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The Importance of Weight Training |
 There are many compelling reasons as to why you should include some weight training programs in your weekly workouts. Read on for handy hints on getting started, preventing injuries, getting the most out of your program, and the equipment you really need for strength training. |
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Weight Training Exercises |
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Balanced strength training will involve all the major muscle groups. Try these strength exercises for an all round workout.
- Push-ups are an underrated exercise.
- Biceps curls will tighten and tone the biceps muscle in your upper arm.
- Triceps extensions will tone up the muscle in the back of your arm. Bent-over row. This exercise is for working out the muscle at the back of your shoulder.
- Chest press. This exercise is great for strengthening your pectoral muscles which you have already used in the push-ups.
- Squats work your thighs, both the hamstrings in the back and the quadriceps (or quads) in the front.
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Safe Weight Training Tips |
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Stretches are vital in both warming up and cooling down. Stretches are also invaluable for loosening up stiff muscles from a day or two before.
- Warming up. To avoid injuries, strains or muscle tears, it is important to warm up properly before lifting those weights. A 5-10 minute stretch routine and/or a cardio warm up is plenty to get the heart pumping harder.
- Cooling down. 5-10 minutes of stretching out all those muscle groups at the end of your workout will both increase your flexibility and keep injuries to a minimum.
- Sore muscles mean you need to take an extra day or two as a rest before training that muscle group again. Listen to your body. Aerobic exercise mixed with your weight training routine is a smart way to reach your health & fitness goals.
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