AS you get older so does your body — even if you’re an athlete. There are, however, ways to extend one’s athletic prime, said Jerry Diaz, a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer.
“Learning to change our fitness approach is a new experience as we age,” he added. “This mindset allows our fitness and healthy living journey to stay fresh and interesting while keeping us motivated to conquer our individual fitness goals.”
Diaz said each of his clients desires a specific outcome, but they can all perform the same set of exercises.
“The only challenge is how to make the necessary changes as we age to continue staying at our best fitness level while avoiding overtraining and being discouraged from feeling and looking our best,” Diaz said.
“It is my professional suggestion to seek a certified personal trainer and a fitness nutritionist and to consult a doctor before starting an exercise program,” he added.
Diaz also recommends a fitness assessment at least every three months, and restructuring the individual’s training program based on his or her needs and evaluating his or her nutrition intake to enhance results.
Diaz said there are four factors in extending one’s athletic prime.
• First is flexibility and range of motion. These are essential to maintaining a fitness level that will allow an individual to compete at the highest levels at any age.
• Then comes stamina and endurance.
“An individual must create a fitness plan and then follow through consistently for at least six months up to an entire year to realistically see results,” Diaz said. “Many individuals drop out of their fitness journey because they do not see the results they want when they look in the mirror. But most of the time, results are not seen, because they are internal — such as stamina and endurance. Of course, results vary based on each individual’s consistency and effort.”
• The third factor is a level of strength and speed that should match one’s sport to prevent injuries.
• The fourth and last factor is individualization. “Each individual must know his or her body type, which training approach works best for their lifestyle, and the right eating habits so they can heal, build, and energize,” Diaz said.
“It is also important to explore new training and fitness programs and assess which will motivate the individual to remain fit,” he added.
One example of a local athlete who continues to extend his athletic prime is MMA fighter Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial.
“We need to find that motivation to keep going and doing what we enjoy to stay successful with our health and fitness levels,” he said.
For professional fitness inquiries, contact Jerry Diaz through Instagram at @BBJ_Athletics or Facebook.
Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial prepares for a fight at the Hex Fight Series in Melbourne, Australia in this file photo.
