Jeffrey S. Harrison
Personal Training Director

The idea of resistance training still scares most women.  Despite all of the benefits of increased muscular strength, increased bone density, improved body composition, etc., a majority of women still fear that resistance training will bulk them up.  While that has not ever been proven through research, the bottom line is women benefit tremendously from performing resistance training as part of their workout regimen.  And a recent study just proved that all of those benefits are greatly enhanced by working with a personal trainer.  

The Study

In a study conducted at The College of New Jersey and recently published in the NSCA Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, the influence of resistance training with a personal trainer versus unsupervised resistance training on the self selected intensities used by women during resistance exercise was examined.  It was discovered that the intensities women self selected were extremely low on average than what is recommended for progression in muscular fitness by major health organizations.  The results of the study indicate that resistance training under the supervision of a personal trainer leads to greater strength values, self-selection of greater workout intensities, and greater ratings of perceived exertion values during resistance training. 

The Results 

The data indicated that the presence of a personal trainer, who prescribed the amount of weight lifted, during each set of every workout, resulted in a better resistance training stimulus yielding greater strength improvements over time. Women participating in resistance training in health clubs may self-select intensities that are suboptimal or too low for any real physical benefit.  However, women whose workouts are supervised by a strength and conditioning professional train at greater relative intensities and progress at a greater rate. 

The Reality

Personal trainers play a critical role in health clubs, especially in relation to women’s health and fitness.  In addition to teaching and correcting exercise technique, personal trainers design resistance training programs for their clients and prescribe the training intensity, volume, frequency, workout structure, exercise selection and order, rest intervals, and lifting velocity.  Thus, the encouragement to train at greater relative intensity and the direct supervision by a personal trainer may expose clients to a more favorable training stimulus, and most important – RESULTS! 

Don’t waste another workout going through the motions.  Real results are within your grasp, and the certified fitness trainers at PHC are your PerfectFit to make it a reality.  Stop by today and meet with our team to get you started!