SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Regardless of which fitness provider or personal trainer you choose to utilize, it is very important for any client or consumer of personal training services out there to be informed about considerations for special populations with special needs. Individuals with special needs can still benefit from exercise, however variables or program considerations such as frequency, duration, exercises/techniques, and intensity may need to be modified to fit an individual's special needs.

Every Personal Trainer regardless of their credentials or education should be expected to properly screen and conduct comprehensive assessments of any potential client that will be participating in a fitness/exercise program.

Furthermore, a Personal Trainer should make the appropriate referrals to qualified health care professionals to address needs or concerns outside their area of expertise and when necessary, first have a client's primary care physician involved in regard to getting a clearance for participation in a fitness/exercise training program.

Depending on an individual's condition an exercise program may need to be modified to coincide with the limitations and capacities of their specialized need or condition.

Some categories of Special Populations Include but not limited to:

*  Older Adults/Elderly
*  Females who are Pregnant
*  Individuals who are overweight or Obese
*  Individuals with orthopedic disorders/conditions
*  Individuals with Arthritic Disorders
*  Individuals with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
*  Individuals with Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
*  Individuals who are in Post-cardiac rehabilitation
*  Individuals with Type 1 diabetes
*  Individuals with Type 2 diabetes
*  Individuals with respiratory disorders
*  Individuals with osteoporisis/osteopenia
*  Individuals with peripheral vascular disease
*  Individuals with back pain
*  Individuals with metabolic syndrome
*  Individuals who have had a stroke

There are many other possible unique needs that an individual may have that need special consideration when beginning an exercise program.

The good news is, that with modifications and appropriate supervision, an exercise program can be developed for individuals with special needs that will progressively increase their fitness level and subsequently give them the benefits that come from a life style that includes exercise.

As a Certified Personal Trainer, I will do a Comprehensive Assessment of your current Fitness Level, Health & Medical History, and screen for negative and positive risk factors before developing an exercise program. This is done to ensure your safety and to give you an opportunity to progress at a level that is appropriate for your current state of health and fitness level without causing undue stress on your health.

In general programs for special populations are modified to begin with low intensity to progress in accordance with an individual's abilities and or limitations.

                                                                                             LOWER BACK PAIN
                                                                                  
Lower Back Pain and or other orthopedic problems need to be taken into consideration when beginning an exercise program. Always communicate any issues of pain or past injuries to your personal trainer.
                                        
                                                                                                  HYPERTENSION
                                                                              
Hypertension (high blood pressure) Also known as the "silent killer." If you have hypertension and or are on hypertensive medication, you need to communicate this to your personal trainer in order to ensure an appropriate program is developed for you to address this condition. Things such as target heart rate, submaximal testing are affected by this.

                                                                                                         DIABETES                    
                                
People with diabetes can benefit from exercise, however there are considerations and modifications to an exercise program that need to be incorporated and certain factors that need to be monitored such as blood glucose levels before, during, and after exercise in order to ensure a safe delivery of exercise to a client.

Regardless of how small or how signifcant you may feel a health issue is, you should always inform any fitness professional that you are working with of your health status in order to ensure an appropriate exercise program is developed for you.

If you fall into any of the special population categories and are uncertain as to whether or not you could benefit from exercise or are not certain as to how to begin an exercise program e-mail me at mybestshape@aol.com or call me for a free initial consultation.