Brought to you by the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Georgia State University. http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwfit/getstart.html

Getting Started With an Exercise ProgramWhat are the Benefits of Exercise? Overcoming Obstacles Is it Safe to Exercise? Do I Need to See My Doctor First? How to Exercise Choosing a Personal Trainer How to Increase the Amount of Physical Activity in Your Life Additional Resources

Overcoming Obstacles to Exercise:Not enough time? No equipment? Too expensive? What do I wear?

• Do I need to see my doctor before I start?• In order to begin your exercise program safely and effectively, answer the

following questions to the best of your knowledge, and follow the directions at the end of this section. If you are unsure of any answer, it is recommended that you see a doctor to accurately determine the safety of beginning an exercise program. If have been told by a physician that you have any cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or metabolic disease such as diabetes, obtain permission from your doctor before beginning or changing your exercise program.

1. Are you a man over 45 years old? 2. Are you a women over the age of 55? Or, are you less than 55 years old and past

menopause, but not taking estrogen?3. Has any male family member died of a heart attack before age 55? Or, has any female

family member died of a heart attack before age 65?4. Do you smoke cigarettes?5. Has a doctor ever told you have high blood pressure? Or, has your blood pressure been

measured more than once at greater than 140 over 90? Or, do you take high blood pressure medicine?

6. Has your doctor ever told you that you have high cholesterol? Or, do you know if your total cholesterol is greater than 200? Or, is your HDL cholesterol less than 35?

7. Do you consider yourself physically inactive at work and during your leisure time?

• If you answered "yes" to more than one of these questions it is recommended that you see a doctor before pursuing a vigorous exercise program. Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, American College of Sports Medicine, 5th Edition, 1995.

Choosing the perfect personal trainer could be the difference betweena successful exercise program and an unsuccessful program. Be veryselective when choosing your personal trainer. Below are frequentlyasked questions that people looking for personal trainers often ask.

Askyourself these questions to determine if your personal trainer is the

bestfor you. • Is the trainer within your budget? You can expect to pay

between $20 and $100 an hour for your trainer. Some trainers will offer reduced package rates if you buy more than one session.

• Is your trainer available when you want to work out? • Make sure that the trainer can accommodate your schedule. • Does the trainer have a certification, degree, or background in

a related medical or exercise science field? A certification or degree will assure that your personal trainer has the ability to construct a program that will fit your needs. Make sure the certification is a national recognized organization (ACSM, NSCA, ACE, AFAA, IDEA, etc.). Every person's program should be different to accommodate different needs.

• Does your personal trainer know CPR and First Aid? • Safety during your exercise program is very important. The trainer needs to

have the knowledge to assist in an emergency. • Does your trainer require a health screening or release from your doctor? • If you have special needs during your program that are results of a past

injury or medical problem, a professional trainer will discuss any exercise considerations with the doctor.

• How does the personal trainer interact with his/her clients? • An interested personal trainer will use hands on help, such as touching the

bicep during a bicep curl as you concentrate on that muscle during the exercise. If you are uncomfortable with hands on help, they need to provide encouragement and motivation. You probably will not want to pay $100 an hour for your personal trainer to only count your repetitions during the session. Demand more for your money.

• Are you comfortable with you trainer's gender? • Some people like working with a trainer of the same sex, and others prefer

the opposite sex.• Do you feel that you will get along with the trainer? • In order to have the best working relationship, you should make sure that

you lie your trainers personality. The two personalities should click. Carefully interview the trainer to see what approach he or she would have with you.

• Is your personal trainer willing to design a program that you understand?

• You should always know why you are doing a certain exercise. Your program should be developed so that you can participate in the program without your trainer at all times.

• Does your trainer exhibit good listening skills and communicate well?

• You want your personal trainer to be able to address your need. If the trainer does not communicate effectively, you will not know what to do during the session. A professional trainer will never make you feel uncomfortable to ask questions.

• Does your trainer address your goals or expectations? • In the beginning of your program, he/she should sit down with you to

address why you want to begin a program, what you expect to get out of the program, and your goals that you want to achieve during the program.

• Does your trainer provide you with clear cancellation policies and billing procedures?

• Before beginning, make sure you understand all policies attached to your program.