Resistance Training-Why do it?

Before kids, I dabbled in and had a running bug for a while. I went to the gym regularly, occasionally took a cardio class, wandered over to the machines and did one machine per muscle group, went to the free weight area and did some bicep curls, chest flies, shoulder flies, etc.

But did I know what to do? No. I just kinda copied what others were doing at the gym It was really willy nilly…

Did I know the importance of resistance training? No. I was one of those that had to get a lot of cardio (or so I thought).

Do I know now? Yes. Cardio is important, but what I have learned since is that resistance training is equally as important, if not more.

I learned a lot from doing the ChaLEAN Extreme program at home. I had great results from resistance training. My weight and body fat percentage dropped in a surprising way. I have since done P90X, P90X2, Les Mills PUMP and other resistance training because I know the importance and I like the results.

So now to the meat, why should we strength train…my reasons:

1. Strong is the new skinny (and sexy-in my opinion)!
2. You burn more calories even when not lifting weights. It burns more calories maintaining and recovering (building back up) the muscle fibers when not working out than it does to maintain your fat cells. This means your metabolism is working all the time!
3. Lifting weights will help you lose more body fat. As you build muscle mass your body pulls more energy from your fat stores!
4. Makes life easier. I can carry a lot of groceries into the house in one trip!
5. Resistance training is good for your heart. In 2000, the American Heart Association (AHA) gave cautious approval of strength training for those with heart disease and in 2007 AHA came out with new training advice claiming moderate strength training has big benefits. I plan to be around for a long time to enjoy my kids and grandkids-no thank you heart disease.
6. It is also shown that resistance training improves sleep, posture, brain health for better focus, builds stronger bones, and reduces risk of diabetes. All good things to improve, reduce or prevent in my book!

It is a myth that women should not do resistance training. Most women will not bulk up because they do not have enough testosterone in their bodies to create bulky muscles. Women get long lean muscle from resistance training.

If you would like help finding a resistance training program or other program, contact me or check out the Fitness Store to check out the programs offered.