Fitness Tips from Titan's Gym:
Exercising With a Health Challenge
 
 
Fitness Tips from Titan's Gym:
Exercising With a Health Challenge
  Part 1: Getting Started

If you're facing a health challenge - cardiovascular issues, breathing problems, bone or joint conditions, neuromuscular conditions, hearing impairment, pregnancy, psychological disorders, or mental handicaps - you can still enjoy the benefits of exercise. In fact, physical activity can help increase your energy, strength, balance, and coordination, not to mention easing your pain. But you need to find the best form of exercise and learn proper guidelines.

Start With Your Healthcare Practitioner. Whether you want to begin exercising because your physician recommends it or on your own initiative, you need to talk with your physician or other healthcare practitioner before you start. When you do so, ask for specific programming recommendations.

Many physicians or physical therapists provide instructions for exercises for specific conditions (back exercises for low-back pain, for instance). Inquire about special limitations you should be aware of, and ask your physician for a referral to a fitness professional who has experience training clients with your condition.

Conditions That May Require Special Exercise Guidelines: A wide variety of health conditions may call for modifications in your exercise program. This list is not exhaustive, so you should speak with your health practitioner about specific limitations and accommodations for your situation.

Condition Risk Factor(s)
Cardiovascular disease hypertension
elevated blood pressure
diabetes
angina
post-heart attack or post-bypass
heart valve disease
peripheral circulatory disease
Breathing conditions asthma
emphysema
COPD
Bone or joint conditions low-back pain
osteoporosis
post-surgical/rehabilitation
arthritis
Other conditions neuromuscular (stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, fibromyalgia)
vision or hearing impairments
pregnancy
psychological disorders
mental handicaps

Part II: Certified Fitness Professionals Make a Difference

You'll gain the most benefit from working with a certified fitness professional who is qualified to work with you. So, once you've found a person you might work with, you need to ask questions:

  • Does the fitness professional have experience working with your condition?
  • Will he or she feel comfortable training you? If not, can you be referred to someone who would be comfortable?
  • Do you feel comfortable with this person? Does he or she provide knowledgeable answers to your questions?
  • What can you expect to achieve with an exercise program? Be sure to discuss your goals.

Expect — and be prepared — to tell the fitness professional about your general health, your specific illness or injury, and your history of physical activity.

Your professional may perform evaluations such as a range-of-motion test for a certain joint, or a cardiorespiratory test to measure heart rate during aerobic exercise. With this information, he or she can establish realistic goals and design a safe, effective exercise program. (If you feel that the fitness professional is not interested in becoming familiar with your condition, talk with another who will be.)

Part III: Sometimes Health and Fitness Professionals Need to Talk

Ideally, you will work as a team with your fitness professional and your healthcare provider. If your fitness professional feels a need for more information about your condition, such as guidance on a safe range of motion for your joints, or a proper approach if you have risk factors for heart disease, he or she should feel free to get in touch with your healthcare provider. Similarly, changes in your condition may make it advisable for your physician to alert your trainer to a need for changes in your fitness routine.

These discussions may take time, but communication will mean better results for you.

Part IV: Progression — The Importance of Having a Plan

Regardless of whether you exercise in a group or one-on-one, training should progress from an initial, easy-effort level to one that's more challenging. A group instructor should provide modifications, if necessary, specific to your condition. A personal trainer also should offer exercises performed at appropriate ranges of motion and intensities.

Both types of fitness professionals should be able to explain why they recommend certain exercises and provide you with a plan that details the progress you can expect.

Exercise can be an important, fulfilling part of coping with a chronic disease or recovering from injury. Coordinate with your healthcare provider and fitness professional to make the most of your exercise experience, and to improve your ability to function throughout your life.

This information is furnished courtesy of the American Council on Exercise and is reprinted with the Council's permission.