the only people who lifted any type of weights were bodybuilder, power lifters and athletes and prisoners. Forget about seeing a women in a gym lifting weights... "I don't want to bulk up and look like a man." was the common fear. However, research has shown everyone at any age can benefit from a regular strength training program.
Strength training has evolved through the years. In the early days
the only people who lifted any type of weights were bodybuilder, power lifters and athletes and prisoners. Forget about seeing a women in a gym lifting weights... "I don't want to bulk up and look like a man." was the common fear. However, research has shown everyone at any age can benefit from a regular strength training program. Don't be misled by the term Strength Training. You don't have to workout like a bodybuilder to benefit from a strength training program. You can reap benefits whether working out in a gym or home. Your strength training can involve free weights, weight machines, resistance bands, kettlebells, your own bodyweight or a combination them all. I personally have seen people in their 90's (my since passed friend/client Herb) who started strength training with me at the age of 91. He couldn't make it up the stairs in his home. After a few weeks strength training was able to walk up and down the stairs and see all his World War II memorabilia that was stored up there. I also reaped the benefit of hearing all his cool stories as well! So why should everyone include strength training as part of your fitness routine? Glad you should ask! Below are a list of reasons I've come up with; Improves Balance And Stability The stronger your muscles, the better your ability to not only maintain proper balance but you will be able to compensate more effectively if you do find yourself off balance and falling. Improves Ability To Perform Daily Activities You will be able to carry the groceries from the car to the house, laundry basket up and down stairs etc. more effectively and take less trips to complete the job. Improved strength will allow you to perform tasks such as get the lid off the jar and lift things out of your way. Increases Muscle Strength The average person who doesn't perform strength training may lose between five and seven pound of lean muscle every decade over the age of twenty! You may be in your thirties or older and think to yourself, "I weigh the same I did when I was in my twenties." However, the body composition may be completely different. You may have lost 7+ pounds of lean muscle tissue and instead made up the difference in bodyfat! Increases Your Resting Metabolism Muscle is a living tissue which requires nutrients to exist. The more muscle you have on your body, the better you will be able to more effectively burn calories even at rest! This will help you reach your bodyfat loss goals more effectively. Decreases Risk Of Osteoporosis Consistent strength training can increase bone density and may even reverse damage from years of inactivity. By increasing bone density, in the event of a fall or injury, your body will have a better chance at avoiding breaking a bone or injuring a joint. Creates Muscle Balance And Proper Body Alignment We've all seen the senior person with the rounded shoulders and slouched back. Unfortunately we are also seeing this trend in youth and middle aged people as well! We are a forward nation... everything we do is forward. From hours spend hunched over a keyboard, to driving, reading, eating... a majority of our daily motions involve forward movement. By having a proper strength training program, we can create muscle balance which will increase proper posture and elevate muscle soreness and bad posture. Increased Connective Tissue Strength Regular strength training increase tendon and ligament strength. A proper strength training program also strengthens the muscles that support our joints to allow them to track properly reducing injury. Aesthetics Let's face it, Americans... and my fellow Canadians, are a visual society. We unfortunately are judged by how we look. It's unfair but it's a reality. Our first impressions are usually based off appearances. Overweight, out of shape people are generally viewed as unorganized, undisciplined people while fit people generally are viewed as organized, motivated and able to complete tasks. Now before you start sending me hate emails, I didn't say I agree with the statement. By adding a strength training program to your fitness routine, you can literally sculpt and shape your body. I always use the example, we are all like chunks of clay (some of us have more clay to work with than others), weight training are the tools used to sculpt and shape the clay to create a piece of art. I could go on and on about the benefits of strength training... these are just a few. Both men and women of any age can benefit from strength training. You don't need to spend hours in a gym to reap benefits. It can be as simple as a regular 15 minute calisthenics routine to a more advanced 5-6 day split strength training program. Depending on your goals, age and motivation, everyone should include strength training to improve their quality of life.
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Josh McCabeAs a Personal Trainer, I am here to help you live the healthiest life style possible! This includes eating habits, workouts and just living well! Ask questions, share ideas and cheer one another on! Categories |