YOUR LIFESTYLE & FITNESS GOALS
Now it’s really time to buckle down and start working on that New Year’s resolution of getting back/ into shape, but you want to do it right! A smart approach would be to enlist the help of a professional that can develop a program that suits your goals and lifestyle. At Bragg Creek Physiotherapy we can accommodate your special needs, be it old injuries, pregnancy or a cautious program for novice exerciser!
Each client that signs up for a personal training program receives a one hour baseline assessment, during which blood pressure and heart rate is taken to determine if you are healthy enough to participate in a fitness program. Improvements in cardiovascular fitness will translate to a lower blood pressure & resting heart rate, and that indicates the heart muscle is becoming more efficient and not working as hard.
Risk factors for injuries are determined through a musculoskeletal assessment including muscle strength and length to expose any muscle imbalances, which are the primary cause of overuse injuries. A thorough assessment of muscle strength including the upper limb, the lower limb, the trunk, & of course, the strength of the core is performed. Major muscles groups are then tested with a One Repetition Maximum lift from which your fitness program is based. Once it is established that you’re stronger than Superman, we move on to see how you do against Gumby…OH OH…
Joint Range of Motion (ROM) is assessed on all three regions of the spine: the cervical, thoracic lumbar spine, as well as the shoulders, hips, knees & ankles. While we’re at it we look at muscle lengths surrounding these joints. Finally, the biomechanics of movement is evaluated. The What? You ask. This is the analysis of the movements, such as a squat or lifting the arms over the head.
The extensive assessment exposes any problems lurking in the background which may surface with an exercise program. The benefit of having a physiotherapist perform this assessment is, not only can they determine the strength of the muscles, but they also analyze weather the firing pattern of the muscles are correct, if the appropriate muscles are being used in the proper sequence and the work load each muscle group is performing is acceptable. This is where a physiotherapist’s expertise is invaluable as they scrutinize your movement to determine if certain motions are problematic and potentially prone to injury.
The assessment findings are the basis of a program designed to achieve personal goals, and address muscle weakness & imbalances, and incorporate exercises with stretches to prevent injuries. In addition to an individualized program, the exercises given are SAFE. They won’t aggravate a pre-existing problem, nor will they cause tissue damage further down the road. The emphasis of the fitness program is correct execution of each exercise.
There are several fitness programs available to choose from, depending on your level of comfort in the gym and how much guidance you would like, or how often you need the whip cracked to achieve your goals! Programs can be designed to be performed in our gym or at another location. Our Optimum Health program incorporates a consultation and a follow up appointment with a Registered Dietician to address weight or nutrition concerns.
The gym at Bragg Creek Physiotherapy is open to the public as well as patients, you are welcome to drop-in, or purchase a monthly pass. We have a wide array of weight equipment available including a multi-gym, hand weights, bands & pulleys, as well as tools to challenge your balance & improve your core strength.
Lisa Le Poole has been practicing physiotherapy in the orthopedics field for 10 years and in Bragg Creek for 8 years. She also has a degree in Physical Education with a special interest in Exercise Physiology. She has competed in several multi-day mountain bike events since 2003 and this competition has allowed her to develop and hone her skills in coaching appropriate cardiovascular & weight training.
Feel free to contact Bragg Creek Physiotherapy with any questions, or drop in to view the gym.
Bragg Creek Physiotherapy
403 949 4008
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