Physical Therapists Help You Get Fit!

This was a news release from last year by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) but is very applicable in the beginning of this new year with everyone's resolutions to get fit.  Read more to learn how to stay safe in your new endeavors of physical fitness...

New to the Gym? Physical Therapists Help You Get Fit – Safely – in 2011

ALEXANDRIA, VA, January 7, 2011 — New Years’ resolutions have an 80 percent rate of failure

by Valentine’s Day, but Americans can increase their success by sharing their commitment with

others. The American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA’s) Move Forward campaign is

helping individuals keep commitments by starting the conversation online and providing fitness

tips for those who are heading to the gym.

For new, potential, and even returning gym members, APTA launched 12 instructional videos

featuring physical therapist and APTA member Robert Gillanders, PT, DPT. Dr. Gillanders

demonstrates correct posture and form for selected core, leg, shoulder and arm exercises. These

exercises, in conjunction with a regular cardiovascular routine, will help individuals strengthen

target areas. Gillanders’ advice will also help individuals exercise with less risk of injury.

“One of the most important things to remember is the overall form of the exercise,” Gillanders

said. “It’s going to help you be less vulnerable to injury. Physical therapists have extensive

knowledge of the way the body moves and are also able to adjust workouts for pre-existing

conditions, and these videos will help get Americans off to a good start in 2011.”

To help individuals stick to their New Years’ fitness resolutions, @MoveForwardPT invites people

to share their progress every Friday in January on Facebook and on Twitter via #MovePT. Join

the Move Forward PT community on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter via @MoveForwardPT. For

more information on how a physical therapist can help individuals achieve their fitness goals, visit

MoveForwardPT.com and read more about the benefits of physical activity.

About APTA

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 74,000 physical

therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide. Learn more

about conditions physical therapists can treat and find a physical therapist in your area.

Consumers are encouraged to follow us on Twitter (@moveforwardpt) and Facebook.