Although physical exercise is important to people throughout the world, it is especially critical to those living in the United States. Following are some of the key reasons for this, along with associated benefits.

Obesity Epidemic

Since the 1980s, the level of obesity in America for adults has more than doubled. This means percentage wise, numbers have increased from 15% of the population being affected to 30%. Even worse, the level of obesity for children and teenagers has more than tripled. Compared to other countries, the obesity epidemic in the United States is the worst. While genetics, health issues, and medication account for a small number of cases, most often, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are the causes.

Along with obesity leading to problems such as depression and lack of self-confidence, more critically it causes a number of serious health risks. While there are others, the health problems listed below are among the most prevalent.

o Heart Disease and Stroke
o High Blood Pressure
o Diabetes
o Osteoarthritis
o Gout
o Cancer
o Gallbladder Disease and Gallstones
o Respiratory Disorders such as Sleep Apnea, Asthma, and More

To put this into perspective, a person who is 40% overweight from what is deemed to be a healthy weight range based on age and height would be 50% more apt to die prematurely than someone within a healthy weight range. The thing to understand is that if these people were to adopt healthy eating habits and get an adequate level of physical exercise, obesity would be prevented, which in turn would alleviate serious health risks.

Financial Loss

In correlation to health issues caused by poor diet and a lack of physical exercise is the issue of financial loss. For instance, the amount of money being spent for medical care, as well as lost wages specific to obesity has reached well over $200 billion annually. Then, when you consider that in some cases financial support comes from government programs such as Medicare, this means that healthy and active people actually pay the cost of caring for people who live with obesity through taxes.

You would also need to consider the cost of additional government and non-government programs that have been developed and continue to be developed to combat this problem. Obviously, these programs are not free, which again, means the money has to come from increased taxes. Although we applaud the efforts being made to bring levels of obesity down and get people excited about physical exercise, the consequences affect everyone when proper diet and exercise are not a part of daily life.

Positive Outlook

Although the primary reason activity is so crucial has to do to improved physical health, there is another aspect associated, which would be improved mental health. Whether we like it or not, the truth is that people who are overweight, especially school age children and teenagers, struggle with self-esteem. Often, these children feel isolated, embarrassed, and many are bullied.

However, when kids are provided with the right foods and introduced to weight exercises, weight problems are prevented. As a result, these kids have the opportunity to feel as if they fit into society better, they make friends easier, and they no longer feel as if they have been singled out as being “abnormal”. It has been proven that children who get regular exercise seldom struggle with weight problems, making them better grounded and more confident.

Again, while this is wrong, studies show that overweight adults are punished in the workplace. Often, these people are passed over for other candidates when interviewing for a job even if they are more qualified and sometimes, they are skipped over for promotions or positions of leadership. This shows that being overweight has a direct impact on a person’s ability to secure employment but also move up the corporate ladder.

Motivation

It has also been shown that people involved with some type of physical exercise are more motivated than those who do not exercise. Whether overweight or not, working the body actually balances hormones and chemicals in the body. As a result, people generally feel more optimistic and happy. Because of this, these individuals typically have a gun-ho attitude in life, eager to tackle any challenge thrown their way. This positive attitude is reflected in productivity levels at work, in achievements at school, performances in sports, and so on.

Social Benefits

The last benefit connected to physical exercise is the ability to be in a social setting that creates a unique chance for people to make friends, associate with people who share the same interests, and just to get out and mingle. In other words, being able to go to a gym, participate in a sport, or get involved with some other situation involving physical exercise would be beneficial from a social perspective.

A physical therapy assistant has a strong background both in study, and in working with individuals that are in the process of recovering from injuries, or work with individuals who have severe limitations. You may think that you do not have any limitations or injuries, so why should you get assistance with your workout plan from a physical therapy assistant?  Plain and simple exercise directed by a physical therapy assistant will be focusing on the weakest link in the body of an individual. They have this knowledge base passed down to them in clinical settings where they work alongside qualified physical therapists. They will be able to offer exercises that stabilize the abdominal core, help protect the back, keep the joints strong and keep you injury free.

Stabilizing the Core Muscles To Avoid Back Pain

The benefits to developing a workout plan with a physical therapy assistant can include developing a strong stable core. This is not the ripped 6 pack we are talking about here, we are focusing on the deep lying transverse abdominal muscles, obliques, and even deep muscles that attach to the diaphragm that function to stabilize the spine. Having a stable strong core will ensure that there are no unnecessary back injuries, or pain issues with the spine that can stop you from your workouts. A physical therapy assistant has a large skill set dealing with back injuries and preventing back injuries. Back injuries are so common that it is estimated that 8 in 10 Americans suffer from back pain. With a proper workout plan designed with the guidance of a physical therapy assistant, you do not have to be one of 8 out of 10.

Ensuring Proper Exercise Form

It is a simple fact in the rehabilitation world, if you do not do the exercises properly, you will not heal properly. The same can be said for your workout. If you are not paying attention the form that you use to complete the exercise, you will not be developing proper muscles that keep the body in balance. Watching people workout at your average gym is a nightmare for physical therapy professionals. You will see gym goers everywhere doing there best to push more weight and get out a few more reps, at the expense of their body, their joints, and their future health. You can be sure that with the guidance of a physical therapy assistant you will learn excellent form for all exercises in your workout plan.

If you are new to working out, or need a new workout plan then you should consider the professional assistant of a qualified physical therapy assistant to keep yourself injury free and healthy.

A good aerobics workout depends on an open mind; else fitness through it can never be achieved. The exercises are devised to burn fat primarily, thus exposing the muscles lying underneath. Aerobics have shown to initiate the process of burning calories more effectively, which is triggered further and sustained by the resistance trainings. So the proverbial concept of – one thing sets of another- truly applies here.

The reason why aerobics has risen to prominence with men has its roots in a fatter look many of them possesses. Resistance training develops the muscles all right, but that’s under the fat, while not burning it significantly. Besides, the intensities at which resistance trainings burn fat is often unendurable by most men and several factors like lack of time, or lack of energy contributes to it. Aerobics, on the other hand, is all about free movements i.e. it’s only your body weight that you’ll be using, thus enabling you to go for lengthier sessions without feeling drained. However, you do not start off with a two-hour long aerobics session; you slowly increase the time over a definite period, suitable to your system.

But then again, if you think of doing the aerobics and hitting the weights right away, you shall be wrong again. There must be at least an eight-hour gap between the two; else, you shall lack the energy to lift the heavy weights. That would contradict the very basics of resistance training and you won’t see much development with your muscles. At the advanced stages of resistance training (when you have shed considerable amounts of fat), this is, however; permissible (but only for warm-ups), since your system is accustomed to the intensity you’ve bestowed upon it all this time.

So burn fat, increase stamina and develop the muscle mass in galore, for now you have the correct proportions of sensible actions served to you on a platter.

Types of work out programs:

• Instructor Lead: Work out programs which are instructor lead is ideal for people who are new to working out in a gym. Apart from being an effective way it is also most preferred amongst the available work out programs.

• Recorded Work out programs sessions: These are ideal if you face a time crunch and don’t wish to attend the work out programs at the gym. An ideal 1 hour session is perfect. One of the most popular recorded work out programs includes the Jillian series.

Most work out programs become successful if it involves full commitment from your end. Therefore sticking to a strict regime is a must. Stay motivated and you will realize that your motive of joining the program is getting fulfilled. By the end of the scheduled course you should have shed plenty of pounds. People around you would be surprised to see a new fresh glow on your face.

Steer your work out programs with confidence and be dedicated. You will emerge with flying colors. Wishing you luck for your workout program!