High intensity, short duration workouts where are you working hard and focused the whole time are the ideal workout. In fact, if you are spending two hours at the gym in one session you need to examine why.
It’s true, cardio activity has its place. It’s great for overall body fitness but not the best way to actually lose weight, build muscle or increase bone density.
For most people, the passing years means an inevitable loss of strength, energy and vigor. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. The weakness and loss of energy we associate with getting older and activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries has less to do with aging and more to do with muscle tissue loss from inactive lifestyles.
The recommendation is now that people over 30 start strength training to increase their bone density in order to stave off arthritis, obesity, osteoporosis, various cancers and a host of other medical problems caused by low bone density and lack of proper exercise.
Strength training is sometimes known as resistance training or weight training but it should not be confused with other sports like power-lifting, body-building or weightlifting which are in a different category altogether.
Strength training is exercise that employs resistance of some sort – the use of barbells, dumbbells, machines and other equipment to improve strength, keep your body and it’s systems it tip-top shape as well as your overall fitness, appearance and or sports performance.
The idea behind strength training is to make the muscles, bones and tendons work harder than they are accustomed to working in everyday activities.
This in turn stimulates the body to increase its strength in order to meet the demands being placed on it.
Strength training is your best defense against disease and has the potential to reduce the signs of symptoms of many disease and chronic conditions in the following ways:
Arthritis – Reduces pain and stiffness while increasing strength and flexibility
Diabetes – The more muscle, the less the risk for diabetes. If you already have diabetes, extra muscle allows for better blood sugar control.
Osteoporosis – Builds bone density and reduces risk for falls.
Heart disease – Reduces cardiovascular risk by improving lipid profile (blood fats) and overall heart/lung fitness.
Obesity – Increases metabolism (your bodies engine), which in turn burns more calories every minute of the day or night. This helps with long-term weight control.
Back pain – Strengthens back and abdominal muscles to reduce stress on the spine.
Not only does strength training work its magic physically and make you feel good from the outside in, it makes you feel good from the inside out. It reduces depression, improves your sense of well-being, and boosts self-confidence and self-esteem.
You become very centered and accepting of your place in life because you are in touch with your body as well as your mind. Your outer strength carries through to your inner self and your inner strength is made stronger and carries through to your outer self.
Your confidence skyrockets when your body is strong and looks toned, trimmed and healthy. You become ruler of your realm rather than being servant to it.
Truth is, strength training is the real key to staying young, vital, strong and independent throughout your entire life.
What are you waiting for?
Everything you need to know to slow down and even reverse the aging clock can be found in anti-aging library of help…“Reclaim Your Longevity.”
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