A number of students have asked recently about weight training as we age.
Don’t think weight – think resistance.
Also known as strength training it involves pushing or pulling against the resistance of an object (and that object can mean a number of things) In some yoga practices for example that means using your own body weight as resistance. Including a regular practice where you add light weights to yoga poses (think chair, warrior II or balance poses) is a great way to add strength training and full body conditioning even if you don’t have a regular yoga practice.
The key to resistance training is applying external resistance to your muscles and gradually increasing that resistance over time and within your own range of motion, its not about lifting heavy weights, bulking up or creating stress. It’s about moving with intention – breathing correctly and putting form over speed and momentum every time.
You can book a class at www.bookwhen.com/bodhi or a 121 session by contacting us on 07810 754017
When can resistance training make a difference?
The short answer is always. Muscle mass and strength increase steadily from birth and reach their peak at around 30 to 35 years of age. The good news is that studies have shown that resistance training could slow and, in many cases, reverse the changes in muscle fibres associated with aging.
It’s worth noting that all weight-bearing activities fire up bone-building cells called osteoblasts and resistance training is especially potent in this area. As well as helping create stronger bones resistance training has also been proven to help reduce the risk of diabetes and may improve cognitive function in adults. So if you want to learn about improving your health through resistance training don’t think weight lifting choose a class or session that is designed to deliver what you need. www.bookwhen.com/bodhi
