I have been told that balance is the most important virtue. In a exercise program it is critical to the maintenance to overall health, each component of fitness plays a vital role in achieving optimal health.
We all know by now the importance of cardiovascular exercise and seem to think that’s all we need to do. Strength training is often over looked because of time. Not only does strength training help prevent many chronic health conditions by increasing lean muscle mass improving upon weight control. It minimizes the risk of injury by fortifying our muscles and bones so that we may enjoy an active lifestyle into our senior years. When thought of in these terms the returns are great.
The Center for Disease Control recommends muscle strengthening exercise on two or more days a week targeting all major muscle groups. The goal should be to perform each exercise for 8-12 repetitions to fatigue, no more than fifteen. I encourage 2-3 sets to insure muscle optimal muscle fiber recruitment.
Why all this fuss, because as we age we shrink, we literally lose muscle density unless we keep our bodies challenged through consistent and proper overload. Without proper training women start to lose muscle mass by age 40, men age 50. The earlier you start the better but it is never to late, recent studies have reported strength gains into our seventies.
How many of you set time aside to strength train?
-
