Weight lifting should be part of any fitness program. It is a great way to increase your strength and is an excellent exercise choice for nearly everyone. Weight lifting can help with strength, weight loss, and general fitness. Weight lifting is a very safe and effective form of exercise, when performed correctly and consistently. Weight lifting is a valuable form of exercise for most people, from the teen to senor years.

Unfortunately, some of the benefits of weight lifting are not widely known. Weight lifting is essential for good health. One positive aspect of weight lifting is that bone density will increase with consistent training and aid in the prevention of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone thinning disease that can lead to serious fractures. Osteoporosis adversely affects many women after menopause and some men in their senior years. Girls and young women should concentrate on building strong bones in order to decrease their risk of osteoporosis later in life. Women undergo rapid bone loss after menopause, when levels of estrogen drop significantly. The more bone density they have at that time, the more prepared they are to battle osteoporosis.

Rather than thinking of using weights to pump up, we must remember that weight lifting is imperative for maintaining good health. Besides improving bone density, using weights to exercise will increase muscular strength, improve coordination, improve balance, decrease body fat, and can lead to better overall health. And for those interested in weight loss, you may enjoy knowing that the more muscles you build, the more calories you will burn.

If you have never used weights to exercise, weight lifting is not something that you should start on your own.  Weight lifting can be a very safe form of exercise, but you should seek the help of a fitness trainer to help get started. An experienced fitness trainer can assign an exercise routine and teach you how to perform each exercise safely. Beginners should use machine weight lifting in order to become accustomed to the proper motion and learn safely. Those more advanced can build strength efficiently with dumbbells and barbells. 

Once on your own, be sure to perform each exercise with perfect form before increasing the weight. Three great exercises for the upper body are the chest press, shoulder press, and wide-bar pull down. For more variety in your fitness program an exercise routine may include pull-ups, rowing, biceps curls, and triceps extensions. Popular lower body exercises include step-ups, squats, and the leg press. Besides weight training, body-weight exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups are very effective when performed correctly. It is best to perform a variety of exercises, appropriate for your fitness level, to ensure you have a well rounded fitness program. Performing the same exercise routine over and over will eventually result in a plateau. Your muscles will have adapted to the routine. At that point you must change the exercise routine otherwise you could decrease your chances of reaching your goal.   

Weight lifting should be part of your complete fitness program. Cardiovascular exercise such as walking on a treadmill or using an exercise bicycle should also be performed on a regular basis. And of course, flexibility exercises must be included in each workout in order to keep the best possible range of motion throughout your body. As previously mentioned, weight lifting, when performed correctly and consistently, is essential for a healthy life.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a new exercise program. Keep in mind that you should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health. 

By Karen Goeller, CSCS

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