The benefits of hiring a personal trainer from Propel Physiotherapy go far beyond getting an exercise program based on your physical goals. They can help remove barriers that prevent you from exercising regularly and help you develop a positive attitude toward healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Our personal training team is made up of registered kinesiologists and exercise physiologists with experience working with clients with a wide range of injuries and health conditions. This means that regardless of your life circumstances or physical abilities, they can help you reap the benefits of regular physical exercise in a safe and effective way.

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity

The benefits of regular physical exercise have been extensively documented. Scientific studies continue to provide compelling evidence for regular physical activity and exercise for adults, and even recommendations on the number of minutes and intensities we should gather in a weekly time frame.

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Even during recovery from an injury or for those who have a significant physical disability, regular exercise continues to be recommended as a scientific consensus.

For example, according to the SCI Action Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines: for cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength benefits, adults with a spinal cord injury should engage in at least 20 min of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise 2 times per week and 3 sets of strength exercises for each major functioning muscle group, at a moderate to vigorous intensity, 2 times per week (strong recommendation).

For cardiometabolic health benefits, adults with a spinal cord injury are suggested to engage in at least 30 min of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise 3 times per week (conditional recommendation).

You may also enjoy reading: Can Exercise Improve Brain Health?

Developing Meaningful Goals

If you’ve ever started the new year with a resolution to hit the gym hard and get into great shape, you might understand that it can be a challenge to maintain consistency and keep the momentum going over time. In fact, one of the biggest reasons most people don’t stick to their resolutions is because they don’t have a plan with clear goals.

At Propel, our exercise experts are able to craft fun and effective programs for people of all abilities, including those living with a disability or recovering from an injury. Programs are customized based on your personal goals at an intensity that will deliver results. So whether you are trying to get dressed without feeling pain or training for a triathlon, hiring a personal trainer who can create a road map with achievable steps can lead you towards your ultimate goal.

You may also enjoy reading: Developing Meaningful Goals for SCI Rehab

Removing Barriers to Exercise

If we all know how good exercise is for us, then why is it so difficult for the majority of people to commit to exercise as a regular behaviour? One of the main reasons is behavior change and habit formation take time and discipline; and it’s difficult to stick with a regimen when there are so many barriers in our day-to-day lifestyles. Whether you work long hours, have kids, live with a disability or all of the above, finding the right workout routine that fits your lifestyle can be daunting.

Hiring a personal trainer who is able to keep you on track and make sure you have the tools that are needed to commit to an exercise program can provide long-term benefits. They will devise a plan with you and ensure that contingencies are in place, if unforeseen barriers or situations should arise.

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For instance, our exercise specialists are able to travel to your location, decreasing the chances of you not going to the gym. They are able to work with you in the setting that suits your needs, like a swimming pool, community centre, or your home gym.

You may also enjoy reading: Accessible Gyms in Pickering

Managing & Preventing Injuries

It’s hard to get results when there are inconsistencies in participation. And injury or illness can set you back or even force you to abandon your program.

In a one-on-one workout setting, the instructor can tailor the program to include the most beneficial and relevant exercises for the individual, and provide supervision at all times to ensure each participant is using proper form and technique. In this way, they will get to enjoy a great work out that is safe, fun, and effective.

In addition, when you hire a personal trainer from Propel, you are getting a professional with experience managing chronic health conditions, disabilities, mental health conditions and progress rehabilitation. They also work with an integrated team of healthcare professionals that includes physiotherapists and massage therapists.

At your first personal training session, you will participate in a general fitness assessment pertaining to your main concerns. This will help to shape your goals and set realistic timelines. They will also guide you through movements, exercises, repetitions and form, and determine if you require any modifications. You will also be prescribed warm-up routines and exercises to reduce the likelihood of injury occurrence.

You may also enjoy reading: Preventative Physiotherapy

Motivation and Support

Staying motivated on your own is extremely difficult no matter what you are trying to achieve — exercise is no exception. It is far easier to be consistent with exercise when we surround ourselves with people who also value physical activity.

Exercising with a person or a group of people that you feel comfortable around and are supportive of your success can be extremely encouraging. It motivates you to work your hardest and put forth your best effort every single workout.

Hiring a personal trainer is a great way to increase your internal drive to exercise. You become accountable to your trainer as well as yourself to show up each time and participate. Support from your trainer and increased incentive to exercise allows you to be more consistent and improves your chances of continuing with physical activity long-term.

If you don’t have a gym buddy, a group of friends who connect regularly to participate in classes or play a team sport, hiring a personal trainer is a great way to get the same benefits of group exercise.

Written by

Hoong Phang
Hoong PhangManaging Director & Physiotherapist
Hoong holds a Bachelor Honours Health Sciences from the University of Western Ontario (2008). He has also completed a Master of Science in Health and Exercise Psychology (2010) from McMaster University, and Master of Physiotherapy (2012) from McMaster University. Hoong is currently published in the academic journals “Disability and Rehabilitation” and “Spinal Cord.”

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