The Amazing Benefits of Resistance Training

When it comes to exercise, resistance training is often overlooked. Resistance training is an essential part of any fitness program and has many amazing benefits. Taking part in a sound resistance training program will improve the conditioning of muscle tissue and increase metabolism. Metabolism can be defined as the amount of calories the body needs each day to sustain life. An improvement in muscle conditioning and metabolism will result in the reduction of body fat and give the body healthy lean appearance.

What is resistance training?

Resistance training is a form of exercise that challenges the muscles of the body by applying resistance to a movement. Methods of resistance training include using one's own body weight, stretch bands, free-weights, machine weights, medicine balls and anything else that will apply resistance to movement.

Who can benefit from resistance training?

People of all ages can benefit from resistance training. From teenagers to seniors the benefits of resistance training are unmatched by any other form of exercise. When starting any fitness program it is recommended that you seek the knowledge of a certified fitness profession.

Why should one apply resistance training to their fitness program?

Aside from improved muscle conditioning and an enhanced metabolism, resistance training has number of other great benefits.

Additional benefits of resistance training include:

* Enhances physical appearance/Increases lean muscle/Decreases body fat
* Increases energy
* An increase and restoration of bone density
* A decrease in coronary disease
* Increases strength, power and endurance
* Injury prevention
* Aids in rehabilitation and recovery from injury
* Increases (LDL) good cholesterol
* Slows the aging process
* Improves balance, flexibility, stability and mobility
* Lowers resting heart rate / Lowers blood pressure

Some closing tips to apply to your resistance training program:

1. Perform a 3-5 minute warm up on a piece of cardiovascular equipment before beginning you resistance training routine. This will help you avoid injury and improve the quality of your workout.

2. Stretch before (after warm up) and after your resistance training program. This also will help you avoid injury and improve the quality of your workout.

3. Perform your resistance workout before performing your aerobic workout. This will maximize the benefits of both your resistance and aerobic training workouts.

4. Perform each set of resistance training to the point of momentary muscular failure while maintaining proper form. This will maximize muscular conditioning.

5. Exercise large muscle groups before small muscle groups. (i.e. Chest before Triceps)

For additional information about this article and articles similar to this please visit http://www.lakenormanfitness.com or you can e-mail me at craig@ncprecisionfitness.com

Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT
Precision Fitness NC, Director

Craig is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and is the Director of Precision Fitness Mooresville. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 12 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus' on health and wellness. He has recently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer ? Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

---

Want to Do Everything Better? Build A Strong Core

Core strength and stability is increasingly recognized as a vital... Read More

Muscle Building Tips and Supplements: Dos and Donts

Packing on Muscle mass involves a lot of dedication and... Read More

Body Part Isolation vs. Complex Movements in Strength Training - Build Real Muscle Instead of Fake!

Working as a fitness professional, there is one type of... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - One-Arm Dumbbell Rows

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Muscle Gain Visualization Tips

Visualization can play an important part in gaining weight and... Read More

Increase Your Training Intensity - Training To Failure

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate... Read More

Back Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

From a bodybuilder's perspective one of the most important body... Read More

Building Better Biceps

Two of the nine pivot points - those stunning body... Read More

3 Amazing Ways to Shape Up Your Muscles in Less Than 7 days!

Imagine you need to look great to get all the... Read More

Bodybuilding on a Budget - It Doesnt Have to Put Your Wallet in a Wheelchair

As you probably remember the last time you looked at... Read More

Questioning Proper Abdominal Training

Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More

Dorian Yates Secret: What Lean People Are Doing To Get That Way

A consensus has arisen within the bodybuilding world over the... Read More

Do Electric Ab Stimulators Really Work?

Electronic muscle stimulators are the latest craze, the hottest fad...... Read More

How Long Should You Rest Between Muscle Building Sessions?

In an earlier article we concluded that muscles must be... Read More

Building Muscle Mass With A Power Cycle

Building muscle mass with a power cycle. Desperate for pounds... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Lying Triceps Extension

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Hair Removal Tips For Bodybuilders

One of the most time consuming and frustrating parts of... Read More

Know Your Muscles - The Chest And Upper Back

Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More

Muscle Building Workout For This Week!

As experts says, "NO PAIN, NO GAIN." This specially applies... Read More

Build More Muscle and Lose More Fat by Discovering the Power of Training Variables!

Everyone will inadvertently hit a frustrating plateau in their training... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Hammer Curl

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Strength Training Strategies that Actually Work

Over the years there has been a surge of different... Read More

The Basics Of Dumbells And Dumbbell Workouts

Dumbbells are integral to a long term fitness and personal... Read More

The How To Guide for Six Pack Abs

First off I want to mention that, for most people,... Read More

An Amazing Technique That Can Make Your Gains Skyrocket While Others Have Reached A Sticking Point!

If you clearly understand and apply the principles involved in... Read More

Chest Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders

The chest area is one of the easist muscle groups... Read More

Train for the Look You Want

So the Olympics are almost upon us. While you have... Read More

Weight Training Terminology For Beginners

Weight training is one of the best ways to shape... Read More

Muscle Building Workouts at Home!

Most people make an excuse that they don't have time... Read More

Comeback Bench Program

For those who are not familiar with my name, I... Read More

The Seven Pillars Of Success

VisionEnvisioning the end-result is enough to put the wheels in... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Wrist Extension

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Muscle And Fitness -- The Third and Final Key To Successfully Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Before delving into Muscle And Fitness ? The Second Key,... Read More