Abu Dhabi Week finds out why it’s important to be in shape before taking on exercise
Whether you want to lose weight for vanity or health reasons, train for a marathon or just become more active, it’s important to prepare your body for exercise. Far from being a machine, our bodies need to be prepared for the stress of exercise before we can take steps to becoming fit.
We sat down with a health and safety expert to find out what it means to be fit, the importance of checking for hereditary diseases and what safety measures to take when working out.
Defining fitness
For some, being fit means being able to complete a 10k run in less than an hour, while for others it means being able to run around with their children.
“For me, being fit is about quality of life,” says Annie Browne, group health and safety manager at Fitness First.
“It’s about being able to do what you want to do without being weighed down by a debilitating illness. If you have a rounded way of living, exercise enough, eat healthily and sleep well, your body is going to respond positively.”
Browne notes a variety of factors play a role in an individual’s fitness, from being obese and smoking to depression and hereditary diseases.
Assess yourself
“A lot of people tend to come to this country and want to get fit. They go to the gym and go all out but they don’t realise their bodies are not geared up for that,” explains Browne.
Before embarking on any fitness regime, she strongly recommends visiting a doctor for a general check-up to have your blood pressure and resting heart rate taken while checking for any unknown medical conditions such as diabetes.
“You’ve got to be aware of your own body. How is your physical state? Do you have a family history of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or diabetes, or do you have a pre-existing medical condition? Are you under medication for stress or depression? When you put your body under stress, as you do with exercise, some medication can work adversely to that,” emphasises Browne.
Exercise precaution
While people should be sure to take care when exercising, this shouldn’t put them off altogether.
“The heart needs to be stressed to a certain amount in order to improve your cardiac fitness,” advises Browne. “If people smoke, drink and don’t do any exercise, oxygen is going to be restricted around the body. Even if you’ve got heart problems or diabetes, a properly monitored exercise regime can help gradually build up your
overall fitness.”
Even if you are fit, it is still important to listen to your body for warning signs.
“As you’re exercising you will become more tired, your muscles will start to ache and you will get breathless. But if you suddenly feel exhausted or find it difficult to breathe, you should stop straight away. If you get a sharp pain in the chest, can’t breathe very well, you need to stop and get help. A sudden headache can be indicative of a stroke and you must stop. Just listen to your body, don’t try and push through things.”
Top Tips
Follow Browne’s tips to stay safe before and during exercise.
- If you’re over 35 and haven’t done a lot of exercise, see a doctor first. Tell them what you plan to do and check you are physically fit to do it.
- Exercise in two; half of getting fit is psychological so going with a friend will help you stay motivated but also means someone is with you if there is a problem.
- If you sign up to a gym, make sure the staff are first aid trained.
- If you are using a personal trainer, inform them of any medical conditions.
- Park your car further away from the entrance to the mall or building. Try to take the stairs instead of the lift. Doing this can affect your level of fitness and relates to how well you can perform in the gym.
- While many diseases can’t be reversed, exercising is a way of naturally improving diabetes and symptoms of heart disease.
- You have to listen to your body, be good to it and pay attention to warning signs.
Rachael Peacock
