Thursday, November 1, 2007

Benefits Of Weight Training

What is Weight Training?

Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It challenges your muscles by forcing them to adapt to the stress of the weights. Weight training differs from bodybuilding, weightlifting, power-lifting and strongman, which are sports rather than forms of exercise. It requires supervision to ensure sound technique in pursuit of safety and efficiency. Weight Training is a proven life changer because it builds muscle, fastens metabolism, burns fat, and is the basis of a strong firm muscular body.

Weight Lifting Tips

Before you get started on setting up your routine, keep a few key points in mind: Always warm up before you start lifting weights. Your warm-up session before lifting weights should include stretching exercises, calisthenics, and jogging. When you begin each lifting exercise, use small amounts of weight at first and then progress to heavier weights to help p! revent injury. As you begin lifting, always lower the weight slowly through each repetition instead of just letting it fall. This will ensure that the muscles are receiving the maximum benefit at the same time limiting the risk of injury. Do not hold your breath while lifting weights. Breathe in on the relaxation phase and out while performing the resistance/lifting part of the exercise. When lifting weights - either free weights or on a machine - make sure that there is always someone nearby to supervise or spot you.

Muscle Growth

Muscle strength is gained by overloading the muscles and weight-lifting will increase strength fastest. Muscle growth depends on the muscle fibre type activated and the pattern of recruitment. Muscles grow while resting, so pushing yourself as hard as you can seven days a week won't do you any favours. Muscle groups should be worked a maximum of twice a week if using splits and three times if using full-body routines.

Burning Fa! t

If you want to lose fat or change your body, one of th! e most i mportant things you can do is lift weights. Weight training helps to maintain the bodies fat within acceptable limits. A pound of muscle burns 60 calories per day whereas a pound of fat only burns 5 calories per day. Lifting weights builds muscle, and muscle burns calories. Therefore, the more muscle one has, the more calories that will be burned throughout the entire day, resulting in a firmer and leaner body.

Conclusion

The benefits of weight training are not limited to muscle growth and burning fat. These are just typical reasons why people begin to lift weights in the first place. Whatever reason you choose to weight train, make sure proper technique and safety are the number one priority. With this said, with a little hard work and the desire to gain as much knowledge on the subject of weight training, there is no doubt in my mind that it will increase the overall quality of your life.

Matthew Erickson writes on health and fitness related issues. You c! an learn more by visiting my blog at http://homegym-equipment.blogspot.com/

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