One of the leading causes of injury and illness is a sedentary lifestyle. As a result of physical inactivity people end up getting injured when they attempt to exercise or they lose sight of their fitness goals. “Most people are under the impression staying fit takes time so they do not give it any thought,” says Dr. Kevin McGovern, Founder of McGovern Physical Therapy Associates and Game 7 Sports Training TM. “But what most people don’t realize is they can see a physical therapist for an evaluation and personalized program, which includes advice on how to save time during workouts.” In most states, including Massachusetts, people can visit a physical therapist directly to seek a personalized health evaluation. This is called Direct Access.
Regardless if you are an elite athlete or simply want to get healthy, a physical therapist is your ticket to good health and fitness without having to spend hours at the gym.
So what are some of the tips for staying fit while saving time?
High Intensity Interval Training
The professionals at McGovern Physical Therapy Associates say that high intensity interval training is the number one way to stay fit while shaving time off a workout. High-intensity interval training involves working out hard for just a few minutes and then resting in between each set. For example, you could walk or run fast for a few minutes, rest, and then repeat. Unless you are an elite athlete you should not do this to the point of exhaustion and only to the point of being slightly out of breath.
Double Your Pleasure
Double up on workouts so you can work more than one muscle group simultaneously. For example, if you are doing a set of leg lifts you can combine it with weights for doing bicep curls. This will rev up the metabolism, help burn fat faster, and save time on working out.
Circuit Training
Circuit training involves choosing a set of exercises and then doing each set one at a time in a circuit. When the entire circuit is complete it is repeated for cycles that are recommended by the physical therapist.
Exercise at Home
Make the investment in some good exercise equipment to use at home when you are not training with a physical therapist. If you add up the membership fees you pay at a local gym the exercise equipment pays for itself. If you find you need the support then schedule intervals of training with the physical therapist and combine it with working out at home. This saves tons of time driving to the gym and waiting to use the equipment at peak times.
Create a Plan
Have a plan in place prior to exercising so it is understood what is to be accomplished. A physical therapist can help with a plan as well as vary the plan to optimize results. The plan should include scheduling a time block for completing the workout and an exercise plan for saving time in the process.
Seeking the advice of a physical therapist is a wise investment in your health and will help to provide a higher quality of life while reducing costs on medical treatment.
About Dr. Kevin McGovern
Dr. McGovern is the founder 3 growing companies:
Dr. McGovern is also the inventor of the McGovern Movement Score (MMS), which measures the quality of basic human movements and can score how well one moves to help predict possible future injury.
Dr. McGovern has been analyzing the biomechanics of golfers and baseball pitchers for over 15 years in order to improve athletic results. As a sports enthusiast and athlete himself, his passion is helping people get in the best possible shape for a healthier, happier life. Visit www.mcgovernpt.com.
About McGovern Physical Therapy Associates:
Combining innovation, experience and excellence, McGovern Physical Therapy Associates has been a leading provider of outpatient physical therapy care for over 10 years, providing customized treatment programs designed to fit each patient’s needs in an optimal healthcare environment where true patient recovery exists.
McGovern Physical Therapy Associates is a 2010 recipient of the Inc. Magazine 5000, a list of the 5000 top growing companies, and was voted Best Physical Therapy Practice by ADVANCE magazine. Visit them at www.mcgovernpt.com.
About Game 7 Sports Training TM:
Founded by McGovern Physical Therapy Associates, Game 7 Sports TrainingTM is a physical-therapy-designed fitness center with programs customized for individual needs. Through an innovative and scientific manner, Game 7 is an effective method for preventative-injury care and maintaining overall optimum health for any fitness or age level. Visit www.game7sportstraining.com.
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