General fitness training

General fitness training works towards broad goals of overall health and well-being, rather than narrow goals of sport competition, larger muscles or concerns over appearance. A regular moderate workout regimen and healthy diet can improve general appearance markers of good health such as muscle tone, healthy skin, hair and nails, while preventing age or lifestyle-related reductions in health and the series of heart and organ failures that accompany inactivity and poor diet.

Diet itself helps to increase calorie burning by boosting metabolism, a process further enhanced while gaining more lean muscle. An aerobic exercise program can burn fat and increase the metabolic rate.

Weight loss and muscle definition

General fitness training may be used to promote weight loss. Personal trainers work with a client's physician and/or therapist to construct a program centred around restructuring lifestyle while helping to provide the necessary motivation for its success.

General fitness training can also be used to promote "toning" or "building" of muscles, which are essentially the same physiological process. (However, "toning" implies moderate muscle definition, whereas "building" implies increasing musculature significantly.)

More specialized fitness training

Sports-specific training

Sports Specific Trainers can help improve strength, flexibility and stamina to improve performance in specific sports. Options include increasing arm strength for tennis playing or improve strength and core stability providing better balance playing golf.

Sports specific training is all about developing physical conditions to improve performance and skills at a particular sport. Also, understanding the needs of the game, training/practising at the correct pace, in order to meet sports requirements.

Injury recovery

Persons with injuries are often required to supply a written physician's clearance depending on the extent of the injury. Personal fitness trainers are not doctors and (in most cases) are not physical therapists. Certified personal fitness trainers can contribute significantly and uniquely to recovery and rehabilitation efforts. It is necessary the trainer coordinates training and nutritional programs with a doctor, physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, chiropractor, special nutritional counsellor, and/or alternative medicine healthcare provider(s).

Pre/post natal trainer

During a pregnancy period a lot of stress is put on the muscle on the lower back due to the heavy weight being carried. Exercise and stretching can be extremely important to increase strength and reinforce the body structure for the extra weight.

During the second trimester (weeks 13-28) the unpleasant symptoms from the first trimester should have settled down and the mother will start to feel a renewed level of energy. The biggest change during this period will be the growth of the 'bump'. As the baby grows the mother should notice a change in her body position and posture. The extra weight occurs at the front of the body, the hip and back joints will take the strain. The posture will shift as the lower back muscles tighten and take an exaggerated curvature. The abdominal muscles will stretch and strain to adapt to the growing baby. During this time it will be extremely beneficial to perform exercises to help strengthen weakened abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, in order to reduce the strain on the lower back.

See Also:

• Physical Fitness
• Outline of exercise