top of page
Search
statement of purpose for my website:
I want to persuade a largely uneducated group of personal trainers that the certification they can currently get, should not be enough to become a trainer. I do not want them to think that I believe they are underqualified and undeserving of their positions; instead, I want to bring awareness to their client's mental health and push for more education backing their certificates for their own success and their client's safety.
Summary of Mental Health America's Article The Risks Of Exercise: Too Little And Too Much May Affect Psychological Health.
It is well-known that exercise and fitness have a multitude of physical and mental health benefits. Even though this information is wide spread, 80% of all Americans still do not get enough exercise to receive the benefits. This can be caused by lack of motivation that can stem from a mental illness such as depression or just losing interest in the act of exercise.
Potential effects of not getting enough exercise:
weight-gain
cardiovascular disease
Although adequate amount of exercise can be beneficial to both the body and the mind, you can workout "too much." In this case, it is called exercise addiction and usually goes unnoticed. This affects about 3% of the population.
Since this addiction is similar to compulsive behaviors, it causes sufferers to have mood-enhancing effects such as reducing anger, depression, and boredom. This is usually seen as dedication and validated from peers and coaches, but is as very real as any other addiction.
What exercise addiction looks like:
exercises an unreasonable amount
exercises through chronic and debilitating injuries/illnesses
needing more and more exercise for the mood-altering effects
not taking rest days
workout schedule begins to have negative consequences on relationships and work responsibilities
People with an exercise addiction usually have a second or third addiction such as nicotine, drugs, sex, or work. (about 25%) Some addictions that are closely associated are caffeine, shopping and eating disorders.
Neal, T. (2017, May 12). The risks of exercise: Too little and too much may affect psychological health. Mental Health America. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://mhanational.org/blog/risks-exercise-too-little-and-too-much-may-affect-psychological-health
bottom of page