Need advice for my father

[Janick]

I posted this on the ask Cathe forum, but since she's leaving tomorrow, I probably won't get a response. So, I'll ask my question here, since I know that there are PTs and fitness instructors who could give me the advice I need.

My dad who is 61 years old, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year, affecting mostly knee and shoulder joints. After having knee surgery in July 2002 to remove his synovial lining and injection of "artificial" cartilage, he was put on actitivy rest for a few months.

Now, his doctor wants him to do weight training to help him regain some of the muscle mass he lost in the process. He doesn't want to join a gym and doesn't want to hire a personal trainer for home. I showed him various video weight training workouts (from other instructors), and he liked your personality the best, and is willing to give you a shot. He's not interested in cardio or step, only weights (his cardio will consist of recumbent bike or power walking). What would you recommend as a starting point for him? He is not overweight, but is relatively sedentary and besides his arthritis, doesn't have any other health problems.

He came to ME for advice, since he thinks I'm a genius in this field (which I am not!!). I just need some advice!!!

Janick http://www.clicksmilies.com/sammlung/sport/sport003.gif

 

[StepEdith]

I'm no expert but did he see MIS? I'd think start out low of course and build up, possibly even do legs one day and upper next doing each about twice a week.

Edith

 

[hounddogs]

Hi, Janick:

It's great that your dad wants to start weight training and he obviously has good taste if he picked Cathe out of a selection of tapes.

I'm an ACE certified personal trainer, but my "clients" are mostly high school students as I work in the P.E. dept. of the local high school. As beginners, I feel most people need something that's not going to overwhelm them right away. MIS and ME could be a bit daunting if he's never strength trained at all before.

One or two sets of twelve reps, one exercise per body part, hitting all muscle groups per session two-three times per week would be a great starting place. The weight should be challenging but should not cause failure. He can do this for four to six weeks while he's learning proper form and how to breathe--either you can coach him or he can watch Cathe and learn from her. By then he should be ready for PS. If he has some strength training experience, he could probably plunge right in with PS as long as he started very light until he found out where his fitness level is after the long lay-off.

I apologize if Cathe already answered this over on the other board, I always go there last.

Good luck!

--Ann

 

[Janick]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-03 AT 09:27AM (Est)[/font][p]Thank you for your responses Ann and Edith.

I think I will follow Ann's advice, because I certainly don't want him to feel overwhelmed. I have to go with him to buy him some weights, and will coach him through 1 exercise per body part, but do it as a split, so it's short. Wish me luck!!

BTW, Cathe did not reply to my question, so I'm glad I got some answers here.

Janick http://www.clicksmilies.com/sammlung/sport/sport003.gif