The Importance of Resistance Training

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN

Personal trainer helping woman at gymMany Americans are aware that about two hours and 30 minutes of exercise each week is necessary to stay healthy, and many of those individuals choose an aerobic activity, such as running or biking. However, recent research has shown that splitting your two hours and 30 minutes of exercise between varied activities—aerobic and muscle-strengthening—improves health the most.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, adults should aim to do muscle-strengthening activities, such as weightlifting, at least two times a week. Right now, only about 1 out of every 3 adults meets this goal.

A common misconception that many people have is that muscle-strengthening activities are more suited for men, which may stem from the misguided belief that women will “bulk up” too much from that type of exercise. However, women generally do not have the same level of anabolic hormones, which is what causes men to build larger muscles more easily.

In fact, muscle-strengthening activities are extremely important for women to engage in because they are more likely to develop problems with their bones and joints as they age. Increasing muscle strength—through weightlifting or other resistance training—can help prevent those problems.

Resistance training can also help with the following:

  • Increasing flexibility and balance, which decreases the number and severity of falls a person may experience as he or she ages
  • Maintaining proper weight, as people who have more muscle mass have a higher metabolism—sometimes up to 15 percent higher

Before beginning a new exercise routine or changing up an old one, speak to a medical professional to ensure you are healthy enough. And remember that commitment to a regular physical activity program is more important than the intensity of your workouts, so be sure to choose muscle-strengthening exercises you enjoy.

How Much Exercise Do You Need?

Posted on by TP Mechanical Contractors

Presented by TP Mechanical | Provided by HORAN

Personal trainer helping woman at gymWhen it comes to physical activity, any exercise is better than none, and a lot is better than a little. Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving, but messages promoting exercise often lack a strict definition of the amount of exercise needed to attain health benefits. In the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concluded that adults need two types of physical activity each week to improve overall health: aerobics and strength training. HHS recommends:

  • Two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week and two or more days a week of muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups;
  • One hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week and two or more days a week of muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups; or
  • Two or more days a week of an equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups.

Yoga people training and meditating in warrior pose outside by bModerate-intensity aerobic activities include brisk walking, water aerobics, bicycling slower than 10 mph, ballroom dancing or gardening. Vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise includes jogging, running, swimming and bicycling faster than 10 mph. Major muscle groups include legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms.

Exercises can be completed in as little as 10-minute intervals, while still providing health benefits.

However, keep in mind that these numbers are just the minimum recommendations. Older adults are advised to perform additional physical activity. Moreover, all adults will gain greater health benefits for performing any physical activity above the minimum recommendations.