Implementing a Successful Routine – Weight Training
Now I get the opportunity to discuss one of my favorite past times - weight training. Working out with weights has not always been something I enjoyed, and when I started about 7 years ago, I had no idea what to do to get the results I wanted. It wasn't until I became a personal trainer and starting applying my knowledge to the weight room that I experienced changes in my overall health, sense of well being, and of course my physique. This mind and body transformation helped me to develop a great amount of passion for working out. Being able to watch and see what a difference it has made in not only my own life, but the lives of my clients and friends, has had a huge positive impact on many lives.
Anytime we try to start something new we cannot expect to be the best at it. Many people working out in the gym have some specific goals - less body fat, bigger muscles, better abs, increased strength, etc. Whatever it may be, we want to achieve these things and do so as efficiently as possible. When it comes to proper weight training, I think we can apply the saying "practice makes perfect". When a child learns to walk for the first time, they do not just get up and walk perfectly. There is a certain learning curve and a process that we go through. Once we have learned the proper way to workout, and if applied correctly to ourselves, then it is almost impossible to not achieve exactly what we want.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of weight training for people of all ages with various goals. Here are just some of the benefits of having the appropriate weight training program:
- Tones your muscles, which looks great, and raises your basal metabolism. This causes you to burn more calories 24 hours a day. You'll even burn more calories while you're sleeping.
- It can reverse the natural decline in your metabolism which begins around age 30.
- More energy.
- Strengthens your bones reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Improves your muscular endurance.
- Weight training makes you strong and strength gives you confidence and makes daily activities easier.
- Less prone to lower-back injuries.
- Decreases your resting blood pressure.
- Decreases your risk of developing Diabetes, Colon cancer, Coronary Heart Disease and many other diseases. Increases your blood level of HDL cholesterol (the good type).
- Improves your posture.
- Improves the functioning of your immune system.
- Lowers your resting heart rate, a sign of a more efficient heart.
- Improves your balance and coordination.
- Elevates your mood!