The importance of strength training...it's for EVERYone

(as heard on Calvary 88.5 FM 1/22/10)

Did you know that exercise doesn’t just include aerobic movement such as running, walking, biking, and working out on the elliptical trainer? Strength training is an extremely important component to your exercise routine. And not just for body builders or fitness buffs…for everyone whether you’re 18, 40 or 78 years old! The benefits of strength training are vast and valuable. Strength training:

· Increases your lean body tissue

· Boosts metabolism

· Helps balance and coordination

· Improves the symptoms and can reverse arthritis, osteoporosis, back pain and much more

· Prevents Sarcopenia, which is just a fancy word for losing muscle mass as we age.

Studies show that we start losing muscle mass at a rate of 1% a year staring in our 30s and 40s. So what? Well, it’s a big deal to lose muscle mass. Not only will you have a higher percentage of body fat which puts stress on your heart, can lead to diabetes and some other horrible things, but keeping your muscles means keeping your balance, preventing osteoporosis, and sustaining our abilities to do every day tasks well into the aging process.

So what can you do? Eat a balanced diet full of health foods such as lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains and start strength training…now! Pick up some weights or do body weight exercises such as push-ups, pull ups, sit ups, etc. You will be doing your body good for years to come.

Feeling overwhelmed by weight rooms, don’t have access to equipment or just not so sure how to strength train? If you belong to a gym, take advantage of the facility’s free equipment orientation. If you will be doing your strength training at home, start with push ups, squats, lunges and dips.

You can also always hire a trainer to help put together a personal strength training routine for your needs and goals. E.H. Fitness offers a wide variety of training packages or individual sessions to help you with an introduction to weight training and personalized weight training programs. Visit http://www.ehfitness.com/ or e-mail Erin at erin@ehfitness.com.