Original post written by St. Louis Personal Trainer Laka Huyette

One of the biggest mistakes clients and trainers make is trying to turn a stressed out couch potato into a power lifter overnight.

In a healthy individual, intense exercise is useful for strengthening as the muscles are able to repair and rebuild stronger. Unfortunately, most of the general population is in a less than healthy stressed state due to over packed schedules, diets full of processed foods, chronic dehydration and sleep deprivation. In bodies that are chronically stressed, high intensity exercise may compound stress. In these cases, restorative movement is important before progressing the intensity of the training plan. This may include a plan that involves correcting muscle imbalances through resistance bands or body weight exercise, stretching, myofascial release for overactive muscles, yoga poses, meditation cool downs, and outdoor workouts

A skilled personal trainer will design a training plan with an intensity that is appropriate for the client’s current level of stress. Keep in mind that there is no one size fits all approach. For some individuals intense workouts help to alleviate stress. For others, their stress outside of the gym causes plateaus to building strength. Listen to your body when your stress levels are high and consider less intense work and stress reducing activities. Not only does the intensity of a training plan need to be individualized from start to finish, but also from day to day due to the rise and fall of stress. Listen to your body and communicate with a trainer to get the results you want, without reeking further havoc on your body!

Contact Laka today to schedule a risk-free personal training session.  If you are looking to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall quality of life, a RightFit Personal Trainer will help you set and achieve your health and fitness goals.