Strength & Weight Training
I’ve never really enjoyed going to the gym.
I used to do it more often before finding Pilates, but it wasn’t my favourite type/way to exercise, (although I did enjoy a good pump class).
It still isn’t my fav to be honest, but I know how good it is for me, so I always do include some in my exercise program.
So why is it so good?
Adding weight/strength training exercise to our routine benefits us in many ways.
– It helps improve our bone health
This is important as you age, as women’s eastrogen levels lower when they go through meanaupose. Adding weight training to our program helps to build up the bone density and prevent osteoperosis, which can sometimes be caused by the changes in hormones.
– It strengthens the joints
Strength/weight training is low impact so it’s a great to build muscle and endurance without stressing the joints, which means less injury.
– It’s great low impact Cardio
If you combine a few compound movements (movements using more than one joint and muscle group) and not rest for long in between, you can really get the heart rate going and get the aerobic benefit you would from running. Just like we do in a tough Pilates or Barre class.
– It helps with weight management
Strength training helps you to burn calories and fat. It helps to increase muscle mass, which helps your body burn off fuel (food) rather than store it as extra energy (fat). The other benefit of strength training is you burn more calories after your workout. Sometimes known as the after burn effect.
– It may help you live longer
It prevents injury and enables us to stay more mobile and independent. It allows us to do more activities and is maybe even more effective than cardio at preventing disease.
– It improves your mood and mental health
Just like all exercise it increases happy hormones. It improves posture and overall strength which also improves confidence.
There are more reasons to do strength and weight training, and these reasons above are just a few.
What I also wanted to note, is that many women believe doing weight training will bulk them up. There is no need to worry about this, as women don’t have enough testosterone in their body to bulk up. Testosterone is what promotes the muscle growth. Strength & weight training will only tighten and tone the body.
Pilates and Barre are also considered strength training. However adding in weights to your workout, is just another way to get the overall benefits.
I’ll be including a lot more weights sessions into the Core Fit Club as time goes on, as I’m incorporating them more myself, and I always like to teach you what I’m doing in my own body.
As always let me know what you think about this topic in the comments below, and be sure to head on over to the weights training section, if you haven’t already checked it out, and give yourself a weights workout!
Lots of love
Em xo
Ps My husband has always done weights training, and sometimes (on the rare occasion/ like me training him) trains me. We have been doing some sessions lately, and I am trying to convince him to come on video and give us all a workout. Watch this space 🙂
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