Every few months – and often coinciding with the changing of seasons – I like to write posts about physical fitness because it brings so many good things to our lives. The joy we feel through movement. Better sleep. Better appetites – which often come from cravings for healthier foods. And of course our appearance, as excess weight comes off and muscles become more visible and effective in keeping us active and strong.
All of this is especially important in our 50s and beyond. And as I’ve written in previous posts it can have a major impact on our abilities to forestall and deal with common ailments such as Parkinson’s Disease. As a lot of fitness-oriented folks our age will tell you, it can be an effective way to counter depression and fatigue as well.
But what if you’re not already highly active, with an exercise regimen tailored to your specific needs and goals? This is a challenge for a lot of people who join gyms and are immediately confounded by rows and rows of strange-looking exercise machines. It can also be a problem if you don’t already have a good sense of what types of exercise will personally benefit you the most.
If this sounds familiar you should consider spending time with a personal one-on-one trainer.
I know that might sound extravagant since it’s common to pay $100 or a lot more for an hour of a trainer’s time, but it can be a great value if you consider the following potential benefits.
- Most qualified trainers begin with a discussion about your needs and goals – a smart step for personalizing your fitness regimen. They’ll ask questions about what types of exercise you’ve enjoyed or not enjoyed in the past. They’ll consider ailments or challenges that have held you back. And they’ll start thinking right away about how to craft a regimen – or series of regimens – that will be enjoyable and effective.
- They’ll walk you through all kinds of seemingly complicated exercise machines and demonstrate proper form. This is especially important if you’re not familiar with all of the many types of equipment commonly found in modern gyms. That walk-through will be driven by the trainer’s experience and insights about which machines and routines will best suit your body and your needs. They’ll also be able to demonstrate proper uses of dumbbells, resistance bands and other equipment. This will reduce your chances of injury and – equally important – ensure that all of your gym-time is efficient and effective.
- They’ll give you good advice about other gym activities that you’ll enjoy and benefit from. Most of the large and medium-sized gyms in Delaware have several types of group exercise classes that can enhance your experience and results. You might boost your body’s flexibility and learn how to achieve a calmer mindset through yoga and Pilates. You might find effective ways to integrate more cardiovascular-focused exercise through spin, Jazzercise or boxing classes. As you advance on your fitness journey you might also enjoy and benefit from challenging “Boot Camp” classes that incorporate a range of cardio, resistance, calisthenics and other activities into demanding workouts lasting an hour or more. Good trainers will offer you smart advice based on your current abilities and potential advancements and other factors – such as whether or not you’re the type of person who enjoys and is motivated by group fitness activities.
- They’ll enhance the likelihood that your “return to the gym” is the beginning of something great because you’ll have exercise regimens and options that are uniquely suited to your needs, which means you’ll be far more apt to enjoy the experience and make it an integral part of your lifestyle.