Strength Training Programs

For anyone interested in burning additional calories and losing more weight, incorporating strength training programs into your fitness routine is a smart and effective way to increase your efforts.

When aerobics first hit the scene, women followed Jane Fonda's lead in droves, but often stayed away from lifting weights because they were afraid they'd develop big, masculine muscles. In truth, as many women have since discovered, it's nearly impossible for women to bulk up without the use of steroids. The levels of testosterone simply aren't there in women as they are in men. Women and men who want a full-fledged exercise program use weights to some degree to build muscle mass.

You don't have to belong to a gym to take part in strength training programs. You can design one yourself and stick to it while working out at home. If you do that, these important points should be noted when taking part in strength training:

• Start slowly: If you're just starting out with weights, begin slowly. This will help you avoid injury as well as find a weight range that's comfortable for you. Typically, because men have more upper body strength than women, men will be able to lift heavier weights.
• Lift right size weight: If you start off lifting weights that are too heavy for you, you can injure yourself, derailing your exercise program for some time. Likewise, if you lift weights that are too light, you don't benefit from the exercise. Whatever weight size you begin with, it's time to increase by five to ten pound increments when you reach the end of a set of repetitions and don't feel any exertion.
• Regular routine: Lifting weights, like any other component of your fitness routine, gives the best results when you do it on a regular basis. However, you get the best benefits of strength training when you lift weights every other day instead of every day. Your muscles need time to rest and recover, so 48 hours between training days is ideal. You may decide to strength train two or three times per week, depending on how you fit it into your schedule.

So what will regular strength training do for you? Here are just some of the benefits you can expect:

• Sculpted appearance: If having rock hard abs and defined biceps are important goals, training programs focused on strength can help you attain sculpted muscles that clearly show off all of your hard work.
• Burn more calories: Muscles burn more calories than fat, so it stands to reason that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you'll burn, leading to weight loss.
• Stronger: If becoming stronger is your ultimate aim, then training for strength is how you achieve it. A complete program works on your arms, legs and core for an overall increase in strength.

If you belong to a gym, you can check to see if it offers strength training classes or you can sign up with a personal trainer. If you want to customize a routine for home use, you can find plenty of programs online that you can tailor specifically for you. Web sites that offer training programs include:

• StrongLifts.com: This site has a wealth of information for beginners through intermediates who want to increase their strength. It gives advice concerning diet, supplements and of course, how to achieve your goals.
• GSU Exercise and Physical Fitness Page: This Georgia State University resource is a good starting point for anyone interested in beginning a strength training routine.
• Sports Fitness Advisor: You don't have to be a bodybuilder to understand and follow the guidelines and advice this site gives.

One of the best things about strength training is that everyone can do it. You don't need a gym and you don't necessarily need weights. You can even improve your strength using isometric exercises. This is training that young and old alike can do to keep their muscles strong and healthy for life.

• Pictures of People Exercising
• Women Fitness Models
• Male Fitness Model

• Breast Lifting Exercise
• Contour Abs
• Naked Exercise
• Naked Pilates
• Hula Hoop Exercises

• Free Weight Training Program
• Weight Training Routines
• Strength Training Routines
• Soccer Weight Training Program
• Strength Training Benefits for Women