Why Strength Training Is so Important for Optimal Health, by Dr Joseph Mercola

Below is an excerpt from an article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, osteopathic physician explaining the importance of strength training for optimal health. This is one of the best articles I’ve read on the benefits of weight lifting. It’s a must read.

Research confirms that exercise is the best “preventive drug” for many common ailments and chronic diseases, from psychiatric disorders and pain to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. As stated by Dr. Timothy Church, director of preventive medicine research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.

“Exercise strengthens the entire human machine — the heart, the brain, the blood vessels, the bones, the muscles. The most important thing you can do for your long-term health is lead an active life.”
Unfortunately, many make the mistake of focusing on cardiovascular exercise to the exclusion of everything else. Strength training is overlooked by many for a number of different reasons. Women may think they’ll bulk up and look manly, the elderly might worry about it being too strenuous or dangerous, and parents might think weight training is too risky for their children for these same reasons.

The truth is, nearly everyone, regardless of age or gender, will benefit from strength training. Working your muscles will help you shed excess fat, maintain healthy bone mass and prevent age-related muscle loss, the latter of which can start as early as your 30s if you do not actively counteract it. As noted in a recent Time magazine article.

Please click here to read the entire article.

What Image Do You Hold About Age

Ever hear someone complaining about the aches and pains of getting older, or hear someone say, "I just don't heal as fast as I did when I was younger" ?  What mental image do you hold about age?  I believe your health is shaped by what you think about the aging process.

Most people believe in a decline in their mental and physical health as they age.  However, contrary to this belief, your body is designed to be healthy and strong all the days of your life given a positive mental attitude, proper nutrition, and regular exercise.   Do you know your body completely rebuilds itself every 11 months? That's right, within a year every worn out cell is replaced by a new healthy cell.  Click here to see the entire post...

Front Squats on a BOSU

The BOSU ball was invented by David Weck in 1999. Since then its popularity has exploded and now this piece of equipment is a staple in many fitness centers. I use the BOSU a lot with my clients  BOSU is short for ‘both sides up’. It is used for balance training, core strengthening, and reflex improvement. The BOSU ball isn’t really a ball, it’s actually half of a ball on a board.

Because the BOSU ball is unstable when it is used dome-side down, users are forced to use more muscles, thereby improving overall strength, and balance. The use of this unstable piece of equipment works not only the major muscles but also the smaller stabilizing muscles that are usually minimized during typical workouts. Click here to read more.