In our society today, there are many professions that can make a difference in improving the quality of our lives. One of these professions is the personal trainer.
I believe that personal trainers are important in society. Doctor's cure diseases, perform life-saving surgeries, and repair broken bones, but personal trainers actually play a role in keeping people out of the hospitals.
Obesity has become a major problem in America. It's actually considered a chronic disease. Diseases like diabetes and heart disease can be prevented or possibly reversed by living a healthy lifestyle.
Personal trainers have the tools to help people who are overwight or obese live a lifestyle that will add years to their lives. With exercise programming and planning, nutrition advice, and motivation, personal trainers help save lives.
An individual diagnosed with high blood pressure can stay on medicines to control it, but do nothing about their lifestyle, ie;, stress, diet, physical activity. That individual will end up staying on medicines for the rest of their life while remaining a high risk for heart attack or stroke.
If a personal trainer took on this individual, he or she would give nutrition advice [like the DASH eating plan] and motivate this person each and every session - guiding them through an exercise regimen that will bring them closer and closer to a healthier weight, and lowering their blood pressure.
In the end, this means they are no longer at risk for heart attack or stroke.
Another example as to how personal trainers make a difference in improving the quality of lives is after someone has had an injury.
Many individuals in sports get injured. Some more serious than others. Anything from an ankle sprain to a torn ACL, to a rotator cuff injury.
Doctor's and surgeons do their part and then usually a phyiscal therepist comes in to finish the recovery process.
In many cases personal trainers pick up a client after having time with a physical therapist or in some cases after the patient recovers from the injury.
Again, personal trainers are playing a role in that persons recovery process and well-being. The personal trainer will help that individual gain range of motion back along with strength and self confidence.
The profession of a personal trainer is important to human kind and like an insurance policy on your life.
Bernadette Ricci
NASM - CPT
