Top Ten Reasons to Get Hooked on Strength Training
By Chad Tackett
Strength training is critical for achieving your fitness
goals and this article discusses the many benefits of a strength training
program. In addition to this helpful article, be sure to take our FREE
Fitness
Analysis
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Why do some men and women, in the effort to improve their
fitness, still resist strength training? Here are some motivating ideas
for building strength training confidence and helping you understand
why this method of exercise is so very important to your success…
1. Strength train to lose fat:
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting an exercise program
is not including strength training with their cardiovascular exercise
and low-fat eating regimen. This is unfortunate because when we cut
calories without exercise, we can lose muscle as well as fat. And when
you lose muscle, your body becomes a lot less efficient at burning fat.
However, when you gain muscle through strength training , you can actually
condition your body to burn fat more efficiently...24 hours a day!
2. You feel strong and fit: It's a great
feeling when you look in the mirror during your strength training workout
and see your back muscles, biceps, shoulders, and legs flexing. If you're
unsure about proper lifting technique, hire a personal trainer for a
few sessions. The money you invest is well worth it, as is the time
and energy you put towards an effective program. And strength training
can definitely increases your confidence. It's a wonderful feeling to
feel strong, especially after a workout. You look forward to looking
in the mirror, and actually like what you see.
3. You have more energy:
Even if you're just starting out with a few basic strength training
exercises, very quickly you won't believe how fantastic you'll feel.
Instead of making an excuse to skip your strength training workout,
you'll make excuses to do just one more set. Plus, with the excess fat
you're going to lose, there will be less of you to lug around and therefore
less fatigue.
4. You’ll finally see the results: Knowing
what to do makes all the difference. Many people go to the gym for months
- even years - and wonder why they're not getting any results. Well,
it's because they're doing the same darn strength training workout every
time.
This is a critical point: you can either quit out of frustration,
or you can become a sponge for knowledge and get some help. Get your
hands on fitness magazines, books, the trainers at the gym, ask other
successful exercisers, or hire a coach. Learn what you need to do to
make your strength training program successful. Acquiring the knowledge
and getting help is all you need to get hooked.
At first you may question what you're doing: are you going
to get too big, are you wasting your time, how do you know this will
work? But then you see other men and women who have been strength training
for years and they look terrific. Here's the telltale sign that your
strength training program is working: you start to see definition and
feel firmness in muscles you never thought you had.
5. You won't get bored:
I suspect many people don't strength train because they think it will
be boring. Just remember to change your strength training routine every
3-4 weeks to keep things fresh and your body responding to your strength
training. Change the reps, the sets, the weight, the rest period, the
exercise order, etc. Strength training only gets boring if you allow
it to.
6. You have everyday, functional
strength: Strength training does wonders to help you with activities
of daily living: Housework, yard work, moving furniture, and carrying
bags of groceries without gasping for air and pooping out within minutes.
If you have a medical condition such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis,
lifting weights can be a godsend. You can rely on weightlifting to keep
you strong where once all your strength was gone.
7. You have a stronger back:
Juggling a 30-pound toddler and a few bags of groceries while pulling
out the stroller can put your back in a compromising position. When
you lift strength train, you strengthen your upper and lower body, which
reduces strain on your back when you're forced to lift heavy loads.
Plus, don't you think it would feel really good to walk around knowing
that your back is as tight and toned as your legs?
8. You can train at home:
Have you been putting off getting started with your strength training
program because you felt you had to belong to a gym? You can implement
a very effective strength training no matter where you are. Invest in
some dumbbells and an adjustable bench and you're set. Get some exercise
videos or books that focus on strength training; now you can lift weights
on your own anytime you like.
9. You can get rid of pain:
Do you have limited range of motion in your joints? A bad knee? A wrenched
neck? Bum shoulder? Strength training promotes strength in your joints
so you have ease of movement. That old knee problem improves enough
for you to can go hiking in the mountains for days without pain. No
pain, more endurance. You can do more outdoorsy things - and have fun
while doing them!
10. You build stronger bones: Bone responds
to strength training the same way that muscles do, by becoming stronger
and denser. Building strong bones can be the best defense against osteoporosis.
You're more active, more mobile, and without lower back pain. And age
doesn't matter; you can start when you're 65 and still experience tremendous
benefits from a strength training program. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START
A STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM!
I hope you found this information helpful. Your greatest
challenge is not learning new exercises or the proper strength training
technique; it's not learning how many sets or reps to do or how much
weight to use. Nor is it deciding when or how to change your strength
training routine. The greatest challenge facing you at this moment is
deciding whether you are willing to take action and make time for yourself
and make strength training a priority.
When you begin achieving great results, the excitement
and fun you experience will make the change and time you've spent well
worth the effort. Action creates motivation! Good luck: I hope you enjoy
all the wonderful benefits of an effective strength training program.
And don’t forget, click here to take our FREE
Fitness
Analysis
for a free sample strength training program and for the book, Big Fat
lies!
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