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You’re excited.
You joined your local club and the aerobics class is about to
start. It begins smooth
enough, until you hear your instructor say “listen to your body and
modify accordingly.” You
think…WHAT? Does my instructor really think my body is going to speak to
me? Listen to what?
What should I expect to hear?
The instructor is letting you know that at
times you are responsible for understanding your body’s fitness
capabilities and limitations. While
your instructor is most likely trained in recognizing how participants are
doing in the group exercise setting and they realize not everyone is at
the same level at the same time, they can’t see everything and can’t
feel what your body is saying nearly as well as you.
The instructor, knowing he/she is limited in reading your outward
signs, will try to teach you how to listen to your body and should be
offering modifications to most all complicated or high impact movements.
The modifications will give you the options you need to keep your
exercise program safe and effective.
Your body may talk to you in a number of
ways. Have you ever done
repetitive exercises for a period of time and experienced a burning
sensation? This sensation is from the build up of lactic acid in the
muscles. It is signaling you
to slow down and allow your muscles to get the necessary oxygen they need.
What do you think your body is saying when
you find yourself gasping for breath?
It’s most likely screaming at you that your intensity is to high
and it wants more oxygen. Slow
down and allow your lungs to catch up.
Your ability to sustain intense workouts will increase over time.
Try to maintain a level that allows you to carry on a conversation
during the workout.
“If it hurts don’t do it”.
The
saying remains true in exercise today.
Pain is a loud signal from your body that something is up. Slow down or stop immediately.
Check with your instructor or trainer to make sure you’re doing
the movement correctly. If
pain persists you may need to see your personal physician.
You were told when the nice man gave you the
tour of the gym that regular exercise will give you more energy, but your
body says your exhausted at the end of your exercise routine.
This may mean your over-training, not getting sufficient recovery
time between workouts, or you are simply pushing to hard during the
workout itself. Slow down,
remember the F.I.T.T. principle, which gives you the elements for your
optimal health. It includes guidelines for exercise intensity, duration, and
frequency.
Pay attention to your body.
It can tell you many things. When
you hear it talking…listen and follow its advice.
Don’t allow your ego to cause you to try and keep up with the
person on the step, treadmill, or squat rack next to you.
You’re competing only against your best self.
Use your instructor’s modifications.
It won’t be to long before you are the one others wish they were
keeping up with.
Make it a Healthy Day
By Amy Bomar
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