Strength Training Tips
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Strength training is a vital part of any fitness plan. The advantages for your body of building muscle are numerous. As you age, weight training helps you to maintain your metabolism, keeps your bones healthy; and improves your body’s strength, power, endurance, and lean body tissue. With a little effort, strength training can make a dramatic difference in how you look and feel. Here are some key points about strength training for those of you who are deciding to start a program…and if you are already well-versed in weights than let these serve as a good reminder!
· Always warm up before you start lifting weights. Spend a few minutes getting your body temperature up and your blood flowing. This will help prevent injuries.
· Lift and lower your weights slowly. Make your muscles do the work. Swinging your weights around and using your own momentum to lift is not only dangerous but won’t help your results. If you cannot lift a weight without swinging it, it is too heavy.
· Breathe. Always good advice! Don’t hold your breath. Exhale during the hardest part of the exercise.
· Don’t stop halfway. Make sure you are using full range of motion throughout the movement.
· Keep your lower abdominals tight to protect your back. Pay attention to your posture and keep everything nice and tight to avoid injury.
· Start out slowly. Don’t do too much to soon. Not only is that inviting injury but also your muscles will tell you about it the next day and the next day and the next day. To avoid burning out and being unable to move, prepare your body by starting gradually. Concentrate first on learning proper technique and form and safety!
Cheers,
Eve :-)
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