What’s the best fitness plan for a man who is taking prescription Rx and breathes heavily under exertion?
It seems like your client needs medications to control his cholesterol, restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s, and depression problems. I guess you must have already got a medical clearance and hopefully talked to his doctor for any suggestions/recommendations. He seems like a difficult case, but maybe you could try to add some more cardio in his training before doing anything more strenuous with strength and/or higher intensity. I don’t know what else I can add to this since I don’t know anything about this person. Maybe someone else here with more experience with cases like yours could be more helpful.
I would definitely go back to this person’s health team and make sure everyone is communicating. You need to know how many members of his health team are giving him prescriptions and verify that everyone knows everything that he is taking. And also communicate with these doctors about what is happening during his exercsie sessions. The team may be able to adjust his medications and/or adjust their advice to you about how to handle the side effects during exercise.
It is also important that you keep the health team informed as things progress. I have found that my feedback has been indispensable in helping clients’ doctors, surgeons, therapists in adjusting the client’s treatment. We see the direct effects of treatment plans during exercise and this is important information that can sometimes be crucial to adjusting treatment.
Good luck with this client. Use this as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Hi Alexis,
It’s a no-brainer – the best fitness plan for him is the one that his physician clears him for & approves. Get that input first & take it from there. My guess is that he’ll be starting out at a very low level. But that’s great – everybody has to start somewhere! Use a lot of caution & everything should be fine – good luck Alexis!
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com