The doctors were looking for an explanation as to why John was still alive. The doctors told him they had gone back and consulted their medical books. The doctors were amazed and gratified that he had recovered.
John had developed an infection after an operation. As a result of that infection John lost 62 pounds; 23 of those pounds were lean body mass! I went to see him in the hospital. He was propped in his bed. He was gaunt. He was so weak that his wife had to hold a juice box up to his mouth for him to drink.
Prior to the operation John, was a 6'2” healthy, fit, muscular 60 year old man. He had been a strength training client of mine for five years. Every one of those five years he had increased his strength. As part of the aging process it is normal for people to become weaker from age 55 to 60. John was not the norm. I asked John if the strength training had been factor in his recovery. He said, “Absolutely”.
Upon receiving the go-ahead from his doctors, John returned to strength training. He was so weak that on his first visit his wife had to assist him in walking from the curb into the gym. I have seen a lot in 40 years in the fitness industry: that image is one I will not forget. Every week it was heartening to see John's rapid improvement. In short order he returned to being hale and hearty.
No one wants to go though an experience where one is fighting for their life, but if you do it is best to increase your chances for survival. A stronger body is more apt to survive, and strength training contributes to a more robust immune system. At our Austin Personal Training facility we work with all ages and levels of fitness, even those working to overcome illness and injury.
The recovery systems of compromised clients are fragile. Experienced trainers will properly “dose'' clients with exercise sufficient to stimulate positive change but not too much to overwhelm the system. Our personal training sessions are short and designed to efficiently stimulate a change; we then give clients plenty of time to recover.
Nineteen years have past. John is 79 years old, he still goes to work, and enjoys his extended family that has grown over the years. He still strength trains like his life depends on it … because it does.
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