Aging strong: Is a personal trainer right for you?

[3 MIN READ]

In this article: 

• A personal trainer may be just the thing you need to get over that hump and reach your health and fitness goals.

• Working with a trainer as you age can help you reduce the risk of disease and build stamina for an active life in your golden years.

• Providence physicians say there is major value in working with a trainer who can teach you how to exercise safely and tailor a plan to your personal health levels.

As you age, it may start to feel like you can’t move as well as you used to, or it takes a little extra effort to keep up with the grandkids in the backyard.

But just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you can’t still feel young and look great. One great way to stay motivated and fit is to enlist a personal trainer.

If you think personal trainers are only for the rich and famous, think again! Many local gyms, YMCAs, and senior recreation programs offer affordable prices for personal training. In some cases, you may be able to find a trainer who specializes in fitness for your age group and activity level.

Wondering whether a personal trainer is right for you? Here’s what you can achieve with a trainer by your side:

Learn how to exercise safely

Anyone who exercises can risk injury, but that risk can increase as you get older because of osteoporosis, arthritis, or normal wear and tear on your muscles and joints. Balance can become more challenging, and joints and muscles may be weaker if you’ve been less active.

A personal trainer can show you how to exercise safely, gauge your ability, and find routines that will help you build muscle and stamina in a way that won’t cause injury. By exercising regularly, you can also help improve your overall health, avoid pain from chronic conditions like arthritis, and reduce your risk for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Personal trainers also have the expertise to show you how to modify exercises to fit any health conditions and protect your joints, muscles, and bones.

Some exercises may include:

• Strength workouts to build and maintain muscle. You may start with standard weight machines, which can help reduce your risk of injury by providing more stability.
• Cardio workouts to help strengthen your heart and blood flow. Your trainer may recommend starting out slow and easy with walking or a recumbent bike machine and then building up the intensity as your stamina and strength increase.
• Flexibility workouts to help improve your range of motion and loosen up tight muscles. A few basic stretches can help your workout routine run more smoothly and improve your general movement.

Goal setting to monitor progress

What do you want to achieve with your exercise? Do you want to…

• Lose weight?
• Reduce blood pressure?
• Run a road race or participate in an athletic event?
• Recover strength after an illness?
• Reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, or cancer?
• Increase your strength or stamina for playing with your grandkids?

Sometimes, it’s difficult to see incremental progress without goals. A trainer can help you set realistic fitness goals with a step-by-step plan to achieve them. Additionally, many trainers also offer nutritional and meal planning advice to ensure your body’s getting the fuel it needs to achieve your fitness goals.

Stay motivated to reach your goals

One of the first steps you can take to achieve a goal is to tell someone about it.

A personal trainer can help hold you accountable when you feel like skipping a workout and act as your cheerleader, helping you overcome obstacles and reach milestones.

Before you start working out, whether it’s with a personal trainer or otherwise, be sure to talk with your doctor about which exercises are safe for you and the fitness goals you are hoping to achieve. Your doctor will be able to set guidelines based on any existing health conditions you have.

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Find a doctor

Your primary care provider can also offer helpful advice and insight on how to stay healthy. Schedule an appointment or use our provider directory to search for a doctor in your area.

Through Providence Express Care Virtual, you can also access a full range of healthcare services. 

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Related resources

Getting Fit in Your 40s and 50s

5 Free (and Fun) Ways to Stay Fit with Your Family

When Launching an Exercise Routine with Arthritis, Look for a Custom Fit

It’s never too late to start advanced care planning. To learn more visit the Institute for Human Caring.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.