I've got a cousin who I love very much who is extremely obese, I would guess her bmi is over 60, she used to be in decent shape when she was much younger but is now almost 40.

She has recently been prescribed tirzepatide for weight loss through an online compounder, and is wanting to exercise which I think is great.

However, she went to 24 hour fitness and signed up with a personal trainer, and he has her hitting compound lifts right out of the gate.

Compound lifts are fantastic, but I would have thought given her level of fitness and mobility issues, body weight and mobility exercises would be prioritized first to get her to a functional level of health.

Any pros weigh in? I just don't want her to get hurt and derailed right off the bat.

bam02 said:

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I'm not a pro. Good for you for caring and good for her for caring enough to start.

I'd generous be quite Leary of any personal trainer at a 24 hour fitness but I think starting with compound lifts could be just fine and maybe a wise path to immediately start on so long as he is able to properly coach her given her current condition.

I would think setting a daily walking goal would be good for her, where her that is her primary exercise or as a supplement to the compound lifting she is doing now.

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Yeah, I worked as a personal trainer at 24 hour fitness during my summer breaks at A&M, and it was a sales position with a lightning fast NASM certification course. These dudes are not professionals (at least in the mid 2000's).

I had told her to focus on doing chair squats and wall planks, or literally just moving from her back on the ground to a standing position (she has a hard time getting up from the floor).

I appreciate your answer

Light weight and lots of reps will help condition joints and ligaments and start building some muscle and training for movement. It's not a bad idea. It also motivates beginners to move weight because they feel like they are doing something.

Walking and if she has access to a pool do that.

I'm guessing with bmi and age she is probably perimenopausal.

Water aerobics will be much better on her until she gets the weight down.