Archive for the ‘Strength Training’ Category
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 |
In many articles and in common usage you will hear or see weightlifting and strength training used as if they are the same thing. They technically are not. Weightlifting is a type of strength training, but it is not the only one. The whole idea of strength training is to build muscle mass. Muscle mass is built by forcing muscles to work harder against an opposing force. In weightlifting that force is gravity. You use your muscles to lift either a free weight or a weights on a machine to overcome gravity. But there are other types of strength training too - such as resistance strength training, in which you use the muscle to overcome resistance like that of a resistance band, or resistance machine that uses a series of pulleys. Or Isometric strength training that pits one muscle against another. Still most fitness professionals agree one of the best methods of building muscle is to strength train through weightlifting. And for the purposes of most discussions about how we build muscle and the many benefits thereof, strength training and weight lifting can be considered interchangeable. In fact prior to modern times where much more has been learned about physiology and exercise, and other methods of strength training exercises have been developed, strength training and weight training were pretty much interchangeable terminologies.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 |
One of the ways that medical professionals determine if you are overweight is by a rating called body mass index. BMI is an approximate measure of body fat based on weight and height proportion. BMI was designed to get an approximation or snapshot of body fat - it can over estimate Body fat in those with a lot of lean muscle mass, like weightlifters. BMI is calculated by taking your weight in pounds, multiplying by 703 and dividing that number by your height in inches squared. Compare the results as follows:
BMI
Weight Status
Below 18.5
Underweight
18.5 -24.9
Normal
25 - 29.9
Overweight
30 & Above
Obese
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Monday, June 23rd, 2008 |
Weightlifting is probably the single most effective exercise you can do to improve health and general fitness. Weightlifting raises your metabolism. Weightlifting builds strength and self-confidence. Weightlifting can improve your game no matter what sport you are active in. Weightlifting improves cardio function and heart health. Weightlifting can even strengthen bones and lessen or prevent the symptoms associated with osteoporosis.
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Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 |
In weight lifting it is important to know the proper techniques to achieve the desired benefit of a given weight lift exercise. Lifting incorrectly not only can work the wrong muscles but also may cause muscle strain or other injuries. Despite the popular motivational expression “no pain - no gain”. Weight lifting when done correctly should not hurt, if you are experiencing physical pain during or after a weight lifting workout, chances are you are using the wrong amount of weight or incorrect technique.
This is a preview of
Weightlifting Techniques - The Proper Deadlift
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Read the full post (611 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)Posted in Strength Training | No Comments »
Saturday, June 21st, 2008 |
They don’t call them “soccer moms” for nothing. Soccer has become one of the most popular team spots and athletic activities among kids and teens today. And if you really want to see them improve their game, and prevent injuries, you should have your teen age soccer players get into a good weightlifting and strength training routine.
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Friday, June 20th, 2008 |
To achieve the proper benefit for any given weight lift exercise you must know the proper techniques and do it right. Incorrect lifting technique can work the wrong muscle groups, or worse result in strain or other injuries. The idea of “no pain - no gain” refers to the burn or the tingle you get when you have worked a muscle to the point that will result in its coming back stronger. Weight lifting is not supposed to hurt, and if it does you are either using inappropriate amount of weight or improper technique.
This is a preview of
Weightlifting Techniques - The Proper Squat
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Read the full post (539 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)Posted in Strength Training | No Comments »
Thursday, June 19th, 2008 |
When it comes to team sports you probably envision that only football training camps have a huge weight room. And yes a lot of NFL players will strength train and bodybuild much the same way as bodybuilders and weightlifters, but there isn’t a sport out there whose players can’t benefit form weightlifting and strength training - and baseball is no exception. Have you looked at the arms on any power hitter lately?
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 |
Years ago the conventional wisdom was that athletes, especially athletes that relied on speed like track and filed stars - should not weightlift or strength train. There was the thinking that they become too “muscle bound” and cannot perform well due to heavy or bulky muscle. Well Sports Medicines practioners and professional trainers know that that is simply not true. Weightlifting and strength training can and does improve the ability of anybody, any athlete in any sport - even track and field.
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 |
Tennis itself is a great and fun way to exercise and stay in shape for people of all ages. But what exercises can you do to improve you tennis game? Simple answer - weightlifting and strength training. One of the main reasons that fitness and health professionals alike have begun to recognize weightlifting and strength training as the perfect exercise, is that it is not only is the best workout you can get for overall wellness, but with isolation weightlifting and strength training exercises, and even compound exercises that target specific muscle groups, you can customize weightlifting routines to improve your performance for any game - even tennis.
This is a preview of
Best Weight Lifting Routines for Tennis Players
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Read the full post (433 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)Posted in Strength Training | No Comments »
