Weight Training – What to Know Before You Train
Weight training is much different than general exercise. Exercise helps you stay in shape. Weight training, on the other hand, is the process of losing weight and building strength through weight lifting and other muscle building exercises. If you want to lose weight or build muscle mass and strength, weight training is your answer. Combined with a healthy diet, weight training can help you lose those extra pounds and replace them with energy, endurance, and muscle tone.
However, you can’t start weight training one day and expect to lose 30 pounds and have a tone physique in a week. Weight training takes pre-planning, time, persistence, and determination. If you’re serious about losing some pounds and building your energy and muscle tone, but have never even thought about weight training before, here is some information you need to know before you ever touch a weight. This information is important if you want to start your weight training off on the right foot, and will help you establish a more precise and personal weight training program.
Before you Train, Research
Weight training differs from person to person. Your weight training program needs to be tailored to you, and based on your goals and existing weight and health. So, before you start lifting, do some research. Find out specifically what exercises you should be doing to achieve your goal. Different exercises and exercise machines affect different areas of your body. The number of times you perform a specific exercise (also known as reps), also effects the way your body will react to the workout. If you have questions about your weight training program, you can also consult a weight training trainer. Any health club will have a weight trainer on hand to answer any questions. Some even offer their weight training services and can personally assist you throughout your weight training regimen. You can also go online or consult weight training magazines, books, and articles to find out exactly which exercises you should be doing, and how to utilize those exercises to reach your goal.
Before You Train, Stretch, Breathe, and Stand Up Straight
The objectives of weight training are to burn fat, build muscle, and improve the health of your body. However, if you don’t weight train properly, you can do more harm to your body than good. When you’re weight training, remember these fundamental preventative practices:
Stretch
Before you even think about lifting a weight, warm up with a few stretches or a few minutes on the treadmill. Your body needs to warm up before you start manipulating it through exercise. Stretching helps prepare your muscles for your workout and also prevents possible injury.
Breathe
Holding your breath when you lift weights or exercise can increase your blood pressure and lower your strength during your workout. You need maximum strength when you weight train, so remember to breathe throughout your workout. For breathing techniques on a specific weight training exercise, ask a weight training specialist.
Stand/Sit Upright
Your posture during your weight training is very important. You don’t want to slouch or hunch over. Keep your spine as straight as possible when you lift and exercise. By maintaining good posture, you’re making your body work harder. Hunching or slouching during a work out is cheating, and counter-productive.
If you’re serious about getting in shape and want to start weight training, don’t run off to your local health club just yet. Do your research and learn proper techniques to weight training before you join a gym, purchase home exercise equipment, or run that first mile. By doing your research and being aware of how to properly weight train, you’ll be able to create a more effective weight training program and achieve your health goals quicker.
|