Welcome to the latest JA Fitness newsletter. If this is your first experience, the idea is to provide you with information about health and fitness. If you choose to follow the advise, that’s great. If you ignore it but come back to it another time, that’s fine too. The old copies of my newsletter are stored on my website, so you can always find out information when it is needed.
This month I would like to deal with the benefits of strength training. Don’t be put off by the thought of body builders lifting huge weights at the gym, grunting and sweating. There are great benefits:
- Improvement of joint stability
- Increased bone density, very important as we get older
- Improved posture
- Improved body shape
- Decrease in the risk of injury, particularly from a fall
- As with any type of exercise, it increases self confidence
Strength training can start by simply using your body weight, such as sit-ups and press-ups. This can then progress to hand weights, resistance bands, body bars and medicine balls. If you do not have any equipment you can simply use something from the kitchen cupboard. A tin of beans perhaps - as long as it is small enough to sit in your hand without falling out.
The key to effective strength training is that should not be too hard. The weight should not be so heavy that you can only do 2-3 moves. You should be able to do 8-12 of each exercise, as this becomes easier the weight should be increased.
I would really be interested in your experiences. Perhaps you would let me know how you are getting on or you can ask me if you need some advice.
If you do not wish to receive future newsletters please send me a message on info@jafitness.co.uk. Likewise if you know someone who would benefit from fitness advice please send me their email address.
I hope you enjoy this information and that it helps to keep you fit, healthy and happy.
Good luck
Jane Ardley
May 2005