You know that regular exercise is important for good health, but if you've been sedentary for a long time, you may not know where to start. While cardio exercise such as brisk walking is good for burning calories and making you feel good, you don't want to overlook strength training. Strength training is beneficial for men and women of all ages since it can be tailored to your fitness level. Here's why it's good for you and how you can get started.
The Benefits Of Strength Training
Strength training helps you build muscles, but you don't have to worry that you'll turn into a bulky body builder. Instead, you'll just develop strong muscles that improve your appearance and make daily life easier. When you're physically strong, you can pick up your kids and carry things without injuring your back. Your posture improves as your core muscles get stronger. Strength training even makes your bones stronger, which is important as you age. In addition to being good for your muscles and bones, strength training is good for your cardiovascular system. It helps improve blood flow, which keeps your muscles healthy. Plus, strength training is fun. It isn't as boring as running on a treadmill or walking around the block. You'll feel good after a workout and this helps boost your mood so you feel better mentally as well as physically.
How To Get Started With Strength Training
If you like the idea of going to a gym and working out on equipment, then that's an ideal way to start. Going to a gym can also double as a social outing that keeps your mind active too. Working out in a group or with a buddy is a good choice for older people and single people because it keeps you motivated and provides social engagement while getting you in shape. However, you don't have to join a gym in order to do strength training. You can do exercises at home even if you don't have any equipment at all. Exercises such as push ups, lunges, calf raises, and jumping jacks will develop your muscles and give you a good workout. You can learn these exercise routines from books and DVDs, but the best way is through a personal trainer.
Consider A Personal Trainer At First
Whether you work out on complicated gym equipment or do simple exercises at home, you need to have good form to get the best results and to prevent injury. The best way to accomplish that is to learn the moves from a personal trainer. A trainer looks at your individual fitness level and develops a training plan to help you achieve your goals. A senior adult takes a different approach to getting in shape than a young adult. The last thing you want to do is start training at top speed and pull a back muscle and spend the next several weeks recovering. A trainer helps you start your program on the right foot so weak muscles develop first that will support your back and core as you work out. You'll learn the proper form for all the exercises in your routine so you can get quicker results too, which will keep you motivated.
Even if you've been sedentary for a long time, it's never too late to start strength training. When you have strong muscles, you'll have better posture and balance. This improves your appearance and prevents back problems. You'll derive many benefits from strength training if you do it properly and consistently. You may notice an improved mood and better health, which makes the effort to exercise daily worthwhile.
Share