Lifting weights is not only for bodybuilders and professional sports competitors. Weight lifting works your muscles and they return the favor by evolving to become stronger and firmer. If you would like to remain toned and close to your desired weight, muscle is the magic formula. Lean muscle tissue is considerably more effective at burning excess calories than fatty tissue is. For almost everyone, beginning a routine of light weight training will most likely result in much more energy and clothes that fit much better, if not outright weight loss.
Muscles that have been strengthened through weight lifting help to protect you from personal injury also. This strength training fact is exceptionally beneficial for more mature individuals who may be developing weakened bones. Not too long ago, a study conducted of folks in their 80s and 90s confirmed that weight lifting with light weights a couple of times every week afforded even these somewhat elderly people with an increase of agility and strength, decreased their blood pressure, and raised their spirits.
Like aerobics or many other types of exercises routines, weight training takes many forms. When we think of free weights, we think primarily of barbells and dumbbells. Barbells are long bars with removable disk-shaped or donut shaped weights clamped to the ends. Dumbbells are the same but the bar is shorter. Barbells are intended to be used with two hands and dumbbells with one hand. Dumbbells can also come as solid pieces of metal in individual weights.
Weight machines or sometimes referred to as universals, are another alternative. Weight machines can come as one big machine for many exercises or as individual machines that concentrate on one particular muscle group.
Weight machines are specially designed with pulley systems and padded seats. These machines provide you with conventional workout routines without individual weights lying around for you to trip over or drop on yourself.
Weight machines also enable you to workout without the need for a spotter, or someone to insure you don't drop the free weights on yourself while in certain positions, so they're generally considered safer than working out with free weights.
Another option is resistance bands which are rubber straps, bands, or tubes that you can attach to your arms and legs and a door jam or something else immobile and pull against.
But the only thing you definitely have to have is some resistance to work your muscles. You could even find items around your house that you could use as weights to provide resistance to your muscles. Some folks have even found that starting out with items such as water bottles or soup cans can begin you on the path of strengthening your muscles.
Don't Forget to Stretch before You Weight Train
Most folks sometimes forget that stretching is a big part of any strength training or exercise routine. Some of us want to jump right into our exercise routines without so much as bending over a few times to reach for our toes. This is not good. Stretching maintains our flexibility and range of muscle mobility. Stretching also helps to ensure that you won't end up pulling a muscle during your exercise routine.
Make sure you allow yourself time to stretch at both the beginning and end of your workout routine. You want to allow time to warm up at the beginning and cool down at the end. Stretch only until you feel a slight pull, not pain. Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. Remember, the key to safe stretching is to move slowly and gently.
Keep in mind that strength training is not just for the young. If you want to remain young at heart, begin today to incorporate some strength training into your day. As always, check with your health care provider before embarking on a new strenuous exercise routine.
Debbie Parkinson is a free lance writer researching and writing on various topics. Debbie's passions are health and pets. Learn more about providing shelter for your pets by visiting her website on Large Dog Houses and Insulated Dog Houses
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