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08/10/07 - Diet & fitness section

How personal trainers can harm your health
by PETA BEE

Like many of us, Luci Evans wanted to lose a little weight and get into shape.

But the 36-year-old from Worcestershire lacked the confidence - and discipline - to start herself on a fitness programme.

Then one afternoon, in a coffee shop, she spotted a leaflet for a personal trainer and decided to book a couple of - sessions with him in a local park.

We live in a world where the physical activity has largely been taken out of our lives. Though most of us understand that exercise is important to feel good and be healthy, few of us get enough.

But don't think you have to run a marathon to get the benefits of exercise, moderate exercise is the best way to psychological and physical health.

• Exercise promotes psychological well-being, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
• Reduces the risk of developing heart disease
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
• Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure
• Helps control weight and build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. 
• Increases physical work capacity
• Increases Cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency
• Changes body’s metabolism (e.g. reduced levels of obesity)
• Helps delay physiological effects of ageing (e.g. osteoporosis)

Resistance / Weight Training

• Increases bone strength and density (can lose 30% of bone mass by age 60)
• Enhances joint stability
• Increases lean body mass to help decrease body fat
• Improves posture
• Improves body image and self perception

Flexibility

• Increases Range of Motion
• Decreases muscle tension
• Decreases joint and muscle injury (prevention)
• Decreases muscle soreness
• Improves posture