Tom Willemann Health Tips

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How to pick a personal trainer after physical therapy?

After attending physical therapy picking out an appropriate personal trainer is extremely important.  Here are a few pointers and questions to consider:

  • Make sure they take a health history to understand any cardiovascular or orthopedic considerations (ie osteoporosis, spinal problems, torn meniscus)
  • Does your personal trainer have any experience with clients in a post- rehabilitation setting?
  • Make sure there is a clear communication of  “what is good pain” and “what is bad pain” especially if coming from physical therapy.  At times physical therapy requires patients to endure a degree of pain in the effort to loosen scar tissue.  Make sure your personal trainer understand what you are experiencing.
  • If you had surgery please convey limits set by orthopedist, physician and physical therapist
  • Set realistic goals with your personal trainer.  Is it just weight loss?  Manage stress? Or return to a sport they have stopped because of poor balance or endurance.  Think ahead!
  • If you are in a gym with personal trainers on staff  take time to observe the personal trainers to find the right match.  What type of clientele do they service?  Older vs younger or aggressive vs conservative training styles.
  • Have you had a recent physical?  Lets not jump right into a program if you haven’t consulted with the proper heatlhcare practitioner
  • Did they have you fill out a health questionaire like a PAR-Q?  This questionaire screens for possible health issues that require you see a physician or physical therapist before starting a physical fitness program
  • What qualifications do they have?  Here are a few well respected types  1) The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), 2) The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or 3) The American Council on Exercise (ACE). These are the 3 most highly regarded national certifications for personal trainers. Also, these organizations have websites where you can search for a certified personal trainer that lives in your area.
  • Do they have liability insurance?

I hope this helps and prevents or reduce unnecessary set backs or injuries.
Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation located in the Gabriel Realty Buidling at One East Ridgewood Avenue in Wyckoff, NJ provides orthopedic and sports physical therapy services for the greater Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Oradell, River Edge, Westwood, Ho-ho-kus and Bergen County region.  This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. The views expressed here are the author’s views and should be taken as suggestions. Always consult your physician or healthcare practitioner before engaging in a orthopedic, cardiovascular or sports physical therapy rehabilitation program.

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
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