personal trainer

[Stent2024]

has anyone used a personal trainer qualified in cardiac patients . I’m really interested in starting weight training . I do a couple of classes a week at my local leisure zone which I enjoy , but really want to move on and push myself , but too scared too in case anything bad happens to me .

[Lowerfield_no_more]

The Gym Division of Nuffield Health have Personal Trainers. Why not talk to them to see what they can offer and give you the assurances you require about your heart health whilst carrying out a training regime. And perhaps talk to other Gym providers to compare.

[Smallbo]

it might be worth checking with your local authority to see whether they have a cardiac programme. Mine does and I get subsidised gym membership and time with a cardiac specialist trainer,

[Redbass]

I would be interested too. Not for weight training but I want to start running again and I too feel scared how much to push myself. It would be so good to be advised personally .I am not a techy person , cant get advice from GP .

[Smits1980]

I lifted a lot of weights before I had a quadruple bypass and have been doing so again. However, cardiac rehab were very specific about how to lift weights if you are a cardiac patients, which surprised me. Never lift to failure. Never breath out with one breathe on the lift, which is how you normally lift weights. This puts too much pressure on the heart. Instead, control your breathing in and out throughout. Control, go slow, and do 10-12 reps. Also never do crunches- again, puts too much pressure on the heart. I’ve never found any of this on the web anywhere, but the physiologists and nurses were very clear. That said, they said strength training is crucial. Muscles protect the heart, especially the big ones in our legs.

Hope that helps!

[Stentsandrun in reply to Smits1980]

In other words then, lifting "a lot of weights" is not actually very good for you or recommended?

Why not stick to more cardio focussed exercise? Not quite sure what your statement "muscles protect the heart" means, I think they meant that cardio focussed exercise will strengthen the heart, not the other way round.

[Smits1980 in reply to Stentsandrun]

No, you’ve misunderstood my post. Regular strength training- lifting weights- is absolutely recommended as an integral part of any fitness programme for heart patients. Raising your heart rate during cardio work is also crucial- at my cardiac rehab programme we were told to stick to ‘moderate’ and not ‘ vigorous’ exercise. Moderate is 70% and vigorous is 80% of 220 minus your age (to get your target BPM). We were told not to exercise vigorously as it will damage our hearts over time. As to what muscles protect the heart means, it does not mean cardio focussed exercise will strengthen the heart. Regular cardio with a BPM as per above is essential for cardiac patients, but bigger muscles strengthening the heart is a different point. I asked the physiologists why muscles strengthen the heart and in the middle of their very technical response I said I was happy with the assertion. So yes, building up muscle across the body will strengthen the heart. They suggested a particular focus on legs as the muscles there are so big. So specifically, squats and lunges and reverse lunges were a staple of the rehab programme. I should add that the programme was led in conjunction with the university linked to my cardiac department, which was particularly strong in researching this area. I was part of a doctoral study being carried out into heart health and sedentary behaviours. What surprised me was that whilst lots of the information we got I could google easily enough, loads was not, and isn’t. Did you know, for example, that for heart patients, heating olive oil is bad? Cold is fine, but if you want hot oil, ditch the olive and use vegetable. You won’t find that advice anywhere. I could go on.

[Stent2024 in reply to Smits1980]

That surprises me about the oil

[Smits1980 in reply to Stent2024]

Exactly. But that advice came straight from a cardiac nurse who was writing a PhD. I trust her!

[TheBesty in reply to Smits1980]

Should get her to publish some of her work on here to help us all out

[Smits1980 in reply to TheBesty]

The vast majority of new research just isn’t available to the public.

[STEMI_Dave]

After my HA and stent, I was referred to the local cardiac rehab programme. I eventually got on to the Phase 3 exercise classes (supervised by nurses and other appropriately qualified staff), and finally to Phase 4 one-to-one sessions at the local gym for a mix of supervised and semi-supervised cardio and weights. That was with a Phase 4 qualified member of staff, so had the regular BP checks and whatnot.

I don't know what's available in your area, but the availability of all this was fairly evident in the hospital discharge notes and telephone follow-up. The local gym was keen to support the Phase 4 element of the program, as it boosts membership and their community goals.

[edplayer]

I train at home with a CP+R qualified cardiac coach via zoom. (CP+R = Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation). It works really well and the CP+R team is very impressive. Lots of weights work as well as cardio. I have a comprehesive in-person assessment every 12 weeks to check on progress. Plus access to a cardiac nurse and physio if required. Its perfect for pushing yourself and regaining confidence in exercise in a very safe, evidence led apprach. Not cheap, but worth every penny to me.