Monday, April 28, 2008

Weight Training for Beginners

Are you considering the addition of weight training to your regular fitness program? There are plenty of good reasons to do so. Weight training can keep your bones and muscles strong, preventing conditions like osteoporosis as we age. It can keep our joints healthy and fit so arthritis is also less of a problem in the retirement years. This type of fitness program is also extremely effective in sculpting and toning the body, giving you the shape that you have always dreamed about. Finally, this type of exercise will increase your metabolism and help you to burn fat more effectively during your cardio workouts. Are you ready to pump some iron? Read on for the best tips to hit the weight room with some fitness savvy.

What to Take and How to Dress The great thing about weight training is that you can head to the gym with very little equipment to speak of. A towel is always good to have, and some gyms will supply clean towels to their members. A fully loaded water bottle is an absolute must, since you will need to drink frequently to keep yourself hydrated during the workout. If you find that lifting weights gives you calluses, you can also invest in a pair of gloves that are specifically designed for this purpose. Finally, wear comfortable clothes, like shorts or sweats and a t-shirt that will make it easy to move throughout your weight training program.

What to Expect The first step that you take into a gym may be an intimidating one, especially if it is filled with muscle clad men who know their way around all of that serious equipment. Take a deep breath and try to relax, because you will be one of those gym gurus before you know it! If possible, enlist the help of a personal trainer for at least your first session or two, since this professional can show you the ropes and teach you the proper way to use all of the machines. A good rule of thumb for beginners is to shoot for about ten repetitions on each machine, rest for one minute, and then do another ten before moving to the next piece of equipment.

It is also important to note that weight training is not something that should be done every day. Your muscles need time to rest and rebuild between these sessions, so wait at least a day in between weight training workouts. Make sure that you hit all of the major muscle groups, beginning with the larger muscles like those in the chest and back and working down to the smaller muscles like the biceps. You will begin to see and feel results of your weight training sessions in as little as a month or two, which will inspire you to stick with the program until you reach your fitness goals.

About the Author

Britney Smith is an internet marketer full time and she writes in various topics , learn more about Health Fitness Exercise Website here : http://muscleshape.info/