Two part question about working with clinets over 60 years old and those clients having injuries

Hi!
I agree with Harris. Make sure both clients have a medical clearance first before proceeding. A lot of my clients have already been seen by a physical therapist first and when we first meet and go over their goals I always check to see if they have any restrictions of what they cannot do.

Good luck!

Hi Trent,
I would not even begin to work with either client until their injuries have healed. Then, I would get a medical clearance from their doctor stating specifically the client is ready to exercise and which exercise he wants the client to do and, more importantly, which exercises he must not do.

Design your initial exercise program based on the instructions from the doctor. Base the intensity of the workload on each man's perceived exertion. Your goal is to ease each one of them back into moving again and not to try and challenge them to push hard. Remember you are not working with a 20 year-old athlete. Ask for feedback after each set is completed. Ask them how they feel, was this hard enough, was it a little too easy? If they say it was easy, I ask them if they are ready to try another five pounds or if they are ready to try adding one more set. If they are obviously struggling I reduce the weight, reps, or sets. Listen to them. They will honestly tell you when they are ready to add more weight or work a little harder.

As for cardio, I would have them start walking on a treadmill for short intervals at a time. It may be as short as five or ten minutes depending on where their comfort level is initially. Have them walk at a pace where they can keep up a conversation. I tell people they should be able to say at least three words between breaths such as "How are You?" As they become more fit, slowly add a few minutes to the walk. When they can speak complete sentences between breaths, ask them if they are ready to increase the pace a little bit.

Good luck Trent. I hope this advice is what you are looking for.

Denny

Thanks for the responses.

I have a medical clearance for one of my clients and meeting with the other one and will do the same.

I believe it will be a very slow pace for my first client after my initial interview with him he has a hard time walking at 2 mph for 5 minutes.

Waiting to meet with client B.

Thanks again.

I would start the clients on basic foundation movements. Moving all of the joints through the comfortable range of motion that they are able to do now. It sounds like that will be sufficient for a while. From there it is a matter of tolerance and modification. Progression/regression as able or needed.

Start with very basic movments and go from there. Add resistance slowly.

Without seeing the client, I really can't give more advice than that.

Exercise is great for many things but not for weight loss unless your client learns how to eat.
I would refer your A client to a Nutritionist or Health Coach for food counseling.

Cracked ribs can hurt during any exercise. I would stick with lower body work and very light resistance to tolerance.

For client B
Strength work avoiding his leg with the cracked patella.