Poor posture was considered to be no more than an aesthetic concern in the past. In reality, extended periods of this bad habit can result in medical conditions such as tension in the body, poor circulation, impaired lung function, and spine misalignment. A guaranteed preemptive treatment that can be done to eliminate risks for chronic after-effects is through practicing corrective exercises for the posture. While typically associated with body transformations and strength training, personal trainers are also able to assist in restoring proper postural alignment. They can identify specific problem areas that might require more work and create comprehensive workout programs to improve overall posture and body health.

What are the common causes of bad posture?

Bad lifestyle habits

Several activities that are part of daily life significantly affect posture. Over-use of technology in particular can increase postural issues. This is manifested through the development of “text neck” – a condition that results from a forward head and neck. Sitting at a desk job without proper ergonomic support for hours can develop postural issues as well.

Muscle weakness

Insufficient exercise can cause certain muscle groups to be weaker than others. This can result in poor posture as the body is forced to rely on a particular muscle group for stability, leading to tension and pains in that area.

Injury

Muscle spasms surrounding the site of injury occur as a physiological response to keep the injured area stable. Frequent spasms, however, can cause those muscle groups to weaken, eventually resulting in muscular imbalance and poor posture.

How can personal trainers help with posture correction?

Flexibility Training

Putting emphasis on flexibility training can greatly increase the likelihood of improving posture. Exercises under this category are widely linked to an increase of range of motion and extensibility in the muscles, muscle imbalance correction, and relief on the joints. Flexibility training exercises release tension in the muscle, making it easy to sit or stand properly and release tension build up that causes poor posture. Personal trainers should be able to create a tailored routine that focuses on stretching the chest, back, and hips to make significant improvements on misalignments that manifest through slouching, rounded shoulders, and a forward head.

Core Strengthening

The core muscle group is composed of the muscles deep within the abdomen and back attached to the spine or pelvis. They greatly influence posture, movement, and mobility. This is a muscle group that is consistently at work – it’s engaged when walking, standing, moving, and even breathing. Personal trainers help clients develop a strong core through exercises like planks and its many variations to improve muscle strength in the abdomen and the lower back.

Weight Training

Training through use of weights plays a vital role in posture correction. Lifting weights strengthens the muscles on the back, shoulder, and core, resulting in an enhanced overall posture. However, it’s important to note that when incorrectly performed, weight-training can result in pain or injury that can aggravate the posture even further. Hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness training group for starters is a great way to ensure that proper form and routine is executed. It’s never too late to correct your posture. While years of bad posture can take time to amend, it is completely possible to make the necessary improvements. Our experienced personal trainers at Alderley Edge are dedicated to helping you improve your overall well-being – including your posture. For comprehensive training guidelines from our hand-picked team of fitness experts, get in touch with us today.