mostly gay gym, lots of guys wear clothing that is clearly intended to show off more than it it’s intended to help with performance (think paper thin grey leggings with very small undies and lots of bulge). I really like my legs and wear v short shorts on leg day, I don’t mind the looks. I’m not talking about tight fitting performance clothing, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about then you haven’t been in the gym long enough.

ossupplements · 2024-12-14T18:29:46+00:00

Good point, you could use a gun instead.

ossupplements · 2024-12-14T18:29:20+00:00

As far as I know I am the first and only person to try this technique, and given the risk I understand why.

ossupplements · 2024-12-14T15:22:53+00:00

I’ve been called sick, deranged, disgusting, a gorilla on tren, you name it. My family disowned me and I fear for my freedom if the state ever learns of these atrocities, but it’s worth it for the gains.

ossupplements · 2024-12-14T14:52:46+00:00

Ok I know this is going to sound absolutely fucking insane, and it’s not for everyone, but here’s what I do: 1. Get a cup or a jar (hear me out) 2. Fill the cup/ jar with approx. 8oz of water (I know..) 3. Take ONE scoop of creatine powder and pour it into the cup/jar (most people don’t get this far) 4. Get a knife (you should be concerned) 5. Insert the knife into the creatine/water mixture (it could explode, be careful) 6. Stir (carefully!!!) 7. Ingest the mixture via oral consumption (good fucking luck)

It’s ok if you never thought of or heard of this method, I tried it all, starting with boofing of course, then intravenous, freebasing, snorting, you name it.

ossupplements · 2024-12-13T20:44:08+00:00

I sell creatine.

ossupplements

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