Guide To Strength Training

Happy 2018!  Let's start the year off with a chat about strength training.  I try to incorporate strength training into all of my classes because there are so many benefits of it.  According to the Mayo Clinic, strength training can help you reduce body fat, increase lean muscle mass and burn calories more efficiently.  Other benefits include: 

• Increases bone density
• Speeds up metabolism
• Improves body mechanics such as coordination, posture, flexibility and balance
• Reduces your risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, back pain and depression

Men and women alike should be strength training. People of all ages including those over 50 should do it too!  Strength training isn't just barbells and dumbbells it includes bands, suspension systems and balls.  Mix it up and use weights one day and something else the next time. 

You might be asking, "how often do I need to strength train"?  Well, for optimum results you need to strength train three days a week.  Always warm-up your body before any type of workout, especially strength training. Your body needs to get blood flowing to the working muscles gradually.  Start a warm-up on a piece of cardio equipment for at least five minutes. 

Most people don’t realize that osteoporosis and thinning bones are preventable. There are things you can do to make them stronger and help reverse the condition.  Strength training is one of these things.  A program of strength training not only improves bone density but reduces falls, improves arthritis symptoms, and increases flexibility and strength.  It’s never too late to start strength training and improving your life!