By ‘you’, I mean older adults. And by ‘older’ I mean not far into your thirties! What? You cannot be serious! But I am. Your body has already begun to experience many changes to hormone levels, suffer from bone loss and a slowing metabolic rate.

Perhaps you have already tried gyms and ‘failed’. Or is it that gyms, gym classes and trainers have failed you?

Most gyms when you join will provide a free 15/30 minute induction on how to use the machines. For anyone who is a beginner, or who has health issues, or lacks confidence, this is totally inadequate. The gym is no doubt happy to accept your money. You will muddle away on a couple of machines, not realising that the incorrect technique you use will most likely result in injury, or strain, or exacerbate an existing condition. You will most likely soon stop attending.

You could try one of the classes. Classes are usually devised around the needs and interests of younger people and will involve many of the higher impact activities that it is really best you avoid. Nor will you receive personalised support. You will be exhorted to do some more ‘reps’, ‘smash’ it or ‘beast’ it to keep up with the 25 year old gym bunny alongside you.

Or, you could use a personal trainer employed through the gym who can give you at the very least a more in-depth induction to using the machines and perhaps can help you with a programme. This may turn out to be a decent solution for you. 

However, you need to ensure that an exercise package is truly personalised to your needs.  

 Ask yourself:

1. Has my trainer truly listened to what I said? 

2. Do they really understand the physical changes my body has gone through? 

3. Are they taking into account the constraints placed on me by my work and family life? 

4. Have they devised a programme that is truly personalised to my needs?

Good personal training for any age, but particularly older people , should do this.

With Intelligent Personal Training (IPT) you will benefit from over 40 years of progressive experience and ongoing professional development. We will devise a programme that is truly tailored to your body’s needs. This will include:

• Modifying Exercises - As your personal trainer I’ll help you modify exercises based on common health issues.

• Avoiding some exercises - Some exercises have a propensity to cause injury, but are still used and recommended. Younger bodies might get away with this. Older bodies don’t. I will work with you on things you can do, rather than things you can’t.

• Strength - It's important to remember that you can build and maintain muscle tone, so basic resistance training should certainly be included in your workouts. The equipment and exercises we use will help you improve muscle density with less chance of injury. Resistance bands are very effective in this respect.

• Cardio - Increasing the strength and efficiency of the heart and circulatory system has several benefits for older adults. As we age, balance deteriorates, so running on the treadmill or the streets is not going to be the best routine for most of us. There are lots of alternatives we can use that are a better choice.

• Flexibility - In addition to poor range of motion, tight muscles, tendons and ligaments can lead to pain, discomfort and even falls. I shall work with you on a simple stretching routine to help counter the effects of years of tight muscles, as well as increasing the quality of daily life.

For advice & guidance, contact me for an informal chat about your requirements.

Peter