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Has Anyone Found A Fitness Trainer That Is Knowledgeable Enough About RA And Can Help A Client Gain Muscle?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Rosenberg, TX
February 12, 2018
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A myRAteam Member

I was fortunate to be already working with a wonderful personal trainer, even before my diagnosis. We meet on Skype 3 times per week and work out together for 45 minutes each time. She is not an expert in arthritis, but runs classes for seniors as well as "fitness at work" programs in several locations. She is passionate about exercising, no matter what limitations your body puts on you.
I first met her at work, then when I changed jobs, she came up with the Skype Idea. We meet in person about twice per year for her to do measurements.
If I am in a flare, we do range of motion exercises sitting in a chair. When things are better we add some cardio or resistance bands. We meet at set times every week, no matter what. Every Skype call starts with "how are you feeling today" "does it hurt anywhere" and she makes up the workout for that day based on my answers. It costs money, but her expenses are low, since she is working from her own home, so she can keep her price reasonable.
I know I would be in much worse shape without all of the help and support she has provided since my diagnosis.
Not having to go out anywhere to exercise has been great! I just pull on something comfy and show up in fromt of my computer.
My trainer is very open to any and all exercise ideas from my physiotherapist or other healthcare practitioners that I see. She works any new exercises from them seamlessly into our workout.
I don't know how many others like her there are out there in the world, but I am very happy to have been fortunate enough to have someone like her along with me on this journey.

June 2, 2018
A myRAteam Member

I found a trainer that was also a physiotherapist.

June 2, 2018
A myRAteam Member

Workout Anytime has a "corrective" trainer that I've been working with for about 5 months now and have not had a flare. $40/30 minute session, so a bit expensive, but I've been doing HIIT workouts, have built muscle, loosened stiff shoulders and knees and have much more energy. I'll drag myself in there after work feeling tired and leave there feeling great (although, sometimes my arms are so tired, they won't even hold me up). If I hadn't prepaid for the sessions, I probably would have skipped, but am always glad that I went after I was done. I highly recommend strength training.

November 13, 2018
A myRAteam Member

@A myRAteam Member I only went to 12 sessions, they were $100/session. I went long enough to understand how to work my body more efficiently. It is incredibly expensive.

June 12, 2018
A myRAteam Member

My RA factor is quite high but for some reason my symptoms are mild. I do machines in the gym just doing whatever is comfortable. My muscles are toning and getting bigger but not as fast as it used to. Not sure if that’s due the RA or aging. I also do yoga on my own as well.

June 2, 2018

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