Have you ever wondered who really is the authority on physical fitness? Let's take a look at a physician, perhaps a graduate of a prestigious medical school, who did his residency at an outstanding medical center. But like most middle-aged male doctors, he's a little paunchy, and looks no more physically fit than the next middle-aged Joe.

Is he an expert in how to exercise? Or in what exercises to do? Well, to the extent that if he discovers you have a hole in your heart, he had better warn you about exercising too intensely until the hole is repaired, if possible. If he finds that you have brittle bones, would he know to warn you against isometric exercises? A good personal trainer sure would.

How about the 75-year-old man down the street who has a degree in economics and has no medical training whatsoever, but this chap is seen running his daily five miles in the neighborhood, has washboard abs, broad shoulders and muscles that don't look a whole lot different than when he was 35. The only difference is that his hair is now grey, and his skin is crinkled.

But he can knock off pushups, goes on hikes, and hits the gym three times a week for an hour. He shovels neighbors' driveways, and mows his lawn without a hitch. NOW whom would you rather consult for exercise advice? That doctor mentioned above, or this old-timer who can bench press 200 pounds?

Did you know that exercise program design is not offered in the medical school curriculum? Doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating disease, not in preventing it. If doctors focused on disease prevention, they'd be out of business or close to it.

How many physicians stick to an exercise program? Some doctors smoke. Gee, some are addicted to prescription drugs or even illegal drugs. Some are heavy drinkers. Many are very overweight. When's the last time a doctor won a fitness competition?

Now, if your physician just happens to look like a real specimen, and he looks years younger than his age, has no sagging chin, no drooping shoulders, and a lithe, buff body, then yes, he surely must know a lot about how to achieve a physically fit body.

But just because a person has "MD" after his or her name, doesn't mean he knows more about exercise and working out, than a certified personal trainer of quality. In fact, where has it ever been established that physicians are authorities on running, cardio exercise, aerobics, strength training and lifting weights? Doctors are great at being doctors and cutting people open, but leave the fitness and exercise stuff to personal trainers as well as lay people who possess remarkable physical conditioning.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/268026/who_knows_more_about_fit...