The Basics of Strength Training

What is Strength Training?
Strength training involves repetitively moving muscles against resistance in order to strengthen them. Strength training can be performed on exercise machines, or with weights (barbells and dumbbells). Beginners are usually recommended to start with exercise machines, because if the settings are adjusted correctly, there is less risk of injury or of performing an exercise incorrectly. Once we become comfortable with the proper form and technique of strength training, using the weights can add more variety and portability to our strength training programs.

What are the Benefits of Strength Training?
Strength training is important in strengthening our muscles because as we get older, our muscles tend to atrophy, or get smaller and weaker. The saying holds true, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” If we don’t continually strengthen our muscles through some type of resistance exercise, they will continue to weaken. Strength training can begin at any age, but only light resistance training is recommended for children or adolescents still growing. Strength training is especially important for the older adult, so they are able continue to carry out their activities of daily life. For those that participate in regular resistance training, only a fraction will have the ability to develop noticeably large muscles. The majority of us involved in strengthening exercises three times a week, will begin to develop a toned, lean, muscular appearance. Becoming stronger and leaner will also help to increase our self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, making us feel more confident in all our daily endeavors.

Resistance training increases not only our muscles, but it also increases our bone strength therefore if it is performed regularly it may decrease our risk of osteoporosis. Because an increase in muscle size also correlates with an increase in metabolism, resistance training can help us maintain our desired body weight. Muscle is more metabolically active than body fat, which means it requires more calories. If we have more muscle mass, we will burn more calories during non-strenuous activities, like sitting in a chair.

 

Check out these websites for places on-campus to excercise: Campus Recreation: http://fsu.campusrec.com Leach Center Group Exercise: http://fsu.campusrec.com/leach/ FSU Exercise and Relaxation Courses: http://apps3.oti.fsu.edu/RegistrarCourseLookup/SearchForm (Look under Sports Management, Recreation Management, and Phy in Department for a listing)

 

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