Every and any kind of workout is good (#truth); except if you are calling sitting on the couch, watching TV a workout (#false) . . BUT if you are looking for a workout that gives you the best ALL AROUND results with the most fat loss, you are talking about incorporating weight training into your life or present fitness routine.
Let me just say right off the bat, yes weight training is hard, yes adding exercise to your DAILY life is hard, change is hard my friends. It is always easy just to skip it, be lazy and do nothing for the rest of our lives. Is it the right thing to do? Meh, everyone will have an answer here. . . Is it the right thing to do for your health? Absolutely NOT.
So if your intention is to live a healthy, long and ‘capable’ life, then being active is your route.
So back to the title of this article why are weights your friends? You have to remember what is in our future, a natural part of the aging process called Sarcopenia aka muscle loss.
So lets look at a list of benefits for cardio/aerobic exercise according to Healthline article:
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps regulate blood sugar
- Reduces asthma symptoms
- Reduces chronic pain
- Aids sleep
- Regulates weight
- Strengthens immune system
- Improves brain power
- Boosts mood
- Reduces risk of falls
- Safe for most people, including kids
- Affordable and accessible
Here is a quick list of what weight/resistance training gives you besides the size of your muscles from a US news article:
- Lower abdominal fat.
- Better cardiovascular health.
- Controlled blood sugar levels.
- Reduced cancer risk.
- Lowered injury risk.
- Strengthened mental health.
- Improved flexibility and mobility.
- Elevated body image.
- Osteoporosis prevention and management.
- Boosted brain health.
- A longer lifespan.
That last bullet point is a big one, ‘a longer lifespan” wow! EVERYONE has their own share of life variables and its a shift of priorities, health first. Your health should already be at the top of your list of priorities shouldn’t it? BUT what is the #1 way to fight sarcopenia? Resistance/weight training. Makes sense right? Here is the article to read if you choose from Healthline.
So if you look at these 2 particular lists, many of the same points are made but the biggest differences are weight training increases resting metabolic rate AND up to 38 hours post exercise your caloric burn is boosted. PLUS, shape change. Adding muscle changes the shape of your body, cardio just makes a smaller version of the shape you are now. Finally, consider the aging process, weights are your friends.
So YES any workout is a good workout BUT for the most “bang for your buck” aka most benefits, you are talking weight/resistance training.
So this is what I have seen every time I walk into a big box gym during peak hours, what is being used more than anything? The cardio machines. People walking, running, using the elliptical etc. And how it should be is there should be a waiting list for the weight machine/free weight room.
Of course I have no idea if this is their second workout of the day OR if today happens to be just a cardio day for them. BUT I will say as a personal trainer, I know most people go to the cardio machines first. Why? Well its easiest thing to do first. You step on whatever machine, press the green button for go and you can start to exercise.
Second, cardio machines are less intimidating because they are almost self explanatory and for many that is all they can muster and I say JUST DO IT, if your life is that complex right now, something is way better than nothing. Congratulations for sticking to it.
Third, some folks don’t know what the other side of the gym is for. Fourth, don’t even know where to begin. LOTS of ways to approach weight training and let me tell you it does not have to feel like you have been hit by a bus every time you lift a weight. There are those who appreciate that type of workout BUT I prefer being able to function the next day and more importantly be able to get to my next workout.
And that is where I come in to help. Consider me a guide, a health and fitness consultant or a personal fitness manager. I can show you a path that is doable with your present schedule.
Want a tested and proven weight loss beginner 12 week weight workout that you can do from home for $8.25/week? Need this kind of help? Leave a reply. Need me quicker, call 469-312-0657 OR email me info@fit-appeal-com.
Chat soon!
Coach Tanya
