When most people think about strength training, they tend to envision bulky body builders at the gym. While this type of commitment to physique is impressive, it is not necessarily the right fit for everyone. Further, the focus on fitness that can be maintained is trending towards lean muscle and tone, as well as strength that lets people get the most out of their lifestyle.
Strength training is not just about pumping iron. It can actually be done with little to no equipment, since it is really about pushing or pulling against some form of resistance in order to generate better power and exertion from the muscles. This means that big does not always equal strong, and it also means that real strength needs to be measured from within.
So, What Is Strength Training?
Strength training is an ideal way for beginners and even advanced athletes to keep their muscles and their bones healthy, for a lifetime of wellness. Along with generating lean muscles, strength training also helps to keep bones strong, since the resistance workouts activate healthy bone growth. As a training regimen, it can be adopted by people of any age, and can even help to relieve some of the progressive damage of aging.
One great example of how versatile strength training can be is the use of water weights. This type of resistance exercise can be used to just stay in shape, but it is also pivotal in physical rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water ensures that there is less stress on healing joints, but the push and pull of the weight in the water lets people get healthy through building strength.
Of course, many people who already work out or are just getting started aren't worried about these kinds of issues. However, training with resistance bands or even just using body weight as the catalyst can keep the musculoskeletal system healthy for a long time.
But let's face it, everyone wants to look good as well as feel good, and strength training accomplishes that as well. Different routines can be scaled to use lighter or heavier weights, and they can even be done at faster speeds to burn fat as well as build muscle tone.
So, what is strength training? It is quite possibly the best fitness fit for anyone.