Why YOU Should Weight Train

Did you know that you need to train your bones? Your bones protect your internal organs, support and frame your body and they store excess minerals that are essential for your health, like calcium. As you get older, your bones get weaker, causing problems such as osteoporosis and increasing likelihood of broken hips if you fall. One important way to strengthen them is to perform weight-baring exercises - bones react to this by becoming denser and stronger.

Weight training may seem intimidating for a lot of people, women in particular - those who've never been inside of a gym or who are scared to step onto the other side, past the cardio machines to where those big, loud, sweaty men dominate and rule the land, where testosterone flows freely, metal music blares from too loud ipods and gleaming muscles bulging out of grunting bodies are pressing more pounds than most people weigh - I can see why some women are hesitant, or even men.

I know it can appear a bit overwhelming at first but honestly, in this day and age there is no excuse for ANYONE not to weight train or do weight baring exercises. Go to a womans gym. Buy a couple of sets of free weights and work out at home. Hire a trainer. Join a bootcamp. Do an exercise video. Join Tae Kwon Do, or aqua-aerobics or go for a run. If you can't run at first, that's ok! Walk and run a little bit, for 30 seconds, then a minute, then longer. Over time, you will build up aerobic capacity aka strength in your lungs which is great, and by actually running, your body is getting the weight baring workout I'm talking about - the hard hitting, impact workout. That doesn't mean it needs to hurt, but it does mean you need to shake things up a bit. Literally.

Walking or using cardio machines like the elliptical, bike, or rowing machine is great, but please don't make the mistake of thinking it is ALL you need. Low impact exercise has many benefits, but it will not strengthen your bones nor give you firm toned muscles. If you are overweight and you lose weight, you will still lack definition as well as the sexy roundness and curves of someone who has sculpted their body with resistance training.

Yes, some resistance training IS necessary. Like what? Well, starting out with adding simple things like running or skipping is a good idea. To get the best results, you should try doing exercises like squats, lunges, push ups, tricep dips, pull ups and crunches. These are just a few things that you can do in your own home (all except pull ups, you need equiptment). Try to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing a variety of them. You can google any of them and find out exactly how to do them, if you don't already know. Or hire a trainer who will show you. That is, if you're serious about making changes.

Building muscle will speed up your metabolism!! Your body will work more efficiently, burning more calories while you are immobile! A pound of muscle will use up about 6 calories per day, just sitting there, while a pound of fat will burn only 2. Using weights will make your body look and feel younger, I guarantee it. You will strengthen areas that you may have had problems with, like your lower back, using a simple floor exercise like Superman. Just remember to go slow, focus on working the muscles that you are engaging in the exercise, and breathe out on the exertion (the hard part).

Training with weights is not just for meatheads. It's for you! Every single one of you. It will help you age slower, reduce the likelihood of injury, improve your balance and co-ordination and, this is a huge one for a lot of people I work with - increase your confidence and self-esteem. It just makes you feel so damn good, ya know ?