Answers (8)
1
Annabelle,
I assume you mean 'over 300 lbs.'.
This is a very generic question even though I assume that you have a specific person in mind. Regardless of weight, you still need to start with an assessment, and that will largely dictate what exercises you pick. Exercise history (or lack thereof) can be a clue where to start. Some women may not be comfortable to get down on the floor or do supine exercises. Your profile does not indicate whether you are affiliated with a health club or not. When you are training an overweight woman in a public place, you need to be very sensitive to the surroundings and not put your client in an awkward situation because of her weight.
What you can do for cardiovascular exercises depends entirely on the condition of the client. A very unconditioned client may need to start with true baby steps, and aquatic exercises are often the best option. But I have also seen younger women of large size who were - relatively speaking - rather fit and capable to engage in higher intensity exercises.
Be mindful that clients with such amount of weight often have already health issues that will require that you obtain a physician's approval.
I assume you mean 'over 300 lbs.'.
This is a very generic question even though I assume that you have a specific person in mind. Regardless of weight, you still need to start with an assessment, and that will largely dictate what exercises you pick. Exercise history (or lack thereof) can be a clue where to start. Some women may not be comfortable to get down on the floor or do supine exercises. Your profile does not indicate whether you are affiliated with a health club or not. When you are training an overweight woman in a public place, you need to be very sensitive to the surroundings and not put your client in an awkward situation because of her weight.
What you can do for cardiovascular exercises depends entirely on the condition of the client. A very unconditioned client may need to start with true baby steps, and aquatic exercises are often the best option. But I have also seen younger women of large size who were - relatively speaking - rather fit and capable to engage in higher intensity exercises.
Be mindful that clients with such amount of weight often have already health issues that will require that you obtain a physician's approval.
1
Annabelle,
I would agree with with Karin. The first thing that needs to be done is an assesment. I would also make sure that she is cleared by her doctor to exercise. If possible see if you can talk to her doctor about any restrictions she may or may not have or any health conditons that can be made worse with certain types of exercises. Once you know that she can exercise I would start slowly.
Depending on where you train her, you have to be mindful of her self esteem. She may not feel comfortable in a gym setting. If you do train her in a gym be mindful of the time and try not to train during peak hours. Also know that because of her weight she may not feel comfortable on machines. If working at her home, you'll need to assess what she has and what you will need to bring with you in terms of equipment.
As for cardiovascular exercises you may have to start by walking and then progress from there. But again this will be determined by your assesmment of her.
With the amount of weight that she has to lose motivation (or lack there of) will be important. You will have to find a way to keep her invested on getting healthy. Also you'll have to remind her that weight lose is a marathon and not a sprint.
What is your plan for this client? Again alot will depend on your assesment and whether or not she has been cleared by her doctor.
Hope this helps.
I would agree with with Karin. The first thing that needs to be done is an assesment. I would also make sure that she is cleared by her doctor to exercise. If possible see if you can talk to her doctor about any restrictions she may or may not have or any health conditons that can be made worse with certain types of exercises. Once you know that she can exercise I would start slowly.
Depending on where you train her, you have to be mindful of her self esteem. She may not feel comfortable in a gym setting. If you do train her in a gym be mindful of the time and try not to train during peak hours. Also know that because of her weight she may not feel comfortable on machines. If working at her home, you'll need to assess what she has and what you will need to bring with you in terms of equipment.
As for cardiovascular exercises you may have to start by walking and then progress from there. But again this will be determined by your assesmment of her.
With the amount of weight that she has to lose motivation (or lack there of) will be important. You will have to find a way to keep her invested on getting healthy. Also you'll have to remind her that weight lose is a marathon and not a sprint.
What is your plan for this client? Again alot will depend on your assesment and whether or not she has been cleared by her doctor.
Hope this helps.
1
Hello everyone,
This will probably elicit some very strong opinions. However, I'll take my licks if it does.
Miss Annabelle Landa, posed her very first question to us regarding the best exercises for someone who is overweight and uses 300 lbs as a guide to describe her understanding of overweight.
First off...(respectfully of course),
1. 300lb is not overweight. It's obese. We as fitness professionals should know this.
