Exercise with Caution

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     This time of the year, the gym is crowded with new exercisers but I wonder how many of them spoke with their doctor before beginning a fitness program. Exercise does the body good but it's important to follow your doctor's guidelines especially if you have medical challenges.

Earlier this week, a man joined my spinning class and within less than five minutes, the instructor was checking up on him. He was on the floor next to his bike and he didn't look good and not long after the instructor spoke with him, she walked out to get help. I went to his side so that he wouldn't feel alone. While I moved the bike so that he'll have more room, his body started spasming and I thought he was having a seizure. I yelled out in the gym for a doctor or a nurse. This was a scary experience for me because I'd never seen anyone have a medical emergency in a gym. I assume that everyone is healthy enough to be there.

The man was alert and able to answer questions. Through the chat, I learned that he wasn't having a seizure but the movements were the result of a surgically implanted artificial pacemaker shocking his heart back into rhythm. A pacemaker is a battery operated device that sends electrical currents to make the heart contract. After I walked away, I wondered if he had the all clear from his doctor to workout.

Although exercise is beneficial to an individual's optimal health and recovery, people with some of the following health challenges should get cleared by their medical doctor before exercising:

• Heart disease: depending on the heart condition, your doctor may tell you to not workout or go on casual walks. What your cardiologist will tell you varies and it's very important to follow the guidelines set for you.
• High blood pressure: exercise has helped many people I know lower their blood pressure.
• Diabetes: if your doctor tells you to exercise, it is important to pay attention to your blood sugar level.
• Pregnancy: as long as your pregnancy isn't high risk, your doctor may tell you to exercise but stay within a particular heart rate range. I exercised during both of my pregnancies especially my second. I taught step aerobics, worked out on my own time and lifted weights. My goal was to workout to 40 weeks and I accomplished it. I made sure to watch the intensity level through out my pregnancy. For instance, I ran till I was about three or four months pregnant and I started walking. Also, when I was teaching step aerobics, I used three risers but by the end of my pregnancy, I used none. 
• Lung conditions such as asthma: exercise leaves you breathless and even more so if you have a lung condition. 

Exercise is beneficial to everyone but it has to be safe. I hope that man is okay and here is to your health.