By Tom Scott

Gyms and health clubs are full of determined individuals trying to improve their health and fitness levels. But all the determination in the world does not make up for the lack of common sense that some people exhibit when they get serious about getting in shape.

If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, exercise can certainly help ease your symptoms, but it’s best to take a cautious approach.

One mistake that many people make when they start exercising regularly––whether it’s lifting weights, circuit training, or performing cardio––is focusing on what everyone else in the room is doing. Bad idea.  Naturally, when you notice others at the gym lifting twice as much as you are, running twice as fast on the treadmill, or working out with a lot more intensity, it’s easy to feel a bit disheartened. The best course of action you can take, however, is to focus on yourself. Don’t try to duplicate what others are doing. It can lead to a variety of injuries, including torn muscles, tendonitis, strains and sprains, joint and muscle pain, hernias, and back spasms. I’ve tried this and trust me, it leads to more pain than gain.

 If you are going to take your health and fitness seriously, it’s crucial to listen to what your body is telling you––not anyone else, except your doctor. MS affects individuals differently. Your symptoms may include weakness, imbalance, fatigue, and spasticity. Standard physical therapy and therapeutic exercise can, in some cases, improve function. But there are many factors involved.

 So before entering the gym or starting a fitness routine, especially if you are living with MS and are no longer in your teens and 20s, there is a short list of things you should do. It’s not rocket science.

-Seek the advice of a doctor, physical therapist, and nutritionist. Let them know what your goals are and what you’d like to accomplish, whether it be shedding pounds, getting stronger, or just maintaining good cardiovascular health. 

-Diet and Sleep. Without a proper diet, eating healthy foods, and getting a sufficient amount of rest each night, you’ll be exercising your way head-on into a brick wall. You can’t give 110% at the gym if you’re running on empty.

-Hire a fitness instructor. Not necessarily a person you’ll rely on for years, but maybe for a few months. Someone who can give you a basic understanding of muscle groups, exercises/routines, proper form, and basic gym etiquette.  

-Don’t underestimate the importance of stretching, warming up, and cooling down. These actions will help ensure that you avoid injuring yourself. Just remember too much stretching is bad, so consult your physical therapist.

-Take it slow and don’t overdo it! Exercising is all about trial and error. Sometimes our bodies refuse to respond if we constantly put it through the same boring motions. It happens to everyone. Keep your workout routines fresh, try new exercises every few weeks (don’t exclude core exercises, cardio routines, or even swimming a few laps in the pool ), and have fun. Your goal should be long-term.

These few tips will help keep your workouts enjoyable, injury-free, and provide you with an excellent foundation for future success at the gym. Good Luck!

This entry was posted on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 7:38 am and is filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.