Working out Starting where you are! I see it all the time, people reading magazines, looking up articles on line, and watching infomercials about the latest workout program. I watch them sometimes just to see what’s out there. The other day I watched an infomercial which had one training philosophy and a second one right after it that completely contradicted the one before it. I had to laugh but at the same time I shook my head with frustration. What are people to believe? What is true? There is a lot of good information out there but how is one to know what is “good”? My goal in this blog is to attempt to give some basic tips so anyone can know the difference and know where to start. The first and most important step is to know yourself. Where are you physically? When was the last time you had a physical by your doctor? It’s important to know if there is anything going on that needs to be addressed first. Knowing your blood pressure is important so that when starting a workout program you don’t overdo it and cause to much stress on your cardiovascular system. Knowing your cholesterol levels will give clues as to possible changes that need to be made in your eating habits. Testing for other deficiencies will also give more clues to other changes that need to be made and supplements that can be helpful to correcting those deficiencies. There are many other tests your doctor may suggest but the point in me saying this is to know where you are so you know where to start. I want to caution people when thinking about purchasing workout videos or finding a workout program in a magazine or other sources. “Workouts” you find from other sources were designed for someone else, at their fitness level and at their pace. I would NEVER put my 89 year old client, my 400 pound client, or my client with a heart condition on the “crazy workout” or any of those other workouts you see on TV. I have known countless people who have been injured by doing such workouts – joint pain, strained tendons, and muscle strains. They were simply not ready for it. I would say most people are not! The second step is how to find the right information to get started. The most important thing about all information is to know the source. Just because someone has a degree does not make them an expert or just because someone does not have a degree does not make them not worth listening to. The people I have been most impressed with are those who have a verifiable track record and are educated either by schooling or the school of hard knocks (life experience and self taught), either way, they know their craft and they do it well! Check the sources of information, verify, ask questions, ask for references, and seek out testimonials. When looking for information about your goals, be specific. If you’re looking for a trainer, here is where I will get on my soapbox. Trainers are a dime a dozen. Anyone can get a certification but that does not mean they know what they are doing. I have worked for many of the major gym chains over the course of my 15 years of training. I own my own company now, and I have seen it all. I have been in management in some of these gyms and interviewed quite a few people who called themselves trainers. A good trainer must be well rounded and have experience working with various population types. Every person is different and has different needs. Not one person is the same, so every person must have a plan that is customized for their needs and health condition. Sometimes we see shows on TV where the trainer puts a person through an incredibly intense workout on the first day, to the point where they are ready to cry and pass out. Those people where tested by a team of medical staff first. Those people where put through stress tests, EKGs, blood tests, blood pressure checks, etc. No gym or trainer that I know of has the resources to do that kind of testing and neither do I. Because of that fact, I will not put a client through such an intense workout until I am convinced they can handle it. A good trainer should start slow and get to know you first before taking it to the next level. More to come… If you have any questions please contact me at: www.vimtrim.com getfit@vimtrim.com (480) 264-5120
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