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The Case for Resistance Training

October 5, 2009


iStock_000001263809XSmallLifting weights or performing any kind of resistance training is hard.  So, why do it?  Here are a few of the reasons:

1. Doing so helps you to gain muscle, which in turn makes it easier to attain and/or maintain a lean body.

2. When you build muscle, it increases your metabolism, which is a primary reason #1, above, occurs.

3. Diet along with resistance training can help to lower elevated blood pressure (check with your doctor before engaging in resistance training).  Generally it is acceptable to use moderate loads and fairly high repititons (15 – 20) in this case.

4. Resistance training decreases the risk for osteoporosis.  Strength training and weight bearing exercise (walking, running) help bones to remain strong and dense.

5. Your posture may improve.  Strength and flexibility are the keys to correct body alignment.

6. When we feel strong, look strong, and think that we’re strong, our self image and self esteem improve.

7. Positive changes in blood lipid profiles occur.  Exercise (and losing fat) help to raise the “good” cholesterol (HDL) level.  Of course, diet (healthy eating) is important in lowering the “bad” cholesterol (LDL).

8. Stronger tendons and ligaments.  Strength/resistance training cause the muscles to become stronger and along with the stronger muscles, the thickness and strength of tendons (which connect muscles to bones) and ligaments (connect bone to bone) improves.

These are just a few of the benefits we can derive from resistance training.  So, don’t you think we ALL should make it a regular part of our lives?

Darryl

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18 Responses to “The Case for Resistance Training”


  1. Keri Eagan says:

    YES I do! So many benefits here
    Gimme some weights…

    Keri Eagan
    Anything Alternative

  2. Rob Northrup says:

    Those are eight compelling reasons to do this. I just need to get started…

    Seize the Day,
    Rob
    Emergency Preparedness For the 21st Century Family

  3. Lisa says:

    I like point 5 and 6. Sounds like good enough reason to me!

    MissMentor

  4. I did a lot of weight training when I was younger and I think it is still serving me.

    I need to get back to it.

    Martin O’Connor

    http://smallbusinessdesigncenter.com

  5. Hi Darryl,

    these are all excellent reasons to incorporate resistance training weight lifting or rubber band sort of tools into a total fitness program. Great points, indeed!

    Happy Dating and Relationships,

    April Braswell

    http://www.aprilbraswell.com/BoomerDating.html

  6. Some fantastic reasons to do resistance training.
    I go play on the climbing wall as it’s a good balance of slow and explosive movement using your body weight as resistance – and for me it’s less monotonous.

    http://www.martin-wright.com

  7. This motivates me more to keep doing push-ups

    Jose Escalante
    http://www.joseescalante.com

  8. These are 8 fabulous reasons Darryl. Some I knew about, but some I didn’t. I used to go to the gym years ago. I enjoyed lifting weights and hated cardio. I was pretty toned after a while. Then I moved and stopped going. Then had kids and got a little lazy. When I finally got back into it, it was so much easier to get back the tone that I had than it was to create it originally. So maybe it’s true that muscle has memory.

    Lisa McLellan
    Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies

  9. You really increase motivation because you explain the benefit of putting the time and effort into eating right and exercise.

    Jennifer Battaglino

    The Harwood Center – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fears, and Anxiety

  10. Katie says:

    Excellent! Yes, resistance training is good for body and mind. This is particularly important for women AND, it is never too late to start!

    In a study, women over the age of 70 were able to regain bone density (not 100%, but better than losing!) by adding in a simple resistance training routine for (if my memory is correct) 20 minutes, 3 times a week.

    No reason we can’t add that in. Save your body and look great!

    Katie

  11. Kate McKeon says:

    Agreed! Short bursts of resistance training are far more effective for me thanlong drawn out workout sessions. Resistance training allows you to target multiple major and minor muscle groups simultaneously.

    Get more bang for your body buck!

    Kate

  12. Vicki says:

    I love walking so that is easy for me. I’ve never done weights and feel like it would be boring but great for the body in the long run. Maybe a mix in the routine would be a good thing.

    Vicki http://www.bridal-threads.com

  13. Resistance training has always been my favorite.

    Steve Chambers
    Sales Training Speaker

  14. John Ho says:

    I always wonder in weight training, is the magnetic, hydraulic or the mechanical sytem is the best?

    John Ho
    Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion

  15. Yes, a lift 3 to 4 times a week. Nothing big just to stay toned up.

    Robert Martin
    http://www.carbuyinghq.com

  16. Pam Schulz says:

    I try and do resistance training with light weights while I walk – don’t have the time to do it any other way.

    Pam
    Expert Houston Retirement Planning & Wealth Management Services

  17. JJ Jalopy says:

    Resistance training was always my favorite at the gym. Just need to get back in there..

  18. [...] and gaining muscle has several advantages, some of which we covered in a previous post.  Two that many people find particularly appealing are that muscle is metabolically active (i.e. [...]

 

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