Strength training plays a key role in our health. Most commonly, people associate strength training with maintaining/increasing muscle mass. However, there are many other benefits to this type of physical activity!
Strength training does a lot for our body, including improving the following:
1. Insulin Sensitivity
2. Metabolic Syndrome
3. Resting Metabolic Rate
4. Lipid Profile
5. Aging
6. Longevity
7. Physical Function and Independence
8. Psychological Wellbeing
Read more on all of the above on our blog here. Along with all of the above, having adequate muscle mass decreases our risk for injuries for a variety of reasons: better balance, decreased fall risk, stronger support to joints, and easier capability of completing day-to-day tasks.
While it is great to know that strength training benefits our health, knowing how to approach strength training can be overwhelming.
Here’s checklist of what you should expect from your fitness trainers and classes. If you’re paying someone to help you reach a fitness goal, here’s what to keep in mind:
- A qualified coach who cares: It’s one thing to be certified and educated, it’s another to feel like the coach or trainer cares! It’s important that your coach listens to you, encourages you, and follows up with you. If you’re really sore after a workout, your coach should be adjusting for your body’s needs. Or, if you miss a session unexpectedly, it’s reasonable to expect to hear from them for that added accountability.
- An environment that excites you: It should feel like a whole experience! A clean facility, regular attention and friendliness from the staff, and a like-minded community are what we prioritize. You may even seek out other attributes like amenities and ambiance!
- A stellar workout that gets you results: An effective workout is measurable, structured, and progressive. Workouts that change movements weekly can feel fun, but they don’t get you long-term results. Look for workouts that show you your progress, or allow you to track what you’ve done week to week. Also look for workouts that change only a few variables on a weekly basis, and aren’t entirely new each time, so you can reach your goals!
We encourage people to lift weights at least 2 days per week, and believe this is the most effective way to manage lean body mass, be proactive about age related diseases, improve metabolic health, and reduce the risk of injuries.
