By Soraya Defteros
As a hospitality worker who spends a lot of time on my feet, my fitness levels are reasonably high. However, I was curious to see how exercising in a gym with a personal trainer might increase my muscle strength.
I booked my first personal training session at The Exercise Room, feeling a bit nervous; while I’d done team sports and dancing earlier in life, I’d never worked out in a gym before. Thankfully my trainer Louis helped me to feel very at ease, and I had a really positive session working through weight-based exercises.
The session went for an hour, with six exercises composed of a set of 8-10 reps. Louis made me feel comfortable to repeat each set at my own pace, helping me to correct technique throughout. I learnt how to safely use different gym equipment, and experimented with weights best suited to me.
I talked with Louis about how I’d like to learn how to lift properly, as I’d sometimes feel pain in my back while lifting things at work. I found the deadlift exercise particularly helpful; I learnt how to engage my core and leg muscles while lifting, keeping the hips outward, rather than lifting from my arms. I applied this when I was at work the next day, and found I wasn’t straining my lower back as I had been before.
Louis explained how many exercises in the gym teach us how to strengthen muscles that benefit us later in life, when our agility and strength may decline a bit with age. Squatting, for example, helps us strengthen the muscles we use to lift ourselves from a chair. I found it fascinating to learn how gym exercises would extend to my activities in and throughout life.
Despite being a newbie to the gym and having some initial nerves, I left feeling really positive, thanks to a supportive trainer and exercises I felt benefited me.
I’d recommend working with a personal trainer if you’re wanting to re-focus on your fitness. Everyone differs, so if you’re looking for exercises suited to you as an individual, working with a PT could be a really positive experience.
The Exercise Room is a fully equipped gym with the latest technology and equipment.
Train anytime of the day or night in a safe & secure environment.
NO JOINING FEE – EVER
The Exercise Room
88 Buckley St Footscray
0418 344 810
www.exerciseroom.com.au
