 Exercise is a subject everyone seems to have some knowledge about. There’s always the latest trend or fad which promises fast and incredible results. Everyone has seen the latest fads and gimmicks come and go. The true fact is exercise is a proven science, when performed properly.
Exercise, no matter what the end goal is, must be progressive. Progressive meaning; as the body adapts to the applied stimulus, the stimulus must be increased. This doesn’t mean we should beat ourselves on a daily basis because the desired change we all seed doesn’t actually happen until we supply the body with proper nutrition and rest. Yes, physical fitness has 3 parts: (1) the stimulus to cause change (proper exercise), (2) the building blocks to repair the body, (nutrition) and (3) the time needed to repair the damage (rest). If you give the body all three components to achieve physical fitness, the progress is fast. The problem happens when one of these key factors is missing, or overly emphasized, because we experience staggered results or feel burned out.
If your program is done properly, you should continually become…faster…leaner…and stronger at each and every workout!
Becoming faster, leaner and stronger is where a good personal trainer comes into play. Like everything in our life, when you are in the middle of something, you can’t always see the big picture easily we’ve all experienced it. You have a problem you’re struggling with, you mention it to a friend and they have the answer. Look at any professional athlete, whether it be golf, football, skiing or one of the Olympic events; they always have a trainer. The trainer’s job is to ‘most efficiently’ get the athlete to reach their goals. Personal trainers are just that; a trainer to help you efficiently get you to your goal.
Visit any fitness facility and notice people running on treadmills for hours or swinging weights recklessly. Are they getting fast efficient results? Probably not. We’ve heard, or we’d say, “I work out all the time, but I’m not seeing any results, or very little for the time invested.”
The truth is, if performed properly, is amazingly efficient and injury free. That’s right! Exercise should not cause an injury but just the opposite. Exercise should alleviate or prevent injury. The key once again is, proper exercise, and we all seem to cheat a little when we exercise. Even trainers cheat when training themselves. That’s why I seldom, if ever, train myself. It might be something small like closing my eyes or holding my breath a little. The problem lies in the little things can turn into a bigger thing; which in turn could lead to an injury. Then there’s the holding back. Most people don’t push themselves but hold back. A trainer’s job is to have you perform the proper program and proper way and supply encouragement during each and every workout.
In Central Oregon, we are lucky. We live in a very active environment from season to season. We have a broad choice of activities to choose from. This also means that we have all sorts of coaches and trainers to choose from. When choosing a trainer, make sure they are certified and ask them about their program. A good trainer should be able to give you references from present or past clients. Central Oregon is beautiful and we all have busy lives. There’s no need to spend all your free time working out in a gym. After all, the change happens when you stop your training and recover. Make sure you’re getting what you pay for. If the program consists of one-hour training sessions, make sure that you’re getting one hour from the trainer. Beware of extras and add-ons or products your trainer tells you, you just have to have. The personal trainer should never make you feel pressured into spending more money. Fitness is about exercise, proper nutrition, rest and education.
Remember: fitness, if performed properly, is a science and progress should be noticeable from week to week without stagnation, and the results, make you leaner … stronger … faster!
Tom Sliney is certified by the International Sports Sciences Association and has competed in numerous endurance and strength evens. Tom and Tammy Sliney own C.O.R.E. a private personal conditioning center located in Bend, (541) 389-6595
Caption: Visit any fitness facility and notice people running on treadmill for hours or swinging weights recklessly. Are they getting fast efficient results? Probably not. The truth is exercise, if performed properly, is amazingly efficient and injury free. A personal trainer can help one create a program and use the fitness equipment properly
By Tom Sliney
Cascades East
Summer 2004
Page 114 |
WELLNESS 