Exercise On “Good Morning America”
They just showed a segment with two former female athletes and they recommended 20 minutes of cardio each day and 20 minutes of strength training.
I totally disagree.
Who has 40 minutes a day to exercise? I don’t, and you don’t need the cardio if you do the strength training the right way.
Just hit the strength hard, with heavy weights, and you will achieve the best results.
Jim
How do you work with someone who has had a hip replacement or other misalignment or musculoskeletal problems, since the original bio-mechanical issues don’t automatically go away after surgery and often just transfer to a different part of the body. Thank you.
Comment by Sara — December 30, 2009 at 4:47 pm
First, you get clearance from your doctor or physical therapist to exercise.
Second, you complete all the therapy prescribed post surgery.
Third, you find a qualified trainer to help you right in the beginning to understand what you can and cannot do due to your limitations.
Jim
Comment by Jim Karas — December 30, 2009 at 7:31 pm
(1) What have you seen with such clients?
(2) Do you typically start them with lighter weights?
(3) Do they achieve weight loss and the other benefits of your program if they cannot work out with heavier weights, as you recommend?
Thank you.
Comment by Sara — December 30, 2009 at 11:33 pm
1. I have seen many of these clients succeed at getting into much better shape.
2. That totally depends on their situation and which body parts. Clearly, someone with lower body issues should be able to work the upper body more aggressively.
3. Most of them ultimately work up to heavier weights. I may take longer than usual, but they get there.
Comment by Jim Karas — December 31, 2009 at 9:45 am
I have neck/shoulder issues- inflammation and even fainting…
Can I use lighter wts w/more reps to get same results.
Lower body, am fine with heavier wts…
Lisa
Comment by Lisa Claudia Briggs — January 5, 2010 at 10:08 am
Lisa:
Yes, lighter weights and pay very close attention to your form. I hope you have also seen a doctor about this.
Jim
Comment by admin — January 5, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Jim,
I am a certified ACSM Personal Trainer in Dallas with a bachelors degree in Exercises Science. I was also a collegiate cheerleader so I understand interval training very well. I have read a lot of your stuff and I agree with your methods as I do interval strength training as a woman and I am lean and in great shape. Not to mention I am known as “sparkles ” around my gym for being so full of energy. Here is my question:
I have a client that is obese, diabetic( type 2), no thyroid, high blood pressure, and Very Dependant on ME to help her lose weight. My problem is, I have tried heavy strength training for a few years now and she will lose 20 pounds and then out of no where just gain it back. I don’t think she is lying about her food intake (as I have actually gone to her home to see what is in her pantry) and her doctors seem to keep writing her off as a lost cause when it comes to losing weight. I have read everything I can in my educational books on what to do with a diabetic but there is not a lot that I can find regarding people that have all of her same problems. What is your advice on a situation like this. I do understand that a huge portion of personal training is the need for good communication amongst Trainer and Client. Do you think she may not be working as hard as she is telling me??
Cheerfully,
Andrea
Comment by Andrea — January 6, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Andrea:
This is a tough one. My first reaction is that she is cheating with her food. You just can’t “POP” up 20 pounds without adding calories. I would try to get to the bottom of that.
As for her doctor “writing her off,” she needs to find a new doctor – FAST.
Let me know if i can help in any other way.
Comment by admin — January 6, 2010 at 12:43 pm