Whether you have an orthopedic condition such as osteoarthritis, are planning or rehabilitating from an orthopedic surgery such as a patella dislocation repair or want to lose weight and get in shape, a local personal trainer can be a great addition to your health care team. A local personal trainer is a fitness professional who has taken specialized training and certification in fitness. A local personal trainer can help people with orthopedic injuries and conditions such as sports injuries, foot osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, thumb arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and back pain safely and effectively reduce pain and improve mobility. Having a local personal trainer also helps keep you accountable to your fitness goals. If you’re recovering from an orthopedic surgery, working with a local personal trainer can assist you in returning to daily activities sooner and regaining strength. A local personal trainer can put together a customized plan for your needs, whether it’s cardio exercises and yoga, stability ball exercises and lower back exercises or Pilates exercises and strength training. Before you start any type of fitness program with a local personal trainer, you should talk to your local family physician, orthopedic surgeon or rheumatologist to make sure that it’s safe for you.