Personal Fitness Training-the Positive Impact on Rising Domestic Health Care Costs

PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING-THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON RISING DOMESTIC HEALTH CARE COSTS

By Rob Rayburn, Personal Fitness Trainer

There are a growing number of grave concerns that we as a people face in the US and abroad on a daily basis; none more pressing than the rising cost of health care in America and the world. The incoming administration led by President-Elect Obama has pledged to make health care accessible to all Americans in his first term as our president. Our healthcare system is a mess, there is no doubt, and providing health care for all the uninsured is a noble and ambitious undertaking, to be sure. I’m not sure at this point how effective the President-Elect’s proposed plan will be.

There is a palpable anxiety building over this issue with the uninsured asking, “What can we do?” The silver lining here is that we don’t have to wait on the government to act in order to alleviate some of that anxiety.

Scientific studies upon scientific studies have conclusively shown that by taking a proactive approach to our health by becoming more physically active in our daily routines, almost invariably results in significant health improvements among those who do so.

Consistent physical exercise has been proven to significantly reduce one’s risk of contracting a whole series of diseases and ailments associated with obesity and physical inactivity.

While regular exercise cannot guarantee that an individual won’t be stricken with diabetes, heart disease, various forms of cancers, and the like; consistent exercise greatly reduces our overall risk. It has to be noted that lifestyle choices in general play an active role here, as well. A 20-year smoker is much more likely to develop heart disease, for example, than a non-smoker. Family health histories also factor in to the equation, although, there is not much that can be done with heredity, or pre-disposition based on past family history.

Seemingly, the only viable option that is open to virtually all of us regardless of financial considerations (assuming one is able-bodied and otherwise capable) is a steady dose of consistent exercise. For older seniors, and those morbidly obese folks, low-impact exercises are recommended and can be incredibly effective. Though walking would not be considered an effective activity for advanced competitive athletes, it can provide fantastic health benefits for many average Americans. As an added benefit, the evening walk can evolve into a constructive family activity.

The key here is to understand your physical limitations prior to making significant changes in activity. If one has not been involved in an exercise routine for a prolonged period of time, has recently undergone major surgery, or has ever had back surgery, it is critical that you ease your way into a more active routine. If you currently suffer from heart disease, diabetes, hypertension (high-blood pressure), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), any form of cancer, or other debilitating condition, be sure to consult your physician before committing to an exercise plan.

Performing standard low-impact personal training testing for strength, endurance, and flexibility before beginning an exercise program can be extremely helpful also. These initial tests can be administered by any personal fitness trainer, and possibly carried out in the privacy of a client’s home. The reasons for these standard tests are two-fold. The first objective is to give both the trainer and the exerciser a solid footing on where to begin regarding the intensity of your routine or training prescription. The results of these tests should be documented to provide a point of reference later in the training cycle to measure the individual’s progress. Without this point of reference, measuring your individual results as you progress becomes more difficult.