Injury Prevention at Cavanaugh Fitness 

Any professional trained in the expertise of enhancing fitness, should also be adept in the art of preventing injury. Contrary to popular belief (and many gym methods we see other’s employ) “bigger” or “more” does not always equate to “better.” At Cavanaugh Fitness, we like our clients to first recognize that sustaining an injury inhibits progress and, therefore, should be tirelessly avoided. We prevent injury through some basic methods; by being aware of a client’s history, building of core strength/flexibility, and by respecting our client’s limits.
 
HISTORY TAKING
As your trainer and very important partner on your fitness journey, it is imperative that we know the condition under which we are receiving your body. A large portion of our professional training time is spent on assessment and evaluation of a body’s baseline functioning. There are some weaknesses that are obvious from visual assessment but the more you tell us, the better. At our initial consultation, we will ask a series of questions that will help us to determine workouts that may be off limits or “at risk” for you, at first. Our end goal is always, of course, to build the kind of strength and confidence that provides unlimited workout options.
 
Initial consultation is the time to share any concerns (physical or otherwise) that you have in moving forward with personal training. Our intention is to always respect your privacy and level of comfort during this important history taking so, while we encourage our clients to share, we also recognize that some matters are private. Previous injuries to joints (shoulders and knees, especially) may require additional workout modifications and that is fine. Its important for us to also be informed of any attempts you already made at a remedy to the problem. Histories of surgeries, pain interventions or physical therapies are especial essential.
 
Our methods have proven victorious against the mental affects of physical injury. The mental toll of a physical injury is a fact often neglected by other personal trainers. We know that progress in recovery is just as much mental as it is physical. Attention to rebuilding a client’s self-concept is one area in which Brian’s universal positive regard does wonders. 

RESPECT LIMITS
 As a training professional, we are skilled at recognizing your point of fatigue. When the body is tired, it shows signs of relent. When we observe these signs, we may ease on the repetitions required. However, we also rely heavily on client feedback before making modifications. The personal training relationship is one of “push” and “pull” and we expect to be in constant communication with you regarding length of workouts, rigor of our sessions and movements that create discomfort or pain. We use all this information as data to compile a safe and customized workout with the client’s strengths and weaknesses in mind. 

A STRONG CORE 
​Why is building a strong core important for injury preventions? A strong core or midsection helps protect your spine and, therefore, fosters better balance. Equating your "core" do you abdominal muscles only is  a misconception and a major point that Brian likes to review with his clients. While core workouts may focus on the abdominals and obliques, equally important is the erector spinae which incorporates the muscles surrounding your spine. The all familiar "plank," is an example of an exercise we might use to stimulate this very important muscle group which supports spine health and, ultimately, injury prevention. 
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CALL TO ACTION
We are so glad you landed here at  Cavanaugh Fitness. We would love to talk to you more about your important fitness goals. Call us today for a free consultation. ​