Personal Training Blog with Douglasville Personal Trainer David Hansey

New to fitness?

There are a lot of group fitness class options here in Douglasville and I know it can be very tempting to try some of the more advanced ones like full contact kickboxing. But……. make sure your body is ready for that. Many people get into commitments and get an injury and then never come back because they feel they have failed. Better to start small and stick with it than to start and stop.

I personally always suggest the spinning type classes. Most of us rode a bike as kids so we are familiar with the movement and you can go fast, slow, hard, soft and make it very personal for you. It is a good cardio workout and you can progress at your own pace.

If you like something that is more of a class atmosphere, then start with one that does not have contact or weights. Classes with full contact and weights are not strength training, they are still aerobic conditioning so you will still need to strength train so start with something that gets you motivated and moving.

If you are a SENIOR CITIZEN or have a family member who is — I always suggest Silver Sneakers. It is FREE on many insurance programs and is available at many gyms around the country. Here in Georgia, if you have Blue Cross, Humana or AARP as an insurance company or supplemental insurance, there is a good chance you can get Silver Sneakers for free. So if that interests you — CHECK!! All gyms who participate throughout the country offer the same classes and programs.

Hope that gives you a bit more details on getting started with starting a fitness program!!

Ok, I had a few comments — mostly from the Cheerleading and Gymnastics coaches about my views on Sports Specific Personal Training for Kids

DOING GYMNASTICS OR CHEERLEADING IS NOT — I REPEAT NOT – SPORTS SPECIFIC TRAINING

It is — like all other sports — THE ACTUAL SPORT

So what I am talking about is ADDITIONAL TRAINING — personal training using weights to enhance the sport — that is the definition of sports specific training.

And yes, sorry — but children under 12 RARELY get a benefit from it.

Enough Said — Hope that clears it up for those who thought that actually doing the sport is sports specific training – it isn’t.

And while visiting the topic of coaches — I encourage EVERYONE with a child in organized sports to ask the coaches for their certifications. Check their credentials — they have your kids in their hands!