KEEPING IT ALL IN BALANCE: HOW TO STAY HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND PAIN FREE
I am sitting here with Sweat Life Fitness Master Trainer Dave Bloch, MS, CSCS, LMT and we are discussing his keys to long-term success. Dave is a walking encyclopedia of information – he loves to research and to learn. He also loves to educate. Dave’s clients typically receive, not just an awesome workout, but a lot of knowledge in the process. And that is what it is all about – learning, growing, and advancing – becoming better every day! So, take a few minutes to read the following excerpt from our interview; you never know, you might just learn something!
Dan: What was your original inspiration for becoming a personal trainer?
Dave: At an early age I found exercise a fun outlet. I spent a tremendous amount of time on my bike and always strove to go faster. At the University of Florida, I majored in Exercise and Sports Science and quickly decided I wanted to help athletes get “faster, bigger and stronger”.
My goals changed though, once I realized helping people recover from injuries was extremely rewarding and exciting work. My Florida Massage Therapist License further increases the scope in which I can help people. For the past ten years I have worked with physical therapists and physicians in medical settings, helping patients improve their strength, balance, and decrease pain resulting from acute injuries and chronic issues. I was very fortunate and took advantage of some great professional opportunities, enabling me to work with many professional and former-professional athletes in rehab and post-rehab settings.
Dan: You have a lot of experience training people with injuries and limitations. What are the most common injuries that you encounter?
Dave: Posture-related injuries to the legs, hips, and low back are very common. For example, runners, triathletes, baseball, football and soccer players can all experience these types of issues. The many professional and former professional athletes I have worked with over the years had similar issues as the rest of us, and we treat it the same way! Most people do not realize that professional athletes get super care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is why a sprained ankle or a sore hip might only last about 4 days to a week for them. If you have a desk to go to for at least 40 hours a week, it makes knocking out that nagging injury even tougher!
Dan: Follow-up question: What can be done to avoid getting one of these injuries?
Dave: To avoid injuries to the ankles, hips, and low back, movement is necessary! At work, try getting up every 30 minutes or so and stretching. Moving your shoulders and hips through a full pain-free range of motion on a regular basis will help prevent your muscles from tightening up and going into spasms.
Also, training the small muscles, as well as the big ones, helps to stabilize a joint for movement. Biomechanics is key – I focus on form with all of my clients prior to getting into any specific “strength building” routines.
Dan: What do you think are the most important aspects of overall fitness?
Dave: In a word, balance. This is not simply having the ability to stand on a funky piece of equipment, but an overall approach to improving one’s health. For example, we must strengthen overstretched, weakened muscles while improving the flexibility and strength of tight, spasmed muscles. As my colleagues also mentioned, a smart and focused approached to food is an integral part to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Dan: What are the steps that you take when evaluating a client and creating their fitness program?
Dave: At Sweat Life Fitness, we utilize a comprehensive assessment protocol that helps determine where an individual is strong and flexible, and where his or her body needs the most attention. I take a clinical approach to exercise prescription and hone in on those weaker biomechanical links in the chain. Remember, those links are what holds us back!
Dan: What age groups have you worked with in the past?
Dave: The youngest athlete-clients I have worked with were around 8 to 10 years of age. These clients were relatively new to sports and parents are very concerned with keeping their boys and girls injury-free. Biomechanics is the focus at this point and the best way to prevent injuries is to learn how to move! I have also trained people of every age group in injury-care settings. The post-rehab setting is what excites me the most and my clients see results fast!
Dave Bloch, MS, CSCS, LMT is a Master Trainer at Sweat Life Fitness, Inc. in the Haile Plantation Village Center. He can be reached at dave@sweatlifefitness.com for more information and training consultations. We always appreciate and welcome your feedback and comments.
Live the Sweat Life!
