Resistance Train
As with a cardiovascular workout, the weights can be used to reflect the aims of your programme.
Still not convinced? There’s plenty more reasons why, whatever your
fitness goal, some form of resistance training should be included as
part of a well balanced workout…..
Avoid Muscle Loss
Adults who do not resistance train loose between 2.2kg and 3.2 kg of muscle every decade. Although aerobic exercise improves our cardiovascular fitness, it does not prevent the loss of muscle tissue. Only resistance training maintains our muscle mass and strength throughout our mid-life years.
Avoid Metabolic Rate Reduction
Muscle is very active tissue and therefore loss of muscle is accompanied by a reduction in resting metabolism. It is thought that an average adult experiences a 2% to 5% reduction in metabolic rate every decade of their life.
Increased Metabolic Rate
Research reveals that adding 1.4kg of muscle increases our metabolic rate by 7% and our daily calorie requirements by 15%. At rest a kilogram of muscle requires 77kcal per day for tissue maintenance. During exercise the energy utilisation increases dramatically. Therefore adults who have a high muscle mass use more calories all day long, thereby reducing the likelihood of fat accumulation.