Personal training isn’t just for the young — or the wealthy. Here’s how to make it work for you.
Karen Palmer, 76, travels frequently for pet-sitting and house-sitting jobs. That means packing and lugging suitcases, and having the strength to control skittish, heavy animals.
Two and a half years ago, she wanted to improve her overall fitness while also protecting an arthritic shoulder and knee. “I wanted to have the ability, strength and confidence to take on whatever life might have in store,” she said. So she started exercising with a trainer she met through her physiotherapy clinic.
The sessions have made a difference. Ms. Palmer has seen improvements in her joint mobility and range of motion, she said. “So many people accept everything as a part of aging, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” she said. “I’m going to fight to the bitter end.”
As you age, strength training twice a week can help you stay healthy. It can slow age-related muscle mass and strength loss, help maintain bone density and improve stability. But starting a new fitness program can be challenging at any age, and all the more so if you have mobility issues or joint pain. That’s where trainers can help.
Studies have shown that older adults perform better in key areas like balance, flexibility and core strength when they work out with a trainer instead of on their own. Having a “built-in guide” can also help with motivation, said Jennifer Heisz, an associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster University.
By teaching you to move properly, a personal trainer can help you believe in your ability to exercise safely. “Ageism can hold people back from things they could be doing but don’t think they’re supposed to,” said Dr. Heisz.