Here's how you can receive the benefits of strength training without being a Rocky in training.
Whatever your aerobic activity is be it power walk, jogging, running, or cycling, it would only enhance your regular workout routine to add strength training 2 or 3 days a week. You don't have to commit to an expensive gym membership to build good muscle tone.
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The benefits of
strength training not only builds good muscle tone, it also increases the size and strength of the muscle, increases bone density, and builds strong tendons and ligaments.
As far as enhancing your regular exercise routine you are far less likely to suffer an injury during your aerobic exercise or any other activity if you have good strong muscle tone. This is because good strong muscles act as shock absorbers. That's right, it's not just for cars!
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Oh, and did we mention there are a whole host of health benefits that come with strength training? And they're free!
You may have heard by now that this may be your best health insurance. Yes, it can lower the blood pressure, and GREATLY reduce the risk for many of the diseases that are diet and lifestyle induced in this great country.
Would you like me to list them? Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and the list goes on, yikes! You already knew that "right?"
Ok, now for more good stuff. Strength training prevents muscle loss. As we begin to age we lose a little muscle each year that is why it is important to add this to our cardio workouts. Just because we wake up one day and suddenly realize we have joined ranks in the golden-aged group, doesn't mean we have to start shopping around for the most attractive canes and walkers.
We should age gracefully. That means we should still be able to run that 10 mile marathon at age 75 that we did at 25 if we maintained the regular workout and built up strong, toned muscles. And guess what? Here is a great piece of fitness equipment that will get you all the benefits of strength training. Fitness is fun again with Total Gym® - Lose weight & get into the BEST shape of your life.
Often people are intimidated when they hear the word
"lift weights" for strength training. Don't be! Weight lifting is not just for body builders you see posed and flexing muscles in the magazines. Once you determine what your goal is for strength training you can decide which types and how heavy of weight or resistance you use and the repetitions you do. For example, if you want to look like the big body builders then you would be lifting heavy weights and push yourself with increased reps to overload the muscle.
But just for beautiful, toned
muscle strength you would go lighter with the weights and lower with the repetitions.
