If you’re recovering from a sports-related injury or your lifestyle has left you feeling out of shape, then 1-2-1 strength training, especially when backed by the expertise of osteopaths and physiotherapists, can be a game-changer.
This isn’t just something that can help athletes (although it is ideal if you want to get back to match fitness), but it can also be transformative for anyone who wants to be more active, boost their strength, and enhance their overall wellbeing.
What is strength training?
Strength training involves performing exercises that challenge your muscles to exert force against resistance. This can be achieved through various methods, including weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, or the use of resistance bands.
Contrary to popular belief, strength training isn’t just about bulking up muscles; it’s about building functional strength that supports everyday activities and prevents injuries.
How are strength training and sports physiotherapy different?
Sports physiotherapy focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to sports and exercise.
Strength training plays a pivotal role in sports physiotherapy by helping athletes – professional and amateur – recover from injuries, regain strength and mobility, and prevent future setbacks.
But it isn’t just about recovery and sports performance; strength training can help anyone to boost their bone health, lift their mood, strengthen their muscles, and even live longer.
What are the benefits of 1-2-1 strength training?
As we’ve touched on above, the benefits of strength training extend far beyond simply building muscle mass. It can also help to:
- Improve your strength and muscle tone – enhancing your overall physical performance and making daily tasks easier to accomplish.
- Speed up your metabolism and support weight management – building lean muscle mass can help you burn more calories even at rest. This makes strength training a valuable tool for managing your weight and changing your body composition.
- Prevent injuries – strengthening the muscles and connective tissues can provides better support and stability to the joints. This is particularly important for athletes who engage in repetitive or high-impact activities.
- Boost your bone health – regular strength training has been shown to increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, which is especially important as we age. Various studies have found that perimenopausal women with low bone mass can increase their bone density and bone strength with regular strength training (here’s one such study).
- Improve your posture and joint health – strengthening the muscles that support your spine and joints can help alleviate pain, improve posture, and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues.
- Lift your mood – there is some evidence to suggest that strength training can reduce depressive symptoms.
Strength training backed by osteopaths and physiotherapists
Although most gyms are full of people strength training in one form or another, and it is something you can do alone, there are added benefits to working 1-2-1 with a personal trainer who collaborates with osteopaths and physiotherapists.
This is because osteopathy and physiotherapy techniques play a crucial role in optimising the effectiveness of strength training programmes. Knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy, and injury prevention all mean that you can follow an exercise regimen designed to your individual needs that will address any underlying issues or imbalances.
This is a great way to ensure your strength training is safe, effective, and conducive to your overall health goals, and that you’re able to continue to tweak your training as your body gets stronger.
Other reasons to have 1-2-1 strength training with osteopathy and physiotherapy support
Opting for 1-2-1 strength training with osteopathy and physiotherapy support has other benefits:
- Tailored programmes: When a personal trainer collaborates with osteopaths and physiotherapists, they’re better able to design a customised training programme that addresses your unique strengths, weaknesses, and any existing injuries or limitations.
This is something that you can’t achieve in the gym on your own, especially if you’re new to strength training.
- Focused attention: In a one-to-one setting, you have the undivided attention of your trainer, allowing for real-time feedback, corrections, and adjustments. This level of focused attention should boost the quality of your workouts and speed up your progress.
- Accountability and motivation: Working with a personal trainer fosters a sense of accountability and motivation, keeping you committed to your fitness journey even on days when your get up and go has got up and gone!
Your trainer serves as a supportive mentor, guiding and encouraging you every step of the way – all backed by proven scientific techniques within the fields of osteopathy and physiotherapy.
- Injury prevention and rehabilitation: Personal trainers with expertise in osteopathy and physiotherapy are adept at identifying potential risk factors and implementing strategies to prevent injuries. In the event of an injury, they can also provide targeted rehabilitation exercises to aid your recovery and prevent a repeat in the future.
- Optimised performance: Whether you’re an athlete aiming to improve your athletic performance or an individual seeking to enhance your overall fitness, one-to-one strength training sessions are designed to help you reach your full potential.
Strength training for amateurs and professionals alike
While your reasons for starting strength training will be individual to you, the benefits are universal in terms of boosting your physical performance and reducing the risk of injury.
If you’re someone who wants to be more physically active, then incorporating strength training into your fitness routine can help you build a solid foundation to enjoy your favourite activities with confidence.
If you’re a professional athlete, on the other hand, you will certainly benefit from targeted strength training designed to improve your performance in your chosen sport.
Focusing on strength, power, agility, and resilience can give you a competitive edge and prolong your career by reducing the risk of overuse injuries and helping you make a full recovery if you are injured.
Leveraging the expertise of osteopaths and physiotherapists in your 1-2-1 strength training can give you unparalleled results in terms of strength, endurance, mobility, and overall wellbeing.
So why settle for a generic workout routine when you can unlock your true potential with tailored guidance and support?
