I used to be a cardio girl.
My idea of exercising was to take a variety of cardio classes, work up a sweat on the treadmill,
the elliptical machine and the exercise bike and leave the gym feeling great about myself.
I had been reading a lot about the importance of resistance training but I didn’t make a change
in my workout routine until I consulted with Tre, a fitness trainer at my gym last month.
Fine-tuning my fitness routine by working with a personal trainer was one of my 2015 goals.
Tre evaluated my stats and asked me what my goals were.
Since they included fat loss, muscle toning and weight loss, he suggested a workout plan that
was high in resistance training–3 days a week–along with cardio on alternate days.
He prescribed resistance training for me for several good reasons.
People of all ages can gain substantial benefits by including resistance training in their
exercise regime.
Here are 6 important benefits of resistance training
#1. Strengthens Muscles
By adding resistance training your muscles will become stronger and this will help you with balance,
which becomes all-important as we age.
#2. Improves Bone Density
Research has also shown that resistance training improves bone density and this is an important
aspect of good health for people of all ages.
Bones are constantly ‘growing’ as with all parts of the body, however this process slows down as we age.
Resistance training helps to address this aging process by maintaining good bone density.
Post-menopausal women are particularly prone to problems relating to bone density as their hormones
change and they can benefit considerably from resistance training.
#3. Burns Fat
Along with proper nutrition, resistance training is one of the most effective methods of reducing fat.
And along with fat reduction you can expect a leaner body.
Muscle burns fat so any program that increases your muscle mass will help to burn the fat.
You are effectively burning fat to feed the muscles.
#4. Supports Heart Health
Research has also proven that resistance training has many other beneficial effects for your health
by lowering blood pressure and lowering your heart rate while at rest.
This will obviously reduce the risk of heart disease.
#5. Helps You Maintain Active Lifestyle
The additional strength that can be gained from resistance training serves to help anyone lead a more
active lifestyle.
Even older people can find noticeable improvements in their health from resistance training.
By becoming stronger, elderly people also become more independent as they will be less likely to rely
on others.
#6. Live Stronger and Longer
With the added benefits of strength, fat loss, balance and the ability to slow the aging process, there is
nothing quite like resistance training to help you live longer and be happier along the way.
Resistance training doesn’t need to be something that rules your life–even a little bit of training
will benefit you.
However, doing it consistently will result in a better return for the time you invest in your health.
A Sample of My Resistance Training Routine
1. Leg Curls – 35lbs – 12 reps
2. Leg Extensions – 75lbs – 12 reps
3. Run up and down 4 flights of stairs – 2 rounds (Cardio)
4. Incline Cable Chest press – 35lbs – 12 reps
5. Cable Pulldowns – 80lbs – 12 reps
6. Bike – 1 minute (Cardio)
7. Side Laterals – 5lbs – 10 reps
8. Tricep Kick Back – 5lbs – 12 reps
9. Kettlebell Swings – 10kg – 22.2 lbs – 30 seconds
10. Leg Raises – 20reps
11. Side Bends – 10lbs – 10 reps each side
It was an exhilarating workout.
We ended the session with some stretches.
Then he reminded me to ingest some protein, so I dashed next door for a get a fresh,
plant-based protein smoothie at Juice Generation.
They blended banana, almond butter, hemp milk, blueberries, raspberries and a vegan
protein powder into a healthy and delicious protein-rich post-workout pick me up.
I ended my workout with more cardio–40 minutes on my favorite elliptical machine in this case.
Then I packed up my stuff and headed home feeling lifted and strong!
Do you include resistance training in your fitness regime?
What kinds of exercises do you do?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
“Shared on #wowlinkup Workout Wednesdays”
I have been suffering with debilitating arthritis in my right hip for the past few years. Even though my orthopedic doctor advised against it, I went ahead and had hip replacement surgery just a couple weeks ago. One of the reasons I decided to go through with it at my age (43) is because I miss being able to MOVE and exercise. I am already free of my old hip pain and I know I made the right choice. I am pinning this to refer back to your strength training routine when I’m able to begin an exercise regimen again – I can’t wait!
My weight loss journey was mostly cardio with some resistance training thrown in the mix. Now that I’m at goal I’m more interested in resistance training to get stronger.
Hi Cassi,
Yes, I love cardio but I now see how important it is to include a significant resistance program in my routine. It’s even great for balance. I’m learning a lot.
On my weight loss journey I started resistance training and it was the best thing I ever did 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.
Hi Amberjane,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your weight loss journey with me and thank you for pinning my post! I appreciate it.
Hi Deborah! Great post! I pinned it for future reference. 😀
Hi Vashti,
I am so glad you found this information useful. Thank you so much for pinning it!
Love that you included a sample of your workout for us! I resisted strength training for awhile, but eventually gave in and actually quite like it. I noticed more muscle definition very quickly and my actual strength improved dramatically. I still love my cardio though and I like how this still incorporates cardio =)
I see you are really enjoying your weight training sessions. They say that weight training elevates for metabolism up to 48 hours after finishing your workout routine. #wowlinkup
Yes, I really appreciate the benefits of weight training. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.
I believe in resistance training and highly recommend it!!!! Looks like you had an awesome workout and that smoothie looks awesomely delicious. #wowlinkup
Hi Diatta,
My fitness trainer is a big proponent of protein shakes after our resistance work out, so he makes sure that I stop and take a protein break before moving on to my cardio workouts.
I am also a cardio girl, but now you’ve made me very interested in resistance training. Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesday…we love having you! 🙂
Hi Natasha,
I am having so much fun with resistance training now. Of course, having the right guidance helps a lot. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.
Strength training is so important – especially for women as we age. When I went to the doctor last year for my checkup, she was thrilled that I had been trying to add more of it into my workouts #wowlinkup