Resistance training Tips
Read these 10 Resistance training Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Womens Health tips and hundreds of other topics.
Short on time?
Split your workouts. Some recent studies are showing that a split workout can burn more calories than one full workout. So if time's an issue (Gee, there's a thought!) try getting up 30 minutes earlier in the morning for a short-burst 15 minute workout, then steal another 15-20 minutes at lunch or in the evening.
Perk your muscles up
Do supersets - exercises that work opposing body parts one right after the other, with NO rest in between. For example, do a set of bench presses, then IMMEDIATELY do a set of seated cable rows. This will perk your muscles up.
Maintaining proper form
Never sacrifice proper form in order to lift heavier weight. Improper form can lead to sprain or injury, be slow and build your strength steadily.
Benefit of strength training
Moderate weight training can increase a woman's strength by 30 to 50 percent. If your maximum strength is increased, daily tasks and routine exercise will be far less likely to cause injury.
Working up the calves
To work your calves, not isometrically but still with minimal motion, stand with the front half of your feet on the bottom step of a staricase. Hold on for balance. Rise up on the balls of your feet and then let your heels drop below the level of the step.
Challenge your muscles
Challenge and stimulate your muscles by lifting heavier weights with fewer reps. You need to get your muscles to do more than they're used to doing if you want them to "wake
up" and shape up. Be sure you're using CORRECT FORM to prevent injury.
Bicep curls
Biceps curls- "If you can lift 20 pounds but, cannot manage 25 pounds, enlist a workout partner to help you get over your plateau. Have your partner help you curl 25 pounds, and then return to the starting position by yourself. A trainer will describe this as getting help on the concentric contraction (shortening the muscle) and doing the eccentric contraction (lengthening the muscle) by yourself.
Rest interegeral for strength benefits
Your body needs rest and recovery to get stronger, especially before and after a race and after intense weight workout. Hard weight workouts breakdown muscle fibers. Resting after a hard day workout builds back the muscle fibres bringing about an increases in strength. Pushing through a hard workout when your muscles are truly fatigued is not beneficial and can even cause injury.
Looking for a strong abs
Make sure you do your abdominal exercises every day, even if it's just for 5 minutes. Stay committed and you'll see results!
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| Susan Sayour |