2. Obesity is a multi-faceted CLINICAL condition.
3. No offense to Miss Landa, however, when I looked at her profile, I am unable to determine whether she is a fitness professional or is she using the recommendations suggested for herself.
4. If she is a fitness professional, from what we can determine from her profile, she is not ready to train an individual who is not "apparently healthy" or "apparently healthy" for that matter.
5. If the person posing the question is, indeed, the person who is seeking direction, I feel it is our professional responsibility to direct her to an experienced fitness professional whose scope of practice is working with the obese population.
6. If she is working in the fitness industry, then we, as fitness professionals, should be doing our part to encourage the individual to educate him or herself so that he/she will not have need to seek our collective advice on exercise choice for the obese population for he/she would have acquired the knowledge.
Again, this isn't intended to step on any toes. It is simply my professional perspective.
This will probably elicit some very strong opinions. However, I'll take my licks if it does.
Miss Annabelle Landa, posed her very first question to us regarding the best exercises for someone who is overweight and uses 300 lbs as a guide to describe her understanding of overweight.
First off...(respectfully of course),
1. 300lb is not overweight. It's obese. We as fitness professionals should know this.
2. Obesity is a multi-faceted CLINICAL condition.
3. No offense to Miss Landa, however, when I looked at her profile, I am unable to determine whether she is a fitness professional or is she using the recommendations suggested for herself.
4. If she is a fitness professional, from what we can determine from her profile, she is not ready to train an individual who is not "apparently healthy" or "apparently healthy" for that matter.
5. If the person posing the question is, indeed, the person who is seeking direction, I feel it is our professional responsibility to direct her to an experienced fitness professional whose scope of practice is working with the obese population.
6. If she is working in the fitness industry, then we, as fitness professionals, should be doing our part to encourage the individual to educate him or herself so that he/she will not have need to seek our collective advice on exercise choice for the obese population for he/she would have acquired the knowledge.
Again, this isn't intended to step on any toes. It is simply my professional perspective.
0
Totally agree, assessment and physicians clearance. Next a long term commitment. This is a lifestyle change not a quick fix. After that a ton of motivation, positive energy and encouragement. Start off slow, keep her guessing by mixing up the workouts and routines. We run a fit kids program for "obese" children, and postive reinforcement goes a long way! Happy to discuss further tips and tricks to keep it fresh and fun! Good luck! Coach Briody
0
assuming medical clearance is good and there are no pains or issues to work around, I don't do anything I wouldn't do for anybody else. Start at the right level, if the person can't do something regress it or replace it with a better alternative. While heavy exercise for one person might be sprinting, heavy exercise for another person might be walking at a 1% incline. Just start with what can be done and progress with each workout or week of working out. The real key is to start slow and make systematic progressions no matter what the exercise choice is. Form a habit then push hard.
0
Are you saying 300lbs or 30lbs overweight? This answer could change according to that.
0
Of course after all of the necessary assessments and medical approvals - get her moving! Since you're asking for the single "best exercise," I'd say that generally speaking "anything that gets her moving." Consistent and safe movement (of any kind) is a great starting point for an overweight person on several levels (e.g. calorie-burning, cardiovascular conditioning, functional training effect of handling her own body weight etc.).
Since "consistency" of exercise is oftentimes your overweight client's first hurdle, giving her movement based exercise that she 1. enjoys (or at least tolerates), and 2. can do consistently (even without you - meaning with little or no equipment) will go a long way to helping her get started and stick with it.
I hope this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
Since "consistency" of exercise is oftentimes your overweight client's first hurdle, giving her movement based exercise that she 1. enjoys (or at least tolerates), and 2. can do consistently (even without you - meaning with little or no equipment) will go a long way to helping her get started and stick with it.
I hope this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
0
Along with what everyone else has said, I would set SMART goals: and work very closely with this client
It's not just about the excess weight, there are emotional ties to work with also.
It may be beneficial to be certified within this area of training.
Working with morbidly obese individuals requires a protocol unto itself both physically and mentally.
It's not just about the excess weight, there are emotional ties to work with also.
It may be beneficial to be certified within this area of training.
Working with morbidly obese individuals requires a protocol unto itself both physically and mentally.
