Starting an Exercise Program

Surrounded by New Year's Resolution proposals and an overwhelming mass at the gym, you may be considering the start of an exercise program yourself.

Carlos Celis, Franciscan Alliances' Regional Wellness Director offers the following advice and information for those considering an exercise program.

"Starting an exercise program can be potentially hazardous if started incorrectly. The biggest hazard is injury. People often jump into an exercise program without considering what they can and can't physically handle. This can lead to injury, and although the injury may not be serious, it often prevents individuals from coming back to the gym for quite some time."

What is the best way to start an exercise program?
"Good exercise techniques are the best thing to concentrate on if you're just starting off. After the patient or individual has clearance to exercise from a physician, I generally suggest cardio programs to begin. Doing cardio exercise for 20 to 30 minutes a session, three times a week, is a great start. After the individual has done this for several weeks, I like to add resistance training to stimulate muscle growth. Always talk with a physician or trainer before starting an exercise program so that the direction given is level with your physical ability."

What are the biggest fears people generally have?
"People usually become intimidated at the gym because they are not sure what to do and often feel like everyone else around them does. It can be intimidating using machines that you haven't used before and program structure takes getting used to. Women often fear that they will build too much muscle, although the reality is that it takes a significant amount of exercise to see results of such nature."

For more information on starting an exercise program, watch Carlos' videos.