In 2013, I began working with young adults who have special needs. I now have the pleasure of training two wonderful young adults with autism and one wonderful young adult with Down syndrome.
Working with the special needs population, obviously, is a little different from training other clients. However, there are also similarities. Each individual is unique, and personal training is tailored to meet each client’s individual needs.
Let’s look at the benefits of personal training for these two populations:
Young adults with autism run the spectrum when it comes to personality and abilities. Some are very reserved and some are outgoing. Some have better control of the way they move. Others have challenges with body control. However, most benefit from personal training. They become stronger and improve their cardiovascular capabilities, and there are other benefits such as:
- Sensory Integration: By showing these young adults the correct way to move with a particular exercise, they are able to gain body awareness, coordination and control.
- Stress Reduction: Some young adults with autism like to have pressure applied to their joints. It calms them and makes them less anxious. By incorporating a strength training regimen, not only are they becoming stronger, but it also helps them with any anxiety they may be experiencing.
- Body Control: By incorporating a well-designed strength and cardiovascular training program and by showing them the correct way to do an exercise, these young adults gain better control of their bodies. I have noticed there are times when their movement is awkward and out of control. By learning the correct way to do a movement, they gain the control they need to accomplish the exercise correctly so they do not hurt themselves. And by continuously adjusting and tweaking the movements, they are able to have better coordination in their everyday movements.
- Attention Span: Working one-on-one with a personal trainer helps lengthen attention span. Parents have noted that simple instructions used in this relationship help them succeed in other areas in life whether at work or home.
- Limiting of Repetitive Behavior: Keeping exercise routines focused and on-task helps clients with autism improve their mental flexibility and break the obsessive behaviors that some of them display.
Young adults with Down syndrome have different needs and challenges. The benefits of a specific personal training program for kids with Down syndrome are the following:
- Muscle Tone Improvement: Strength training gives them better muscle tone. People with Down syndrome are genetically predisposed to have weak muscle tone. And since muscles act as supports for our bones and joints, low muscle tone can result in loose ligaments and hyper-mobility. By incorporating a strength training program, we help build lean muscle tissue, which will help them become stronger, give additional support and stability for their joints and develop better overall coordination.
- Weight Management: Young adults with Down syndrome are predisposed to weight gain. Genetically they are at risk of gaining weight easier and faster than most of us. As they age, they will be more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes and the like. A regular one-on-one personal training program will help them lose weight and become healthier.
- Heart Strengthening: The cardiovascular capability of young adults with Down syndrome is lower than that of other people. By working with them on their aerobic capabilities, we can increase cardiovascular output, which helps with the strength of their heart and lungs, stamina and overall well-being.
For people in both populations, working with a personal trainer helps improve memory, increase self-confidence and boost their stamina. These are important mental, psychological and physical gains.
Overall, an individualized personal training program for these young adults helps them not only physically, but also emotionally and behaviorally. Since each person is one of a kind, a specific one-on-one personal training program gives me the opportunity to meet specific needs and set individual goals. Parents benefit from these personal training programs too by seeing that their kids are working on skills and successes that will uplift them in every day life.